Birthday of the Unconquered Sun
Festival of Roman sun god is on December 25th. The festival held was Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Sol Invictus was the sun god of the Roman Empire and patron of soldiers. Sol Invictus was observed by Constantine, as he was a follower of the sun-god. On 25 December AD 274, the Roman emperor Aurelian made it an official cult.
On 7 March 321 AD, Constantine decreed dies Solis, day of the sun or “Sunday”, as the Roman day of rest:
“On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for grain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost.”
The 25th of December was the birth date of the “new Sun” should be celebrated, when after the winter solstice the days began to lengthen and the “invincible” star triumphed again over darkness. This was all based on the Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. In Syrian sun-god was called Baal and his feast was 25th December.
This celebration was in vogue until 375 CE. The last inscription referring to Sol Invictus dates to AD 387.
A celebration to Mithras also occurs on the same day. The Mithraic Mysteries was originated from Vedic Mitra [Sun] worship. Hindus till celebrate it in the form of Makar Sankranti and prepare Pitha[ Pistika ] and Payasam to bless the newborn Vishnu [ Uttarayan of Aditya]. Mitra is the official name of Vishnu.
