In the Orthodox Church, there are twelve major Feast Days, in addition to Pascha. Pascha, the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord, is not counted among the twelve great feasts because it is the “Feast of Feasts”.
Christ is risen from the dead
and by His death He has trampled upon death,
giving life to those who were in the tombs.
-- Pascha Troparion (Hymn)
The liturgical new year begins on September 1, in honor of St. Constantine's deliverance of the Church from Roman persecution.
The Twelve Feasts
September 8: Nativity of the Theotokos
Thy Nativity, O Virgin,
Has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!
The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,
Has shone from thee, O Theotokos!
By annulling the curse,
He bestowed a blessing.
By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life.
September 14: Elevation of the Holy Cross
O Lord, save Thy people,
And bless Thine inheritance.
Grant victory to Orthodox Christians
Over their enemies,
And by the power of Thy Cross
Preserve Thy habitation.
November 21: Entrance of the Theotokos
Today is the preview of the good will of God,
Of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.
The Virgin appears in the temple of God,
In anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.
Let us rejoice and sing to her: Rejoice,
O Divine Fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation.
December 25: Nativity of the Lord
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore Thee,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know Thee, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to Thee!
January 6: Theophany, the Baptism of Christ
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan,
worship of the Trinity wast made manifest;
for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee,
calling Thee His beloved Son.
And the Spirit in the form of a dove
confirmed the truth of His word.
O Christ our God, Who hath appeared
and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.
February 2: Presentation of Christ
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace!
From thee shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.
Enlightening those who sat in darkness!
Rejoice, and be glad, O righteous elder;
Thou accepted in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls,
Who grants us the Resurrection.
March 25: Annunciation
Today is the beginning of our salvation,
The revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee!
Sunday before Pascha: Palm Sunday
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion,
Thou didst confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God!
Like the children with the palms of victory,
We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of death;
Hosanna in the Highest!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!
Forty Days after Pascha: Ascension of Christ
O Christ God, Thou hast ascended in Glory,
Granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing they were assured
That Thou art the Son of God,
The Redeemer of the world!
Fifty Days after Pascha: Pentecost
Blessed art Thou O Christ Our God
Thou hast revealed the fishermen as most wise
By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit
Through them Thou drew the world into Thy net
O Lover of Man, Glory to Thee!
August 6: Transfiguration
Thou wert Transfigured on the Mount, O Christ God,
Revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Thine everlasting Light shine upon us sinners!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, glory to Thee!
August 15: Dormition of the Theotokos
In giving birth thou preserved thy virginity,
In falling asleep thou did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.
Thou were translated to life, O Mother of Life,
And by thy prayers, thou deliver our souls from death.
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