The Stranniki (Russian for Runaways or Wanderers) are the strong Pomorsky Old Believers who rejected prayers for Tsar Peter and all government papers (identification, passports, money, etc). They would not wear clothing contrary to Old Orthodox Russia, nor eat with those of contrary Faith and Practice. Keeping themselves separate from the antichrist society they went far into the Siberian wilderness. This blog is about these people and my effort to conform my life to theirs.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Old or New Calendar?

Good health to everyone!

For all those who believe they use the Old (Julian) Calendar please consider the reference work quoted below. This explanation shows how the Old Calendar was actually changed by Tsar Peter I several centuries ago.

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Russia on the eve of modernity, p.71

The Sredniki (Wednesdayers) illustrate the disorientation evoked by Peter’s calendar reforms. The Old Belief as a whole thought that Peter had “stolen eight years from God” when he subtracted 5508, and not 5500, from the year since the creation to derive the Anno Domini. Numbering was connected with several grave issues, including the Easter cycle, and, more important, predictions of the end of the world. If Peter were the Antichrist and could obscure the real date, he could delude the faithful and lower their guard. The Sredniki took this suspicion even further, and concluded that Peter (or, in another variant, Nikon) had shifted the days of the week, and that which the majority considered to be Wednesday was in fact Sunday. Therefore everyone’s cycle of fasts, holidays, and above all Sunday services was hopelessly and fatally off.

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Didn’t the Holy Prophet Daniel condemn the changing of signs and seasons (7:25)? This tells me, in simple and no uncertain terms, that it is very wrong and evil to change the calendar.

Due to many things like this it would appear that the changing of the calendar in the Orthodoxy Church goes back further than a lot of us might have previously heard. There is a devilish saying that says time heals all wounds and that some things are best forgotten. But these type of referenced are available. So it can be said that many who pridefully claim they are on the Old Calendar are actually New Calendar after all. It is best not to bury our head in the sand these facts.

As for me, I long for real and pure Old Orthodox Christianity and see no hope without it.

It is encouraging to learn that there was an outcry so long ago when things began going downhill so much and so quickly. I see no good reason to change the calendar.

Forgive