Old New Year, celebrated according to modern chronology in Russia on January 14th, is celebrated by many people. However, few people know that this day in the Orthodox Church is marked by its own special celebrations.
The date January 14 (new style) in the Christian Orthodox calendar is marked in red text font, because on this day the Church of Christ celebrates several holidays at once.
Circumcision of the Lord
Old New Year falls on the eighth day from the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to the Old Testament custom, it was on the eighth day that male children were consecrated to God with a name. The circumcision of the foreskin was considered a sign of belonging to the people of God. This custom was established by the Lord since the time of the forefather Abraham.
Christ, who came, according to the word of the Gospel, not to break the law, but to fulfill, also receives circumcision on the eighth day. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity is given the name Jesus (Savior), which means the main essence of the manifestation of God into the world.
Memorial Day of St. Basil the Great
On the Old New Year, the Orthodox Church triumphs in honor of the remembrance of the life, exploits and labors of the great teacher of the Church, St. Basil the Great, who lived in the 4th century. The very name of this archpastor the Great indicates the great contribution of the ascetic to the development of Christian teaching. The saint is known for many theological works, works dedicated to the moral life of a Christian. Saint Basil the Great made a special contribution to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. His works include the compilation of the liturgy, which is now named in memory of the righteous and is served 10 times a year (including January 14).
Also on this day, the memory of the mother of Saint Basil - Saint Emilia is celebrated.
Martyr Vasily Ankirsky
On January 14, the memory of the holy Martyr Basil is celebrated, who suffered in the IV century during the oppression of Christians by the authorities of Rome. In 362, during the reign of the empire of Julian, nicknamed the Apostate, the martyr, after various sufferings, gave his life to God. Death overtook the confessor when he was torn to pieces by a lioness.
New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia
On the Old New Year, the Orthodox calendar brought the memory of several Russian new martyrs at once. In 1918, the MonkMartyr Jeremiah Leonov suffered, a year later - the Hieromartyrs Plato Bishop of Revel, Presbyters Michael Bleive and Nikolai Bezhavitsky. In 1938, the holy martyrs Alexander the Bishop of Samara, as well as the priests John Smirnov, Alexander Ivanov, Vasily Vitevsky, Jacob Alferov, Vyacheslav Infantov, Alexander Organov and John Suldin, underwent torment.
The Orthodox calendar for the Old New Year assumes the absence of fasting, because on this day the Christmastide still continues, during which fasting is canceled.
