or Noumenia, a festival of the ancient Greeks, at the beginning of every lunar month, which, as the name imports, was observed upon the day of the new moon, in honour of all the gods, but especially Apollo, who was called Neomenios, because the sun is the fountain of light; and whatever distinction of times and seasons may be taken from other planets, yet they are all owing to him as the original of those borrowed rays by which they shine.

The games and public entertainments at these festivals were made by the rich, to whose tables the poor flocked in great numbers. The Athenians at these times offered solemn prayers and sacrifices for the prosperity of their country during the ensuing month. See Games.

The Jews had also their neomenia, or feast of the new moon, on which peculiar sacrifices were appointed: and on this day they had a sort of family entertainment and rejoicing. The most celebrated neomenia of all others was that at the beginning of the civil year, or first day of the month Tifiri, on which no fervile labour was performed: they then offered particular burnt sacrifices, and sounded the trumpets of the temple. The modern Jews keep the neomenia only as a feast of devotion, which any one may observe or not as he pleases.