What holiday is December 23rd according to the new calendar: church, Orthodox

In addition to the question “When to celebrate Christmas in Ukraine in 2023?”, Ukrainians are also concerned about when to celebrate other Orthodox holidays. Indeed, with the transition to the New Julian calendar, most of them now fall on new dates. The same thing happened with Angel Days (women’s and men’s name days). Therefore, in this article we will talk about what holidays to celebrate on December 23 according to the new calendar.

December 23 according to the Orthodox Church calendar

According to the updated Orthodox calendar, on December 23, we honor the memory of the holy ten Cretan martyrs: Theodulus, Sathorninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunicianus, Zotikos, Pompius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evarestes.

In the 3rd century, during the period of persecution of Christians, ten martyrs from Crete became victims of persecution. The ruler of this region ordered the detention of everyone who recognized the Christian faith. Ten Christians, representing various cities of Crete, were subjected to months of brutal torture in order to force them to renounce their faith. Despite this, Theodula and her fellow martyrs were ultimately beheaded.

According to folk customs, Saint Theodulus was recognized as a protector of animals, and therefore on the day of this saint, special attention was paid to caring for pets. On this day, it was customary to prepare Lenten flatbreads and feed them to livestock.

On the eve of Christmas, people sought to complete all work in the house and household, considering this a kind of amulet against evil spirits, which prefer disorder and sloppiness.

Women prepared cookies and gingerbread in the shape of funny animal figures, but it was forbidden to try them. The treats were wrapped in clean canvas so that evil spirits could not see them, and stored until Christmas.

December 23: what a holiday in Ukraine and the world

On December 23, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Military Personnel of Operational Control at all levels, also known as the Day of Staff Specialties and Special Communications Troops. The main purpose of this holiday is to draw attention to those structures that, although invisible at first glance, play a key role in ensuring reliable and uninterrupted communications in both war and peacetime. These telecommunication systems also facilitate the maintenance of special communications between government officials at all levels.

The main department was organized in 1992 and is currently subordinate to the Security Service of Ukraine. It is very important to receive verified and necessary information in a timely manner, as this allows authorities, military personnel and human rights defenders to quickly respond to events.

December 23 is also Human Light Day, or Inner Light Day, established in 2001. This holiday is common among people of different religions, denominations and nationalities. Its purpose is to remind people of the importance of focusing on human values such as kindness, compassion, loyalty, sincerity, responsibility, determination and mutual assistance.

In this case, the term “light” is used not only to denote the higher supernatural intelligence, but also to denote the human awareness that everything in the world is interconnected. The idea is that what a person gives to others (thoughts, actions, emotions) always returns to him in a multiplied way. Therefore, it is called upon to perform good deeds so that the soul emits an invisible light for human eyes.

Traditionally, on this day people light four candles of different colors, representing compassion, hope, humanity and intelligence. Charitable activities and wishing well for our planet are also encouraged. Interesting fact: the holiday has its own unique symbol – three human figures against a background of sun rays and three colors (red, blue, gold).

December 23 also falls on World Snowboard Day, which marks the start of the winter season. Ski resorts around the world actively celebrate this event. Introduced in 2006, the day quickly gained support from countries such as the United States, European countries and China.

Snowboarding is an extreme sport that requires good physical fitness, certain skills and the use of special protective helmets. World Snowboard Day was established by the European Equipment Association for all board sports, including snowboarding. Later, ski resorts, the World Snowboard Federation, as well as amateur clubs and other organizations joined the celebration.

December 23: folk signs

• If the weather is clear, frost is expected.
• Rings around the moon or sun foretell imminent snowfall.
• Heavy snow hiding the fence is a harbinger of a bad harvest next year.
• Twinkling stars on December 23 indicate the coming cold.
• Brightly burning stars indicate the onset of frost.
• Very small stars are a harbinger of snowfall.
• The appearance of the Big Dipper in the heavens foretells a storm.
• Dry and windy weather on December 23 predicts a dry summer.
• Cloudless and clear the atmosphere on this day is a harbinger of the onset of frost.

• Foamy beer in barrels on December 23 predicts snowfall.
• White clouds in the sky are a harbinger of the onset of frost.
• The flight of magpies near houses on December 23 predicts the beginning of a cold period.

December 23: name day, who celebrates Angel Day according to the new calendar

On this day, the name day is celebrated by the owners of the following names:

• Paul: Derived from the Latin name Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble.” The name Paul is widespread in the Christian world and has many variations in different languages.
• Nahum: A name with Jewish roots. It is found in the Bible, where Nahum was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Translated from Hebrew, the name means “comfort” or “comforter.”
• David: This name is also of biblical origin. David was a great king of Israel and Judah and the author of many psalms. The name comes from the Hebrew word meaning “beloved” or “beloved.”
• Fedul: This name may be a regional or traditional name, and its origin may depend on a particular culture or religious tradition. Without additional context, it is difficult to provide more accurate information.
• Vasil: The name Vasil has Slavic roots and is widespread in Slavic cultures. It can be interpreted as “lord” or “king”. The name Vasily is also a variant of it.

These names often have a historical, religious or cultural context and are part of a rich heritage of naming in various societies.

December 23: what is the zodiac sign according to the horoscope?

Many people are interested in what zodiac sign those born on December 23rd have. December 23rd is in the sign of Capricorn in the astrological horoscope. The sign of Capricorn covers the period from December 22 to January 19. People born during this period are considered Capricorns according to their zodiac sign. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn and is associated with qualities such as the desire to achieve goals, responsibility, hard work and practicality.

The first decanate of Capricorn includes people born around December 22nd to December 31st. Here are some common character traits and characteristics that may be characteristic of representatives of the first decade of the Capricorn sign:

1. Purposefulness and responsibility: Capricorns of the first decade usually have a pronounced sense of purpose. They strive to achieve their goals and often have a strong sense of responsibility.
2. Hardworking: People of this decade tend to be hardworking and focused on achieving success in their professional or personal life. They are willing to put effort into their work to achieve their goals.
3. Prudence: Capricorns of the first decade are usually cautious and careful in their decisions. They carefully weigh the pros and cons before making important decisions.
4. Restraint: These people tend to express their emotions in a more reserved manner. They are characterized by resilience and the ability to self-control, which helps them in situations that require composure.
5. Seriousness and reliability: Capricorns of the first decade can be perceived as serious and reliable people. They tend to fulfill their obligations and be faithful partners in relationships.
6. Self-Criticism: Sometimes these people can be too self-critical. They strive for perfection and can sometimes judge themselves too harshly.
7. Desire to achieve status: Capricorns of the first decade can be motivated by the desire for social and professional status. They often work to create stability and material well-being for themselves and their loved ones.

These traits are common and, of course, each person is unique. But in general, Capricorns of the first decade show pronounced traits of determination, responsibility and hard work.