The feast of the Resurrection of Jesus, called Pascha (Easter), is the greatest of the feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. In addition, there are other days of great importance in the life of the Church - the Twelve Great Feasts (Greek: Δωδεκάορτον).
Eight great feasts in honor of Jesus Christ, and four great feasts honoring the Virgin Mary - the Theotokos - comprise The Twelve Great Feasts.
- September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos
- September 14, the Exaltation of the Cross
- November 21, the Presentation of the Theotokos
- December 25, the Nativity of Christ/Christmas
- January 6, the Baptism of Christ -- Theophany, also called Epiphany
- February 2, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
- March 25, the Annunciation
- The Sunday before Pascha (Easter)-- the Entry into Jerusalem or Flowery/Willow/Palm Sunday
- Forty Days after Pascha (Easter) -- the Ascension of Christ
- Fifty Days after Pascha (Easter) -- Pentecost
- August 6, the Transfiguration
- August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos
Famous quotes containing the words orthodox and/or church:
“If the jests that you crack have an orthodox smack,
You may get a bland smile from these sages;
But should it, by chance, be imported from France,
Half-a-crown is stopped out of your wages!”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)
“Midnight has come and the great Christ Church bell
And many a lesser bell sound through the room;
And it is All Souls’ Night.
And two long glasses brimmed with muscatel
Bubble upon the table. A ghost may come;
For it is a ghost’s right....”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)