Liturgical year
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Liturgical year
The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches that determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Distinct liturgical calendars are used by different Christian denominations, but the major seasons and their timing are broadly similar.
Structure of the Liturgical Year[edit | edit source]
The liturgical year is divided into several seasons:
Advent[edit | edit source]
Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve.
Christmas[edit | edit source]
Christmas is the season celebrating the birth of Jesus. It begins on December 25 and lasts for twelve days, ending with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6.
Epiphany[edit | edit source]
The Epiphany season celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the visit of the Magi. It begins on January 6 and lasts until the beginning of Lent.
Lent[edit | edit source]
Lent is a season of penance, fasting, and prayer, lasting for 40 days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
Holy Week[edit | edit source]
Holy Week is the final week of Lent, commemorating the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, leading up to Easter.
Easter[edit | edit source]
Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. It begins on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days, ending with Pentecost.
Pentecost[edit | edit source]
Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. It occurs 50 days after Easter and marks the end of the Easter season.
Ordinary Time[edit | edit source]
Ordinary Time is the period outside of the aforementioned liturgical seasons. It is divided into two sections: the first part runs from the end of the Christmas season to the beginning of Lent, and the second part runs from the end of the Easter season to the beginning of Advent.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Advent
- Christmas
- Epiphany
- Lent
- Holy Week
- Easter
- Pentecost
- Ordinary Time
- Feast day
- Saints
- Scripture
- Second Coming
- Ash Wednesday
- Palm Sunday
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Resurrection of Jesus
- Holy Spirit
- Apostles
See Also[edit | edit source]
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