Old New Year: why the second New Year appeared and how it differs from the usual one

The Old New Year remains one of the most unusual holidays in the Russian calendar: it appeared as a result of the country's transition from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and has been preserved due to historical circumstances, church traditions and folk customs. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

The history of the old New Year

The Old New Year is a rare historical phenomenon that has been preserved in the culture of Russia and several other countries after the transition to the new calendar. The holiday is celebrated on the night of January 13-14 and actually represents a New Year's Eve celebration in the Julian style.

It is not a public holiday, but it has been steadily preserved in the public and cultural space for more than a hundred years. Its main feature is that the date is formed due to the discrepancy between the old and new calendars, which currently stands at 13 days. That is why the old New Year is perceived as an additional "home" date, which is associated with more folk traditions than official events.

The appearance of two New years in Russian history is not connected with an attempt to consolidate an additional holiday, but with the long transition of the country from one calendar to another. Thus, the Gregorian New Year became an official holiday in Russia only after the reform of the early 20th century.

At the same time, a part of the society continued to focus on the old system of chronology, which formed a double tradition. Gradually, the custom of celebrating the old New Year took root and became an element of folk culture, surviving to the present day.

The difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars

The key reason for the appearance of the old New Year is the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC on the initiative of Julius Caesar and has been in use for almost 2,000 years. However, an error accumulated in this calendar due to inaccurate accounting of the length of the solar year.

Over several centuries, the shift has led to calendar dates lagging behind astronomical events, primarily the vernal equinox.

The Gregorian calendar was introduced by order of Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. He took into account the length of the tropical year more precisely and provided for a stricter system for determining leap years. As a result of its implementation, the chronology was synchronized with the astronomical cycles, and the accumulated error was eliminated.

The difference between the two calendars increased gradually: in the 20th century it was 13 days, and it remains the same now. It is this gap that determines the date of the old New Year. The Gregorian style has been adopted in most European countries since 1582, but Russia has long remained in the Julian style. The postponement of dates and the double chronology became the reason for the emergence of a unique cultural practice — the second New Year.

The Sacred Message: how Muscovites celebrated Christmas

Festive divine services were held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and in hundreds of other metropolitan churches.

Why is there a second New Year in Russia?

Russia officially switched to the Gregorian calendar only after the October Revolution. By decree of the Council of People's Commissars of January 26 (February 8), 1918, it was established that after January 31, February 14 began in the country, which ensured compliance with the European style. Thus, the state New Year was moved to January 1 according to the Gregorian calendar.

However, social and church life remained tied to the old style. The Russian Orthodox Church continued to use the Julian calendar for liturgical dates, which secured a special status for the night of January 13-14.

For many people, it was the old New Year that remained more traditional and familiar, since everyday and cultural rituals were guided by the old chronology.

Traditions and features of the celebration

Despite the lack of an official status, the old New Year is surrounded by a rich set of folk traditions and customs. They have been formed over the centuries and are closely related to folklore and calendar cycles.

In pre—revolutionary Russia, the night of January 13-14 fell during the Yuletide period, a time filled with fortune-telling, gatherings, and ritual activities. Fortune-telling for crops, luck, and family life was considered the norm, and many of these customs have survived to this day in the form of cultural practices.

The housewives traditionally prepared symbolic dishes: porridge, baked meat, pies with fillings, and steaks. In some regions, there was a rule: the richer the table, the more successful the year would be. It was also common to cook a "generous" kutia, a sweet dish made from grain, honey and dried fruits. It was believed that it brings prosperity and prosperity. So—called bounties were often carried out - house-to-house visits with songs and wishes, reminiscent of caroling.

In modern Russia, the holiday is more secular in nature. It is celebrated as an additional opportunity to meet with loved ones, end the New Year holidays and take stock of the festive period. Many people keep the traditional holiday menu or arrange quiet gatherings with their family. Certain elements of folk culture — fortune-telling, cooking, and bounty — continue to exist, but they are more of an amateur nature.