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Orthodox New Year

Ring in the Orthodox New Year with traditional foods, festive celebrations, and new beginnings!

Thursday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJanuary 14

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYReligion

SUBCATEGORYChristian

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to ring in the New Year not once, but twice! Orthodox New Year, also known as Old New Year, is celebrated on January 14 and marks the beginning of a new year according to the Julian calendar. This holiday is mainly observed by Orthodox Christians and has been celebrated since the 14th century in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia. It's a day filled with traditional customs and rituals, such as fortune-telling for the upcoming year and feasting on delicious foods. So mark your calendars and get ready to start the year off right – twice!

TIMELINE

Orthodox New Year Timeline

Julian Calendar Established

Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, which became widely used in parts of Europe and formed the basis for the Orthodox Christian liturgical year.

Gregorian Calendar Introduced

Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, leading to a shift in date calculations.

Revised Julian Calendar Adopted

Some Orthodox churches adopted the Revised Julian calendar, while others continued to use the traditional Julian calendar.

Modern Celebrations

Orthodox New Year is still celebrated as per the Julian calendar, traditionally marked by liturgical services, processions, festive meals, and community gatherings.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Orthodox New Year

Host a traditional feast

Invite friends and family over for a traditional New Year's feast, complete with dishes like kutia and holubtsi. This is a great way to connect with your cultural heritage and celebrate the holiday together.

WATCH

Watch a fireworks display

Many cities and towns have fireworks displays to mark the beginning of the new year. Gather with your loved ones and watch the spectacular show together.

ATTEND

Attend a church service

For those who observe Orthodox Christianity, attending a church service on Orthodox New Year is a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday. Take part in the liturgy and connect with your faith community.

GIVE

Give gifts to loved ones

In some cultures, it is traditional to exchange gifts on Orthodox New Year. Show your loved ones how much you care by giving them a thoughtful and meaningful gift.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a polar bear plunge

For the brave and adventurous, participating in a polar bear plunge on Orthodox New Year is a unique and exhilarating way to ring in the new year. Just be sure to bundle up afterwards!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Orthodox New Year is Important

It brings people together in celebration

Just like any New Year's celebration, Orthodox New Year is a time for gathering with loved ones and celebrating new beginnings. Whether it's through food, music, dance or other customs, it allows people to come together and strengthen their bonds with one another.

It celebrates a different cultural tradition

Orthodox New Year is celebrated in many countries, mainly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. By recognizing this holiday, we are acknowledging and honoring the diverse cultures and traditions that exist around the world.

It reminds us to reflect on our past year

Orthodox New Year falls on January 14th, which is almost two weeks after the widely celebrated Gregorian New Year (January 1st). This gives us more time to reflect on our past year, set new goals and intentions, and make positive changes for the future.

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