The Old New Year appeared with us in connection with a change in the chronology and, in fact, is not an independent holiday. It is traditionally celebrated in countries where the church celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar, on January 7th. Therefore, the date of the New Year according to this calendar corresponds to 14 January.
history of the holiday
Our Country under the tsar lived according to the Julian calendar, created in the Roman Empire on the basis of ancient Egyptian astronomy, while Europe lived according to the Gregorian calendar, which was created only in the 13th century and took into account all the new discoveries about the structure of the universe. Between the calendars there was a difference of 14 days, which created difficulties for the conduct of international affairs. And on February 1918, XNUMX, the Bolshevik government transferred the country to the Gregorian calendar. Then such an unusual holiday as the Old New Year appeared, i.e. New Year old style.
But the Church refused to switch to the Gregorian calendar and to this day it uses the Julian one. That is why we celebrate Christmas on January 7, but the Orthodox Church celebrates the New Year on September 14 (September 1, according to the old style), because it considers it not from the Nativity of Christ, but from the creation of the world and during the New Year holidays, believers have a strict Christmas fast.
By the way, the Old New Year is celebrated not only in Our Country, it is also in the countries of the former USSR, as well as in Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Japan.
Holiday traditions
Until 1918, during the future Old New Year, Vasily’s Day was celebrated – a holiday of agriculture. It was also called the “generous evening”, because people showed generosity in everything and, most importantly, in food. Traditionally, housewives cooked wheat porridge with meat or bacon, baked pancakes and pies, and in the evening they had dinner with their neighbors. There was a belief that the one who sets the most magnificent table will be lucky all year.
Pork dishes were also valued on this day, since Vasily was considered the patron saint of pig breeders.
And with the advent of the Old New Year, a tradition appeared to make dumplings with a surprise. During the day, the whole family prepares dough and stuffing, and then they start modeling at the common table. Anything can be a surprise, it all depends on your imagination. It is believed that the one who gets the “lucky dumpling” will be lucky all year. For example, a bean caught in a dumpling is a replenishment in the family, and a pepper is a thrill. A dumpling with sugar marks the “sweet life”, and a coin – wealth and prosperity. A dumpling with dill will bring health, but a thread will take you on a journey. You can put any surprise filling, just do not forget to warn the guests that the dumplings are not easy, so that they are extremely careful in eating the dish.
Holiday signs
“As you meet the New Year, so you will spend it” applies to the celebration of the Old New Year. Therefore, beautiful outfits, a magnificent feast and a good mood should also be present on the night of January 13-14.
There was also a belief that if a person from a large family enters the house first, life will be full and prosperous.
The weather signs of this day predict what the whole year will be like: if the south wind blows, the year will be hot and kind. If Western – expect a lot of milk and fish. A clear starry sky promises an abundance of berries.
What not to do on the Old New Year
- The most important thing is not to borrow and lend money. Otherwise, you will spend a year like this.
- It is impossible to celebrate the Old New Year exclusively in the company of women, it is believed that then he will be unhappy and lonely.
- Cleaning the house on this day is also not worth it – you will accidentally take out luck along with the garbage. Better clean up in advance, and on the day of the holiday, allow yourself to relax.