2. FEASTS & FASTS LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE BYZANTINE CHURCHES

3. Feasts Pascha The 12 Great Feasts Lesser Feasts

4. Ranks of Feasts 1.Feasts of the Lord 2.Feasts of the Theotokos 3.Vigil Rank Feasts for a Saint 4.Polyeleos Rank Saint Feasts 5.Doxology Saint Feasts 6.Feast of Saint with 6 Stikhera Commemorations 7.Simple Commemorations of Saint

5. The 12 Great Feasts 1. Nativity of the Theotokos: September 8 2. Exaltation of the Cross: September 14 3. Presentation of the Theotokos: November 21 4. the Nativity of Christ: December 25 (aka: Christmas) 5. Theophany: January 6 (the Baptism of Christ ) 6. Meeting of the Lord: February 2 (aka the Presentation) 7. Annunciation: March 25 8. the Entry into Jerusalem ( (aka: Flower/Willow/Palm Sunday) 9. Ascension of the Lord - (40 Days after Pascha) 10. Trinity Sunday (50 Days after Pascha) – aka Pentecost 11. Transfiguration: August 6 12. Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos: Aug 15

6. Fasts: 4 1.St. Philip’s Fast: –40 days before Christmas –long but relatively easy 2.The Great Fast 3.The Apostle’s Fast: –Easy & can be short –After All Saints Sunday to Ss. Peter/Paul) 4.Dormition Fast: August 1-14 –short but strict

7. The Great Fast: 3 parts the Great Week Feast –(week before Pascha) –oldest part & the shortest the 40 Days Fast –Clean Monday to before Lazarus Saturday –40 days including Sundays –Origin: Catechumens preparing for Baptism “Prophonisimon”, Herald of the Fast: –Fasting to prepare for Fasting: –Psychologically and Physically: (warm up)

8. Penitential Practice 1. Prayer 2. Fasting 3. Helping the Poor