The annual holiday marking the start of the Julian calendar entails informal celebrations.
Orthodox New Year, also known as the Old New Year, marks the start of the new year according to the Julian calendar. The holiday is referred to as „old“ or „Orthodox“ as it hails back to a time when Russian and Eastern European governments used the Julian calendar, which is still used by some jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church, explains Western Kentucky University (WKU). Orthodox New Year falls on January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, which is now in general use across much of the world including in the U.S. The current difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars is 13 days. But the difference will be extended to 14 days in 2100. WKU explains: „Many Orthodox Christians who observe the New Year’s Day date from the Julian calendar may spend the day reflecting on the previous year and think about meaningful resolutions for the New Year.
