Editing Liturgical year (section)

====The twelve Great Feasts====
{{Main|Great Feasts}}
Some of these feasts follow the Fixed Cycle, and some follow the Moveable (Paschal) Cycle. Most of those on the Fixed Cycle have a period of preparation called a [[Afterfeast|Forefeast]], and a period of celebration afterward, similar to the Western [[Octave (liturgical)|Octave]], called an Afterfeast. Great Feasts on the Paschal Cycle do not have Forefeasts. The lengths of Forefeasts and Afterfeasts vary, according to the feast.
* '''[[Nativity of the Theotokos]]''' ([[September 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|September 8]])
** birth of the [[Theotokos]] to [[Joachim]] and [[Saint Anne|Anna]]
* '''[[Exaltation of the Cross|Elevation of the Cross]]''' ([[September 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|September 14]])
** the rediscovery of the original [[Christian Cross|Cross]] on which Christ was crucified
* '''[[Presentation of Mary|Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple]]''' ([[November 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|November 21]])
** the entry of the [[Theotokos]] into the Temple around the age of 3
* '''[[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity]] of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ''' ([[December 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|December 25]])
** the birth of [[Jesus]], or [[Christmas]]
* '''[[Theophany]]''' ([[January 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|January 6]])
** the baptism of Jesus Christ, Christ's blessing of the water, and the revealing of Christ as God
* '''[[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple|Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple]]''' ([[February 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|February 2]])
** Christ's presentation as an infant in the Temple by the [[Theotokos]] and [[Saint Joseph|Joseph]].
* '''[[Annunciation]] of the [[Theotokos]]''' ([[March 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|March 25]])
** [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]]'s announcement to the [[Theotokos]] that she will conceive the Christ, and her wilful agreement thereto
<blockquote>Note: In Eastern practice, should this feast fall during Holy Week or on Pascha itself, the feast of the Annunciation is not transferred to another day. In fact, the conjunction of the feasts of the Annunciation and Pascha (''dipli Paschalia'', {{langx|el|διπλή Πασχαλιά}}) is considered an extremely festive event.</blockquote>
* '''[[Palm Sunday|Entry into Jerusalem]]''' (Sunday before [[Easter|Pascha]])
** known in the West as Palm Sunday.
* '''[[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension]]''' (40 days after Pascha)
** Christ's ascension into Heaven following his resurrection.
* '''[[Pentecost]]''' (50 days after Pascha)
** The [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] comes and indwells the [[Twelve Apostles|apostles]] and other Christian believers.
* '''[[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration of Our Lord]]''' ([[August 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|August 6]])
** Christ's Transfiguration as witnessed by Peter, James and John.
* '''[[Dormition of the Theotokos]]''' ([[August 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|August 15]])
** The falling asleep of the [[Theotokos]] (cf. the [[Assumption of Mary]] in [[Western Christianity]])