When is Orthodox New Year in 2024? โ This is a question, the answer to which is well-know to the most part of contemporary men and women. The matter is that the holiday coincides with the official day of New Year coming, which is appreciated in almost all countries of the planet, except some Asian and African ones. Thus, people know about it and celebrate it with a great pleasure in different corners of the planet. However, today we are going to introduce some amazing details. Would you like to join us? โ We are starting.
History
Investigating the matter what day Orthodox New Year in 2024 is, we canโt but mention the historical background of this event. As a rule, the most part of our followers are really interested in the past of any special occasions we introduce here. They usually want to know who established the event and what the reason is to keep it on a particular day.
Following the modern historians, the history of the celebration of the holiday goes back to Mesopotamia. Initially, the tradition to celebrate the spring awakening of nature was born there. However, it was not in January, but in March. The fun lasted more than a week. Nobody worked those days. All people went for festivities and funny masquerades.
Later, the custom to celebrate the New Year was adopted by the Greeks, then the Egyptians and Romans.
In Russia and on the territory of the former USSR, the New Year was not always celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. The date on which this holiday fell among the Gentiles, before the baptism of Russia, is still unknown, but the fact is that the celebration of the New Year coincided with the end of winter. However, together with the advent of a new reckoning associated with the baptism of Russia, the date was fixed on March 1, later it moved to September 1. In 1699, Tsar Peter I issued a decree celebrating the New Year on January 1. This was done following the example of all the European countries that lived on the Gregorian calendar.
Meaning
What does Orthodox New Year mean? โ Frankly speaking, we are not sure that we can answer this question instead of you. Why? โ You see the matter is that we donโt know you personally. That is why we canโt even predict your attitude to this special occasion. Among the representatives of the modern society there are a lot of those, who canโt even imagine their life without this holiday and they wait for it all the year long. However, at the same time there are a lot of those who donโt care and take January 1st as any other day of the year. It is only up to you to decide what position to choose. This decision will define whether you will celebrate the holiday like this or forget about it completely.
Definition
Talking about the question “What is the date of Orthodox New Year in 2024?” we can’t but mention the peculiar features of this special occasion. First of all, we would like to mention that it is considered to be in the list of the most favorite events of the year. It is usually appreciate by both children as well as adults. Everybody seems to believe that the miracles are going to happen on the magic night of December 31 to January 1.
This holiday is usually waited with great impatience, real excitement and a lot of joy. Preparations always begin in advance, As a rule, by the end of December, everything around is sparkling. The special atmosphere is in houses, shops, restaurants. Men and women go shopping, look for gifts and think about the menus of their festive tables.
Traditions
When is Orthodox New Year in 2020, calendar will surely remind you. And, to tell you the truth, you won’t miss this holiday even under the condition you really want to do it. Why? – The matter is that as soon as this holiday is just coming, the cities are turned into the miracle places. – Everybody is running everywhere, trying to find the best gifts for the close people. There are a lot of sales in almost every shop. The streets as well as the houses from inside and outside are decorated.
However, there are some traditions, which are considered to be popular only among the Orthodox people, who live in different parts of the planet. The most typical of them are getting together in a family circle, decorating the house and sharing gifts. Let’s discuss each of them in details.
- Having a huge meal at a family table
Most contemporary men and women like celebrating this holiday in a comfortable, warm and homely atmosphere. They don’t usually go somewhere and seldom go abroad. At midnight they raise the glasses of sparkling champagne, make a wish together and then sit all night long at the festive table talking, singing or even playing different games. These ordinary things are considered to be among the most appreciated ones on the planet.
- Home decorating
Following the locals this tradition is able to bring special atmosphere and positive emotions to the premises. Sometimes people decorate not only homes, but also their offices and educational institutions as well. The desire to create a festive atmosphere has been known since ancient times. Initially, people did it quite different things, for example, apples, potatoes, nuts, and even eggs. In the course of time, various glass balls, sparkling garlands and other festive elements appeared. Up to the present moment, the choice of New Year decorations is really huge. However, some people prefer the handmade ones. They are sure that these things are able to make their houses unique and fabulous.
- Various kinds of gifts.
Certainly, it is even impossible to imagine this holiday without gifts. People congratulated each other, share small or sometimes huge present and wish good luck.
Orthodox New Year Facts
Investigating the question “What is the date of Orthodox New Year in 2020?” we came to the conclusion that this special occasion is much more complicated than it may seem at the first sight. It contains a lot of amazing pieces of information. Today we are going to represent some of them to our followers.
Initially we want to tell about the distant Asian country of Vietnam. In the former times the locals of this region believed that the so-called home god went up to heaven, travelling on the back on the enormous carp back. So even contemporary people, some of which are Orthodox, buy some live fish beforehand and put it in the nearest pond at night. This is the most popular family tradition. Following the legend, in such a way they hope to bring success for the next year.
Men and women, who are staying on Cyprus, prefer to switch the home lights off in their houses at midnight. Following the local legend, the total darkness should bring them a lot of good luck.
Many Italians like throwing some old things out of their home windows. By the way, it is not a single belief of the country. It has an amazing continuation. Doing it they prefer to wear red linen only!
In China men and women do not use any knives, scissors and other sharp and dangerous objects on this holiday eve. Why? – The explanation is quite predictable in fact. They are afraid of “cutting off” the luck and well-being that are planning to enter their home.
The French are sure that the wheel is a successful symbol of a happy future. This is the reason they usually present it as a gift to the people around: family members, friends, relatives and ever colleagues at work.