Editing Liturgical year (section)

==Eastern Christianity==

===East Syriac Rite===
[[File:East syrian Liturgical calender.png|thumb|The liturgical seasons of [[East Syriac Rite|East Syriac Catholic churches]]]]
{{further|Syro Malabar Liturgical Calendar}}
The Liturgical Calendar of the [[East Syriac Rite]] is fixed according to the flow of salvation history. With a focus upon the historical life of [[Jesus Christ]], believers are led to the eschatological fulfillment (i.e. the heavenly bliss) through this special arrangement of liturgical seasons.<ref>Pathikulangara, Varghese. ''Mar Toma Margam'', (A New Catechism for the St. Thomas Christians of India), Kottayam: Denha Services, 2004</ref> The liturgical year is divided into 8 seasons of approximately 7 weeks each but adjusted to fit the solar calendar. The arrangement of the Seasons in the Liturgical Year is based on seven central events on celebrations of the Salvation History. They are:
# [[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity]] of Christ
# [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] of Christ
# [[Resurrection of Jesus|Resurrection]] of Christ
# [[Pentecost]]
# [[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration]]
# [[Feast of the Cross|Glorious Cross]]
# [[Parousia]] (the Dedication of Church after Christ's second coming)

One of the oldest available records mentioning the liturgical cycle of east-syriac rite is handwritten manuscript named 'Preface to Hudra' written by Rabban Brick-Iso in 14th century.<ref>Rabban Brik-lso, Preface to Hudra in Cambridge Add. 1981, 4v; J.Mateos, Lelya-Sapra, 463-464.</ref> The manuscript mentions that the liturgical year is divided into nine seasons starting from Subara and ends with Qudas Edta. Catholic churches of east-syriac rite maintains the same liturgical calendar until the current date except that many consider 7th and 8th seasons as a single one. The biblical reading and prayers during Mass and [[Liturgy of the Hours]] vary according to different seasons in the liturgical calendar.

====Liturgical Calendar====
The various seasons of the liturgical calendar of [[Syro-Malabar Church]] and [[Chaldean Catholic Church]] are given below.

=====Annunciation (Subara)=====
Weeks of Annunciation ([[Subara]]) is the first season of the liturgical year. The liturgical year begins with the commemoration of biblical events leading to the annunciation and birth of Jesus as expected savior in the old testament. The season begins on the Sunday just before the first of December and ends with the feast of [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] that is [[Feast of the Baptism of the Lord|the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus]]. The faithful practice abstinence during December 1–25 in preparation for Christmas; this period is called "25 days Lent".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syromalabarliturgy.org/assets/assettt/panchangam%20English%202021%20(1).pdf|title=Syro-Malabar Liturgical Calendar: 2020–2021|author=Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Commission for Liturgy|page=3}}</ref>

Feasts celebrated during this season
* [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception]] of [[Mary, mother of Jesus]] (December 8)
* Feast of Miraculous Cross of Mylapore ([[Saint Thomas Christian cross]]) (December 18) in [[Syro Malabar Church]]
*[[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity]] of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ or [[Christmas]] (December 25)
* Feast of [[Massacre of the Innocents|Holy Infants]] (December 28)
* Feast of [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple|Name Iso]] (January 1)
* Feast of [[Mary, mother of Jesus]] (last Friday of Season)

=====Epiphany (Denha)=====
Weeks of Epiphany begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] and runs to the beginning of Great Fast. The word ''denha'' in [[Syriac language|Syriac]] means sunrise. Church considers the baptism of Jesus in the [[River Jordan]] as the first historical event in which the [[Trinity]] was revealed to humankind in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus the season commemorates the manifestation or revelation of Jesus and Trinity to the world. During the season the church celebrates the feasts of Saints in connection with the manifestation of the Lord.

Feasts celebrated during the period
*Feast of [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] or [[Baptism of the Lord|Feast of Baptism of the Lord]] (January 6)
*Feast of [[John the Baptist|Saint John the Baptist]] on first Friday of Epiphany
*Feast of Apostles [[Saint Peter|Peter (Kepha)]] and [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]] on second Friday of Epiphany
*Feast of [[Four Evangelists|Evangelists]] on third Friday of Epiphany
*Feast of [[Saint Stephen|Saint Stephan]] on fourth Friday of Epiphany
*Feast of [[Church Fathers|Fathers of Church]] on fifth Friday of Epiphany
*Feast of [[Patron Saint|Patron Saint of Church]] on sixth Friday of Epiphany
*Feast of [[All Souls' Day|all departed faithful]] on last Friday of Epiphany

=====Great Fast (Sawma Rabba)=====
During these weeks the faithful meditate over the 40-day fast of Jesus and the culmination of his public life in passion, death and burial. The season begins 50 days before Easter on Peturta Sunday and comprises the whole period of [[Great Lent]] and culminates on [[Easter|Resurrection Sunday]]. Word Peturta in Syriac means "looking back" or "reconciliation". 
Faithful enter the weeks of Great Fast, celebrating the memory of all the Faithful Departed on the last Friday of Denha.

According to the ecclesial tradition, the weeks of Great Fast is also an occasion to keep up the memory of the beloved Departed through special prayers, renunciation, almsgiving, and so on and thus prepare oneself for a good death and resurrection in Jesus Christ. During the fast faithful of [[Syro Malabar Church]] do not use meat, fish, egg, many dairy products, and most favorite food items, and avoid sexual contacts on all days including Sundays and Feast days. Before European colonization, [[Nasrani (India)|Indian Nasranis]] used to have food only once a day (after 3:00 pm) on all days during Great Fast.
-
Feasts in the Lenten Season
*Peturta Sunday on First Sunday of Great Fast
*[[Clean Monday|Ash Monday]] or [[Clean Monday]] on the first day (Monday) of Great Fast
*[[Lazarus of Bethany|Lazarus]] Friday on the sixth Friday of Great Fast
*[[Palm Sunday|Oshana Sunday]] on the seventh Sunday of Great Fast
*[[Maundy Thursday|Thursday of Pesha]]
*[[Good Friday|Friday of Passion]] or [[Good Friday]]
*[[Holy Saturday|Great Saturday]] or Saturday of Light

The following feasts are always in the Lenten Season:
*Feast of Mar [[Cyril of Jerusalem]] (March 18)
*Feast of [[Saint Joseph]] (March 19)
*[[Feast of the Annunciation]] (March 25)

=====Resurrection (Qyamta)=====
The weeks of Great Resurrection begin on the [[Easter|Resurrection Sunday]] and run to the feast of [[Pentecost]]. The Church celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord during these seven weeks: Jesus' victory over death, sin, suffering and Satan. The church also commemorates various events that occurred after the resurrection of Christ, such as the visits of Jesus to the Apostles and the ascension of Jesus.

According to eastern Christianity, the Feast of Resurrection is the most important and the greatest feast in a liturgical year. Therefore, the season commemorating the resurrection of Christ is also of prime importance in the church liturgy. The first week of the season is celebrated as the 'Week of weeks' as it is the week of the resurrection of Christ.

Feasts celebrated during the period:
* Feast of [[Easter|Resurrection of Christ]]
* Feast of All Confessors (Saints) on the first Friday of [[Qyamta]]
* [[Quasimodo Sunday|New Sunday]] or St. Thomas Sunday on the second Sunday of Qyamta
* Feast of [[Ascension of Jesus]] on the sixth Friday of Qyamta

The following feasts are always in the season of resurrection:
* Feast of [[Saint George]] (April 24)
* Feast of [[Mark the Evangelist]] (April 25)
* Feast of [[Saint Joseph]], the worker (May 1)
* Feasts of [[Philip the Apostle|Saint Philip]] and [[James, son of Alphaeus|Saint James]] the apostles (May 3)

=====Apostles (Slihe)=====
Weeks of apostles ([[Slihe]]) starts on the feast of [[Pentecost]], fiftieth day of the [[Easter|Resurrection Sunday]]. During these days the church commemorates the inauguration of church and the acts of apostles and church fathers through which the foundation of the church was laid. Church meditates on the virtues of the early church: fellowship, breaking of bread and sharing of wealth, and the [[Fruit of the Holy Spirit|fruits]] and [[Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit|gifts]] of [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]. The spread of the church all over the world as well as her growth is also remembered during this season.

Feast celebrated during the season:
* Feast of [[Pentecost]] on first Sunday of Slihe
* Feast of Friday of Gold: The first commemoration of the first miracle of apostles done by [[Peter the Apostle|Saint Peter]].

The following feasts are commemorated in the season of Slihe
* Feast of [[Ephrem the Syrian|Mar Aphrem]] (June 10)
* Feast of the Apostles [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Saint Paul|Paul]] (June 29)
* Feast of [[Thomas the Apostle|Mar Thoma]], founding father of east Syriac churches (July 3)
* Feast of [[Cyricus and Julitta|Mar Quriaqos and Yolitha]] (July 15)

=====Qaita (Summer)=====
Along the weeks of Qaita maturity and fruitfulness of church are commemorated. The Syriac word Qaita means "summer" and it is a time of harvest for the Church. The fruits of the Church are those of holiness and martyrdom. While the sprouting and infancy of the Church were celebrated in 'the Weeks of the Apostles,' her development in different parts of the world by reflecting the image of the heavenly Kingdom and giving birth to many saints and martyrs are proclaimed during this season. Fridays of this Season are set apart for honoring saints and martyrs.

Feast celebrated during the season:
* Feast of the [[twelve apostles]] and Nusardeil on the first Sunday of Qaita (Nusardeil is a Persian word which means "God-given New Year Day").
* Feast of [[Jacob of Nisibis|Mar Jacob of Nisibis]] on the first Friday of Qaita.
* Feast of [[Saint Mari|Mar Mari]] on the second Friday of Qaita.
* Feast of [[Woman with seven sons|Marta Simoni and her Seven Children]] on the fifth Friday of Qaita.
* Feast of [[Shemon Bar Sabbae|Mar Shimun Bar Sabbai]] and Companions on the sixth Friday of Qaita.
* Feast of martyr Mar Quardag on the seventh Friday of Qaita.

The following feasts are commemorated in the season of Qaita
* Feast of seventy disciples of Jesus (July 27)
* Feast of [[Saint Alphonsa]] in [[Syro Malabar Catholic Church]] (July 28)
* Feast of [[Transfiguration of Jesus]] (August 6)
* Feast of [[Assumption of Mary]] (August 15)

=====Eliyah-Sliba-Moses=====
The name of the seasons of Eliyah-Sliba-Moses takes their origin from the feast of the [[transfiguration of Jesus]]. And the seasons revolve around the exaltation of the cross on the [[feast of the Cross|feast of the glorious cross]] on September 14. During the seasons of Eliyah and Sliba church reminds the faithful of the heavenly bliss which is promised to be inherited at the end of earthly life and the church commemorates the exaltic experience of the bliss through various sacraments. While during the season of Moses church meditates upon the end of time and the [[last judgment]]. Many at times the season of Moses is regarded as a distinct and separate season from the other two since it has a distinct theme.

The season of Eliyah has a length of one to three Sundays. Season of Sliba starts on Sunday on or after the feast of the glorious cross and has a length of three to four weeks. The first Sunday of Sliba is always considered as the fourth Sunday of the combined season. The season of Moses always has four weeks.

Feast celebrated during the seasons:
* [[feast of the Cross|Feast of the glorious Cross]]

The following feasts are commemorated in the seasons of Eliyah-Sliba-Moses
* Feast of [[Nativity of Mary]] on September 8 and the eight-day fast in preparation for the feast

=====Dedication of the church (Qudas Edta)=====
The weeks of the dedication of the church is the last liturgical season in the East Syriac rite.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://marthommamargam.blogspot.com/2013/04/17-weeks-of-dedication-of-church-qudas.html?m=1|title = Mar Toma Margam: 17. Weeks of Dedication of the Church (Qudas - Edta)|date = April 24, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dukhrana.in/period-of-the-dedication-of-the-church-qudas-edta/|title = Period of the Dedication of the Church (Qudas Edta) – Dukhrana}}</ref> It consists of four weeks and ends on the Saturday before Sunday between November 27 and December 3. The theme of the season is that the church is presented by Christ as his eternal bride before his father at the heavenly bride chamber. The period has its origin in the feast of the dedication of the church of Sephelcure or the Jewish feast of Hanukkah. However, the season was officially instituted by Patriarch Isho-Yahb III of Seleucia-Ctesiphon (647–657) by separating it from the season of Moses.<ref>Rabban Brik-lso, Preface to Hudra in Cambridge Add. 1981, 4v; J. Mateos, Lelya-Sapra, 463–464.</ref>

Feasts celebrated during the season:
* Feast of dedication of the church on 1st Sunday of Qudas Edta
* [[Feast of Christ the King]] on last Sunday of Qudas Edta (Celebrated only in eastern catholic churches of the rite since pope [[Pius XI]] instituted it in Roman-rite).

===Eastern Orthodox Church===
{{Main|Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar}}
The liturgical year in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] is characterized by alternating [[fasting|fasts]] and [[calendar of saints|feasts]], and is in many ways similar to the Catholic year. However, Church New Year ([[Indiction]]) traditionally begins on [[September 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|September 1]] ([[Old Style and New Style dates|Old Style or New Style]]), rather than the first Sunday of Advent. It includes both feasts on the [[Eastern Orthodox Church calendar|Fixed Cycle]] and the [[Paschal Cycle]] (or Moveable Cycle). The most important feast day by far is the Feast of [[Easter|Pascha]] (Easter) – the Feast of Feasts. Then the [[Great Feasts|Twelve Great Feasts]], which commemorate various significant events in the lives of [[Jesus Christ]] and of the [[Theotokos]] ([[Virgin Mary]]).

The majority of Orthodox Christians (Russians, in particular) follow the [[Julian Calendar]] in calculating their ecclesiastical feasts, but many (including the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece), while preserving the Julian calculation for feasts on the Paschal Cycle, have adopted the [[Revised Julian Calendar]] (at present coinciding with the [[Gregorian Calendar]]) to calculate those feasts which are fixed according to the calendar date.

Between 1900 and 2100, there is a thirteen-day difference between the dates of the Julian and the Revised Julian and Gregorian calendars. Thus, for example, where Christmas is celebrated on December 25 O.S. ([[Old Style and New Style dates|Old Style]]), the celebration coincides with [[December 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|January 7]] in the Revised Calendar. The computation of the day of [[Easter|Pascha]] (Easter) is, however, always computed according to a [[lunar calendar]] based on the Julian Calendar, even by those churches which observe the Revised Calendar.

There are four fasting seasons during the year: The most important fast is [[Great Lent]] which is an intense time of fasting, [[almsgiving]] and prayer, extending for forty days prior to [[Palm Sunday]] and [[Holy Week]], as a preparation for [[Easter|Pascha]]. The [[Nativity Fast]] (Winter Lent) is a time of preparation for the Feast of the [[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity of Christ]] (Christmas), but whereas Advent in the West lasts only four weeks, Nativity Fast lasts a full forty days. The [[Apostles' Fast]] is variable in length, lasting anywhere from eight days to six weeks, in preparation for the [[Feast of Saints Peter and Paul]] ([[June 29 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|June 29]]). The [[Dormition Fast]] lasts for two weeks from [[August 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|August 1]] to [[August 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|August 14]] in preparation for the Feast of the [[Dormition of the Theotokos]] ([[August 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|August 15]]). The liturgical year is so constructed that during each of these fasting seasons, one of the Great Feasts occurs, so that fasting may be tempered with joy.

In addition to these fasting seasons, Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year (and some Orthodox [[monastery|monasteries]] also observe Monday as a fast day). Certain fixed days are always fast days, even if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday (in which case the fast is lessened somewhat, but not abrogated altogether); these are: The [[Decollation]] of St. [[John the Baptist]], the [[Exaltation of the Cross]] and the day before the Epiphany (January 5). There are several fast-free periods, when it is forbidden to fast, even on Wednesday and Friday. These are: the week following Pascha, the week following [[Pentecost]], the period from the Nativity of Christ until January the 5th and the first week of the [[Triodion]] (the week following the 17th Sunday before Pentecost).

====Pascha====
{{Main|Easter|l1=Pascha}}
The greatest feast is Pascha. Easter for both East and West is calculated as the first Sunday after the [[full moon]] that falls on or after March 21 (nominally the day of the [[March equinox|vernal equinox]]), but the Orthodox calculations are based on the [[Julian calendar]], whose March 21 corresponds at present with April 3 of the [[Gregorian calendar]], and on calculations of the date of full moon different from those used in the West (see [[computus]] for further details).

The date of Pascha is central to the entire ecclesiastical year, determining not only the date for the beginning of Great Lent and Pentecost, but affecting the cycle of [[moveable feast]]s, of scriptural readings and the [[Octoechos (liturgy)|Octoechos]] (texts chanted according to the eight ecclesiastical modes) throughout the year. There are also a number of lesser feasts throughout the year that are based upon the date of Pascha. The moveable cycle begins on the [[Zacchaeus]] Sunday (the first Sunday in preparation for Great Lent or the 33rd Sunday after Pentecost as it is known), though the cycle of the Octoechos continues until Palm Sunday.

The date of Pascha affects the following liturgical seasons:
*The period of the [[Triodion]] (the Sundays before Great Lent, [[Cheesefare Week]], Palm Sunday, and Holy Week)
*The period of the [[Pentecostarion]] (Sunday of Pascha through the Sunday After Pentecost which is also called the Sunday of all saints)

====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]])

====Other feasts====
Some additional feasts are observed as though they were Great Feasts:
* [[The Protection of the Mother of God]] (October 1), especially among the [[Russian Orthodox]]
* The Feast of [[Saint James the Just]] (October 23)
* The Feast of [[Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki]] (October 26)
* The Feast of the Holy [[Archangels]] [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] and [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] (November 8)
* The Feast of [[Saint Nicholas]], the Bishop of [[Myra]] in [[Lycia]] (December 6)
* The Feast of the Conception of [[Saint Mary|Mary]] by Saints [[Joachim]] and [[Saint Anne|Anne]] (December 9)
* The Feast of [[Saint Spiridon]] (December 12)
* The Feast of [[Saint Stephen]] the Deacon (December 27)
* The Feast of [[Saint Basil the Great]] and the [[Circumcision of Christ]] (January 1)
* The Feast of the [[Three Holy Hierarchs]]: [[Basil the Great]], [[Gregory the Theologian]] and [[John Chrysostom]] (January 30)
* The Feast of the [[Forty Martyrs of Sebaste]] (March 9)
* The Feast of [[Saint Patrick]] (March 17)<ref>[[St. Patrick's Day]]</ref>
* The Feast of [[Saint George]] (April 23)
* The Feast of the Holy Emperors [[Constantine I|Constantine]] and [[Helena (Empress)|Helen]] (May 21)
* The [[Nativity of Saint John the Baptist]] (June 24)
* The Feast of [[Saints Peter and Paul]] (June 29)
* The Feast of [[Saint Elijah]] the [[Prophet]] (July 20)
* The Feast of [[Saint Christina of Bolsena]] the Great Martyr (July 24)
* The [[Beheading of St. John the Baptist]] (August 29)
* Beginning of the [[Indiction]]-Ecclesiastical Year (September 1)
* The [[Patron Saint|Patronal Feast]] of a church or monastery

Every day throughout the year commemorates some saint or some event in the lives of [[Christ]] or the [[Theotokos]]. When a feast on the moveable cycle occurs, the feast on the fixed cycle that was set for that calendar day is transferred, with the [[Proper (liturgy)|propers]] of the feast often being chanted at [[Compline]] on the nearest convenient day.

====Cycles====
{{See also|Paschal Cycle}}
In addition to the Fixed and Moveable Cycles, there are a number of other [[Weekly cycle|liturgical cycles]] in the ecclesiastical year that affect the celebration of the divine services. These include, the [[Canonical Hours#Daily Cycle of services|Daily Cycle]], the [[Canonical Hours#Liturgical cycles|Weekly Cycle]], the Cycle of [[Matins Gospel]]s, and the [[Octoechos (liturgy)|Octoechos]].

=== Oriental Orthodox and P'ent'ay Evangelical Churches ===
{{See also|Armenian calendar|Ethiopian calendar|Coptic calendar}}