Liturgical Year

In our daily lives, we generally establish a definite schedule for carrying out various activities. Whether in educational institutions or in our places of employment, every activity is governed by a prescribed timetable. If so, does our Christian ecclesiastical life also follow a similar arrangement of time? If it does, how is this arrangement structured? When does the Liturgical Year commence and when does it conclude each year? How are the dates of the various fasts and feasts determined?

This article is an attempt to provide simple and systematic answers to these questions.

The Liturgical Year is the ecclesiastical arrangement through which the Church unfolds, in an orderly sequence, the various events of the divine plan of salvation accomplished by God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the worship and liturgical life of the Church, the faithful are guided to journey with Christ throughout the year, participating in and experiencing the salvific mysteries of His life.

Commencement of the Liturgical Year

The Liturgical Year of the Church commences on the Sunday following October 29. To explain more precisely, when October 30 or 31 falls on a Sunday, the Liturgical Year begins on that day. Otherwise, it commences on the first Sunday of November.

The first two Sundays of the Liturgical Year are devoted to the contemplation of the Sanctification of the Church (Koodhosh Itho) and the Dedication or Renewal of the Church (Hoodhosh Itho), respectively.

During the subsequent Sundays, the Church meditates upon the divine announcements and events associated with the Nativity of our Lord, culminating in the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity.

Thereafter, the Church solemnly commemorates and observes the various events in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ, including His Circumcision, Baptism, Entry into the Temple, Public Ministry, Passion, Death, Burial and Resurrection. Following the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord, the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost. 

The succeeding weeks are devoted to the commemoration of the Holy Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary through their respective fasting seasons. The Church also instructs the faithful on the gifts, graces, and fruit of the Holy Spirit, as well as on the eschatological vision concerning the consummation of the ages.

Thus, the Liturgical Year is structured in such a manner that the faithful are progressively led through the various salvific events in the life of Christ.

Classification of Fasts and Feasts in the Liturgical Year

Based on their dates of observance, the fasts and feasts of the Liturgical Year may broadly be classified into two categories:

1. Fasts and feasts whose dates vary from year to year.

2. Fasts and feasts observed on fixed dates every year.

Let us first consider those fasts and feasts whose dates vary annually.

The variable dates in the Liturgical Year are primarily determined with reference to two significant occasions. The first is the Sunday of Koodhosh Itho, and the second is the Feast of the Resurrection.

As mentioned earlier, Koodhosh Eetho is observed on the Sunday following October 29. Similarly, the Feast of the Resurrection is observed on the Sunday following the first full moon occurring on or after March 21.

Although October 29 is an easy date to remember, determining the date of the Feast of the Resurrection for each year requires reference to the ecclesiastical calendar. The dates are readily available through various online resources and liturgical calendars. 

Once these two dates are known, the dates of the other variable fasts and feasts associated with them can be determined in the manner explained below.

Important Days with Variable Dates Associated with Koodhosh Eetho

There are generally eight Sundays between Koodhosh Eetho and the Feast of the Nativity in the Liturgical Year. However, in the relatively rare years when the Feast of the Nativity falls on a Sunday, there will be nine Sundays between Koodhosh Eetho and the Nativity. This occurred recently in 2022.

The first of these Sundays is observed as the Sunday of the Sanctification of the Church (Koodhosh Iho), and the second as the Sunday of the Renewal of the Church (Hoodhosh Itho).

During the following six Sundays, the first five are devoted to the divine announcements concerning those who were called and chosen to participate in God's plan of salvation. The sixth Sunday is observed as the Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity.

These Sundays are observed in the following order:

1. Annunciation to Zechariah.

2. Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

3. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth.

4. Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

5. Annunciation to St. Joseph.

6. Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity.

Important Days with Variable Dates Associated with the Feast of the Resurrection

As mentioned earlier, the Feast of the Resurrection is observed on the Sunday following the first full moon occurring on or after March 21.

The dates of the following fasts and feasts in the Church's liturgical calendar are determined in relation to the Feast of the Resurrection.

Observances Before the Feast of the Resurrection

• The Beginning of the Great Lent: The Great Lent commences fifty days before the Feast of the Resurrection.

• The Three-Day Fast: The Three-Day Fast begins on Monday and concludes on Thursday, two Sundays before the commencement of the Great Lent (eighteen days before the Great Lent begins).

• Shubkono: The Service of Reconciliation (Shubkono) is observed on the first Monday of the Great Lent.

• The Sundays of the Great Lent: The six Sundays of the Great Lent are devoted to the contemplation of the six miracles performed by our Lord.

• Mid-Lent: The twenty-fifth day of the Great Lent, which falls on a Wednesday, is observed as Mid-Lent.

• Fortieth Friday: The fortieth day of the Great Lent commemorates our Lord's forty-day fast in the wilderness and His victory over the temptations of Satan.

• Saturday of the Raising of Lazarus: The Saturday immediately following the Fortieth Friday commemorates the raising of Lazarus by our Lord.

• Hosanna Sunday: The seventh Sunday of the Great Lent is celebrated as Hosanna Sunday.

• This is followed by the days of Passion Week (Hasha), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Saturday of the Annunciation (Holy Saturday).

Observances After the Feast of the Resurrection

• New Sunday: The first Sunday following the Feast of the Resurrection is observed as New Sunday. On this day, the Church meditates upon the great confession of faith made by St. Thomas the Apostle concerning the Resurrection of our Lord.

• Feast of the Ascension: The Feast of the Ascension is observed on the fortieth day after the Resurrection. It invariably falls on a Thursday every year.

• Feast of Pentecost: The Feast of Pentecost is observed on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection. It invariably falls on a Sunday every year.

Thus, we have considered the important days whose dates vary annually in relation to Koodhosh Eetho and the Feast of the Resurrection.

Let us now examine those fasts and feasts of the Liturgical Year that are observed on fixed dates every year.

Fasts and Feasts Observed on Fixed Dates

Among the fasts observed by the Church, we have already seen that the Great Lent (the Fifty-Day Fast) and the Three-Day Fast are associated with the Feast of the Resurrection and therefore have variable dates.

In addition to these, the Church observes the following fasts on fixed dates every year:

• Twenty-Five-Day Fast (Nativity Fast) : December 1–25

• Apostles' Fast (Thirteen-Day Fast) : June 16–29

• Fifteen-Day Fast (Dormition Fast) : August 1–15

Feasts Observed on Fixed Dates

The following is a list of important feasts and commemorative days observed on the same dates every year.

• Feast of the Nativity of our Lord : December 25

• Commemoration of the Holy Innocents : December 26

• Circumcision of our Lord : January 1

• Baptism of our Lord : January 6

• Entry of our Lord into the Temple : February 2

• Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary : March 25

• Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord : August 6

• Feast of All Saints : November 1

A few of these observances deserve particular attention:

• Circumcision of our Lord (January 1): This feast is observed on the eighth day after the Nativity of our Lord.

• Entry of our Lord into the Temple (February 2): This feast is observed on the fortieth day after the Nativity of our Lord.

• Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25): This feast is observed exactly nine months before the Nativity of our Lord.

In addition to these, the commemorations of the Holy Apostles are also observed on fixed dates every year.

Some examples are:

• Commemoration of St. Thomas the Apostle (according to the traditional calendar): December 21

• Commemoration of St. Peter and St. Paul the Apostles : June 29 

• Commemoration of the Twelve Apostles : June 30

• Commemoration of St. Thomas the Apostle : July 3

Conclusion

Thus, through the various fasts and feasts arranged throughout the different seasons of the year, the Church commemorates the salvific events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and who participated in the divine plan of salvation.

These observances are not merely annual recollections of historical events. Rather, they are sacred opportunities through which the faithful are continually invited to participate in the salvific mysteries of Christ and to experience the spiritual significance of His life and ministry.

Each event of the Liturgical Year draws the faithful closer to Christ, enabling them to contemplate more deeply His life, teachings, and plan of salvation. Through this spiritual pilgrimage with Christ, the Church prepares every believer to encounter the challenges of the world with Him, growing continually in faith, hope and love.

The Liturgical Year, therefore, is not merely an ecclesiastical arrangement that sanctifies the passage of time; it is a spiritual journey through the life of Christ, inviting every believer to live in Christ and journey with Him throughout the year.

A guide to find the exact day and date of any liturgical event from AD 1583 to 3000, as per the Gregorian calendar