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 2023 will be New Year's Day, 7532 Anno Mundi (the year of the world, or AM).
So, to all my readers, Happy New (civil) Year, my it be blessed, healthy, and prosperous!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are subject to deletion if they are not germane. I have no problem with a bit of colourful language, but blasphemy or depraved profanity will not be allowed. Attacks on the Catholic Faith will not be tolerated. Comments will be deleted that are republican (Yanks! Note the lower case 'r'!), attacks on the legitimacy of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ (I know he's a material heretic and a Protector of Perverts, and I definitely want him gone yesterday! However, he is Pope, and I pray for him every day.), the legitimacy of the House of Windsor or of the claims of the Elder Line of the House of France, or attacks on the legitimacy of any of the currently ruling Houses of Europe.