All Orthodox holidays are special dates for all Christians. These days they devote themselves to the Lord, completely leave the fuss inherent in everything worldly, reading prayers and performing the prescribed rituals. The most important church dates are the most important. These include the well-known Christmas and Easter.
History of church holidays
The main Orthodox church holidays and fasts date back to ancient times, from the period of the Old Testament. The traditions established in the New Testament are also explained by ancient rites, associated with certain saints. And today they are trying to steadfastly observe them, because they have come down to us practically unchanged since ancient times.
The modern church has left behind each of these holidays a special status, which also has a special spiritual atmosphere, so honored by believers. These days, a special mode of life is often prescribed for ordinary people - you need to completely free yourself from everyday worries, setting aside time to serve God.
Ever since the 4th century, when the church was completely under the leadership of the authorities of Byzantium, there were strict prohibitions on violating church order. It was equally unacceptablenot only fun, but also hard work. Later, during the reign of Constantine, an additional ban on trading on Sundays was established.
In the modern world, Orthodox church holidays have changed somewhat, but even despite this, the traditions have remained unchanged. Moreover, some of the main dates have moved into the category of public holidays. This is enshrined in law in almost every country whose inhabitants profess the Christian religion.
Church calendars
If some Orthodox holidays have fixed dates, others have floating dates from year to year. Church calendars were developed to keep track of them.
The history of the main non-passing dates dates back to the Julian calendar, which differs from the current Gregorian by almost 2 weeks. Each of the established non-transferable holidays has a clearly defined date, which does not depend on the day of the week and other factors.
The peculiarity of the group of movable Orthodox holidays is that these dates shift in the calendar from year to year. The countdown is relative to Easter. Its date is calculated based on the lunar calendar.
Not everyone knows that Easter is strictly unacceptable to celebrate:
- before the spring equinox;
- together with the Jewish Church;
- before the first full moon in the spring.
In total, the halves of such a calendar of the main dates of the Orthodox Church form a complete cycle.
Year through the eyesOrthodox Christian
To account for all the Orthodox holidays of the summer or any time of the year, as well as for fasting during these periods, specialized calendars are compiled. In addition to the main dates, they always contain a detailed description and features of holidays and Orthodox fasts. Along with the above information, good calendars record the most important moments of modern church life and the days set aside as memorials.
The year through the eyes of an Orthodox Christian is very eventful. It consists of many fasts that are set to prepare for certain holidays, one-day fasts. There is a simple explanation for such a large number of activities - people should not have too much time for activities that are not pleasing to God.
Orthodox holidays and their features
Actually, the dates of the celebration are understood as celebrations that have a general church character. Within the framework of each such day, a certain sacred event is honored or simply remembered.
Each of these holidays is included in the weekly liturgical circle or in the annual one, valid for each Orthodox Church.
All Orthodox holidays of the year are tied to honoring the memory of saints or past events.
One way or another, the duty of any Orthodox Christian is to strictly observe and honor the most important dates and fasts. As a preparation for most of them, it is recommended to read prayers, perform the rite of communion, observe the prescribed fasts and othercharitable actions, including helping those in need.
The church calendar reflects the alternation of weekdays with Orthodox holidays. Here are all the dates that are recorded in church books. Particular attention is paid to each of the Sundays, which are called nothing more than a small Easter.
12 major Orthodox dates
In Orthodox culture, there are a total of twelve most important holidays. Each of them corresponds to some significant event in the framework of the Old and New Testaments. The most important holiday among them is, of course, Easter.
Transitional Twelfth Holidays
Those dates that are holidays in modern Christianity, but are not constant in the calendar from year to year, are called rolling twelfth. Easter also belongs to this category, as it is celebrated on different days every year.
Based on the date on which Easter falls, Orthodox holidays are determined in September and other months, including:
- Palm Sunday, that is, the entrance to Jerusalem. It is celebrated exactly 7 days before Easter.
- Ascension. This Orthodox holiday falls on the 40th day after Easter. It's always Thursday. This date corresponds to the appearance of Jesus to the Lord.
- Holy Trinity. The holiday falls on the 50th day after Easter, symbolizes the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles.
Easter Holiday
Thisthe main celebration in the Orthodox calendar. It symbolizes victory over death. The day is tied to those events of the past on which the very doctrine of Christianity as such is built.
The shed blood at the crucifixion of the Savior then washed away original sin. It is a full celebration of life over death. It is no wonder that this is the most important among other holidays.
Entrance to Jerusalem
This holiday is better known to us as Palm Sunday. This is no less significant event within the framework of Christian teaching as such. It correlates with the arrival of the Savior in the city and denotes the voluntariness of the sufferings accepted by Christ.
This date is annually determined based on Easter, more precisely, exactly one week before it.
Pentecost
Not everyone knows what Orthodox holiday is called Pentecost. Popularly called Holy Trinity Day.
It is associated with the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles. In addition, this particular date is associated with the discovery of the Trinity of its third incarnation, after which the triune principle of God was immortalized within the framework of Christianity.
Permanent Twelfth Holidays
Most of the main dates within the Orthodox calendar are constant, for each of them a certain day of the year is determined, and they in no way depend on Easter. This category includes:
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the date of her ascension, falls on August 28th. It is preceded by a major and important Dormition Fast. This is due to the fact that the Mother of God herself until the endabstinent in her days and prayed unceasingly.
- Introduction of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This event falls on December 4th. The date corresponds to when her parents completely dedicated the child to God.
- Baptism. Celebrated January 19th. The date corresponds to the moment when John the Baptist washed the Savior in the Jordan. Then he told about his great mission, but for this news he was subsequently killed. There is also the feast of the Epiphany.
- Annunciation. It falls annually on April 7th. The date correlates with the arrival of Gabriel to the Theotokos, who announced her special child and his destiny.
- Birth of the Virgin. The date falls on September 21, on this day the mother of the Savior was born. The modern church considers this no less significant event in the doctrine than all others. After all, her parents for many years did not have their own children. The Virgin Mary became a gift from above for them. It is generally accepted that conception had a blessing from above.
- Ex altation of the Cross. On September 27, the life-giving cross was found. Back in the 4th century, Queen Helen, who led Palestine at that time, began the search for it. Of the three crosses, the only one of the Lord was identified, it was he who brought healing to a terminally ill person.
- Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. This date is known to every person, even if he does not belong to the category of believing Christians. On this day, the earthly birth of Jesus took place, who appeared in the flesh from the Virgin.
- Candlemas falls on February 15th. This is the date when a newborn baby firstbrought to the temple. The word translated from Old Slavonic sounds like "meeting".
- The Transfiguration is celebrated every year on August 19th. On this day, Jesus prayed with his disciples on Mount Tabor, when the prophets told about his impending death, accompanied by many torments, and the subsequent resurrection after a few days. Then Jesus himself learned about his great mission, so the date was included in the number of the main twelfth holidays.
Each of these dates is of great importance in modern Christian teaching. For every believer, these are special days when it is important to attend church and pray, and in some cases also perform certain rituals.
Orthodox calendars
To know exactly what Orthodox holiday is today, you need to look at the church calendar. It indicates absolutely all holidays, combination days, all long and short posts, and other information.
A special place in such calendars is occupied by days for the veneration of saints. It will contain a prayer for each of them.
Features of the main Orthodox holidays
For church celebrations is typical:
- The dressing of ministers in light-colored clothes, which symbolizes the Kingdom of God and its greatness.
- Liturgy and hymns for the feast.
- Compulsory church attendance by parishioners. Today, there are no strict rules regarding this requirement, but all believers tend to refuse any classes and set aside time to visitchurch.
Another feature of church holidays is that their number is quite large. Therefore, sometimes it happens that on one day there are several significant dates at once.
Interesting facts
Here are some facts about the observance of the holidays by believers:
- Today, Orthodox holidays from the category of the Twelfth include not only the celebration itself, but also the pre-celebration along with the giving away.
- All-night vigils are held on every great date.
- Before a number of dates, fasting is necessary for all believing Christians, so many, knowing what Orthodox holiday is coming soon, think over their food.
- Usually three days are spent on pre-celebration, with the exception of Epiphany (four days) along with Christmas (five days).
Today, all Orthodox Christians sacredly honor all established holidays and observe fasts, as prescribed by the teaching. The Orthodox calendar acts as an assistant and hint for them.
