Orthodox Church Calendar 2025
Orthodox Church Calendar 2025
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Video about Orthodox Church Calendar 2025
Orthodox Church Calendar 2025
Introduction
The Orthodox Church follows a liturgical calendar that determines the dates of feasts, fasts, and other liturgical events throughout the year. This calendar is based on the Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The Julian calendar is slightly longer than the solar year, which means that it gradually drifts out of sync with the seasons. As a result, the Orthodox Church calendar is now about 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar used by most of the world today.
Structure of the Orthodox Church Calendar
The Orthodox Church calendar is divided into two parts: the fixed cycle and the movable cycle. The fixed cycle consists of the feasts and fasts that always occur on the same dates each year. The movable cycle consists of the feasts and fasts that vary in date from year to year.
The fixed cycle includes the following major feasts:
- Nativity of Christ (December 25)
- Theophany (January 6)
- Presentation of Christ in the Temple (February 2)
- Annunciation (March 25)
- Transfiguration (August 6)
- Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)
- Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8)
- Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple (November 21)
- Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (December 4)
The movable cycle includes the following major feasts:
- Pascha (Easter)
- Ascension
- Pentecost
- Holy Trinity
The date of Pascha is determined by the lunar calendar. It is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. The dates of Ascension, Pentecost, and Holy Trinity are all determined by the date of Pascha.
Fasts in the Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church observes four major fasting periods throughout the year:
- Great Lent (40 days before Pascha)
- Nativity Fast (40 days before Christmas)
- Dormition Fast (15 days before the Dormition of the Theotokos)
- Apostles’ Fast (from the day after Pentecost to the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29)
During these fasting periods, Orthodox Christians are expected to abstain from meat, dairy products, and eggs. They are also encouraged to reduce their intake of food and drink and to focus on prayer and spiritual reflection.
Other Liturgical Events
In addition to feasts and fasts, the Orthodox Church calendar also includes a number of other liturgical events, such as:
- Vigil (an evening service held on the eve of a feast day)
- Matins (a morning service)
- Divine Liturgy (the main Eucharistic service of the Orthodox Church)
- Vespers (an evening service)
- Compline (a night service)
These liturgical events are typically held in Orthodox churches throughout the world. They provide an opportunity for Orthodox Christians to come together and worship God.
Conclusion
The Orthodox Church calendar is a complex and rich tradition that has been passed down for centuries. It is a guide to the liturgical life of the Orthodox Church and provides a framework for Orthodox Christians to live their lives in accordance with the teachings of Christ.
Closure
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