All Orthodox holidays are special dates for all Christians. These days they devote themselves to the Lord, completely abandon the vanity inherent in all worldly things, reciting prayers and performing the prescribed rites. Most important are the most important church dates. These include the well-known Christmas and Easter.
History of Church Holidays
The main Orthodox church holidays and fasts trace their history from 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 nowadays they are trying to comply with them steadily, because they have come to us practically unchanged from ancient times.
The modern church has left a special status for each of these holidays, which also has a special spiritual atmosphere, which is so revered by believers. These days, a special mode of life is often prescribed for ordinary people - you need to completely free yourself from everyday worries, taking time to serve God.
Since the 4th century, when the church was completely under the leadership of the Byzantine authorities, there were strict prohibitions on violation of church order. Equally unacceptable was not only fun, but also work. Later, during the reign of Constantine, an additional ban on trading on Sunday was established.
In the modern world, Orthodox church holidays have changed somewhat, but even so, traditions have remained unchanged. Moreover, some of the main dates went into the category of weekends with state status. This is enshrined in law in almost every country whose inhabitants profess the Christian religion.
Church calendars
If some Orthodox holidays have fixed dates, then for others they are floating from year to year. Church calendars were developed to track them.
The history of the main non-transitive dates goes back to the Julian calendar, which differs from the current Gregorian by almost 2 weeks. Each of the established non-transitory holidays has a clearly agreed date, which does not depend on the day of the week or other factors.
The peculiarity of the group of passing Orthodox holidays is that these dates are shifted from year to year in the calendar. 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:
- earlier than the spring equinox;
- together with the church of the Jews;
- earlier than the first full moon in spring.
In total, half of such a calendar of the main dates of the Orthodox Church form a complete cycle.
Year through the eyes of an Orthodox Christian
Special calendars are drawn up to take into account all the Orthodox holidays of the summer or any time of the year, as well as posts belonging to these periods. In addition to the main dates, they always present a detailed description and features of holidays and Orthodox posts. Along with the information listed, in good calendars the most important moments of modern church life and the days set aside for memorial are recorded.
The year through the eyes of the Orthodox Christian is very eventful. It consists of many posts that are set to prepare for certain holidays, one-day posts. Such a large number of actions is explained simply - 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 of a general church character. Within each such day, a 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 in the year are tied to the celebration of the memory of saints or events that happened earlier.
One way or another, the duty of any Orthodox Christian is to strictly observe and honor the most important dates and posts. In preparation for most of them, it is recommended to read prayers, perform the communion rite, observe the required fasts and other charitable actions, including providing assistance to those in need.
The structure of the church calendar reflects the alternation of weekdays with Orthodox holidays. Here are all the dates that are recorded by church books. Particular attention is paid to each of the Sundays, which are called only Easter.
12 major Orthodox dates
Within the framework of the Orthodox culture, a total of twelve most important holidays stand out. Each of them corresponds with a certain significant event within the framework of the Old and New Testaments. The most important holiday among them is, of course, Easter.
Rolling Twelve Holidays
Those dates that are festive in modern Christianity, but are not constant on the calendar from year to year, are called transitional twenties. Easter also belongs to this category, as it is celebrated annually on different days.
Based on the date on which Easter falls, Orthodox holidays in September and other months are determined, 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 is always Thursday. This date refers to the appearance of Jesus to the Lord.
- The Holy Trinity. The holiday falls on the 50th day after Easter, symbolizes the arrival of the Holy Spirit to the apostles.
Easter holiday
This is the main celebration in the Orthodox calendar. It symbolizes the victory over death. The day is tied to the events of the past on which the doctrine of Christianity itself is built.
The shed blood at the crucifixion of the Savior then washed away original sin. This is a full triumph of life regarding death. It is not surprising that this is the most important among other holidays.
Entrance to Jerusalem
This holiday is better known here as Palm Sunday. This is no less significant event in the framework of Christian teaching as such. It corresponds to the coming to the city of the Savior and indicates the voluntary nature of the suffering accepted by Christ.
This date is determined annually based on Easter, more precisely, exactly one week before it.
Pentecost
Not everyone knows what Orthodox feast is called Pentecost. The people call it the Day of the Holy Trinity.
He is associated with the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles. In addition, this date is associated with the discovery of the third incarnation at the Trinity, after which the triune principle of God was immortalized within the framework of Christianity.
Permanent Twelve Holidays
Most of the main dates within the framework of the Orthodox calendar are constant, for each of them there is a certain day in the year, and they in no way depend on Easter. This category includes:
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the date of her ascension, which falls on August 28. It is preceded by a large and important Assumption post. This is due to the fact that the Virgin herself, until the end of her days, abstained and prayed incessantly.
- Introduction of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This event falls on December 4th. The date is related to when her parents completely dedicated the child to God.
- Epiphany. Celebrated on January 19th. The date corresponds to the moment when John the Baptist washed the Savior in the Jordan. Then he talked about his great mission, but for this news he was later killed. The Epiphany feast also occurs.
- Annunciation. Annually falls on April 7th. The date correlates with the coming to the Virgin Mary Gabriel, who reported on her special child and his mission.
- Birth of the Virgin. The date falls on September 21, it was on this day that 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 did not have their own children for many years. Virgin Mary became for them a gift from above. It is generally accepted that conception had a blessing from above.
- Exaltation of the Cross. On September 27, the acquisition of the life-giving cross took place. In the 4th century, the search for it began with Queen Elena, who led Palestine in those days. Of the three crosses identified the only Lord, 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 happened, which appeared in the flesh from the Virgin.
- The meeting falls on February 15th. This is the date when a newborn baby was first brought into the temple. The word translated from the Old Slavonic language sounds like a “meeting”.
- Transfiguration is celebrated every year on August 19. On this day, Jesus prayed with his disciples on Mount Tabor, when the prophets spoke of his impending doom, associated with 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 twelve holy days.
Each of these dates is of great importance in modern Christian teaching. For each believer, these are special days when it is important to attend church and pray, and in some cases also perform certain rites.
Orthodox calendars
To know exactly which Orthodox holiday is today, you will need to look at the church calendar. It indicates absolutely all holidays, combination days, all long and short posts, other information.
A special place in such calendars is occupied by days for the veneration of saints. There will be a prayer in each of them.
Features of the main Orthodox holidays
Church celebrations are characterized by:
- The vestments of the servants are dressed in light-colored clothes, which symbolizes the Kingdom of God and its greatness.
- Conducting liturgies and chants for the holiday.
- Mandatory church attendance by parishioners. Today, strict rules do not apply to this requirement, but all believers are striving to abandon any activities and allocate time to attend church.
Another feature of church holidays is that their number is quite large. Therefore, sometimes it happens that for one day there are several significant dates at once.
Interesting Facts
Here are some facts regarding the observance of holidays by believers:
- Today, Orthodox holidays from the category of twelve presuppose not only the celebration itself, but also the celebration along with the giving.
- On every great date, all-night vigils are held.
- Before a number of dates, fasting by all Christian believers is necessary, therefore many, knowing what Orthodox holiday is coming soon, think over their food.
- Usually it takes three days to celebrate, with the exception of the Epiphany (four days) along with Christmas (five days).
Today, all Orthodox Christians sacredly honor all established holidays and observe fasts, as the teaching prescribes. An assistant and a hint for them is the Orthodox calendar.