ORTHODOX NEW YEAR
Wisdom, Chapter 17, Verse 8-10
8 For they who undertook to banish fears and terrors from the sick soul themselves sickened with
ridiculous fear. 9 For even though no monstrous thing frightened them, they shook at the passing of insects and the
hissing of reptiles, 10 And perished
trembling, reluctant to face even the air that they could nowhere escape.
Darkness afflicts the Egyptians, while the Israelites
have light!
Only the Light of Christ dispels the Darkness[1]
The word
“hot” (“Go Weapons Hot”) gives us an excellent acronym for understanding how we
are best positioned to receive the free offer of God’s supernatural grace:
H.O.T. = Humility, Obedience, Trust.
Humility:
St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “There is no doubt that God will never be wanting
to us, provided that He finds in us that humility which makes us worthy of His
gifts, the desire of possessing them, and the promptitude to co-operate industriously
with the graces He gives us.”
Obedience:
St. Josemaria Escriva wrote, “The power of obedience! The lake of Genesareth
had denied its fishes to Peter’s nets. A whole night in vain. Then, obedient,
he lowered his net again to the water and they caught ‘a huge number of fish.’
Believe me: the miracle is repeated each day.”
Trust:
St. Alphonsus Liguori taught, “He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in
God can do all things.” The most important aspect of the devotion of Divine
Mercy is the need to trust in God’s goodness. Jesus revealed to St. Faustina
that “the vessel with which souls receive abundant graces, and special favors,
is confidence!” The confident, trusting soul is like a lightning rod for God’s
mercy and grace.
Orthodox New Year is celebrated as the
first day of the New Year as per the Julian calendar. Orthodox New Year
is a celebration of the year to come. It is often referred to as Old New
Year, and is celebrated by Orthodox churches in Russia, Serbia, and other
Eastern European countries on January 14. Although most countries have
adopted the Gregorian calendar, where New Year's Day is January 1, the Orthodox
Church still follows the Julian calendar, which places Christmas on January 7
and New Year's a week later.
·
Russian
Orthodox churches in the United States hold church services often with festive
dinner and dancing to celebrate the holiday. The traditional dishes
include meat dumplings, beet salad, pickled mushrooms, tomatoes, and cucumbers
along with vodka.
·
Orthodox
Serbians also celebrate Old New Year, which is sometimes called the Serbian New
Year. Many Serbians Orthodox churches hold services, followed by dinner,
and dancing.
·
Although
the Old New Year is a popular holiday for many practicing the Orthodox faith,
it isn't an official holiday.
·
Macedonians,
including those living in the United States, also celebrate Old New Year's with
traditional food, folk music, and visiting friends and family.
·
Many
Russians enjoy extending the holiday season by including Orthodox New Year in
it.
Orthodox New Year Top Events
and Things to Do
·
Enjoy
a dinner dance at Orthodox Church with native cuisine folk music.
·
Learn
to cook some Russian or Eastern European dishes. One of the most
important Russian dishes during the holiday season is kutya, a porridge made of
grain, honey and poppy seeds. It symbolizes hope, happiness, and success.
·
Rent
a movie Dr. Zhivago (1965). It depicts some of the lavish parties
held during the holidays right before the Russian Revolution. The film is
based on the 1957 novel by Boris Pasternak.
Daily
Devotions
Please pray for the
intentions of my daughter Candace Faith, whose name means “Shining Faith” pray
that the “Candace can do miracles”!
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