Air temperatures specific for period expected in Moldova on old-style New Year

Chisinau, 12 January /MOLDPRES/ - The old-style New Year, marked on 14 January, will start with preponderantly positive air temperatures during the day, frost at night, sunny intervals, with light snow in places, according to the period.     

According to the State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS), on 13 and 14 January, the air day-time air temperatures will increase up to +3 Celsius degrees. At night, the air temperature will drop to -11 degrees; colder is expected to be in northern regions. A slight tendency of warming will be recorded in Moldova on the days to come, with quiet winter weather.     

On 14 January, the old-style Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint Basil the Great, one of the most important saints of the Orthodox Church. He was also the greatest Christian theologian, said to be the protector from evil spirits. According to the tradition, if it is snowing on the day of Saint Basil, the year will be rich and if the sky is cloudless, the people will be healthy and the year will be good.     

The old-style New Year, which is celebrated unofficially, appeared with the change of the official calendar. The difference of 13 days between the official holidays of the Orthodox Christians appeared after some believers had refused to adopt the Gregorian Calendar and kept the Julian one.