What Are the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church?

The Twelve Great Feasts are among the most important celebrations of the Orthodox Church year. They commemorate central events in God's work of salvation, especially events in the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, whom Orthodox Christians call the Theotokos.

The Twelve Great Feasts in church-year order

The Orthodox church year begins in September. The feasts are: Nativity of the Theotokos; Exaltation of the Holy Cross; Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple; Nativity of Christ; Theophany; Meeting of the Lord; Annunciation; Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem; Ascension of the Lord; Pentecost; Transfiguration of the Lord; and Dormition of the Theotokos.

Are all of these feasts on fixed dates?

No. Most have fixed calendar dates, while the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Ascension, and Pentecost move each year because their dates are determined by Pascha.

Is Pascha one of the Twelve Great Feasts?

Pascha is not counted among the Twelve because it holds an even more central place. The Resurrection of Christ is celebrated as the Feast of Feasts and stands at the heart of the Orthodox liturgical year.

How are the Great Feasts celebrated?

Each feast has its own hymns, Scripture readings, iconography, and liturgical traditions. Many are preceded or followed by special periods of preparation and celebration. The Divine Liturgy is central to Orthodox festal life; see What Is the Divine Liturgy?

The Great Feasts are not simply historical anniversaries. Through worship, the Church invites the faithful to enter more deeply into the meaning of the events being celebrated and their place in Christian life.