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The old new year has begun. In what other countries celebrate the Old New Year? Where, besides Russia, it is customary to celebrate the Old New Year

Old New Year- This is an unofficial, but unusually warm, joyful and magical holiday, which is celebrated on the night of January 13-14. This additional New Year was the result of a change in the order of the chronology, so it can be considered a cultural-historical phenomenon.

Where did this holiday come from?

The confusion over the celebration of the Old New Year began in 1918, when instead of julian calendar Gregorian was introduced, and the concept of "old" and "new" style entered our lives. At the same time, the day that for centuries was considered the first of January, “moved” in the calendar to January 14th. For those who did not want to change their habits, he remained a holiday.

In addition, celebrating the New Year from January 13 to 14 turned out to be more logical for Orthodox believers, who are used to celebrating it 6 days after Orthodox Christmas. But they tried not to celebrate the holiday from December 31 to January 1, because it fell on the Advent, when you can’t set the festive table, you can’t drink wine and you won’t have fun. And in general, in the public mind since the 19th century, the New Year was considered a cheerful and violent holiday.

“The New Year is the same as the campaign of mummers in the village,” writes in his essay historian Lev Lurie. - This is the time when people can behave as if indecent. After the New Year, the time for girl fortune-telling comes at all. They guessed, of course, about the suitors - they let the rooster peck oats, drowned the wax, put papers with the names of potential suitors into the pelvis, used a mirror. Divination traditions are pagan, they were not only not welcomed by the Orthodox Church, but also prohibited. Of course, during the fast it was clearly inappropriate to do all this.

Why do we still celebrate it

By the way, there is no scientifically based date for the beginning of the new year. This is the subject of a social contract. It is simply more convenient for people to unify the calendar and assume that in all countries the calendar new year begins on the night of December 31 to January 1.

So why not stop at this great date? After all, now even Orthodox believers do not refuse to celebrate the New Year together with everyone. However, the annual Polls of the Levada Center show that the tradition of celebrating the Old New Year in our society not only does not die out, but only grows stronger from year to year. The number of people who celebrate this holiday is growing and is last years already from 43 to 47% of the respondents.

Scientists believe there are several reasons for this. The first is that our culture traditionally welcomes everything that confirms the idea of the mystery of the Russian soul. “Our people generally like the idea that Russia has its own unique third way,” says expert of the Center for Political Technologies, social psychologist Alexei Roshchin. That's why we have our specific holiday- Old New Year. This allows us to feel that we stand out against the backdrop of globalization.” However, in fairness it should be said that the Old New Year is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in most CIS countries, as well as in former republics Yugoslavia.

The second reason, according to psychologists, lies in the fact that our protracted Cold winter and the lack of light provokes us to seasonal blues. And the holidays the best remedy to fight her. Festive garlands, multi-colored lanterns, a cheerful mess, a feast, a desire to treat yourself to food and alcohol. So we grab every opportunity not to fall into winter depression. How else can you defeat her

The third source of why we so want to extend the New Year holidays follows from the previous one. “The fact is that the New Year holidays are best suited to feel like children and pamper our “inner child”, which is hidden in the soul of each of us,” says psychologist Oksana Poleshchuk. - A Christmas tree, tangerines, snow, a skating rink, a cafe, a cinema, the opportunity to just have fun, be reckless, push the burden of daily responsibility, relax, sit in front of the TV, eat what you want, not counting calories, and finally, just do nothing. Many of us, in fact, do not have enough of this, and after the holidays such a lack is felt most acutely.

There are even wonderful poems by Yunna Moritz about this, which Sergey Nikitin set to music, and the result was an unusually lyrical, wonderful song:

He's old, he's old, he's not new at all,

And still we are children, we are on the Christmas tree,

And we fly for this ghostly additive,

For the irrevocable and unique,

Add us at least the Old New Year.

Make your dreams come true

Finally, important reason The growing popularity of the Old New Year lies in the fact that in our fragmented world, people are increasingly experiencing a lack of human understanding with each passing decade. And so we are increasingly in need of warm unhurried fellowship. The best for festive table, in the circle of the closest and most understanding people. Maybe that is why the holiday from December 31 to January 1 remains violent and cheerful, with shooting and dancing until the morning. But the Old New Year is now assigned, rather, the role of a quiet, sincere, warm and magical holiday.

So if you feel that you celebrated the New Year not the way you would like, but “like people do”: with reckless shopping and bowls of salads, then you still have a chance to realize your hidden desires and celebrate the Old New Year like this as you wish. Or just dream, let your dreams go to extraordinary distances, believe in miracles and return at least for a while in such wonderful world- the world of childhood!

Tatyana Rubleva

It is customary to celebrate the New Year in Russia for a long time and on a grand scale - in January we have a rest for more than a week. However festive mood is preserved even after the end of the official holidays, because on the night of January 13-14, the whole country celebrates the old New Year. Kultura.RF tells about when and how the holiday with such a controversial name appeared.

New Year's pre-revolutionary postcard. Russia, before 1917.

The old New Year came into our culture along with the old style of reckoning.

In 1918, the Bolshevik government decided to change the calendar. Royal Russia lived according to the Julian calendar, and Europe - according to the Gregorian. The first was created in the Roman Empire and was based on ancient Egyptian astronomy. The Gregorian calendar was more accurate; it was created in the 16th century, taking into account latest knowledge about the structure of the universe. The difference between the two systems of calculation was 13 days and created inconvenience for the conduct of international political and economic affairs and led to funny incidents in Everyday life. For example, according to the dates on the postmarks, it turned out that the telegram was received in Europe a few days earlier than it was sent in Russia.

The transition to the Western European calendar took place on February 14, 1918. According to the decree, main goal of the entire project was "the establishment in Russia of the same calculus with almost all cultural peoples."

Appeared and unusual holiday- the old New Year, that is, the New Year according to the old style, which was not forgotten among the people. However, they celebrated the old New Year not on such a large scale as the night from December 31 to January 1.

The Russian clergy did not agree with the transition to the new style and did not abandon the Julian calendar. But this was not so important for the Bolsheviks, who had already signed the Decree on the separation of the church from the state and the school from the church. old style became informal.

Today, the Russian Orthodox Church still uses the Julian calendar. Therefore, Christmas in our country is celebrated on January 7, and in Catholic countries - on December 25. The New Year, or rather the New Year, the Orthodox Church celebrates on September 14 (September 1, according to the old style) - not from the Nativity of Christ, but from the creation of the world. During the period of secular new year holidays believers hold the Nativity fast.

Directly on January 1, the holy martyr Boniface is commemorated, to whom one should pray in order to get rid of drunkenness (the disease of wine drinking).

Contrary to popular belief, the tradition of celebrating the Old New Year exists not only in our country. There are similar holidays in countries former USSR, as well as in Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Algeria, Tunisia and many other countries. In all states, the appearance of an unusual date is associated with transitions to different calendars but each country has its own traditions. In the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, for example, January 13 is celebrated old day Saint Sylvester, dress up in fancy dresses and wish each other Happy New Year. In Macedonia, carnivals are held on the New Year according to the old calendar. There is an analogue of our holiday in Wales - the Hen Galan festival. It also means the beginning of the New Year according to the Julian calendar, and on this day children can “carol” - go from house to house and receive sweet gifts.

In Russia, according to statistics, the old New Year is celebrated by about half of the country's population, gathering at the festive table. And a number of museums and cultural organizations dedicate thematic exhibitions to the holiday.

On the night of January 13-14, Russians celebrate the Old New Year - a holiday that is incomprehensible to many foreigners. No one can really say - how is the Old New Year different from the traditional New Year familiar to everyone? Of course, from the outside it would seem that the matter is only in the divergence of dates. However, we all treat the Old New Year as quite independent holiday, capable of prolonging the charm of the New Year . And maybe for the first time to feel it, because the situation is different, but on this day the holiday is more calm, there is no fuss, so characteristic of the holiday of January 1.

There are two reasons for the appearance of a unique New Year - a change in the start date of the New Year in Rus' and the stubbornness of the Russian Orthodox Church who did not want to go to A new style.

Story

In pagan times, the New Year was celebrated in Rus' on March 22 - on the day spring equinox, and it was connected with the agricultural cycle. With the adoption of Christianity in Rus', the Byzantine calendar began to gradually replace the old one, and now the New Year began on September 1. For a long time discord still persisted, and in some places the New Year continued to be celebrated in the spring. Only at the end of the 15th century in Rus' officially determined the beginning of the New Year - September 1.

By decree of Peter I in 1699, the New Year was moved to January 1, according to the old style, that is, to January 14, according to the new style. After the revolution in 1918, the Bolsheviks "abolished" another 13 days a year, which made up the difference between our chronology and the European one.
Thus, two New Year holidays were formed - according to the new and the old style.

Church about the Old New Year

The custom to celebrate the Old New Year on the night of January 13-14 in Russia is due to the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church continues to celebrate both the New Year and Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which differs from the generally accepted Gregorian calendar by 13 days. But already from March 1, 2100, this difference will be 14 days. From 2101, Christmas and Old New Year in Russia will be celebrated a day later.

Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, deputy chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, said that the Russian Orthodox Church does not intend to make adjustments to its calendar yet. “Indeed, the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars increases by one day every 100 years, when the number of hundreds in the year from the Nativity of Christ is not a multiple of four. And if the Lord allows this world to exist for another 100 years, then the Orthodox will celebrate Christmas on January 8, and Meet the Old New Year on the night of 14 to 15," Chaplin said.

According to him, one should not give of great importance calendar differences. "The Gregorian calendar is also not entirely accurate, so the Russian Orthodox Church continues to use the Julian calendar," Chaplin explained.

"If agreement can be found in calendar disputes, then only after the development of a new, absolutely accurate calendar", - concluded the representative of the Moscow Patriarchate.

For many believers, January 14 is the Old New Year holiday. special meaning, since they can celebrate it wholeheartedly only after the end of the Advent, during Christmas festivities.

Opinions of scientists

Old New Year is an unscientific date, astronomers say. However, the current calendar is not ideal, experts of the Astronomical and Geodetic Society of Russia believe. According to them, the strict mechanics of the movement of the planets forces people to make changes to the reckoning. The Julian calendar, which was in force in our country until 1918, is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, according to which Europe lives. The fact is that the Earth does not rotate around its axis in exactly 24 hours. Seconds additional to this time, gradually accumulating, add up to days.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, they turned into 13 days, which made up the difference between the old Julian and the new Gregorian systems. The new style more closely complies with the laws of astronomy.

According to Edward Kononovich, Associate Professor of the Department of Astrophysics at Moscow State University, the main thing is that the calendar accurately reflects the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun. Today there are many enthusiasts offering own version countdown. Their proposals are mainly related to a change in the traditional week: some propose to make a week of five days or do without weeks altogether, and introduce ten days. However perfect offers, from the point of view of science, perhaps not - experts came to this conclusion different countries, studying applications for changing the chronology, even coming to the UN. Scientists consider it inappropriate to carry out any calendar reforms now.

celebration

And yet, despite the fact that this day, unfortunately, is not even a day off, the popularity of the Old New Year is growing.

According to the All-Russian Center for the Study public opinion, the number of people wishing to celebrate the Old New Year has already exceeded 60%. Among those who are going to celebrate the "old" New Year are the majority of pupils and students, workers, entrepreneurs, housewives and, in general, people under 40 years old, with secondary specialized and secondary education, with relatively high incomes.

Traditions

January 14 in the old days was called St. Basil's Day, and was of decisive importance for the whole year. On Vasily's Day, they celebrated the holiday of agriculture, which was associated with the future harvest, and they performed the rite of sowing - hence the name of the holiday "Autumn" or "Avsen". This ritual differed different regions countries: for example, in Tula, children scattered spring wheat around the house, while saying a prayer for a rich harvest, and the hostess then collected it and stored it until sowing time. Ukrainian rituals were distinguished by fun, dances and songs.

And there was also a kind of ritual - cooking porridge. IN new year's eve, at 2 o'clock, the eldest of the women brought cereals from the barn, and the eldest man brought water from a well or river. It was impossible to touch cereals and water until the stove was heated - they just stood on the table. Then everyone sat down at the table, and the eldest of the women began to stir the porridge in the pot, while uttering certain ritual words - the groats were usually buckwheat.

Then everyone got up from the table, and the hostess put the porridge in the oven - with a bow. Ready porridge taken out of the oven and carefully examined. If the pot was just full, and the porridge was rich and crumbly, then you could wait happy year and a rich harvest - they ate such porridge in the morning. If the porridge got out of the pot, or the pot cracked, this did not bode well for the owners of the house, and then trouble was expected, and the porridge was thrown away. Such was the program - either for troubles or for prosperity, and it is not surprising that it was often realized - after all, they seriously believed in it.

The fact is that Vasily was considered a “pigsty” - the patron saint of pig breeders and pork products, and they believed that if there was a lot of pork on the table that night, then these animals would breed in abundance on the farm and bring good profits to the owners. This sign is much more positive than the ceremony with porridge, especially for diligent and hardworking owners. Surprisingly sonorous and foldable saying: "A pig and a pig for Vasilyev's evening" also contributed to the mood of the owners for economic prosperity and abundance.

But the tradition of sculpting dumplings with surprises for the holiday on January 14 - Old New Year - appeared not so long ago - no one remembers exactly where and when, but it is observed with pleasure in many regions of Russia. In some cities, they are sculpted in almost every home - with family and friends, and then arranged fun feast and they eat these dumplings, impatiently waiting for who and what kind of surprise will come across.

This comic fortune-telling is especially liked by children. They even bring dumplings with them to work to cheer up friends and colleagues; and local food enterprises often produce such dumplings - just before the Old New Year.

The series of numerous holidays continues, but by no means closes on January 14, the old New Year, for foreigners, even in its name, it sounds somewhat strange.

And they can be understood: how the New Year can be old and why it should be celebrated if officially calendar year starting January 1st? The reason for everything was the confusion in the calendars, Julian and Gregorian, thanks to which Russia stands out among other countries not only by the tradition of celebrating the New Year twice, but also Christmas, which on December 25 is expected not only by Catholics, but also by two-thirds of the Orthodox around the world.

Why was the date chosen on January 14, the old New Year, which is celebrated despite the end of weekends and holidays

Everything is very simple: the year according to the Julian calendar, which was actively used in Europe until the 16th century, fell exactly on the night of January 14th. But because of the confusion in the calendar and astronomical years church holidays gradually shifted, which caused negative attitude not only the clergy, but also the faithful. And then, by the 17th century, almost all of Europe gradually switched to a calendar, named after the then acting Pope Gregory, who tried to streamline the situation.

And while the whole world was waiting and rejoicing in the coming year on the night of the 31st to the 1st, Russia continued to stand out from other countries using the Julian calendar. The Gregorian authorities came to power only after the revolution, but a misunderstanding crept in here too: since the authorities did not recognize the church, the latter chose to ignore the instructions of the authorities, continuing to celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Well, the tradition of celebrating the Old New Year on January 14 has remained with the population, although the essence of the holiday is not clear to everyone, just as not everyone has a desire to celebrate it.

Church and January 14

From the point of view of religion, there is no distinction between the dates of the celebration of this day, therefore, on January 14, the old New Year is celebrated by secular people. The Church continues to use the old Julian calendar, calling it also not ideally accurate, like the Gregorian calendar. Orthodox on this date remember St. Basil the Great. Leading a pious life, he was canonized for good deeds and was revered by Russian Orthodoxy along with Nicholas the Wonderworker. Therefore, January 14 for the church is, first of all, the day of remembrance of this saint. However, from the point of view of joy about the Nativity of Christ and the end of the fast for a believer, celebrating the next year on the night of 13 to 14 is, in principle, more convenient, since it allows you to do this without the restrictions imposed by the fast preceding Christmas.

Old New Year 2018: why is it celebrated from January 13 to 14? After graduation New Year holidays, which in Russia, as a rule, last ten days, the inhabitants of the country are returning to their usual rhythm of life, but they know that very soon it will be possible to think again secret desire. This is because on the night of January 13-14, Russia celebrates amazing holiday called Old New Year.

Where did the tradition of celebrating the arrival of the New Year twice come from in Russia, and why is the second New Year “Old”?

The Old New Year in Russia is celebrated unofficially. The holiday arose due to a change in the chronology - this tradition is associated with the divergence of two calendars: the Gregorian ("new style") and Julian ("old style").

The main changes took place in 1918, when by decree of the Council of People's Commissars it was decided to transfer the country from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian.

Vladimir Lenin signed a decree on the transition to a new chronology, and all citizens Soviet Russia, having gone to bed on January 31, 1918, woke up on February 14. The calendar was "adjusted" to carry out the transition to the Gregorian chronology, which was in effect in the West.

Since then, the inhabitants of Russia have had the opportunity to arrange two New Years for themselves - from December 31 to January 1 and from January 13 to 14. The second holiday is called the Old New Year.

It should be noted that these changes did not affect the Russian Orthodox Church: as before, all holidays are celebrated according to the "old", Julian calendar.

Old New Year 2018 - the history of the holiday, divination, signs, customs on January 14

Russians are used to celebrating the New Year twice - on January 1 and 14. But it's not just because we love the holidays. Not even because we love to eat and sing. Some do not think about ancient customs, but celebrate the Old New Year out of habit, because they always did.

Among the Romans, St. Melania's day traditionally ended the year, and St. Basil's day began a new one. In the popular imagination, these images have become stable couple, became tied to real historical figures (Prince Vladimir the Great and his mother Malusha). And in the ritual texts one can find echoes of legal norms and some details of the life of the tenth century.

However, we all treat the Old New Year as a completely independent holiday that can prolong the charm of the New Year. And maybe for the first time to feel it, because the situation is different, but on this day the holiday is more calm, there is no fuss, so characteristic of the holiday of January 1.

There are two reasons for the emergence of a unique New Year - a change in the start date of the New Year in Rus' and the stubbornness of the Russian Orthodox Church, which did not want to switch to the New Style.

Old New Year: The history of the holiday

In pagan times, the New Year was celebrated in Rus' on March 22 - on the day of the vernal equinox, and this was associated with the agricultural cycle. With the adoption of Christianity in Rus', the Byzantine calendar began to gradually replace the old one, and now the New Year began on September 1. For a long time there was still discord, and in some places the New Year continued to be celebrated in the spring. Only at the end of the 15th century in Rus' officially determined the beginning of the New Year - September 1.

So two celebrations of the New Year were formed - according to the new and the old style.

On the night of January 13-14, Old New Year 2017 is celebrated - an additional holiday that arose as a result of a change in the chronology.

Old New Year: Holiday Traditions

This day in the old days was called Vasily's Day, and was of decisive importance for the whole year. On Vasily's Day, they celebrated the holiday of agriculture, which was associated with the future harvest, and they performed the rite of sowing - hence the name of the holiday "Autumn" or "Avsen". This rite differed in different regions of the country: for example, in Tula, children scattered spring wheat around the house, while saying a prayer for a rich harvest, and the hostess then collected it and kept it until sowing time. Ukrainian rituals were distinguished by fun, dances and songs.

And there was also a kind of ritual - cooking porridge. On New Year's Eve, at 2 o'clock, the eldest of the women brought cereals from the barn, and the eldest man brought water from a well or river. It was impossible to touch cereals and water until the stove was heated - they just stood on the table. Then everyone sat down at the table, and the eldest of the women began to stir the porridge in the pot, while uttering certain ritual words - the groats were usually buckwheat.

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Then everyone got up from the table, and the hostess put the porridge in the oven - with a bow. Ready porridge was taken out of the oven and carefully examined. If the pot was just full, and the porridge was rich and crumbly, then one could expect a happy year and a rich harvest - they ate such porridge in the morning. If the porridge got out of the pot, or the pot cracked, this did not bode well for the owners of the house, and then trouble was expected, and the porridge was thrown away. Such was the program - either for troubles or for prosperity, and it is not surprising that it was often realized - after all, they seriously believed in it.

An interesting rite of going from house to house to treat yourself to pork dishes. On the night of Vasily, the guests certainly had to be fed with pork pies, boiled or baked pork legs, and in general any dishes that include pork. A pig's head was also placed on the table. The fact is that Vasily was considered a “pigsty” - the patron saint of pig breeders and pork products, and they believed that if there was a lot of pork on the table that night, then these animals would breed in abundance on the farm and bring good profits to the owners. This sign is much more positive than the ceremony with porridge, especially for diligent and hardworking owners. Surprisingly sonorous and foldable saying: "A pig and a pig for Vasilyev's evening" also contributed to the mood of the owners for economic prosperity and abundance.

But the tradition of sculpting dumplings with surprises for the Old New Year appeared not so long ago - no one remembers exactly where and when, but it is observed with pleasure in many regions of Russia. In some cities, they are made in almost every house - with family and friends, and then they arrange a fun feast and eat these dumplings, looking forward to who, what kind of surprise will come across. This comic fortune-telling is especially liked by children. They even bring dumplings with them to work to cheer up friends and colleagues; and local food enterprises often produce such dumplings - just before the Old New Year.

The modern Old New Year is now celebrated in the same way as on New Year's Eve. It is believed that on the Old New Year you need to catch up on what could not be done on January 1. For example: make a wish, after writing it on a napkin, which is burned and thrown into champagne; watch concerts and letters that you haven't seen yet; send congratulations on the Old New Year to relatives and friends with repeated wishes of good and health; put gifts that were previously forgotten under Christmas tree, after which it can be removed. In the southern regions, the custom has been preserved to cook a pig or pork dishes so that the New Year becomes rich in good news. Carols are held in some villages, but they true value more often lost.

And yet, despite the fact that this day, unfortunately, is not even a day off, the popularity of the Old New Year is growing. According to the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, the number of people wishing to celebrate the Old New Year has already exceeded 60%. Among those who are going to celebrate the “old” New Year are the majority of pupils and students, workers, entrepreneurs, housewives and, in general, people under 40 years old, with secondary specialized and secondary education, with relatively high incomes.

Divination for the Old New Year

For dinner, as on Christmas Eve, the whole family sits down. It is very important that the clothes on this day are thoroughly laundered and clean. After dinner, you must definitely go to the neighbors and ask one from one for an apology for possible guilt to each other, so that you can celebrate the New Year in peace and harmony.

The evening on the eve of the New Year gives a chance to those guys who failed during the matchmaking. This evening you can make a second attempt. True, for this you need to find the girl at home, and this is very difficult, since girlish bands of generous people are already walking around the village. The girls could be generous only under the windows of houses, and then only towards the end of the Generous Evening, that is, by midnight.

Girlish fortune-telling deserves special attention. What the representatives of the weak half did not do, just to find out what the capricious fate is preparing for them. Try, at least this: before going to bed, put a comb under the pillow, while saying: “My betrothed mummer, comb my head! “He who scratches his head in a dream will be narrowed.

If you go outside at midnight, you can feel how the new year drives the old one away. On the first day of the New Year, the most common was, and still is, the rite of sowing. It is believed that this rite came to us from pre-Christian times, because our ancestors celebrated the New Year not in winter, but in spring, and therefore the sowing rite is associated with hopes for a good harvest. Most of the sowing was done by children, and those who came to the house first gave the most generous gifts. There were, besides single sowers, entire sowing groups. In that case, this interesting rite turned into a real performance, where the main actors were Vasily, Melanka (Malanka), and gypsies.

Old New Year: Signs

Signs for January 13 and 14 We were attentive to the signs, among which the following stood out:

The weather on Melanka was warm, then the summer will be good;

Frost on the trees meant a good year;

If there was a blizzard or snowstorm at night, it was believed that the year would be restless;

Hearing an unusual ringing in the morning was the news of a possible replenishment. Be sure to cajole livestock so that the New Year for them is calm and prolific.

If at least some elements and traditions of the celebration are returned to modern reality, can be improved even more Christmas mood and make the celebration unforgettable.

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