When is the Old New Year 2023

This holiday falls on January 14 every year.

2023 will not be an exception.

Old New Year will come on Saturday.

On New Year's Eve, on January 13, Ukrainians traditionally gather at the festive table and taste kutya again.

This time it is called "Generous".

There are always meat dishes on the table, you can especially often see pork.

History of the holiday

In 1918, many countries switched from the inaccurate Julian calendar to the more accurate and newer Gregorian one.

The difference between them is about two weeks.

The changes came into effect on Ukrainian lands as well.

However, the Orthodox Church rejected the innovation.

Therefore, all religious holidays continued to be celebrated in the temples according to the old style.

Therefore, almost all holidays in Orthodoxy fall 13 days later than the modern date.

So, for example, St. Basil's Day was once celebrated on the first day of the new year, and January 13 (according to the Julian calendar it is December 31) was Melanka's Day.

That is why Ukrainians have two holidays at once, which are related to the New Year.

First, we celebrate the arrival of the Gregorian New Year, and then, two weeks later, the Old New Year.

We will remind that in 2022, Metropolitan Epiphany declared that the OCU is

ready

to reform the calendar, if the parishioners agree to such a step.

If this happens, the Church will celebrate St. Basil's Day as before.

That is, January 1.

Old New Year: traditions and rituals

Ukrainians have long celebrated St. Basil's Day.

It was a special date - the first day of the year.

Therefore, everyone gathered together, went to the neighbors to congratulate them on the New Year and sow seeds.

Celebrations traditionally began the day before.

January 13 was popularly called Melanka's Day, Shchedry evening or Shchedry kutya.

On Shchedry Vesir, it was customary to set a festive table, on which there was always kutia, dumplings with cracklings, pancakes with meat, baked pig or just pork dishes.

This tradition is explained by the fact that St. Basil is considered the patron saint of pigs.

In the evening, young people gathered together and drove "Melanka the goat".

They went to neighboring houses, gave generously and wished the owners a happy New Year.

Of course, they asked for a treat for their performance.

On January 14, when St. Basil's Day came, it was already possible to visit.

They usually went to relatives, godparents, close friends.

In the morning, boys and men took grain and went to sow.

Girls were not allowed to do this.

Sowers first recited a special poem in which they wished their owners prosperity and joy.

And then they scattered the grain around the house.

For this they received treats and coins.

On the Old New Year, believers must visit the church and pray to St. Basil for health and happiness in the New Year.

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