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Church holidays dates. Great Orthodox holidays: a list with dates, explanations and traditions

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday associated with the Christian tradition about how the Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary the "good news" about the forthcoming birth of Her Divine Child. Celebrated on March 25 (April 7).

The introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple is a holiday in memory of the entry of three-year-old Mary into the Jerusalem temple, where she was given up by her parents for upbringing. Celebrated on November 21 (December 4).

Ascension is a holiday in honor of the ascension of Christ to heaven. Celebrated on the 40th day after Easter.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is a holiday in honor of the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter.

The Exaltation of the Cross is a holiday dedicated to the events of the 4th century, when Saint Helen found the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem. Celebrated on September 14 (27).

The Baptism of the Lord (Epiphany) is a holiday in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ by the prophet John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Celebrated on January 6 (19).

Easter is the main Christian holiday in honor of the resurrection of Christ crucified on the cross. Celebrated on the first Sunday after the vernal equinox and full moon. For Orthodox churches, Easter falls on the period from March 22 to April 23 in the Julian style.

The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday in memory of the appearance in the 10th century. in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople of the Mother of God, who spread her veil over the Christians, thereby blessing them for a victorious battle with the Saracens. Celebrated on October 1 (14).

The Transfiguration of the Lord is a holiday in honor of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, who revealed his Divine nature to his disciples shortly before the Calvary sufferings. Celebrated on August 6 (19).

The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday in honor of the birth of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ. Celebrated on September 8 (21).

Nativity of Christ is one of the main Christian holidays in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. Celebrated on December 25, Orthodox churches celebrate this holiday on January 7 (Gregorian style).

The Presentation of the Lord is a holiday in honor of the meeting (meeting) of the great holy man Simeon the Messiah - the child Christ, whom the parents brought to the temple for dedication to God. Celebrated on February 2 (15).

Trinity (the Russian name for the day of Pentecost) is a holiday in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. Celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter.

Major Christian posts

Fasting is abstinence for a certain period from any food or its certain types (especially meat). Every Orthodox Christian must fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, on Epiphany Eve, on the day of the beheading of John the Baptist, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. There are also 4 multi-day fasts.

Spring (Great) - starts on the first Monday after Maslenitsa and continues until Easter.

Summer (Petrov) - begins on the first Monday after Spiritual Day and ends on June 29 (July 12), the day of the holy apostles Peter and Paul.

Autumn (Assumption) - 15 days before the feast of the Assumption.

Winter (Rozhdestvensky or Filippov) - starts on November 15 (28) and lasts 40 days before Christmas.

In Orthodoxy, there are twelve most significant holidays - this is a dozen especially important events in the church calendar, in addition to the dominant holiday - the great event of Easter. Find out which festivals are called twelve and are most solemnly celebrated by believers.

Twelve rolling holidays

There are inconsistent holiday numbers on the church calendar that turn out to be different each year, as does the date. Easter... It is with her that the transition of an important event to another number is associated.

  • Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The Orthodox most often call this event Palm Sunday and celebrate when a week remains before Easter. It is connected with the coming of Jesus to the holy city.
  • Ascension of the Lord. Celebrated 40 days after Easter ends. Falls annually on the fourth day of the week. It is believed that at this moment Jesus in the flesh appeared to his heavenly Father, our Lord.
  • Day of the Holy Trinity. Drops 50 days after the end of the Great Easter. After 50 days from the resurrection of the Savior, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles.

Twelve motionless holidays

Some of the most important days in the church calendar remain stationary and are celebrated every year at the same time. Regardless of Easter, these celebrations always fall on the same date.

  • Birth of the Virgin Mary, Virgin Mary. The holiday is celebrated on September 21 and is dedicated to the birth of the earthly mother of Jesus Christ. The Church is convinced that the birth of the Mother of God was not an accident, she was originally assigned a special mission to save human souls. The parents of the Heavenly Queen, Anna and Joachim, who for a long time could not conceive a child, were sent providence from Heaven, where the angels themselves blessed them for conception.
  • Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos... Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of the ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven on August 28. The Dormition Fast is timed to this event, which ends on the 28th. Until her death, the Mother of God spent time in constant prayer and observed the strictest abstinence.
  • Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. Christians celebrate this event associated with the acquisition of the Life-giving Cross on September 27. In the 4th century, Queen Helena of Palestine went in search of the Cross. Three crosses were dug near the Holy Sepulcher. They identified the one on whom the Savior was crucified, with the help of a sick woman who received healing from one of them.
  • Introduction to the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on December 4. It was at this time that her parents made a vow of dedicating their child to God, so that when their daughter was three years old, they would take her to the Jerusalem temple, where she stayed until her reunification with Joseph.
  • Nativity... Orthodox Christians celebrate this godly event on January 7th. The day is associated with the earthly birth of the Savior in the flesh, from his mother the Virgin Mary.

  • Epiphany. The event falls annually on January 19th. On that very day, John the Baptist washed the Savior in the waters of the Jordan and pointed out the special mission that was destined for him. For which in consequence the righteous paid with his head. In another way, the holiday is called the Epiphany.
  • Presentation of the Lord. The holiday takes place on February 15th. Then the parents of the future Savior brought the divine baby to the Jerusalem Temple. The child was accepted from the hands of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph by the righteous Semeon the God-Receiver. From the Old Slavonic language, the word "meeting" is translated as "meeting".
  • Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. Celebrated on April 7 and is timed to coincide with the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Mother of God. It was he who announced to her the imminent birth of her son, who was to perform a great deed.
  • Transfiguration... The day falls on August 19th. Jesus Christ read a prayer on Mount Tabor together with his closest disciples: Peter, Paul and Jacob. At that moment, two prophets, Elijah and Moses, appeared to them and informed the Savior that he would have to accept a martyr's death, but he would rise again three days later. And they heard the voice of God, which indicated that Jesus was chosen for a great work. It is with such an event that this twelveth Orthodox holiday is associated.

Each of the 12 holidays is an important event in Christian history and is especially revered among believers. These days it is worth turning to God and visiting the church. Take care of yourself and your loved ones and don't forget to press the buttons and

15.09.2015 00:30

The Orthodox Trinity is a great holiday for Christians. This festival is as important as Christmas and Easter. ...

Orthodox church holidays are divided into great, medium and small. The great ones include Easter, twelve and non-twelve. On these days, services in churches are held with special solemnity.

Easter

Easter (the full church name is the Bright Resurrection of Christ) is the most important and brightest event in the Christian church calendar. The date of the holiday is unique for each year, it is determined by the solar-lunar calendar and falls in the period from April 4 to May 8. Easter is dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. On this day, it is customary to attend divine services, consecrate Easter cakes and colored eggs in churches, set a festive table, and arrange festivities. People greet each other with the words: "Christ is risen!"

The twentieth holidays

Twelve holidays are 12 most important holidays of the Orthodox calendar, dedicated to the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. They are divided into two categories: non-transient and transient.

Twelve non-passing holidays

The twelve non-passing holidays have a fixed date, each year falling on the same date.

Nativity of Christ - January 7
The holiday is established in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day, it is customary to attend services, set the festive table, go home and sing carols. People greet each other with the words: "Christ was born!" The holiday is preceded by a 40-day Nativity Fast.

Baptism of the Lord (Holy Epiphany) - January 19
The holiday is established in honor of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. On this day, it is customary to consecrate water in churches, to swim in an ice-hole.

Presentation of the Lord - February 15
The holiday is established in memory of the meeting in the Jerusalem temple of Simeon the God-receiver with little Jesus during the rite of dedication to God. The meeting took place on the 40th day after the birth of Jesus. On this day, it is customary to pray, go to church, and consecrate candles.

Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos - April 7
The holiday is dedicated to the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the conception and future birth of the Son of God. On this day, it is customary to attend divine services, consecrate broths in churches, give alms, and do charity work.

Transfiguration of the Lord - August 19
The holiday is dedicated to the remembrance of the Divine Transfiguration of Jesus before the disciples during prayer on Mount Tabor. On this day, it is customary to consecrate apples, pears, grapes in the church, to honor the memory of deceased relatives.

Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos - August 28
The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the Assumption (death) of the Mother of God. On this day, believers go to church, pray to the Most Holy Theotokos, consecrate bread, give alms. The holiday is preceded by the Assumption Fast.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - September 21
The holiday is established in honor of the birth of the Virgin Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ. On this day, it is customary to visit church, pray to the Most Holy Theotokos, and do charity work.

Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord - September 27
The full name of the holiday is the Exaltation of the Honorable and Life-giving Cross of the Lord. It was erected in honor of the finding in Jerusalem near the Mount of Calvary of the Cross, on which Jesus was crucified. On this day, it is customary to observe a strict fast, to pray for your health and the health of loved ones.

Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos - December 4
The holiday is dedicated to the introduction of little Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ - to the Jerusalem temple for dedication to God. On this day, a solemn service is held in churches, parishioners pray to the Virgin Mary.

Twelve rolling holidays

The twelve rolling holidays have a unique date for each year, which depends on the date of the celebration of Easter and moves with it.

Palm Sunday (Lord's Entry into Jerusalem)
The holiday is celebrated a week before Easter. Dedicated to the solemn appearance of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem on the eve of His martyrdom and death. On this day, it is customary to consecrate a pussy willow in the church, whip branches of family members, saying at the same time: "I am not hitting, the pussy willow is hitting!" or "Whipping pussy willow, beat to tears!"

Ascension of the Lord
The full name of the holiday is the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Celebrated on the 40th day after Easter. The holiday is dedicated to the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven. On this day, it is customary to attend services in churches, pray, and give alms.

Holy Trinity Day (Pentecost)
Celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. The holiday is established in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the Virgin Mary. On Trinity, it is customary to attend a solemn service in the church, decorate temples and houses with tree branches, cover the floor with fresh grass, arrange a festive dinner, organize festivities and fairs.

Non-twelve holidays

Non-twelve holidays - 5 great holidays of the Orthodox Church, dedicated to the birth and death of John the Baptist - the baptist of Jesus Christ, the apostles Peter and Paul, the appearance of the Mother of God, the circumcision of the Lord.

Circumcision of the Lord - January 14
The holiday is established in remembrance of the performance of the Jewish rite of circumcision over the infant Jesus. On this day, festive services are held in churches, people go from door to door, sing sowing songs and wish the owners well and prosperity.

Nativity of John the Baptist - July 7
The full name of the holiday is the Nativity of the honest glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. Dedicated to the birth of John the Baptist - the baptist of Jesus Christ. On this day, people attend services, consecrate water, herbs and flowers in the church.

Saints Peter and Paul - July 12
The holiday is dedicated to the remembrance of the transfer of the relics of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. On this day, fishermen pray for successful fishing, fairs and festivities are organized.

Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11
The holiday is dedicated to the remembrance of the martyrdom of John the Baptist - the baptist of Jesus Christ. On this day, it is customary to attend services and observe strict fasting.

Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos - October 14
The holiday is established in honor of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Andrew the Fool. On this day, it is customary to visit churches, to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for health, intercession, and a happy family life.

Medium and small Orthodox holidays are distinguished by less solemnity of worship.

Everyday are not inherently holidays. These are the days of remembrance of the saints.

Orthodox posts- periods of abstinence from food of animal origin.
By their duration, posts are divided into multi-day and one-day posts. There are 4 multi-day and 3 one-day fasts a year. Also, fast days are every Wednesday and Friday (there is no fast on these days). Fasts vary in severity, up to complete abstinence from food.

Continuous weeks- weeks in which there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday. There are 5 such weeks in a year.

Days of remembrance of the departed- days of universal commemoration of dead Christians. There are 8 such days in a year.

These holidays fall into two categories:

Fixed (non-moving) holidays: they always fall on a strictly defined day of the month, regardless of the day of the week, which changes annually. These include the nine twelve church holidays:

Twelve motionless holidays

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin September 21
† Exaltation of the Holy Cross (40 days from the Transfiguration) September 27
Introduction to the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos 4 december
†Nativity Jan. 7
January 19
† Presentation of the Lord (40 days A.D.) February, 15
Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos (9 months BC) 7 april
†Transfiguration August 19
Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos August 28

Moving (rolling) holidays... The movable part of the church calendar moves with the changing date of the celebration from year to year. All "mobile" holidays are counted from Easter and move in the space of the "secular" calendar along with it.

Twelve rolling holidays:

Twelve feast days have one day of the forefeast, with the exception of the Nativity of Christ, which has 5 days of the forefeast, and the Epiphany, which has 4 days of the forefeast.

The number of days after the feast is not the same - from 1 to 8 days, depending on the greater or lesser proximity of some holidays to others or to the days of fasting.
Some of the Lord's feasts, in addition, are preceded and concluded by special Saturdays and weeks (Sundays).

The services of the twelve holidays of the fixed circle are in the period. The services of the twelve holidays of the rolling circle are located in Lenten and Tsvetnoy.

In Russia, until 1925, the twelve holidays were both church and civil.

Great non-twelve holidays:

The feast days of the Nativity and the Beheading of John the Baptist, the Circumcision of the Lord, the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Holy Primary Apostles Peter and Paul, have no forefeast, afterfeast or giving.

  • Bishop Alexander Mileant
  • Yu Ruban
  • Holidays of the Christmas cycle Yu Ruban
  • The twentieth holidays prot. Alexander Men
  • Troparia of the twelve feasts

Christian holidays

Christian holidays- certain days of the church calendar, marked by services of an individual liturgical nature. This is fixed in the names of the holidays and "times of penitence", the dates and the order of their celebration, as well as in the content of the texts performed during the service. Their purpose and meaning is the remembrance, glorification and theological interpretation of the key stages of the history of Salvation, which is embodied mainly in the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ (Savior), and the Virgin Mary - a real participant in this divine-human process. Hence - an exceptional place in the calendar of holidays dedicated to Him.

The holidays are distributed within two overlapping annual cycles - (Menaion) and (Triode, or Passover-Pentecostal). Celebrations and commemorative events of the first cycle are strictly fixed only by the dates of the month (for the dates of the Julian calendar in relation to the modern civil one, an amendment is required: n - 13 days, - for the XX-XXI centuries). The holidays of the second are fixed only on the days of the week, being rigidly correlated with Easter, which is the starting point for the entire moving annual cycle. The date of the latter moves within 35 days ("Easter limits"): from April 4 (March 22, O.S.) - to May 8 (April 25, O.S.).

The most important holidays of the modern Orthodox calendar are called "twelve", or "twelve" (from Slav. Two ten - "twelve") (see). , as a "holiday feast", is outside this classification.

The second step in the festive hierarchical ladder is occupied by the holidays, which are called "great" in liturgical usage. These include: Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos (1/14 October), Circumcision of the Lord and the memory of St. Basil the Great (1/14 January), the Nativity of John the Baptist (24 June / 7 July), commemoration of the supreme appointees. Peter and Paul (June 29 / July 12), Beheading of John the Baptist (August 29 / September 11), as well as, according to some old calendars, the repose (death) of the Apostle. John the Theologian (September 26 / October 9), commemoration of St. Nicholas, Archbishop Mir of Lycia (December 6/19) and the transfer of his relics from Mir to the Italian city of Bari (May 9/22).

All other numerous holidays are dedicated to ethereal forces (common holiday - Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, November 8/21), Old Testament and Christian saints, remembrance of significant events in Sacred Biblical and Christian history, the appearance of miraculous icons, and the discovery of relics.
The constant canonization of new saints means the continuous replenishment of the Christian calendar.

The Church Charter (Typikon) provides for the gradation of all holidays into five categories according to the degree of solemnity of the performance of their divine services, which is recorded with special signs (the sixth category has no sign). The feast day of any temple (whose name he bears) is equated for him in the liturgical aspect with the twelve feasts. The same degree of solemnity can be inherent in "locally revered" holidays, even those having a modest liturgical status at the general church level.

The holidays common to all Christians are, first of all, Easter and the Nativity of Christ (the latter, as a special calendar celebration, does not have the Armenian and other Monophysite churches). The most important annual holidays mostly coincide among Orthodox Christians and Catholics (because they are based on the same events in sacred history), but differ in dates, often names and semantic nuances, as well as in the nature of the celebration.
Many saints of the one Church are equally honored: the eastern ones in the West, the western ones in the East (Basil the Great - Ambrose of Mediolansky, etc.). But the saints of one Church who lived after the division of the Churches (1054) can be venerated in another Church mainly at the local level, with the permission of the church authorities. The official Catholic calendar, for example, includes the names of Sts. Kirill Turovsky (May 11), Anthony of Pechersky (July 24), Equal to the Apostles Olga and Vladimir (July 27 and 28), Boris and Gleb (August 5), Sergius of Radonezh (October 8); the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is also honored (September 7).
Protestants, rejecting the veneration of the Mother of God, saints, relics and icons, do not have their respective holidays in their calendars.

He studies holidays in the context of the general process of forming the church calendar (literally "holiday studies") - an auxiliary historical discipline, one of the sections of academic liturgy.

Liturgical texts are contained in the Service, in 12 volumes (for motionless holidays), Lenten and Color (for mobile), the Festive Minea, as well as in numerous editions of services for individual holidays, often containing historical references, comments, notation and other appendices.

“How to celebrate a holiday? We celebrate an event (to delve into the greatness of the event, its purpose, its fruit for believers) or a person, such as: the Lord, the Mother of God, Angels and Saints (to delve into the attitude of that person towards God and humanity, into his beneficent influence on the Church of God , generally). It is necessary to delve into the history of the event or person, approach the event or person, otherwise the holiday will be imperfect, not pleasing. Holidays should have an impact on our life, should revive, warm up our faith (hearts) in future blessings and nourish pious, good morals. "