The Indiction is the term we’ve borrowed over from Roman Egypt’s agricultural and land tax cycles, and for us as Orthodox Christians signifies the beginning of the Church year - September 1st. Initially it was Emperor Augustus’ birthday, the 23rd, but by about the 400s it became what it is today - the 1st. What does this mean for us practically? Not a whole lot, really. But it does explain why our menaion is arranged with September first, ditto the Gospel and Epistle lectionaries, etc. In a way though it is meet and good that as we head into Autumn we begin our year - a new time to reflect and to pray. As our days grow shorter we have an opportunity to grow closer to God as we prepare for the winter; we approach the Nativity and begin our cycle of feasts and fasts all over again.
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