The Orthodox Christian Calendar

The Orthodox Christian calendar is a liturgical calendar that governs the timing of feasts, fasts, and Scriptural readings within the Orthodox Church. While sharing historical roots with the Western Christian calendar, it has evolved along a distinct path, retaining unique features that shape the spiritual rhythm of Orthodox believers worldwide.

Two Calendars: Julian and Revised Julian

A key characteristic is the existence of two variations: the Julian calendar (“Old Calendar”) and the Revised Julian calendar (“New Calendar”). The Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar, is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar (the standard civil calendar). Some Orthodox Churches (e.g., Russian, Serbian, Georgian, Jerusalem) continue to observe the Julian calendar for all liturgical purposes. Others, known as New Calendarists (e.g., Constantinople, Greek, Romanian), adopted a revised version of the Julian calendar in the 20th century. This Revised Julian calendar aligns with the Gregorian calendar until the year 2800. For most fixed feasts (those that occur on the same date each year, such as Christmas on December 25th), New Calendarists celebrate them according to the Gregorian date, while Old Calendarists celebrate them 13 days later.

Pascha: The Cornerstone

Despite these differences in fixed feast dates, all Orthodox Churches calculate Pascha (Easter) according to the same rules established by the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325 AD). Pascha is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox, provided that the full moon occurs after the Jewish Passover. This calculation often results in Pascha being celebrated later than in the Western Christian tradition. The entire liturgical year revolves around the date of Pascha, influencing the dates of Great Lent, Ascension, Pentecost, and other movable feasts.

Cycles of Feasts and Fasts

The Orthodox liturgical year is structured around a series of interconnected cycles. The annual cycle culminates in Pascha, the “Feast of Feasts,” and is preceded by Great Lent, a period of intense fasting and spiritual preparation. The twelve Great Feasts celebrate significant events in the lives of Christ and the Theotokos (Virgin Mary). These include the Nativity of the Theotokos, the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, the Annunciation, the Nativity of Christ, the Theophany (Epiphany), the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the Transfiguration, the Dormition of the Theotokos, and others. In addition to these major feasts, numerous other commemorations honor saints, angels, and specific events in salvation history.

Fasting plays a crucial role in Orthodox spiritual life. Besides Great Lent, other significant fasting periods include the Nativity Fast (Advent), the Apostles’ Fast, and the Dormition Fast. Wednesdays and Fridays are typically observed as fast days throughout the year (except during certain festal periods). These fasting periods involve abstaining from meat, dairy, eggs, fish, and sometimes oil and wine, encouraging self-discipline and spiritual focus.

Readings and Hymns

Each day in the Orthodox calendar is associated with specific Scriptural readings (epistles and gospels) and hymns that are chanted or sung during the services. These readings and hymns are carefully selected to reflect the meaning of the feast or commemoration being celebrated and to guide the faithful through a process of spiritual reflection and understanding.

A Living Tradition

The Orthodox Christian calendar is more than just a system of dates; it is a living tradition that shapes the spiritual lives of millions of Orthodox Christians around the world. It provides a framework for worship, prayer, and spiritual growth, connecting believers to the historical events of salvation and the enduring presence of God.