Festal Katabasia
On Sundays and feast days, Festal Katabasia are used at the end of each ode. These are not necessarilly the same as the irmoi of the canon. Which particular Festal Katabasia are used will depend upon the liturgical season. The festal Katabasia are used in anticipation of a Great Feast, and throughout its Afterfeast. During the rest of the year, the Festal Katabasia to the Theotokos (Mother of God) are used.
The following table concerns the chanting of Katabasia on Sundays and Feast Days throughout the year (ordinary weekdays use the Irmos from the last canon chanted on that day).
| From | To | Katabasia |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | January 14 | Theophany |
| January 15 | Apodosis of the Meeting of the Lord § | Meeting of the Lord |
| Day after Apodosis of the Meeting §§ | Cheesefare Saturday | Theotokos |
| Cheesefare Sunday | Bright Saturday | As appointed * |
| Thomas Sunday | Apodosis of Pascha | Pascha (Easter) |
| Mid-Pentecost (4th Wednesday of Pascha) ° | Mid-Pentecost | |
| Sunday of the Blind Man (6th Sunday of Pascha) | Apodosis of Ascension | Ascension |
| Ascension Day | Pentecost | |
| Sunday before Pentecost (7th Sunday of Pascha) | Pentecost | |
| Saturday before Pentecost | Apodosis of Pentecost | Pentecost |
| Sunday of All Saints | July 31 | Theotokos |
| August 1 | August 6 | Exaltation of the Cross |
| August 7 | August 12 | Transfiguration |
| August 13 | Exaltation of the Cross | |
| August 14 | August 23 | Dormition |
| August 24 | September 21 | Exaltation of the Cross |
| September 22 | November 20 | Theotokos |
| November 21 | December 31 | Nativity of the Lord |
§ Usually February 9, but if Great Lent begins early, the apodosis may be earlier.
§§ Usually February 10, but if Great Lent begins early, the apodosis may be earlier.
* Moveable cycle; the exact dates will differ from year to year, depending upon the date of Easter. During Great Lent the proper Katabasia are found in the Triodion, during the Paschal season they are found in the Pentecostarion.
° Mid-Pentecost falls on the 4th Wednesday of Pascha and lasts for one week, being a "feast within a feast". The Katabasia of Mid-Pentecost are chanted only on the day of the feast and on its Apodosis (the following Wednesday); on the other days of Mid-Pentecost, the Katabasia used are those of Pascha.
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