[Sca-cooks] January 1st Holiday Exchange

[kingstaste at mindspring.com]

JANUARY 1
Kalends of January - The Kalends was the first day of the month for the
Roman calendar.  It was the day on which interest payments were due for
Roman citizens.  The Kalends of January was a traditional time to exchange
gifts, or stranae.

Julian Calendar Introduced  (45 BCE) Introduction of the months January and
February, and a 12-month year, done by Julius Caesar.  January is named for
the Roman God Janus, the God of Beginnings, whose name comes from janua the
Roman word for door.  The god is always pictured with two faces, one looking
back and one looking forward.  January, like the door, swings both in and
out.

Festival of Juno - Ancient Rome - Goddess of the Year, wife of Jupiter.

Feast of Gamelan - Ancient Greece

New Year's Day - Universal - See Dec. 31st for celebrations.

First Day of New Year - Japan - Worship of the Gods in all four directions,
no unkind words may be spoken.

Circumcision of Christ

Arthur Draws the Sword Excalibur from the Stone

St. Odilo (1049) Patron St. of All Souls in Purgatory.  The first to
celebrate the Feast of All Souls.

St. Basil's Feast Day (4th Cent) Patron Saint of the Greek Orthodox Church,
Russia, and Hospital Administrators.  Bishop of Caesaria and a Greek Church
Father.   One legend has it that the governor of the district was coming to
Caesaria for a "visit", which the people feared would be only to line his
cruel and avaristic pockets.  St. Basil urged them to greet the governor at
the city gates with gold and jewels.  They did so, and the governor was so
impressed that he refused the treasure and went on his way.  St. Basil
looked at the pile and despaired of ever returning each piece to its
rightful owner. So he held a mass, and had the jewels baked into small
cakes.  When they were passed out, miraculously each person received their
own treasure.  Today, Greek families bake basilopitta, or fortune cakes,
with treasures baked inside each one.  Only the mistress of the house,
dressed in her best clothes and jewels should make St. Basil’s cakes.  Most
cultures eat something round or ring-shaped to symbolize the cycle of the
year.

St. Clarus' Feast Day (7th Cent) Patron saint of the Shortsighted; Invoked
against Sore Eyes and Myopia. French monk, his name in Latin means “clear”,
so he is invoked by persons whose vision isn't.

Godcakes  (1398) Small cakes sent to children from their Godparents in
Coventry, England.  Small triangular pastries stuffed with currents,
mincemeat, or other sweets, they are mentioned as early as Chaucer.  (aka
‘Coventry Cakes’)

Father Frost - Russia - Children are visited by Father Frost and his
daughter the Snow Maiden, who arrive from their home far north of the Arctic
circle driving a reindeer sledge and bringing gifts.