The History of the New Year on the Territory of Ukraine

The New Year holiday in Ukraine has a long and rich history, the traditions of which date back centuries. Interestingly, this important event was not always celebrated in winter. At one time, its date fell on both March and September, and only then it shifted and was fixed in January. For example, one of the most famous proofs that the holiday fell in spring is the text of the famous Ukrainian New Year's song "Shchedryk", which describes the arrival of swallows.

So, let's try to travel through the history of the New Year.

In Pre-Christian Times, the Holiday Was Celebrated on the Day of the Rebirth of Nature

Initially, the New Year holiday fell on March, when nature began to wake up from the cold and people were preparing for a new life cycle, growing bread and livestock. The settlement managed to survive the winter, and therefore warm days and a new harvest were waiting ahead.

The History of the New Year on the Territory of Ukraine

Unfortunately, historical sources do not contain information about when and how the New Year was celebrated on the territory of the future Ukraine in pre-Christian times. But it is assumed that it happened on the eve of the vernal equinox, an important day that symbolizes the rebirth of nature and is still revered in many cultures. In that period, they also organized a "tryzna" - a solemn dinner, at which deceased relatives were remembered and the end of winter was celebrated.

The fact that March was considered the first month of the year is also confirmed by the fact that the names of some months still have their serial numbers hidden: September, October, November, and December contain the Latin words "seventh" ("septem"), "eighth" ("octo"), "ninth" ("novem") and "tenth" ("decem") respectively.

In the Christian Era, the New Year is Fixed on March 1

After the baptism of Kyivan Rus and the introduction of the Julian calendar on its territory, the New Year began to be celebrated on March 1, which according to church beliefs is the date of the creation of the world. This date was determined in Ancient Rome, and from there the tradition of greeting each other with the New Year and giving each other decorated fruits and goodies began.

It was believed that on this day the groundhog briefly wakes up from winter hibernation, looks out of its burrow and announces the beginning of a new cycle with its whistle, and then falls asleep again. And they also believed that on the first of March, swallows return from warm countries and bring spring and warmth on their wings.

During the celebration, our ancestors rejoiced at the end of winter and the beginning of the new year and called for a good harvest and prosperity. Today, March 14 (according to the modern calendar) is considered the day of Yavdokha (the venerable martyr Evdokiia).

Five Centuries Later, the New Year Is Moved to September 1

In the 15th century, a Byzantine church rite was adopted on the territory of the future Ukraine, which fixed the date of the New Year on September 1. It is believed that it was at the beginning of September (from the 1st to the 8th) that Jesus Christ began preaching the Kingdom of God - the rule of the one eternal Lord over the entire universe.

Today, September 14 (according to the modern calendar) is the day of Saint Simeon (Semen) Stovpnyk. A few centuries ago, it was on this day that village craftsmen started work, and young guys (future soldiers) were given tonsure.

The Modern Date of the New Year and the Old New Year

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar system - "Gregorian", which is also called the "new style" and is used until now. At the same time, most European nations began to celebrate the New Year on the night of January 1, since December 31 is the day of Sylvester, the patron saint of the year. And with them the peoples of the Ukrainian lands, which were then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

At the same time, there was a tradition of decorating pine trees and Christmas trees with fruits and goodies, loudly wishing each other a happy New Year, arranging a masquerade, and "launching fireworks" (actually, shooting guns and cannons into the sky).

In the territories that were then part of the Russian Empire, January 1 became the New Year only in 1700, at the initiative of Peter I, who brought this tradition from the Europeans. At the same time, the Orthodox Church continued to demand the preservation of the Julian calendar to keep track of years, so in fact, the New Year was celebrated not on January 1, but on the 10th, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, this date already corresponded to the current 14th of January. Thus, New Year's Day in these lands did not coincide with Western European until 1918.

Even when the modern Gregorian calendar was introduced in Ukraine in 1918, the Orthodox Church did not want to move the dates. For this reason, Ukrainians still have the custom of celebrating the Old New Year on January 14, but this holiday, unlike the "more modern" one, has preserved its cultural and religious meaning and traditions.

In general, the history of the New Year is rich and fascinating, because its roots go back to ancient times. Despite the many changes and influences, this holiday has undergone over the centuries, it continues to be important and one of the favorites in Ukrainian culture.