Ecclesiastical New Year / Indiction
Also called: Beginning of the Church Year, September 1, Blessings of Water for the New Year
September 1 (fixed)
The Orthodox ecclesiastical year begins on September 1, a date historically linked to the Byzantine Empire's tax calendar and associated with the beginning of the agricultural cycle. A service is held blessing water and thanking God for the fruits of creation.
The across different churches Patriarch has designated September 1 as a day of prayer for the protection of the natural environment. It usually falls on or around September 1 (fixed).
It is especially important in Eastern Orthodox traditions. Browse Christian holidays — browse options on Eden.
At a glance
- Type
- feast
- Date type
- Fixed (same date every year)
- Regions
- Eastern Christianity
- Themes
- Creation, Covenant
- Liturgical colour
- N/A