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, or 29 November this year. 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 2020 will be New Year's
Day, 7528 Anno Mundi (the year of the world, or AM).
So, to all my readers, Happy New (civil) Year! Oh, and by the way, it's also 19 December 2019 in the Old (Julian) Calendar and Kalendis Ianuariis MMDCCLXXIII A.U.C. in the Roman Calendar!
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