Dates for the Feasts and Fasts
Feasts (excerpted from Hopko, Worship): September 8 The Nativity of Mary the Theotokos September 14 The Exaltation of the Cross November 21 The Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple December 25 The Nativity of Christ January 6 Theophany: The Baptism of Christ February 2 The Meeting of Christ in the Temple March 25 The Annunciation August 6 The Transfiguration of Christ August 15 The Dormition of the Theotokos
The feasts whose dates are movable are from the paschal cycle: · The feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem · The feast of the Lord’s Ascension · The feast of Pentecost Pascha is not counted among the twelve major feasts of the Church since it is considered by itself as “the feast of feasts.” Fasts In addition to the ascetic fasts every Wednesday and Friday, the Church sets apart four periods of fasting. The fasting periods of preparation, which have come down to us from the ancient Church, reveal the feast days that were of great importance from the beginning of our Church: the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul, who were, respectively, the Apostles to the Jews and the Gentiles; the Nativity of Our Lord; Pascha; and the Dormition of the Theotokos. · Nativity Fast: Begins: November 14; Ends: December 25 · The Great Fast: Begins: Forty days before Holy Week; Ends: Holy Week · Saints Peter and Paul: Begins: One week after Pentecost; Ends: June 29 · Dormition Fast: Begins: Aug. 1; Ends: Aug. 14
