Orthodox New Year

Orthodox New Year is an annual holiday celebrated on January 14. It is also commonly known as the Old New Year. This holiday is popular in Russia and Eastern Europe, where the Orthodox faith has a strong influence.

History

In reality, Orthodox New Year is the traditional New Year’s Day, but it is observed according to the Julian calendar, not the Gregorian calendar that most of the world uses today. The difference between the two calendars results in a date shift of exactly two weeks.

The Julian calendar was developed by Greek astronomers and introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. It remained unchanged until 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which is now standard in most countries.

The way Orthodox New Year is celebrated varies widely by country and family tradition. Many people prefer to mark the holiday at home with their closest relatives, sharing a festive meal together.

In North Macedonia, it is customary to gather at home, set a holiday table, and light a large fire. Fireworks fill the cities, and traditional music is played during public celebrations. A family tradition is to bake homemade pita bread with a coin inside—whoever finds the coin in their slice is said to have good luck in the coming year.

Interesting Facts

• The Old New Year is a folk celebration recognized by the church, but it is not an official state holiday.
• It is traditional to take down the Christmas tree after January 14, but not before.
• In Slavic culture, fortune-telling rituals are common on the night before the Old New Year, and rich porridge is always served for breakfast on the holiday morning.

How to Take Part

Gather your family and friends around a festive table. Attend local festivals and community events, or host your own fun activities at home.

Everyone celebrates Orthodox New Year in their own way, so keep your unique family customs and rituals alive on this special day.

When is Orthodox New Year in 2026?

Orthodox New Year is observed on January 14 each year.

Observations