The Church Year and the Great Feasts

When does the Church’s year begin? Not January 1, and not Advent: for Byzantine Catholics, it begins on September 1. Let’s find out more in this lesson. I’m your host, Shalone Cason, and let’s begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Two cycles

The services of the liturgical year, or Church year, are built upon the immoveable and movable cycles.

— Christ – Our Pascha 565

The Church year has two cycles that run together. The immoveable cycle is linked to fixed dates, such as Christmas on December 25. The movable cycle is linked to the date of Pascha, which changes every year. Through the services of both, the catechism says, the Church commemorates and experiences all the major events of salvation history.

A new year on September 1

The immoveable cycle of the Church Year begins on September 1

— Christ – Our Pascha 566

The Byzantine Church year begins on September 1. On the old Julian calendar, which some Churches still follow, that day falls on September 14. The catechism explains that the two calendars now differ by thirteen days, and that is also why Pascha is sometimes celebrated on different dates. Many Byzantine Catholics keep the new calendar; others keep the old.

Pascha at the center

The centre and pivotal point of the liturgical year’s movable cycle of feasts is Pascha.

— Christ – Our Pascha 567

Pascha is the Byzantine name for Easter. Its date falls on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox, so it moves each year. When Pascha moves, so do Great Lent, the Entrance into Jerusalem, the Ascension and Pentecost. Everything in the moving cycle is counted from the Resurrection of Christ.

The twelve great feasts

presents the icons of twelve great feasts of the Lord and Mother of God

— Christ – Our Pascha 605

On the iconostasis, above the main row of icons, is the festal row. It shows twelve great feasts of the Lord and of the Mother of God. The catechism says these icons show not only past events, but the main milestones in the history of salvation. Through the feasts, the community experiences these events anew, receiving the particular grace of Christmas, Theophany or the others.

The Light of Christmas and Theophany

Their meaning lies in the manifestation of Christ, the Light that overcomes the darkness of sin.

— Christ – Our Pascha 574

The chief fixed feasts of the Lord are the Birth of Christ, on December 25 or January 7, and Theophany, on January 6 or 19. Theophany celebrates the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Both feasts show who Christ is to the world: the Light that overcomes the darkness of sin. The day after each, the Church honors those closest to the event: Mary and John the Baptist.

So when does the church year start? It starts on September 1, and Pascha is the centerpiece of the year, with twelve great feasts around it, because Christ’s Resurrection is so pivotal to our salvation. Christmas and Theophany are two of the other twelve feasts. Thanks for learning with us. I’ve been your host, Shalone, and until next time, stay holy, my friends.

Image credits

• Pascha Procession Around the Church at Night at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church, Virginia Beach (2026) by Shalone Cason - Public Domain Catholic Stock Photo (The Free Catholic Gallery, sdcason.com)
• Holy Ascension Orthodox Church (5032268730), Andrew Gould (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)
• Christ-Ascension-icon-Michurin-Bulgaria-16century, Unknown author Unknown author (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
• Hermitage hall 143 - 10 - Icon with Theophany of Christ, Netelo (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Annunciation, icon with yarn, National Museum of Serbia, Orjen (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Sources

• Christ – Our Pascha: Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, 565–567, 574, 605

Written and narrated by Shalone Cason, who chose the topic, selected the points, and reviewed every line. Researched and drafted with AI assistance (Claude) from the sources above. Every quotation is checked word for word against its source.