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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!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>46 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Julian Calendar Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, which became widely used in parts of Europe and formed the basis for the Orthodox Christian liturgical year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1582</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Gregorian Calendar Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, leading to a shift in date calculations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1923</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Revised Julian Calendar Adopted</div><div class='timeline-text'>Some Orthodox churches adopted the Revised Julian calendar, while others continued to use the traditional Julian calendar.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Today</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Orthodox New Year is still celebrated as per the Julian calendar, traditionally marked by liturgical services, processions, festive meals, and community gatherings.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a traditional feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a fireworks display</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a church service</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Give gifts to loved ones</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Participate in a polar bear plunge</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates a different cultural tradition</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It reminds us to reflect on our past year</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together in celebration</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Orthodox Church Has a Following of Over 260 Million People</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Eastern Orthodox Church, often simply referred to as the Orthodox Church, has approximately 260 million adherents worldwide, making it one of the largest Christian communities.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Orthodox Church Follows the Julian Calendar</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike the Western Gregorian calendar, the Orthodox Church follows the older Julian calendar. This leads to some holidays, like Christmas and New Year, being celebrated on different dates.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>It is Also Called the 'One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church'</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Orthodox Church, in the Nicene Creed, refers to itself as the 'One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church', affirming its universality and apostolic foundations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Istanbul is Considered the Heart of the Orthodox Church</h3><p class='facts-content'>Istanbul, previously known as Constantinople, is considered the spiritual and administrative center of the Orthodox Church, housing the Ecumenical Patriarchate.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Orthodox Church Preserves Many Ancient Christian Traditions</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Orthodox Church maintains many ancient Christian traditions such as the original form of the liturgy, the veneration of icons, and the usage of the Greek New Testament.</p></div></div>
Orthodox New Year is celebrated on January 14 every year. In 2024 Orthodox New Year will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Jan 14
Saturday
2024
Jan 14
Sunday
2025
Jan 14
Tuesday
2026
Jan 14
Wednesday
2027
Jan 14
Thursday
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