Today is New Year's Day. But, is it? It is the first day of the year in the civil Gregorian calendar, but it's not the only 'New Year's Day', and, in fact hasn't always been New Year's Day in the English speaking world. Until Britain adopted the Gregorian Calendar reform in 1752, New Year's Day was kept on the Feast of the Annunciation, 25 March.
Of course, the Churches' Liturgical Years do not begin on 1 January either. In the West, the year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day, 30 November. In the East, it begins on 1 September, the date of Creation in 5509 BC (according to the Eastern calculations). Until the Orthodox countries (Russia, Greece, etc.) adopted the Gregorian Calendar for civil purposes, it was also the beginning of the civil year.
And, whilst the Western Church dates the year from the Birth of Christ. Anno Domini or AD, since the Eastern Churches date it from the Creation, 1 September 2019 will be New Year's Day, 7527 Anno Mundi (the year of the world, or AM).
So, to all my readers, Happy New (civil) Year!
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