Orthodox New Year

The Orthodox New Year is generally known as the Old New Year. It has noticeable as January 1st in the Julian calendar, which was used before the Gregorian calendar. The Orthodox New Year does not remain fixed in the Gregorian calendar because there are shifts between the Julian and Gregorian calendars over time.

Orthodox New Year's Day falls on or close to January 14 and is not a national public holiday in Canada. However, parking and traffic in the region of some Orthodox Christian churches where special New Year liturgies are organize may be hectic around this time of the year. Some Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate New Year's Day on the date of Julian calendar.

Various churches hold Orthodox New Year events such as parties or dinners. Those who go to these events may pray for the New Year and toast their drinks. Some churches host gala dinners to increase funds for charitable causes or church building restorations. The Orthodox New Years Day aspects many spiritual events including feast and fast days. It turns around Easter which has considered the most significant of all feast days. The twelve great feasts are also most important and they mark 3 feasts devoted to Christ and 4 to the Virgin Mary.

The four main fast periods consist of the Great Feast, the Fast of the supporters which lasts 1-6 weeks. The Fast of the Repose of the Virgin Mary and the long Christmas Feast which lasts from November 15 to December 24.The Orthodox New Year Day has been symbolized in a variety of Eastern European art, including Russian or Ukrainian works.