New Year
Description:
Happy New Year!
In Russia, since the introduction of Christianity, the chronology began either from March or from the day of Holy Easter. In 1492, Grand Duke John III approved the decree of the Moscow Council to count September 1 as the beginning of the year.
In addition, it is important to say that up to 1700 Russia was counting the years "From the creation of the world." But that didn't last very long. Russia began to establish ties with Europe, and such a “time difference” was very difficult. In 7207 (from the creation of the world, of course) Peter I in one fell swoop solved all calendar inconveniences. Referring to the European peoples, he issued a decree to celebrate the New Year from the day of the Nativity of the God-Man and January 1 instead of September 1. Celebrating New Year’s Day on September 1 was simply forbidden.
On December 15, 1699, under the drumbeat, the tsar’s deacon announced to the people the tsar’s will: that, as a sign of a good beginning and the beginning of a new century, after thanksgiving to God and prayer singing in the church, it was ordered “on the large streets, and noble people in front of the gate to make some decoration from trees and branches of pine, spruce and juniper trees.” And to the poor people, even though a tree or branches are placed above the gate. And that it should be in time for the 1st day of 1700 of this year; and to stand for that decoration in January (i.e. January) until the 7th day of the same year. On the 1st day, as a sign of fun, congratulate each other on the New Year, and do this when the fire fun begins on Red Square, and the shooting will be.
The decree recommended that, if possible, all in their yards of small cannons or small guns “learn to fire three times and fire several missiles.” From January 1 to January 7, “at night lights are lit from firewood, or from woodwood, or from straw.” On December 31, at 12 a.m., Peter I went to Red Square with a torch in his hands and launched the first rocket into the sky.
I must say that the new New Year customs took root in the Slavs quite quickly, because earlier at that time there was another holiday of the Christmas tree. And many old rituals - cheerful carnivals, artisans, sledding, midnight divination and dances around the Christmas tree - fit well into the ritual of meeting the New Year.
From now on and forever this holiday was fixed in the Russian calendar. This is how the modern New Year came to us.