Short backgrounds on observances across the faiths listed on this site.
Holiday names open the Holiday Calendar with dates for that observance.
The Ascension commemorates Christ's ascension into heaven forty days after Pascha. One of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, it celebrates Christ's glorification and points toward the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ten days later. The feast always falls on a Thursday, with its date determined by the date of Pascha.
The Dormition of the Theotokos commemorates the falling asleep, or death, of Mary, the Mother of God, and her glorification in Christ. One of the Twelve Great Feasts, it is preceded by the two-week Dormition Fast. The feast is celebrated on 15 August according to the church calendar; for churches using the Julian calendar, that date currently falls on 28 August of the civil Gregorian calendar.
The Exaltation of the Cross honors the life-giving Cross of Christ and is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. Celebrated on 14 September according to the church calendar, its services include the solemn veneration and elevation of the Cross. Despite its festal character, it is observed as a strict fast day and emphasizes the Cross as the sign of Christ's victory and salvation.
Great Lent is the principal season of fasting, prayer, repentance, and spiritual preparation for Pascha in the Orthodox Church. Beginning on Clean Monday, it is marked by distinctive services including the Great Canon of Saint Andrew and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. The Lenten journey leads into Holy Week and ultimately the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.
Holy Friday, or Great and Holy Friday, commemorates the Crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most solemn days of the Orthodox liturgical year and is observed with strict fasting and extended services centered on Christ's Passion and burial. In many parishes, the Epitaphios, an embroidered icon representing Christ in the tomb, is carried in a solemn procession.
The Nativity of the Theotokos celebrates the birth of Mary, the Mother of God, and is the first of the Twelve Great Feasts in the Orthodox liturgical year. Celebrated on 8 September according to the church calendar, it honors Mary's place in the unfolding of salvation. Churches using the Julian calendar currently observe that date on 21 September of the civil Gregorian calendar.
The Nativity of Christ celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. It is preceded by the forty-day Nativity Fast and celebrated with festal services, the Divine Liturgy, hymns, and family traditions. Churches using the Revised Julian or Gregorian calendar celebrate the feast on 25 December, while churches using the Julian calendar currently celebrate their 25 December on 7 January of the civil Gregorian calendar.
Pascha celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and stands at the center of the Orthodox liturgical year as the Feast of Feasts. Great Lent and Holy Week lead to the nighttime Paschal celebration and the proclamation that Christ is risen, followed by a season of festal worship. Its date is determined according to the Orthodox Paschal calculation and often differs from the date of Western Easter.
Palm Sunday commemorates Christ's entry into Jerusalem and is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. Celebrated one week before Pascha, it includes the blessing and distribution of palms, branches, or other greenery according to local custom. Its joyful celebration gives way to the solemn services of Holy Week and the commemoration of Christ's Passion.
Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles fifty days after Pascha and is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. The feast celebrates the revelation of the Holy Trinity and the mission of the Church. Vespers traditionally includes distinctive kneeling prayers, and churches in some traditions are decorated with greenery.
Theophany commemorates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. One of the Twelve Great Feasts, it is celebrated on 6 January according to the church calendar and includes the Great Blessing of Waters. Churches using the Julian calendar currently observe that date on 19 January of the civil Gregorian calendar.
The Transfiguration commemorates Christ's revelation in divine glory before Peter, James, and John on the mountain. One of the Twelve Great Feasts, it is celebrated on 6 August according to the church calendar. The blessing of grapes and other fruits is a traditional custom associated with the feast. Churches using the Julian calendar currently observe 6 August on 19 August of the civil Gregorian calendar.
This holiday reference covers major observances across the faiths listed on this site. Local and regional customs can still differ. If something important to your community is missing, or a description needs a correction, please write to us at info@mysacredtimes.com.
