The Catholic Church continues to have a wide variety of liturgical practices due to the reality that we are three primary liturgical families, which correspond to ancient Christian Churches. From these Churches sprung numerous local traditions and rites.
Among them is the "Byzantine New Year," which marks the beginning of the liturgical year for Byzantine Catholics (as well as Eastern Orthodox Christians).
Roman Catholics begin a new liturgical year on the First Sunday of Advent, but Byzantine Catholics start their year on September 1.
Why September?
The Roman Empire historically began what was called the "Indiction," a period of taxation, on September 1. Eastern Christians decided early on to begin their liturgical year on this same date each year.
This is confirmed by the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325, which formally adopted September 1 as the beginning of the liturgical year.
Additionally, Eastern Christians have also assigned various biblical events to September 1, thus sanctifying this day.
For example, it is believed that Jesus began his public ministry on September 1, following the beheading of St. John the Baptist that occurred on August 29.
It is also held by Eastern Christians to be the day to celebrate the creation of the world.
This is one of the reasons why the Orthodox Church annually celebrates a World Day of Prayer for Creation, which Pope Francis adopted and instituted in the Catholic Church in 2015, and has been continued by Pope Leo XVI.
Furthermore, September naturally coincides with harvest and reaping the fruit of the land. This is a time when it is fitting to give thanks to God for all that he has given us.
It is a time full of meaning and spiritual symbolism that the Eastern Church has maintained over the centuries.
Here is a short prayer from the Byzantine liturgy from this important day that gives a little glimpse of how Eastern Christians begin their liturgical year:
Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us.
