The priest told about an old tradition for good luck in the old New Year

Hieromonk Feodorit (Sergey Senchukov) spoke about an ancient tradition for good luck in the old New Year.

In conversation with aif.ru On Tuesday, January 13, he noted that different countries have their own special signs and traditions. So, in Greece, vasilopita is traditionally baked on a holiday — a pie with a baked coin, and it is believed that whoever gets it will be happy throughout the year. According to him, the pie is cut at midnight or during a festive family dinner.

He also noted that in Russia and Ukraine, on the eve of the holiday, performances with mummers were held, in which a Goat, Vasil and Malanka necessarily participated, and the threshing of the Didukh, a grain sheaf that stood in the house from Christmas to St. Basil's Day, was carried out: the grain was stored until sowing, and the sheaf itself was then burned.

The hieromonk added that there were other traditions in Russia. So, on the evening of January 13, young people and children went around the yards with bounties, praising the owners and wishing them a rich harvest, for which they received treats and money. This day was often devoted to family outings with sledding and ice skating. According to the priest, not all customs are observed today, but in many families it is still customary to gather for a festive lunch or dinner.

Old New Year: a holiday that lives only in Russia — that's what it really means

The holiday combines the calendar history and folk traditions of the winter cycle

The Old New Year is considered an unofficial holiday and represents the New Year according to the "old style" — the Julian calendar, which was used in Russia until 1918. In many villages, people still go caroling the night before — they dress up as fairy-tale characters, walk around the yards, shower the owners with good wishes, they respond with generous treats, give coins, the website notes kp.ru .

Earlier on January 13, chef Evgeny Ovcharov suggested celebrating the old New Year with dumplings or dumplings on the table. According to him, you can also serve stuffed piglet, pike, carp, goose or duck. Fortune cookies are suitable as a dessert, according to 360.ru .

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.