Winter festivities at another time and place ~ Part II

Andrew extinguishing candles above the timber box pews at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York

Only from the year 1752AD was New Year properly observed in England on the 1st January, known as the grandly titled "Supputation of the Year". This followed the adoption of the Gregorian calendar which was already in place in much of Europe. The Julian calender was 11 days ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Previously New Year's Day occurred on the 25th March (Lady Day) at the time of the spring equinox and earlier Pagan festivities. A leftover from the old times is the beginning of the UK financial year in early April.

The forceful Pope Gregory XIII had officially ordered the replacement of the Julian Calendar (named after the fabled Roman Emperor Julius Caesar) in 1582AD. Made up of eleven months of 30 or 31 days, the Julian had been in place for nearly 2000 years. However, it differed from the solar calendar ~ representing the actual movement of the earth traversing around the sun.

Curiously, the old calendar is still adhered to in Eastern Orthodox churches as they celebrate Christmas Day on the 7th January.

Andrew, Chris