Part of the series on Christianity

History of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth The Apostles Ecumenical councils Great Schism The Crusades Reformation The history of Christianity is difficult to extricate from that of the European West (and several other culture-regions) in general. ... image of a Latin cross. ... This article outlines the history of Christianity and provides links to relevant topics. ... Jesus, also known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus the Nazarene, is the central figure of Christianity, in which context he is known as Jesus Christ (from Greek Ιησούς Χριστός) with Christ being a title meaning Anointed One or Messiah. He is also considered a very important prophet in Islam and a... For the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, see Apostles See also London Arch (formerly London Bridge) Loch Ard Gorge The Gibson Steps The Grotto Categories: Australia geography stubs | Cliffs | Geography of Australia ... In Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, an ecumenical council or general council is a meeting of the bishops of the whole church convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice. ... The East-West Schism, known also as the Great Schism (though this latter term sometimes refers to the later Western Schism), was the event that divided Chalcedonian Christianity into Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. ... This article is about the medieval crusades. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement which emerged in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe. ...

The Trinity God the Father Christ the Son The Holy Spirit For other uses of this term, see Trinity (disambiguation). ... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... This page is about the title, for the Christian figure, see Jesus Christ is the English representation of the Greek word Χριστός (transliterated as Khristós), which means anointed. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Bible Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha The Gospels Ten Commandments Sermon on the Mount The Bible (From Greek βιβλια—biblia, meaning books, which in turn is derived from βυβλος—byblos meaning papyrus, from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported papyrus) is the sacred scripture of Christianity. ... Note: Judaism uses the term Tanakh instead of Old Testament, because it does not recognize the New Testament as being part of the Biblical canon. ... // What is the New Testament? The New Testament, sometimes called the Greek Testament or Greek Scriptures, is the name given to the part of the Christian Bible that was written after the birth of Jesus. ... Apocrypha is a Greek word (απόκρυφα, neuter plural of απόκρυφος), from αποκρυπτειν, to hide away. ... For the genre of Christian-themed music, see gospel music. ... The Ten Commandments on a monument in the grounds of the Texas State Capitol This 1768 parchment (612x502 mm) by Jekuthiel Sofer emulated 1675 decalogue at the Esnoga synagogue of Amsterdam The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, is a list of religious and moral imperatives which, according to the Bible, was... The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch. ...

Christian theology Salvation · Grace Christian worship Christian theology practices theology from a Christian viewpoint or studies Christianity theologically. ... Salvation refers to deliverance from an undesirable state or condition. ... Divine grace is believed by Christians to be the sovereign favour of God exercised in the bestowment of blessings upon those who have no merit in them. ... This article is in need of attention. ...

Christian Church Catholicism Orthodox Christianity Protestantism The term Christian Church expresses the idea that organised Christianity (the Christian religion) is seen as an institution. ... This article considers Catholicism in the broadest ecclesiastical sense. ... Orthodox Christianity is a generalized reference to the Eastern traditions of Christianity, as opposed to the Western traditions which descend from the Catholic Church. ... Protestantism is a movement within Christianity, representing a split from within the Roman Catholic Church during the mid-to-late Renaissance in Europe —a period known as the Protestant Reformation. ... Christian denominations Christian movements Christian ecumenism A denomination, in the Christian sense of the word, is an identifiable religious body, organization under a common name, structure, and/or doctrine. ... Christian movements are theological, political, or philosophical intepretations of Christianity that are not generally represented by a specific church, sect, or denomination. ... Christian ecumenism is the promotion of unity or cooperation between distinct religious groups or denominations of the Christian religion, more or less broadly defined. ...

The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in some Christian churches which determines when Feasts, Memorials, Commemorations, and Solemnities are to be observed and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Distinct liturgical colors may appear in connection with different seasons of the liturgical year. Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. ... The Christmas season (also known as the holiday season) is a term that covers the time when two interconnected periods of celebration are held. ... John the Baptist baptizes Jesus Christ as Angels look on in wonder in an Eastern Orthodox icon of the Theophany This article is about the Christian feast. ... Septuagesima (in full, Septuagesima Sunday) is the name given to the third from the last Sunday before Lent in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. ... Look up Lent in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In Western Christianity, Lent is the period before the Christian holy day of Easter. ... Eastertide, or the Easter Season, begins on Easter Sunday and continues until Pentecost in the Christian liturgical calendar, thus spanning a total of seven weeks. ... Icon of the Ascension. ... The name of the Jewish holiday Shavuot is commonly translated as Pentecost. Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. ... Ordinary Time is a term used in the Christian (especially the Roman Catholic) liturgical calendar to refer, collectively, to two different seasons of the liturgical year. ... In the Christian liturgical calendar, there are several different feasts known as Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus. ... The Nativity Fast, practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, is believed to enable participants to draw closer to God by denying the body of worldly pleasure in preparation for celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is held on December 25th (Julian Calendar). ... Nativity is the general time and place of a persons birth and early years. ... John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in The Baptism of Christ by Leonardo da Vinci. ... Great Lent is the greatest fasting period in the church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Easter (or Holy Pasch). Although it is in many ways similar to Lent in Western Christianity, there are important differences in the timing of Lent... Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ... The name of the Jewish holiday Shavuot is commonly translated as Pentecost. Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. ... The word Transfiguration means a changing of appearance or form. ... The Dormition of the Theotokos is the Eastern Orthodox as well as the Eastern Catholic commemoration of the falling asleep or death of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... The Intercession of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (Russian Pokrov, Покров) is one of the most important Russian Orthodoxy feasts (maybe the most important after the Twelve Great Feasts). ... From the Greek word λειτουργια, which can be transliterated as leitourgia, meaning the work of the people, a liturgy comprises a prescribed religious ceremony, according to the traditions of a particular religion; it may refer to, or include, an elaborate formal ritual (such as the Catholic Mass), a daily activity such... The history of Christianity is difficult to extricate from that of the European West (and several other culture-regions) in general. ... A church building (or simply church) is a building used in Christian worship. ... Village Feast. ... A memorial is an object served as a memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. ... Commemorations are days on the varying liturgical calendars of Christian Churches that are optional celebrations of saints. ... A Solemnity of the Roman Catholic Church observes an event in the life of Jesus, Mary, and the saints, beginning on the evening prior to actual date. ... Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ... Liturgical colours are colours of vestments and church decorations within a Christian liturgy. ...

The dates of the festivals vary somewhat between the Western (Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant) church and the Eastern (Orthodox) church, though the sequence and logic is the same. In both traditions the dates of many festivals vary between years, though in almost all cases this is due to the variation in the date of Easter, and all other dates follow from that. The extent to which the fasts and festivals are celebrated also varies between churches; in general Protestant churches observe far fewer of them than Catholic and Orthodox churches, and in particular are less likely to celebrate feasts of the Virgin Mary and the Saints. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... The Vladimir Icon, one of the most venerated of Orthodox Christian icons of Mary. ... Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ... Blessed Virgin Mary A traditional Catholic picture sometimes displayed in homes. ... In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ...

The cycle of the year defines a series of seasons, which are associated with different ways of decorating churches, different vestments for clergy, and different topics for reading from the Bible and preaching. These, especially the recommended bible passages for each Sunday, are recorded in lectionaries. The Sundays are denoted as "the first Sunday in Advent", "the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost", etc. The increased use of lectionaries in Protestant churches, especially the growing influence of the Revised Common Lectionary, led to a greater awareness of the Christian year in Protestantism in the later decades of the twentieth century, at least in mainstream denominations. The Bible (sometimes The Book, Good Book, Word of God, The Word, or Scripture), from Greek (τα) βιβλια, (ta) biblia, (the) books, is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible of Judaism or the combination of the Old Testament and New Testament of Christianity (The Bible actually refers to at least two... An ornately decorated Lectionary A Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings for Christian worship. ... The Revised Common Lectionary is a lectionary of the liturgical year put together in 1983. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar (often from (1900 to 1999 in common usage). ...

Because of the dominance of Christianity in Europe throughout the Middle Ages, many features of the Christian year became incorporated into the secular calendar. Many of its feasts remain holidays, and are now celebrated by people of all faiths and none - in some cases worldwide. The celebrations bear varying degrees of relationship to the religious feasts from which they derived, often also including elements of ritual from pagan festivals of similar date. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Paganism (from Latin paganus) and Heathenry are catch-all terms which have come to connote a broad set of spiritual/religious beliefs and practices of a natural religion, as opposed to the Abrahamic religions. ...

Western Christianity

The seasons in Western Christianity are derived primarily from the Roman Catholic Church. Generally, the liturgical seasons in western Christianity are Advent, Christmas, Time after Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Time after Pentecost. The Roman Catholic Church, (also known as the Catholic Church), is the ancient Christian Church led by the Bishop of Rome (commonly called the Pope). ...

Advent

First season of the liturgical year. It is traditionally a fast, and begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Its purpose is the preparation for Christmas, with the focus on expectation. Awaiting the coming of the Christ Child into the world is often represented by the Advent Wreath, a garland of evergreens with 4 candles: 3 purple and one rose. Each candle lit represents a particular theme of the coming Christmas season for which one is preparing, usually hope, faith, love and joy. Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. ...

Color: Violet. On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, i.e. Gaudete Sunday, Rose may be used. In recent years, the para-liturgical color Blue has been used in place of violet in some parishes.

Christmas

Typically begins with a worship service or a Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve (December 24) and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday after January 6 (formerly on the eighth and final day of the Octave of Epiphany, or January 13). Christmas Day itself is December 25. The 12-day length of the Christmas season gives rise to "The Twelve Days of Christmas"; despite what retailers and the media might have one believe, the Twelve Days begin on Christmas Day, instead of ending on it. Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a traditional holiday observed in much of the world on 25 December, or on 7 January in most Eastern Orthodox Churches. ... Baptism is any water purification ritual practiced in any of various religions including Christianity, Mandaeanism, and Sikhism, and has its origins with the Jewish ritual of mikvah. ... This article is about the Christian feast. ...

Color: White or Gold

Ordinary Time ("Time after Epiphany" and "Septuagesima")

Ordinary comes from the same root as our word ordinal, and in this sense means "the counted weeks." These are the common weeks which do not belong to a proper season (in the Anglican tradition, Epiphany is its own season). It consists of either 33 or 34 Sundays, depending on the year. The first part (formerly known as the season after Epiphany) extends from the Monday following the Christmas Season (or, in the United States only, from the Tuesday in years when the first Sunday after January 6 falls on January 7 or 8, in which case the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is observed on a Monday instead of a Sunday) through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. This first installment of Ordinary Time has anywhere from four to nine Sundays, depending on how early or late Easter falls in a given year. Ordinary Time is a term used in the Christian (especially the Roman Catholic) liturgical calendar to refer, collectively, to two different seasons of the liturgical year. ... John the Baptist baptizes Jesus Christ as Angels look on in wonder in an Eastern Orthodox icon of the Theophany This article is about the Christian feast. ... Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ...

This liturgical season replaces the traditional Seasons of "Time After Epiphany" and "Septuagesima," which are still in use by traditional Catholics and other Catholics who attend the ancient, pre-Vatican II Mass known as the Tridentine Rite. Many Protestants also use the older terminology, and tend to begin the season on January 6. Traditional Catholic is a broad term used to describe many groups of Roman Catholics who follow more traditional aspects of the Catholic Faith. ... Tridentine Rite refers to the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church as promulgated by the Council of Trent (December 13, 1545 till December 4, 1563). ...

Color: Green

Lent

Lent is a major fast taken by the Church to prepare for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, in Holy Week. There are forty days of Lent, counting from Ash Wednesday through the Easter Triduum, but not including Sundays. The last two weeks of Lent are known as "Passiontide", which begins on Passion Sunday; the final week of Lent is known as "Holy Week," which begins on Palm Sunday. The final three days of Lent are known as the Easter Triduum. Look up Lent in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In Western Christianity, Lent is the period before the Christian holy day of Easter. ... Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ... Holy Week is the Christian week from Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday. ... Passiontide, in the Christian liturgical year, is a name for the last two weeks of Lent, beginning on Passion Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday. ... Passion Sunday is a term formerly used to denote the fifth Sunday of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar; since 1970, when the new church calendar approved by the Second Vatican Council went into effect, the term has been applied to the following Sunday, until then officially called Palm Sunday... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ... Easter Triduum (or Paschal Triduum) is a term used by some Christian churches, particularly the Roman Catholic Church, to denote, collectively, the last three days before Easter Sunday. ...

Color: Violet. On the 4th Sunday of Lent, i.e. Laetare Sunday, Rose may be used.

The Easter Triduum consists of:

• Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday
  • at the evening worship service or Mass of the Lord's Supper
  • some churches who celebrate this day as Maundy Thursday engage in footwashing. Color: White
• Good Friday
  • the celebration of His passion

Color: Red In the Christian calendar, Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) is the Thursday before Easter. ... In the Christian calendar, Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. ... Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ...

• Holy Saturday
  • commemoration of the day Christ lay in the Tomb
• Easter Vigil
  • held on the evening of Holy Saturday in anticipation of the resurrection.
    See also Paschal candle

Color: White or Gold Orthodox pilgrims bathing with the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday. ... The Easter Vigil, also called the Great Vigil of Easter, is a service held in many Christian churches as the official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. ... It has been suggested that Resurrection of the dead be merged into this article or section. ... In the Roman Catholic Church, the ceremonial lighting the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the Easter Vigil on the Saturday evening before Easter. ...

Easter

The date of Easter varies from year to year, but is set to be close to the date of Jesus' resurrection, which the holiday recognizes. The Easter season extends from the Easter Vigil through Pentecost Sunday on the Novus Ordo calendar. On the traditional calendar used by traditional Catholics, Eastertide lasts until Trinity Sunday, when the revelation of the Trinity is celebrated. Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ... Jesus, also known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus the Nazarene, is the central figure of Christianity, in which context he is known as Jesus Christ (from Greek Ιησούς Χριστός) with Christ being a title meaning Anointed One or Messiah. He is also considered a very important prophet in Islam and a... The name of the Jewish holiday Shavuot is commonly translated as Pentecost. Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. ... Traditional Catholic is a broad term used to describe many groups of Roman Catholics who follow more traditional aspects of the Catholic Faith. ...

Color: White or Gold, except on Pentecost, on which the color is Red The name of the Jewish holiday Shavuot is commonly translated as Pentecost. Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. ...

Ordinary Time ("Time After Pentecost")

The second part of Ordinary Time begins after the Easter Season, on the Monday after Pentecost, and ends on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. Before the Roman liturgical calendar was reformed at the Second Vatican Council, the Sundays in this part of the year were listed as "Sundays after Pentecost" by Roman Catholics; some Protestants still adhere to the older terminology. Trinity Sunday takes place in this span of time, being the Sunday after Pentecost. The remainder of the liturgical year after this date is known as the Trinity season in Roman Catholicism. Ordinary Time is a term used in the Christian (especially the Roman Catholic) liturgical calendar to refer, collectively, to two different seasons of the liturgical year. ... The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was an Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church opened under Pope John XXIII in 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI in 1965. ... Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar. ...

For Traditional Catholics, this Season is known as "Time After Pentecost," and begins on Trinity Sunday. Traditional Catholic is a broad term used to describe many groups of Roman Catholics who follow more traditional aspects of the Catholic Faith. ...

Some mainline denominations, notably the United Methodist Church, sometimes refer to the post-Pentecost months of September through November as Kingdomtide. The term Kingdomtide is used by the Christian Church - Synod of Saint Timothy to describe the final four weeks of the Christian Year, with its focus on the coming of the Kingdom of God. Mainline is also rail terminology for the main and often most transited portion of a railroad, which is usually double- or more track. ... The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist, the largest mainline, and, after the Southern Baptist Convention, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States. ... Kingdomtide is a liturgical season observed in the autumn by the Methodist Church, particularly in the United States, and certain other Protestant denominations. ...

Color: Green

Anglican and Protestant churches

Some Protestant churches recognize a liturgical year, including Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Lutherans.

In general those Protestant churches that recognize a liturgical year, and follow a conventional lectionary, follow the pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic parlance, recognizing an Epiphany Season (or "Sundays after Epiphany") and a Pentecost Season (or "Sundays after Pentecost").

Some Christian festivals and when they occur according to Roman and Protestant (Western) Christianity are:

• Epiphany: January 6
• Shrove Tuesday: the day before Ash Wednesday
• Ash Wednesday: 44 days before Good Friday
• Palm Sunday: the Sunday before Easter
• Maundy Thursday: the Thursday before Easter
• Good Friday: the Friday before Easter
• Easter: calculated by Computus - Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the 14th day of the lunar month that falls on or after March 21.
• Aldersgate Day: May 24 - day when Methodists commemorate John Wesley's conversion
• Whitsun or Pentecost: seven weeks after Easter
• Whitmonday: the day after Whitsun or Pentecost
• Reformation Sunday: the Sunday before All Saints' Sunday.
• Christmas: December 25

This article is about the Christian feast. ... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... In the Christian calendar, Shrove Tuesday is the English name for the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which in turn marks the beginning of Lent. ... In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. ... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ... In the Christian calendar, Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. ... Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ... Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ... Computus (Latin for computation) is the calculation of the date of Easter in the Christian calendar. ... March 21 is the 80th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (81st in leap years). ... May 24 is celebrated by Methodists around the world as Aldersgate Day to commemorate the day in 1738 when John Wesley experienced his conversion in a meeting room on Aldersgate Street, London. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... For entries on other people named John Wesley, see John Wesley (disambiguation). ... The New Birth is how John Wesley and Methodism have traditionally referred to the born again experience. ... The word Whitsun is another name for Pentecost It has that meaning in the following: Whitsun, a poem by Sylvia Plath The Whitsun Weddings, a poem by Philip Larkin A Whitsun Ale (esp. ... The name of the Jewish holiday Shavuot is commonly translated as Pentecost. Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. ... Whit Monday is the day after Pentecost, a movable feast in the Christian calendar, being dependent upon the date of Easter. ... Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a traditional holiday observed in much of the world on 25 December, or on 7 January in most Eastern Orthodox Churches. ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ...

Eastern Orthodox Church

In a few, predominantly Eastern Orthodox, nations, religious holidays are celebrated on the corresponding day in the Julian Calendar. From 1900 until 2100, there is a thirteen-day difference between the Julian and the Gregorian Calendar, which is used in most of the world as well as in Eastern Orthodox countries for civil purposes. Thus, for example, Christmas is celebrated on January 7 in these countries. The computation of the day of Easter is, however, completely different between the two calendars and does not differ in any straightforward way. Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Julius Caesar and took force in 45 BC (709 ab urbe condita). ... 1900 (MCM) is a common year starting on Monday. ... 2100 is the last year of the 21st century. ... The Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world. ... January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33 (see Good Friday). ...

The Liturgical year in the Eastern Orthodox Church is characterized by alternating fasts and feasts, and is in many ways similar to the Roman Catholic year described above. However it is traditionally held to begin on September 1, not on the first Sunday of Advent. It includes the 12 Great Feasts, plus Pascha (Easter) itself, the Feast of Feasts. These feasts generally mark various significant events in the lives of Jesus Christ and of the Virgin Mary (Theotokos). Winter Lent is one name for the extended fast leading up to the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ (Christmas). Great Lent is the extended fast leading up to Holy Week and Pascha. Other times are especially set aside as well. Two other extended fasts are the Apostles' Fast, generally about one to two weeks leading up to the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and the fast leading up to the Dormition of the Theotokos, which is for the two weeks prior to that feast, from August 1 to August 14. The Vladimir Icon, one of the most venerated of Orthodox Christian icons of Mary. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... // Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church Easter/Pascha The feast of the Resurrection of Jesus, called Easter or Pascha, is the greatest of the feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... The term Virgin Mary has several different meanings: For the historical and multi-denominational concept of Mary, see Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. ... Great Lent is the greatest fasting period in the church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Easter (or Holy Pasch). Although it is in many ways similar to Lent in Western Christianity, there are important differences in the timing of Lent... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ...

The twelve Great Feasts

• The Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8)
  • birth of the Theotokos to Joachim and Anne
• The Elevation of the Cross (September 14)
  • the rediscovery of the original Cross on which Christ was crucified
• Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (November 21)
  • the entry of the Theotokos into the Temple around the age of 3
• Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (December 25)
  • the birth of Jesus, or Christmas
• Theophany (January 6)
  • the baptism of Jesus Christ, Christ's blessing of the water, and the revealing of Christ as God
• Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (February 2)
  • Christ's presentation as an infant in the Temple by the Theotokos and Joseph.
• Annunciation of the Theotokos (March 25)
  • Gabriel's announcement to the Theotokos that she will conceive the Christ, and her "Yes"
• Entry into Jerusalem (Sunday before Pascha)
  • known in the West as Palm Sunday.
• Ascension (40 days after Pascha)
  • Christ's ascension into Heaven following his resurrection.
• Pentecost (50 days after Pascha)
  • The Holy Spirit comes and indwells the apostles and other Christian believers.
• Transfiguration of Our Lord (August 6)
  • Christ's Transfiguration as witnessed by Peter, James and John.
• Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)
  • The falling asleep of the Theotokos (cf. the Assumption of Mary in Western Christian)

September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... Joachim was a king of Judah in the Old Testament. ... Anna or Anne or Ann is a popular given name. ... September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... The traditional form of the Christian cross, known as the Latin cross. ... November 21 is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ... Jesus, also known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus the Nazarene, is the central figure of Christianity, in which context he is known as Jesus Christ (from Greek Ιησούς Χριστός) with Christ being a title meaning Anointed One or Messiah. He is also considered a very important prophet in Islam and a... Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a traditional holiday observed in much of the world on 25 December, or on 7 January in most Eastern Orthodox Churches. ... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... Saint Joseph, also referred to as Joseph the Betrothed and as Joseph of Nazareth, was the father (according to the law) of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23) and the husband of Mary. ... // Headline text The Annunciation, by El Greco (1575) JAKE.T IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD The tom is gay Annunciation to Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the pronouncement by the archangel Gabriel that she would conceive a child to be born the Son of God. ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... March 25 is the 84th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (85th in leap years). ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... The name of the Jewish holiday Shavuot is commonly translated as Pentecost. Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... For the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, see Apostles See also London Arch (formerly London Bridge) Loch Ard Gorge The Gibson Steps The Grotto Categories: Australia geography stubs | Cliffs | Geography of Australia ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... The word Transfiguration means a changing of appearance or form. ... According to Catholic theology and the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, the body of Mary, the mother of Jesus, venerated by these denominations as the Blessed Virgin Mary or Theotokos, respectively, was taken into Heaven along with her soul after her death. ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... Theotokos of Kazan Theotokos (Greek Θεοτόκος) is a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus. ... The Assumption has been a subject of Christian art for centuries According to Roman Catholic theology and the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, the body and soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mary, the mother of Jesus) was taken into Heaven after the end of her earthly life. ... Western Christianity refers to Catholicism and Protestantism. ...

Resources

• Stookey, L.H. Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church, 1996. ISBN 0687011361

• Hickman, Hoyt L., et al. Handbook of the Christian Year, 1986. ISBN 068716575-X

See also

• Calendar of saints
• Christian worship
• Computus - computing the date of Easter
• Eastern Orthodox Church calendar
• Gregorian calendar
• Julian calendar

The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organising a liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more saints, and referring to the day as the saints day of that saint. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Computus (Latin for computation) is the calculation of the date of Easter in the Christian calendar. ... The Eastern Orthodox Church calendar describes or dictates the rhythm of the life of the Church. ... The Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world. ... The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Julius Caesar and took force in 45 BC (709 ab urbe condita). ...

External links

• The Christian Calendar — Christian Seasons Calendar: based on liturgical seasons rather than secular 12 months.
• Universalis — A liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church including the liturgy of the hours and the mass readings.