Key Dates and Events
Epiphany
(6th of January)
Epiphany is a Christian holiday that marks two occasions during which Jesus’ divinity manifested. The first is when the three kings (also known as the ‘three wise men’ or ‘Magi’) visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The second is when Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Catholic and Protestant traditions emphasise the visit of the wise men during their celebrations while churches focus on Jesus’ baptism. The holiday also marks the Christian season between Christmas and Lent.
Lent
(40 days prior to Easter)
Lent is a Christian event that takes place 40 days before Easter. The event usually begins on Ash Wednesday depending on the denomination of the tradition. Lent is meant to be a time of reflection and preparation before Easter. It lasts 40 days to replicate Jesus’ sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Common activities during Lent include fasting, prayer, penance and contemplation. The last week of Lent is known as Holy Week.
Ash Wednesday
(The first day of Lent, typically in February or March)
Ash Wednesday is a Christian event that marks the beginning of the Lent season. The event is marked as a day of penitence or repentance for one’s past wrongdoings. It is common to attend church services on this day and some priests will mark individuals with blessed ashes on their forehead. There are variations as to how the event is commemorated depending on the culture and Christian denomination. For instance, the concept of Ash Wednesday, as the first day of Lent, is observed on a Monday in many traditions. Thus, the event is known as Ash Monday, Clean Monday or Green Monday.
Annunciation of the Lord
(25th of March)
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord is a Christian holiday that commemorates Angel Gabriel’s appearance and announcement to Virgin Mary that she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus. The event also honours Mary’s willingness to accept the news, captured in the Latin phrase ‘fiat’ (‘let it be’). The event is observed across most Christian traditions. The date of the Annunciation of the Lord is the 25th of March – exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus. However, the date of the feast changes if it coincides with Lent, any time during Holy Week, or any time in the octave of Easter. In the tradition, particularly Greek , the event is known as the Annunciation to the Theotokos.
Palm Sunday
(The Sunday before Easter Sunday)
Palm Sunday is a Christian feast that marks the beginning of Holy Week. Church services may spend this time reflecting on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It is also a time that many remember Jesus’ suffering leading up to this crucifixion. In some parts of the world, palms or other plant branches are distributed to the congregation.
Good Friday
(The Friday before Easter Sunday)
Good Friday is a Christian holiday during the sombre event of Holy Week. The date commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Some places refer to the day as Great Friday, Black Friday, Long Friday or Sorrowful Friday. It is a sombre time of reflection and prayer. Many Christian denominations hold church services around midday to acknowledge the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. Some churches may reenact different events of this time, such as the procession of the cross.
Easter Sunday
(Varies each year, typically in late March or late April)
Easter Sunday is a Christian holiday during the solemn event of Holy Week. The date commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from death by crucifixion. Throughout Holy Week, especially Easter Sunday, attention is focused on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ final days. The liturgies and ceremonies held throughout the week often attract some of the biggest attendance in the year. It is considered to be a day of joy and celebration to honour the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Catholic and Protestant traditions typically set the date of Easter according to the Lunar calendar based on the Gregorian calendar while some Eastern Catholic Churches and Churches calculate the date according to the Lunar calendar based on the Julian calendar. In Christianity, Easter Sunday is typically known as Pascha.
Ascension
(39 days after Easter Sunday)
Ascension is a Christian feast that marks Jesus’ departure from earth into heaven after his resurrection. It is one of the earliest observed celebrations in Christianity. Ascension also marks the end of the Easter period.
Pentecost
(The 7th Sunday after Easter)
Pentecost is a Christian holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus. At this time, the apostles received the “gift of tongues”, the ability to speak in another language. In many parts of the world, Pentecost has become a common day for baptisms to occur. Many churches celebrate Pentecost with a mass or worship service. Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday in different Christian traditions.
Trinity Sunday
(The First Sunday after Pentecost)
Trinity Sunday is a Christian feast reserved for remembering and honouring the belief of the Holy Trinity. This doctrine states the Triune of God is manifested through the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Many churches will hold special masses and services.
Corpus Christi
(The Sunday after Trinity Sunday)
Corpus Christi is a Catholic feast event that observes the Eucharist. This is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus with the twelve apostles before his crucifixion. The event is sometimes known as the Feast of Corpus Christi or the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Assumption of Mary
(Typically 15th of August)
The Assumption of Mary is a Christian feast that celebrates God’s assumption of the Virgin Mary (the mother of Jesus) into heaven following her death. The date is regarded to be the principal feast day of the Virgin Mother. The holiday is known under a variety of names, such as the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God or the Feast of the Assumption. In Christian traditions, the date is referred to as the Dormition of the Theotokos, commemorating the death and burial of Virgin Mary.
All Saints’ Day
(1st of November)
All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, is a Christian feast that celebrates all Christian saints, particularly those who have no special feast days. Saints are those women and men recognised for their lives of devotion to God or who were for their faith. It is typically celebrated on the 1st of November in Western Churches, whilst Eastern Churches usually celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. In some parts of the world. All Saints’ Day is a day to pay respect to one’s deceased relatives.
First Sunday of Advent
(Date varies each year, typically last week of November to first week of December)
The First Sunday of Advent is a Christian holiday that marks the beginning of the Christian year in Western Christianity. The length of Advent varies from 22 to 28 days depending on the day Christmas falls on. The end of Advent is Christmas Day. Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent. The time was originally dedicated to reflection and preparation for Christmas.
Immaculate Conception
(8th of December)
Immaculate Conception is a Christian feast. For centuries there has been theological controversy about the teaching, particularly regarding the word ‘immaculate’. In the Catholic and Anglican traditions, the date is believed to commemorate the conception of Jesus’ mother (Mary) without original sin. Church services or masses are usually held on this day.
Christmas
(25th of December)
Christmas is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe is the son of God. The nativity of Jesus is considered to be one of the most important dates for Christians. A special Mass or church service is held in various churches throughout the world. Christians from different cultures celebrate Christmas Day in different ways.
In the English-speaking West, a common practice and idea associated with Christmas is the figure of the gift-giving man named Santa Claus. This idea originated from Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children and gift giver. People often exchange gifts on Christmas day or on the eve of Saint Nicholas’ day. In some traditions, it is common to celebrate the event during the night of Christmas Eve.
Catholic and Protestant traditions typically set the date of Jesus according to the Gregorian calendar (25th of December) while Eastern Catholic Churches and Eastern Churches calculate the date according to the Julian calendar (7th of January).
