The Church Calendar

Setting Our Days According To The Life Of Our Lord

Toward A Godly Ordering Of Our Calendar

This guide explains the historic Christian church calendar in a clear and functional way so that individuals, families, and churches may understand when each season occurs, how the dates are determined, and how the year flows together.

How the Calendar Is Structured

The church calendar revolves around one movable feast: Easter. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21 (the traditional date of the spring equinox). Because of this calculation, Easter falls between March 22nd and April 25th each year. All other movable seasons — Lent, Holy Week, Ascension, and Pentecost — are determined by the date of Easter.

1. Advent

  • Begins: The fourth Sunday before December 25 (between November 27 and December 3).

  • Ends: December 24.

  • Length: Four Sundays.

  • Theme: Expectation and preparation for Christ’s coming (both first and second comings).

  • Liturgical Color: Purple or Blue.

2. Christmas (Christmastide)

  • Begins: December 25.

  • Ends: January 5 (Twelfth Night).

  • Length: Twelve days.

  • Theme: Incarnation — God becoming man.

  • Liturgical Color: White or Gold.

3. Epiphany

  • Fixed Date: January 6.

  • Season: January 6 until the day before Ash Wednesday.

  • Length: 4–9 weeks (depends on the date of Easter).

  • Theme: Christ revealed — to the Magi, at His baptism, through His miracles.

  • Liturgical Color: Green.

4. Lent

  • Ash Wednesday: 46 days before Easter.

  • Lent contains 40 fasting days (Sundays are not counted as fast days).

  • Ash Wednesday falls between February 4 and March 10.

  • Ends: Holy Saturday (the day before Easter).

  • Theme: Repentance, preparation, and reflection on Christ’s suffering.

  • Liturgical Color: Purple.

5. Holy Week

  • Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter.

  • Maundy Thursday: The Thursday before Easter.

  • Good Friday: The Friday before Easter.

  • Holy Saturday: The Saturday before Easter.

  • Theme: The Passion of Christ — His final week, crucifixion, and burial.

6. Easter (Resurrection Season)

  • Easter Date Range: March 22 – April 25.

  • Length of Season: 50 days.

  • Ends: The day before Pentecost.

  • Theme: Resurrection victory and new life.

  • Liturgical Color: White or Gold. 

7. Ascension

  • Occurs 40 days after Easter (always on a Thursday).

  • Falls between April 30 and June 3.

  • Theme: Christ’s exaltation and heavenly reign.

8. Pentecost

  • Occurs 50 days after Easter (7th Sunday after Easter).

  • Falls between May 10 and June 13.

  • Theme: Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and birth of the Church.

  • Liturgical Color: Red.

9. Ordinary Time

  • Begins: The day after Pentecost.

  • Ends: The day before the next Advent begins.

  • Length: Approximately 23–28 weeks (depends on the date of Easter).

  • Theme: Growth, discipleship, and the ongoing life of the Church.

  • Liturgical Color: Green.

How the Year Flows Theologically

  • The church year follows the story of redemption in order:

  • Promise (Advent)

  • Incarnation (Christmas)

  • Revelation (Epiphany)

  • Repentance (Lent)

  • Crucifixion (Holy Week)

  • Resurrection (Easter)

  • Exaltation (Ascension)

  • Spirit (Pentecost)

  • Growth and Mission (Ordinary Time)

 

The Christians yearly cycle begins again with Advent, forming a yearly rhythm that rehearses the full work of Christ.


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