Greetings all, 

Merry Christmas to all in Byzantium Novum!  :)

In Byzantium today was a day of religious celebration, where the Emperor would again make a procession from the palace to the Hagia Sophia. The day would begin with an informal breakfast, after which the Emperor would begin the procession from the palace. 

He would greet the leaders of the Blues and Greens, the Senate, and Magistrates along the way, awarding customary monetary stipends to each. Each office received a set amount of money (so there could be no unfairness or jealousy) and formal traditional greetings were given. The procession would grow behind the emperor. When the group arrived at the Hagia Sophia the Emperor would be greeted by the Patriarch and the would enter the church for the Christmas service. 

After the ceremonies at the Hagia Sophia there would be public feasting, so it was a grand day for all. 

I hope all are having a wonderful day, and we can all look forward to the New Year!  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus