January 1: holiday, traditions, signs, and prohibitions.

On the first day of January 2025, New Year, World Family Day, and World Day of Prayer for Peace are celebrated. This day is also included in the church calendar as the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the Day of Saint Basil the Great.

New Year

Different nations celebrate the New Year according to their calendars. The date of January 1 is considered the beginning of the new year. This date is not based on astronomical grounds, but it is logical for a new beginning. It is a Time of renewal and new life, following the December solstice.

On New Year's, one should avoid heavy work – as you begin, so shall you spend it. It is not advisable to quarrel or argue, so as not to attract misfortunes to the family throughout the year.

The year 2025 corresponds to the symbol of the Green Wooden Snake, which signifies wisdom, renewal, and change.

World Family Day

January 1 is World Family Day. This holiday promotes unity, peace, and gratitude for family ties. It unites people regardless of geographical and cultural differences, strengthening our belonging to the global family. The beginning of the new year brings hope and renewal, and World Family Day emphasizes these feelings.

The idea of World Family Day emerged in the late 20th century. In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly initiated the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. This led to a proposal to honor January 1, 2000, as a global day of peace and family unity, inspired by Linda Grover's book 'One Day of Peace – January 1, 2000'. Since then, World Family Day has become an annual event, also known as World Peace Day.

World Day of Prayer for Peace

On January 1, a mass prayer is held by the global community during the World Day of Prayer for Peace. The idea was initiated by Pope Paul VI. The first celebration took place on December 8, 1967, and two years later, the United Nations General Assembly recognized it as an official holiday under the slogan 'Forgive, and You Will Know Peace'.

On this day, priests address the faithful with a message of peace, call to stop hostility, conflicts, and wars, and ask to forgive enemies, fight against violence, uphold human rights, build peace, and take responsibility for their actions to achieve harmony. On this day, people pray to the Lord, begging for an end to war and for peace guidance.

Religious Feast

The church calendar marks January 1 as the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the Day of Saint Basil the Great.

Saint Basil was born around 330 AD in Caesarea. His family includes his famous mother Emilia, sister Makrina, and brother Gregory. He was educated in Caesarea and Athens, where he met Saint Gregory the Theologian. Basil gradually adopted an ascetic lifestyle and founded a monastery.

Later, Basil became the metropolitan of Caesarea and supported the Orthodox during the period when the Arians prevailed. He also established charitable institutions and sought peace and harmony. Basil died on January 1, 379, at about 49 years of age.

Circumcision of the Lord

Since the time of Abraham, Jewish boys were circumcised on the eighth day as a sign of the covenant with God.

..at the very end after the last sentence - circumcision.