Today is the Old new year! What
is this, you may ask. I'll tell you the history of two calendars.
The most widely used calendar around the world is the Gregorian Calendar that was first introduced in 1582. Until that time many countries used the Julian Calendar. Russia had adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1918, while some other countries continued to use the Julian Calendar until 1923.
Why was Julian Calendar replaced? Because it introduced an error of 1 day every 128 years so currently the Julian Calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar.
Even so the Julian Calendar is still used by the majority of Orthodox churches for ecclesiastical dates. Thus they celebrate Christmas on December, 25 on the Julian Calendar, which corresponds to January, 7 on the Gregorian Calendar.
Orthodox New year corresponds to January,14 on the Gregorian Calendar.
As in most countries which use the Gregorian calendar, New year's day in Russia is a public holiday. The Old New Year on January 14th is an informal traditional holiday, celebrated as the start of new year on the Julian Calendar, it is still informally observed.
The tradition of celebrating the coming of the New Year twice is widely enjoyed: January 1 (New New Year) and January 14 (Old New Year).
As it's a weekday, at the evening my family and I have the Old New Year's dinner and blackcurrant cake.
Happy Old New year, my dear friends!
Why was Julian Calendar replaced? Because it introduced an error of 1 day every 128 years so currently the Julian Calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar.
Even so the Julian Calendar is still used by the majority of Orthodox churches for ecclesiastical dates. Thus they celebrate Christmas on December, 25 on the Julian Calendar, which corresponds to January, 7 on the Gregorian Calendar.
Orthodox New year corresponds to January,14 on the Gregorian Calendar.
As in most countries which use the Gregorian calendar, New year's day in Russia is a public holiday. The Old New Year on January 14th is an informal traditional holiday, celebrated as the start of new year on the Julian Calendar, it is still informally observed.
The tradition of celebrating the coming of the New Year twice is widely enjoyed: January 1 (New New Year) and January 14 (Old New Year).
As it's a weekday, at the evening my family and I have the Old New Year's dinner and blackcurrant cake.
Happy Old New year, my dear friends!
More
information here: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Julian_Calendar
Happy Old New Year Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteA blackcurrant cake sounds delicious!
Thank you Alain!
DeleteThe cake tastes lovely and is eaten very fast.
Happy Old Year dear Nadedza!
ReplyDeleteWish you all the best!
Your post is very interesting!
Have a lovely day!
Dimi...
Have a nice day you too Dimi!
DeleteThank you for this snippet of information Nadezda. I love hearing about the customs other people follow. Your black currant cake sounds good. Recipe please! Happy Old New Year. P x
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Patricia!
DeleteHere is the recipe:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/berry_crumble_traybake_59984
Enjoy!
Happy Old New Year to you Nadezda
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue!
DeleteHello Nadezda girl ! .. I think celebrating the New Year twice would be great here too : )
ReplyDeleteThe holidays just whiz by after such a big build up .. yet I think a lot of us want it to be over and done with to continue on to a normal routine and looking forward to Spring .. me ? I'll take the two New Years ! haha
Black current cake sounds delicious ... what about that recipe ? LOL
Joy ... in -23 weather yet again !
I agree, Joy. Holidays are good but the spring is better. I wait for it as well. Blackcurrant cake is delicious, the recipe is here:
Deletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/berry_crumble_traybake_59984
I like this tradition of Old New Year! I hope your Old New Year was the best ever!
ReplyDeleteYes it was, Peter, thank you!
DeleteHappy Old New Year Nadezda! Your cake sounds delicious. Unfortunately blackcurrants are not grown in the US but we can make your cake with other berries, such as blueberries or raspberries – but blackberries are my favorite. It is nice to celebrate these holidays like you do in Russia and several other countries and show openness and understanding of other traditions. Here in the US as soon as standard Christmas and New Year are over all the stores start to show their Valentine Day candies, etc. ; they are a bit unconcerned about other customs even if some of the people here follow them.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde, you can make a cake with any berries or with fruit jam, of course. The Valentine day is not very popular here, some young people started to celebrate it some years ago.
DeleteHave a nice day!
Vamos que celebras dos veces el año nuevo. Me ha gustado enterarme Nadezda.
ReplyDeleteFeliz año viejo y nuevo;))
Un beso.
Gracias, Laura!
DeleteWish you a Happy Old New Year Nadezda! It's fun to celebrate twice New Year is n't it, I should like it too especially for the blackcurrant cake.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha :)). Thank you Janneke!
DeleteHappy Old New Year to you, Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteHappy Old New Year Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteYou really get the most out of the New Year celebration :-)
Thanks for all the info, nice to know about traditions in other countries.
You're welcome, Helene!
DeleteI'm little late, but I wish you a very nice Old New Year and happy gardening on new one!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tistou!
DeleteHappy old new year to you , too! I hope the new year brings you much joy in your beautiful garden. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Tammy!
DeleteHappy Old New Year to you Nadezda !
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday :)
Thank you Ela!
DeleteNadezda,
ReplyDeleteall the best in Old New Year!
Berry cake tastes great.
Thank you for your visit and left comments.
Greetings.
Lucja, I always love reading and commenting on your blog. Thank you!
DeleteVery interesting, Nazdezda, I've learned something new! Happy Old New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose!
DeleteI love your new blog layout. I hope 2015 is your best year ever!! :)
ReplyDeleteA good way to get to celebrate twice! 😄
ReplyDeleteI agree Sandi!
Delete