Undoubtedly, each of us loves holidays. This is a wonderful time when pressing problems are forgotten, family and friends gather around the table, talk about simple things, laugh and enjoy life. Church holidays are especially important, which are honored by the entire Orthodox people year after year. These celebrations are somewhat different from state celebrations in that they were established by the Holy Church. To understand when the next Divine holiday will come, you can turn to the Orthodox calendar.
Church holidays can be permanent or variable. Constant celebrations occur on the same day, and variable ones on different years have different dates.
Holidays in 2016
| Permanent holidays | Variable holidays |
| 07.01 – Christmas | 02/07 – Council of New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia |
| 14.01 – Circumcision of the Lord | 14.02 – Week of Zacchaeus the Publican |
| 19.01 – Epiphany | 21.02 – Week of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 15.02 – Presentation of the Lord | 28.02 – Sunday of the Prodigal Son |
| 07.04 – Annunciation Holy Mother of God | 06.03 – Week of the Last Judgment |
| 21.05 – Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian | 07.03 – Cheese Week |
| 22.05 – St. Nicholas | 13.03 – Memories of Adam’s exile. Forgiveness resurrection |
| 07.07 – Nativity of John the Baptist | 20.03 – Triumph of Orthodoxy |
| 12.07 – Holy First. apostles Peter and Paul | 27.03 – 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, St. Gregory Palamas, architect. Solunsky |
| 19.08 — Transfiguration of the Lord | 03.04 – 3rd Sunday of Lent, Worship of the Cross |
| 28.08 – Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 10.04 – 4th Sunday of Lent |
| 11.09 – Beheading of John the Baptist | 17.04 – 5th Sunday of Lent |
| 21.09 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 23.04 – Lazarev Saturday |
| 27.09 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross | 24.04 – Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem |
| 09.10 – Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian | 25.04 – Maundy Monday |
| 14.10 – Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 26.04 – Maundy Tuesday |
| 04.12 – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple | 27.04 – Great Wednesday |
| 19.12 – St. Nicholas | 28.04 – Maundy Thursday. Last Supper |
| 29.04 – Good Friday. Crucifixion of Christ | |
| 30.04 – Holy Saturday. Entry of Christ into Hell | |
| 01.05 – Resurrection of Christ | |
| 08.05 — Anti-Easter | |
| 15.05 – 3rd week of Easter | |
| 22.05 – 4th week of Easter | |
| 29.05 – 5th week of Easter | |
| 05.06 – 6th week of Easter | |
| 09.06 – Ascension of the Lord | |
| 12.07 – 7th week of Easter | |
| 19.06 – Holy Trinity. Pentecost | |
| 20.06 – Holy Spirit Day | |
| 26.06 – 1st Sunday after Pentecost | |
| 03.07 – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost |
More detailed information about holidays, their descriptions and even some features of these holidays can be seen in Orthodox calendars, which are compiled every year.
Calendar of Orthodox holidays for 2016 by month
January
06.01 – Christmas Eve. This holiday involves refusing to eat until the first star appears in the sky. To break your fast you need to eat kutya, which can be prepared from wheat, honey and fruits.
07.01 – Christmas. From this moment until January 17, people celebrate Christmastide, during which there is no need to fast.
14.01 – Circumcision of the Lord. This holiday is popularly known under another name - Old New Year.
18.01 – Eve of the Epiphany of the Lord. This holiday obliges people to prepare Epiphany holy water. The next day it is used in rites of purification and consecration.
19.01 – Baptism of the Lord. On this day it is necessary to sanctify water and honor the baptism of Jesus Christ.
26.01 – Tatyana’s day.
From January 20 to March 13, the winter meat-eating season begins, during which it is allowed to eat meat (at least every day), except Wednesday and Friday.
February
15.02 – Presentation of the Lord.
March
8.03 – 1st and 2nd Finding of the head of John the Baptist.
22.03 – day of remembrance of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. The spring equinox also occurs on this day. Housewives begin to prepare special ritual cookies - waders, larks and grouse.
April
23.04 – Lazareva Saturday. This holiday allows the consumption of fish caviar.
24.04 – Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. Another name for this holiday is Palm Resurrection (the last day before Easter).
30.04 – End of Lent.
May
01.05 – . This celebration is also called the Bright Resurrection of the Lord. Traditional Easter cakes are baked, colored and painted Easter eggs. Starting from May 1 and ending on May 7, there will be a Continuous Easter Week, during which there is no need to fast.
From 08.05 to 14.05 - Krasnaya Gorka.
10.05 – Radonitsa, during which people prefer to remember deceased relatives.
23.05 is the day of the Apostle Simon the Zealot.
June
06/07 – 3rd Finding of the Head of John the Baptist.
09.06 – Ascension of the Lord.
16.06 – The seventh day after Easter, when people remember relatives who did not die a natural death.
18.06 – Trinity Universe Parent Saturday.
19.06 – Pentecost. Day of the Holy Trinity.
20.06 – 26.06 – Trinity Week. During this period, you can celebrate the Day of the Holy Spirit, which is set on June 20, and Navatka Trinity Day - June 23.
27.06 – Petrov post. Its duration is only 15 days, moreover, this fast is not particularly strict.
July
On the night from 06.07 to 07.07 - the holiday of Ivan Kupala.
07.07 – Nativity of John the Baptist.
12.07 – Day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
August
02.08 – Orthodox Christians celebrate Elijah’s Day. This day is dedicated to the prophet Elijah. The peculiarity of this holiday is that after it it is undesirable to swim in reservoirs.
14.08 – Honey Spas. From this day on, as is popularly believed, bees stop producing honey. You can eat honey and poppy seeds, as long as they are blessed.
19.08 – Transfiguration of the Lord. This holiday also has a second name - Apple Savior. Allowed foods for consumption: fish, apples, grapes.
28.08 – Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This celebration is considered protracted because it lasts directly until November 27th.
29.08 – Nut Spas.
September
11.09 – the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist. For a long time, Orthodox people remembered dead soldiers who gave their lives for their people, faith and homeland.
21.09 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
27.9 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
October
08.10 – day of remembrance of St. Sergius.
14.10 – Protection of the Holy Mother of God. The appearance of the Mother of God in the Blachernae Church is associated with this day.
November
05.11 – Dimitrovskaya Parents Saturday. On this day, it is customary to remember fallen soldiers, as well as pray for the souls of deceased relatives.
21.11 – day of Michael the Archangel.
Starting from November 28, believers adhere to the Nativity Fast, which will end directly on January 6, 2017. It is noteworthy that from November 28 to January 1, the fast is not strict.
December
04.12 – Feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As the legend says, it was on this day that the parents of the Most Holy Theotokos decided to bring her to the temple to conduct a rite of dedication of the child to the Lord. On this day, winter begins to come into its own. Often the first snow falls on December 4th.
09.12 – St. George’s day. It is customary to remember the deeds of St. George the Victorious, who in every possible way supported soldiers, landowners and livestock keepers.
19.12 – day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It has long been known that Saint Nicholas did not skimp on good deeds; he had fabulous wealth, but was not greedy, but helped those in need. There is a custom for parents to put gifts under their children's pillows on St. Nicholas Day.
December 25 is the day of remembrance of St. Spyridon. This day is the longest night and the shortest day.
Orthodox calendars are one of the most important attributes of the life of any believer. It is with this calendar that the church advises to compare events planned in life.
It is important to look at the calendar so as not to plan a feast with friends on the day of fasting and not to miss important dates on which it is better to devote yourself to spiritual cleansing and thoughts about God. In addition, major Christian holidays are a great joy for a religious person, and they simply must be celebrated in accordance with the spirit of the Faith and Christian canons.
Main Orthodox holidays in 2016
There are 12 of them, and 9 of them are called immutable. This means that their celebration date does not depend on Easter and remains the same from year to year.
- On January 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Great Nativity of Christ.
- On January 19, the entire Christian world celebrates the Baptism of our Savior.
- On February 15, in the middle of the month, the Presentation is celebrated, the meeting of Christ and righteous old man from Jerusalem, Simeon.
- On March 4, the Annunciation is celebrated - the day of good news to the Virgin Mary about her future destiny.
- On August 19, the Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated in all churches.
- August 28 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on this day they celebrate her reunion with Heaven.
- On September 21, the Virgin Mary was born; on this date her Nativity of the Virgin Mary is celebrated.
- September 27 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in honor of the founding of the Temple of the Resurrection on Calvary.
- December 4 - Introduction to the Temple, the feast of the first accession of the Mother of God at a still young age along the steps to the Jerusalem Temple.
- April 24 is Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord’s Ascension to Jerusalem.
- June 9 - Ascension of the Lord, celebrated 40 days after Easter.
- June 19 - Trinity, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
In addition to these dates, there are three more, transitional ones, on which church holidays are also celebrated:
Easter in 2016
2016 will be marked by a rather late celebration of Easter - May 1st. On this day, services will be held in all churches in memory of the bright Resurrection of Christ. This day serves as a reminder of the Kingdom of Heaven and the immortality of souls.
Then, from May 2 to 8 it will last Easter week. A new one begins with Easter christian year and the counting of all moving holidays and all liturgies associated with them.
Posts in 2016
Orthodox calendar has 4 main multi-day posts. Since the previous November 28, 2015, the main one, the Nativity Fast, has been stretching. It will end on January 6th. Then, March 14 and will last until April 30 Lent. Petrov fast counts from June 27 to July 11. And the last, Assumption Fast - from August 14 to 27.
Also, all Wednesdays and Fridays are considered fast, except those that fall on Christmastide and continuous weeks. In 2016, Christmastide will last from January 7 to 17, and Weekends will last from February 15 to 21 (the week of the Publican and the Pharisee), from March 7 to 13 (Cheese Week, Maslenitsa), from May 2 to 8 (Easter Week) and from 20 to May 26 (Trinity Week).
Fasts accompany the day of Epiphany Eve on January 18, the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist on September 11, and the Exaltation on September 27. And since fasts differ, being strict and non-strict, it is better to prepare for each of them separately, so as not only not to eat extra food - this is not the main thing - but by this time to read spiritual literature and become purer in soul and more humble in disposition.
Remember about church holidays and the importance of prayer. Treat faith with respect, and in difficult times it will help you out without leaving you in trouble. And don't forget to press the buttons and
09.12.2015 00:30
December 4 Orthodox world celebrates the Entry of the Mother of God into the temple. The great day foreshadowed that the Most Holy...
Major Orthodox church holidays of 2016, moving with a variable date and not moving with a constant date, one-day and multi-day fasts, fast days, Continuous weeks, days of remembrance of the dead, parental days.
Using the church calendar, you can find out exactly when Orthodox Easter will be in 2016, the date, what date is Trinity, Easter, Great Maundy Thursday and Annunciation, Christmas, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Week, Ascension, Transfiguration of the Lord, when is Trinity Day, Forgiveness and Palm Sunday.
When do they start and end Orthodox posts, from what date does Lent, Petrov, Assumption and Nativity begin.
Easter in 2016 - May 1 (Bright Resurrection of Christ).
Twelfth holidays in 2016:
- Christmas Day January 7, 2016.
- Epiphany (Epiphany) January 19, 2016.
- Presentation of the Lord February 15, 2016.
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on April 7, 2016.
- Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) April 24, 2016.
- Ascension of the Lord June 9, 2016
- Holy Trinity Day (Pentecost) June 19, 2016.
- Transfiguration of the Lord August 19, 2016.
- Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 28, 2016.
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 21, 2016.
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 27, 2016.
- Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple on December 4, 2016.
Great church holidays in 2016:
- Circumcision of the Lord (St. Basil the Great) - feast day January 14, 2016.
- The Nativity of John the Baptist is a holiday on July 7, 2016.
- Apostles Peter and Paul - holiday July 12, 2016.
- The beheading of John the Baptist is a holiday on September 11, 2016.
- Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary - feast day October 14, 2016.
Average church holidays in 2016:
- February 12, 2016 - Three saints - Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom
- May 6, 2016 - Great Martyr George the Victorious
- May 21, 2016 - Apostle John the Theologian
- May 22, 2016 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Summer Nicholas).
- May 24, 2016 - Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius.
- July 28, 2016 - Equal to the Apostles Prince Vladimir.
- October 9, 2016 - Apostle John the Theologian.
- November 26, 2016 - St. John Chrysostom.
- December 19, 2016 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Winter Nicholas).
Church Orthodox fasts in 2016. Multi-day posts:
- Lent in 2016 - from March 14 to April 30
- Petrov fast in 2016 - from June 27 to July 11.
- Dormition Fast in 2016 - from August 14 to 27.
- Nativity Fast - from November 28, 2016 to January 6, 2017.
One-day posts:
- Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, with the exception of continuous weeks and Christmastide.
- Epiphany Christmas Eve - January 18, 2016.
- The beheading of John the Baptist - September 11, 2016.
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27, 2016.
Continuous weeks in which there is no fasting:
- Christmastide in 2016 - from January 7 to 17.
- Week of the Publican and Pharisee in 2016 - from February 15 to 21.
- Maslenitsa in 2016 (Cheese week) - from March 7 to 13.
- Bright Easter Week in 2016 - from May 2 to May 8.
- Trinity Week in 2016 - from June 20 to 26.
Parents' Saturdays in 2016 (All Souls' Day):
- Ecumenical parent's Saturday(meat and meat) in 2016 - March 5.
- Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent - March 26, 2016.
- Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent - April 2, 2016.
- Saturday of the 4th week of Lent - April 9, 2016.
- Commemoration of deceased soldiers - May 9, 2016.
- Radonitsa in 2016 - May 10.
- Trinity Parents' Saturday in 2016 - June 18.
- Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday - November 5, 2016.
Orthodox church holidays in January 2016. From January 1 to January 6, 2016, the Nativity Fast continues:
- January 1, 2016 is the day of St. Ilya of Muromets, princely warrior-combatant and monk of the Pechersk Monastery.
- January 2, 2016 is the day of remembrance of Righteous John of Kronstadt.
- January 2, 2016 - celebration of the Icon of the Mother of God “Savior of the Drowning.”
- January 3, 2016 is the Day of Remembrance of St. Peter of Moscow, the wonderworker of all Russia.
- January 4, 2016 is the day of the Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker.
- January 6, 2016 - Christmas Eve.
- January 7, 2016 - Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
- January 8, 2016 - Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- January 14, 2016 - Circumcision of the Lord
- January 14, 2016 - Memorial Day of Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea.
- January 15, 2016 - Repose and second discovery of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the wonderworker.
- January 17, 2016 - Council of the 70 Apostles.
- January 18, 2016 - The Eve of Epiphany. Epiphany Christmas Eve.
- January 19, 2016 - Holy Epiphany. Feast of the Epiphany
- January 20, 2016 - Cathedral of the Baptist and Baptist John.
- January 22, 2016 - St. Philip's.
- January 23, 2016 - Memorial Day of St. Theophan the Recluse.
- January 25, 2016 - Martyr Tatiana. Tatyana's Day.
- January 25, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Mammal”.
- January 27, 2016 - Equal to the Apostles Nina.
- January 30, 2016 - St. Anthony the Great.
- January 31, 2016 - Saints Athanasius and Cyril.
Orthodox church holidays in February 2016:
- February 1, 2016 is the day of St. Macarius the Great.
- February 1, 2016 is the Day of Enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.
- February 2, 2016 is the day of St. Euthymius the Great.
- February 5, 2016 - Cathedral of Kostroma Saints.
- February 6, 2016 is the day of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
- February 7, 2016 is the day of St. Gregory the Theologian.
- February 7, 2016 - celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Quench my sorrows.”
- February 8, 2016 - Transfer of the relics of the saint to Chrysostom.
- February 9, 2016 - Council of New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. Commemoration of the departed who suffered during the time of persecution for the faith of Christ. Venerable Ephraim the Syrian.
- February 11, 2016 is the day of the Holy Martyr Ignatius the God-Bearer.
- February 12, 2016 - Cathedral of the Three Saints.
- February 14, 2016 is the day of the Holy Martyr Tryphon.
- February 15, 2016 - Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ
- February 18, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost.”
- February 21, 2016 - Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates.
- February 25, 2016 - St. Alexis of Moscow, wonderworker of all Russia.
- February 25, 2016 - Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
Orthodox church holidays in March 2016: Lent continues from March 14 to April 30.
- March 1, 2016 is the day of St. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna.
- March 3, 2016 is the day of St. Leo the Great.
- March 5, 2016 - Ecumenical parental (meat-free) Saturday. Remembrance of the dead.
- March 7, 2016 - Maslenitsa. The beginning of Cheese Week.
- March 8, 2016 - The first and second discovery of the head of John the Baptist.
- March 13, 2016 - Forgiveness Sunday in 2016. The end of Cheese Week.
- March 13, 2016 - Blessed Christ for the sake of the holy fool Nikolai of Pskov.
- March 14, 2016 - the beginning of Lent 2016.
- March 15, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Sovereign”.
- March 16, 2016 - Volokolamsk Icon of the Mother of God.
- March 17, 2016 - Memorial Day of the Righteous Prince Daniil of Moscow.
- March 20, 2016 - Triumph of Orthodoxy.
- March 20, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners.”
- March 21, 2016 - Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”. Remembrance of the dead.
- March 22, 2016 - Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste.
- March 25, 2016 - Simeon the New Theologian.
- March 26, 2016 - 2nd Saturday of Lent. All Souls' Day.
- March 27, 2016 - Theodore Icon of the Mother of God.
- March 27, 2016 - Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas.
- March 30, 2016 - St. Alexis, man of God.
- March 31, 2016 - Council of All Reverend Fathers of the Kiev-Pechersk.
Orthodox church holidays in April 2016: Lent continues from March 14 to April 30
- April 1, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Tenderness”.
- April 2, 2016 - 3rd Saturday of Lent. All Souls' Day.
- April 3, 2016 - St. Seraphim Vyritsky.
- April 3, 2016 - Week of the Cross.
- April 7, 2016 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- April 8, 2016 - Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel.
- April 9, 2016 - 4th Saturday of Lent. All Souls' Day.
- April 10, 2016 - St. John Climacus.
- April 16, 2016 - Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Icon of the Mother of God " Everlasting color" and "I am with you and no one else is with you."
- April 17, 2016 - Venerable Mary of Egypt.
- April 16, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Fadeless Color”.
- April 23, 2016 - Lazarus Saturday.
- April 24, 2016 - Palm Sunday. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
- April 25, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Murom”.
- From April 25, 2016 to May 1, 2016 - Holy Week.
- April 28, 2016 - Maundy (Maundy) Thursday.
- April 29, 2016 - Good Friday.
- April 30, 2016 - Holy Saturday.
- April 30, 2016 - Finding of the relics of St. Alexander of Svirsky.
Orthodox church holidays in May 2016:
- May 1, 2016 - Easter. Bright Resurrection of Christ.
- May 2, 2016 - Blessed Matrona of Moscow.
- May 3, 2016 - Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
- May 6, 2016 - Memorial Day of St. George the Victorious.
- May 7, 2016 - Martyr Savva Stratelates and with him 70 soldiers.
- May 8, 2016 - Apostle and Evangelist Mark.
- May 9, 2016 - Commemoration of deceased soldiers.
- May 10, 2016 - Radonitsa. Remembrance of the dead.
- May 11, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners.”
- May 13, 2016 - Apostle James Zebedee. Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov, Bishop of the Caucasus.
- May 14, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”.
- May 15, 2016 - Transfer of the relics of the holy noble princes Boris and Gleb. Saint Athanasius the Great.
- May 15, 2016 - Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women.
- May 18, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”.
- May 20, 2016 - Appearance of the Holy Cross in the sky over Jerusalem.
- May 21, 2016 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.
- May 22, 2016 - Summer holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Transfer of the relics of Saint and Wonderworker Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to the city of Bar.
- May 24, 2016 - Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius, Slovenian teachers. Name day of the Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill.
- May 25, 2016 - Mid-Pentecost.
Orthodox church holidays in June 2016: From June 27 to July 11, 2016 - Petrov fast in 2016
- June 1, 2016 - Blessed Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy.
- June 2, 2016 - Finding of the relics of St. Alexis the Wonderworker of Moscow.
- June 3, 2016 - Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, New Apostle Constantine and his mother Queen Helen.
- June 5, 2016 - Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk. Cathedral of Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints.
- June 7, 2016 - The third discovery of the head of John the Baptist.
- June 9, 2016 - Ascension of the Lord.
- June 11, 2016 - Memorial Day of the healer Luka (Voino-Yasenetsky). Icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners”.
- June 14, 2016 - Righteous John of Kronstadt.
- June 18, 2016 - Trinity Parents' Saturday (commemoration of the departed).
- June 18, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts.”
- June 19, 2016 - Holy Trinity Day.
- June 20, 2016 - Holy Spirit Day.
- June 21, 2016 - Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates.
- June 24, 2016 - Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas. Icon of the Mother of God “It is Worthy to Eat.”
- June 26, 2016 is All Saints' Day.
- June 26, 2016 - Venerable Alexandra Diveevskaya. Holy Martyr Antonina.
- June 27, 2016 - St. Varlaam of Khutyn. Cathedral of Diveyevo Saints. Icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners”.
Orthodox church holidays in July 2016: From June 27 to July 11, 2016 - Petrov post
- July 6, 2016 - Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Cathedral of Vladimir Saints.
- July 7, 2016 - Nativity of John the Baptist.
- July 8, 2016 - Blessed Prince and Princess Peter and Fevronia.
- July 9, 2016 - Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.
- July 11, 2016 - St. Sergius and Herman, Valaam miracle workers. Icon of the Mother of God “Three-Handed”.
- July 12, 2016 - Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
- July 14, 2016 - Bessrerenikov Cosma and Damian.
- July 15, 2016 - Position of the honorable robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae.
- July 17, 2016 - Reverend Andrei Rublev. Day of Remembrance of the New Martyrs and Passion-Bearers of Russia Tsar Nicholas, Tsarina Alexandra, Tsarevich Alexei, Princesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.
- July 18, 2016 - St. Sergius of Radonezh. Icon of the Mother of God "Economissa".
- July 21, 2016 - Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
- July 23, 2016 - St. Anthony of Kiev-Pechersk, chief of all Russian monks.
- July 24, 2016 - Equal to the Apostles Grand Duchess Olga.
- July 26, 2016 - Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel.
- July 28, 2016 - Equal to the Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir.
Orthodox church holidays in August 2016: From August 14 to August 27 - Assumption Fast in 2016
- August 1, 2016 - Finding of St. relics of Seraphim of Sarov, wonderworker.
- August 2, 2016 is the day of the Prophet Elijah.
- August 4, 2016 - Myrrh-Bearing Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles. Cathedral of Smolensk Saints.
- August 5, 2016 - Righteous warrior Fyodor Ushakov. Icons of the Mother of God “Pochaevskaya” and “Joy of All Who Sorrow”.
- August 6, 2016 - Blessed Princes Boris and Gleb.
- August 7, 2016 - Dormition of Righteous Anna, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- August 9, 2016 - Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.
- August 10, 2016 - Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” - Guidebook and Seraphim-Diveevskaya “Tenderness”.
- August 14, 2016 - Origin of the Honest Trees Life-giving Cross The Lord's. Honey Spas.
- August 19, 2016 - Transfiguration of the Lord. Apple Spas.
- August 20, 2016 - St. Mitrophan of Voronezh.
- August 22, 2016 - Apostle Matthew.
- August 26, 2016 -. Icon of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts.”
- August 28, 2016 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- August 29, 2016 - Icon of the Mother of God “Feodorovskaya”.
- August 29, 2016 - Transfer of the Image of the Lord Not Made by Hands.
- August 31, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Vsetsaritsa”.
Orthodox church holidays in September 2016:
- September 6, 2016 - Transfer of the relics of St. Peter of Moscow, wonderworker of all Rus'.
- September 8, 2016 - Icon of the Mother of God “Vladimir”.
- September 9, 2016 - Venerable Pimen the Great.
- September 10, 2016 - Finding of St. relics of St. Job of Pochaev. Cathedral of the Reverend Fathers of the Kiev-Pechersk.
- September 11, 2016 - Beheading of John the Baptist (John the Baptist).
- September 12, 2016 - St. Alexander of Svirsky. Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky.
- September 14, 2016 - Church New Year- Church New Year.
- September 14, 2016 - Venerable Simeon the Stylite and his mother Martha.
- September 15, 2016 - Venerable Anthony and Theodosius Pechersky. Icons of the Mother of God “Kaluga”.
- September 17, 2016 - St. Joseph of Belgorod. Prophet Moses the Seer of God. Icon of the Mother of God “Burning Bush”.
- September 18, 2016 - Prophet Zechariah and righteous Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist.
- September 19, 2016 - Miracle of the Archangel Michael (Mikhailovo Miracle).
- September 21, 2016 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- September 22, 2016 - Righteous Godfather Joachim and Anna. Saint Theodosius of Chernigov.
- September 27, 2016 - Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
- September 29, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Look at Humility.”
- September 30, 2016 - Holy martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia.
Orthodox church holidays in October 2016:
- October 1, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Healer” and “Old Russian”.
- October 5, 2016 - Memorial Day of the Prophet Jonah.
- October 8, 2016 - Day of St. Sergius of Radonezh
- October 9, 2016 - Day of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
- October 14, 2016 - Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- October 15, 2016 - Blessed Princess Anna Kashinskaya.
- October 17, 2016 - Cathedral of Kazan Saints.
- October 19, 2016 - Day of the Apostle Thomas.
- October 20, 2016 - Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God, called “Tenderness”.
- October 21, 2016 - Cathedral of Vyatka Saints. Holy Venerable Pelageya.
- October 22, 2016 - Apostle James Alfeev. Icon of the Mother of God “Korsun”.
- October 23, 2016 - Day of St. Ambrose of Optina.
- October 24, 2016 - Cathedral of the Venerable Optina Elders.
- October 26, 2016 - Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
- October 28, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves.”
- October 30, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Before Christmas and after Christmas the Virgin”, “Deliverer”.
- October 31, 2016 - Day of the Apostle and Evangelist Luke.
Memorable dates in November 2016: From November 28, 2016 to January 6, 2017 - Nativity Fast
- November 4, 2016 - Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
- November 5, 2016 - Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday (commemoration of the departed).
- November 5, 2016 - Apostle James.
- November 6, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”
- November 7, 2016 - Dimitrievskaya parents' Saturday.
- November 8, 2016 - Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica.
- November 9, 2016 - St. Nestor the Chronicler of Pechersk.
- November 10, 2016 - Great Martyr Paraskeva-Friday. Venerable Job of Pochaev. Saint Demetrius of Rostov.
- November 14, 2016 - Unmercenary and miracle workers Cosmas and Damian and their mother, the Venerable Theodotia.
- November 18, 2016 - St. Jonah, Archbishop of Novgorod. Day of remembrance of the restoration of the patriarchate in Rus' and the election of St. Tikhon as Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
- November 21, 2016 - Cathedral of the Archangel Michael.
- November 22, 2016 - St. Nektarios of Aegina. Icons of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”.
- November 26, 2016 - St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.
- November 27, 2016 - Apostle Philip.
- November 28, 2016 - Martyrs and confessors Guria, Simon and Aviv.
- November 29, 2016 - Apostle and Evangelist Matthew
Orthodox church holidays in December 2016. The Nativity Fast continues from November 28, 2016 to January 6, 2017
- December 2, 2016 - St. Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow. Icons of the Mother of God “Consolation in sorrows and sorrows.”
- December 4, 2016 - Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary into the temple.
- December 6, 2016 - Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, in the schema of Alexy.
- December 7, 2016 - Great Martyr Catherine.
- December 10, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “The Sign”.
- December 11, 2016 - Memorial Day of the Hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov).
- December 12, 2016 - Martyr Paramon and with him 370 martyrs.
- December 13, 2016 - Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
- December 14, 2016 - Prophet Nahum. Righteous Philaret the Merciful.
- December 17, 2016 - Great Martyr Barbara. Venerable John of Damascus.
- December 19, 2016 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia.
- December 22, 2016 - Icons of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”.
- December 24, 2016 - Venerable Daniel the Stylite.
- December 25, 2016 - St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, wonderworker.
- December 28, 2016 - Cathedral of the Kola Saints. Cathedral of Crimean Saints.
Fasting on Wednesday and Friday: The weekly fast days are Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday, fasting was established in memory of the betrayal of Christ by Judas, on Friday - in memory of the suffering on the cross and death of the Savior. On these days of the week, the Holy Church prohibits the consumption of meat and dairy foods, and during the week of All Saints before the Nativity of Christ, one should also abstain from fish and vegetable oil. Only when the days of celebrated saints fall on Wednesday and Friday is vegetable oil allowed, and on the biggest holidays, such as Intercession, fish.
Those who are sick and engaged in hard work are allowed some relief, so that Christians have the strength to pray and do the necessary work, but eating fish on the wrong days, and especially the full permission of fasting, is rejected by the rules.
One-day fasts: Epiphany Eve - January 18, on the eve of the Epiphany. On this day, Christians prepare for cleansing and consecration with holy water on the feast of Epiphany.
The beheading of John the Baptist - September 11. This is the day of remembrance and death of the great prophet John.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27. The memory of the Savior's suffering on the cross for the salvation of the human race. This day is spent in prayer, fasting, and contrition for sins.
One-day fasts are days of strict fasting (except Wednesday and Friday). Fish is prohibited, but food with vegetable oil is allowed.
About meals on holidays: According to the Church Charter, there is no fasting on the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany, which happened on Wednesday and Friday. On Christmas and Epiphany Eves and on the holidays of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord and the Beheading of John the Baptist, food with vegetable oil is allowed. On the feasts of the Presentation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition, Nativity and Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, Her Entry into the Temple, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which occurred on Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the period from Easter to Trinity on Wednesday and Friday Fish allowed.
When marriages are not celebrated: On the eve of Wednesday and Friday of the whole year (Tuesday and Thursday), Sundays (Saturday), twelve days, temple and great holidays; in continuation of the posts: Veliky, Petrov, Uspensky, Rozhdestvensky; in continuation of Christmastide, on Meat Week, during Cheese Week (Maslenitsa) and on Cheese Week; during Easter (Bright) week and on the days of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27.
The church charter presupposes the presence of certain rituals and sacraments, the occurrence of which is not fixed by dates, but is calculated according to certain canons. However, in our time, not every believer knows the rules by which to determine exact dates holidays or fasting days - and here a calendar comes to our aid, where the entire liturgical circle for 2016 is described.
First of all, a detailed calendar (Paschalia) helps people who have only recently embarked on the path of joining the faith, and who are still poorly versed in all the intricacies of calculation. In addition, with the modern rhythm of life, a working person (even a deeply religious one) sometimes simply does not have enough time to scrupulously calculate the moving part of the Easter. And in this regard, the calendar, presented in the format of a month-word for 2016, also provides significant assistance: by looking at it, you can immediately determine when important events for Orthodox days- The great and twelfth sacraments, as well as special rites of abstinence, varying in severity and duration. 
For a believer trying to live in accordance with the word of God, the importance of timely receipt of such information is undeniable: many religious rituals require certain actions, sometimes radically different from ordinary life. For example, all fairly significant church events are preceded by special procedures, also indicated in the 2016 calendar. These days, it is necessary to adhere not only to a certain diet (bodily abstinence, when restrictions sometimes apply to any food except water), but also to a style of behavior (at this time, one should avoid worldly entertainment and carnal pleasures, devoting more time to prayers and personal inner world). Simultaneous observance of bodily and spiritual cleansing is the main condition for a worthy celebration of holiday dates in Christianity and Orthodoxy. Therefore, in 2016 (as, indeed, always), the calendar will provide invaluable assistance to believers and will allow them to learn in a timely manner about the upcoming fast days, including - to begin observing Lent on time, which is the most important stage earthly trials of man. 
The first and most important holy day for Christians
The Feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ is an event especially revered by the church. Great Easter Week marks the beginning of a new liturgical year; it is from the date of this greatest of all events in the Christian world that the moving church holidays are counted. In 2016, Easter coincides with the state celebration of Workers' Day - May 1.
The sacred meaning of the Twelves
The calendar marks twelve sacraments that testify to the earthly journey of Jesus and important events associated with this period. They are highlighted in special group(the name “twelve” is derived from the number 12):
- January 7 is the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, one of the most important events for the Orthodox;
- 19.01 – Baptism, religious holiday, relating to the motionless, and heading the twelfths;
- 15.02 – Meeting, proclaiming the truth about the Lord’s faithfulness to his words and promises;
- 7.04 – Annunciation. On this day, the Virgin Mary learned that she would soon give birth to the Savior of the entire human race;
- 24.04 – Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem;
- 9.06 – Ascension of the Lord. Jesus was called by the Father and ascended to Heaven, ending his earthly journey;
- June 19 is the day of the Holy Trinity, the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - exactly fifty days from the Resurrection of Christ. One of the most revered biblical events among the people marks the beginning of the formation of the Kingdom of God on Earth. On this day, it is customary to decorate houses with flowers and cover the floors with green tree branches;
- 19.08 – Transfiguration of the Lord. Marks the event when Jesus appeared before his three closest disciples in his true divine majesty and glory;
- 28.08 - Assumption (from the word “to fall asleep”), and 21.09 - Nativity of the Virgin Mary - two dates marking the beginning and end of the earthly journey of the Virgin Mary;
- 27.09 – Exaltation of the Life-giving Cross of Our Lord;
- 4.12 - Feast of the Entry into the Temple - the Virgin Mary was first introduced into the Temple of the Lord.
Great Sacraments of the Church
The Orthodox calendar, in addition to the twelve festivals, mentions five more important dates, revered by the church:
- In January 2016, the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord is celebrated (14th);
- 7.07 – Prophet John the Baptist was born;
- 12.07 is celebrated the Day of Peter and Paul - the Holy Apostles;
- 11.09 – Day of the Beheading (cutting off) of the head of John the Baptist – execution of the prophet who baptized the Savior;
- 14.10 – Holiday. The appearance of the Virgin Mary to the residents of Constantinople praying in one of the churches. It became a harbinger of salvation from the enemies surrounding the city.
A little more about preparing the spirit and body for the celebration of Holy Days
It should be noted that Wednesday and Friday in Orthodoxy are traditionally considered fast - believers on these days must avoid eating foods that are considered fast. In addition, the calendar prescribes additional days, when it is necessary to fast on the eve of Epiphany (January 18), Beheading (11.09) and Exaltation (27.09). 
In Orthodoxy, there are also 4 multi-day periods when believers are ordered to fast “in order to achieve enlightenment of spirit and thoughts”:
- On January 6, 2016, the days of the Nativity Fast, which began in November (28th) last year, end;
- 03.14-30.04 – the Great Test of faith and desire to gain spirituality continues for forty days;
- 06.27-11.07 - Peter's Fast, and from August 14, believers begin to prepare for the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Days of Continuous Weeks: relaxation in food - not in thoughts
In the Easter calendar, throughout 2016, there are 5 weeks, on all days of which it is allowed to eat any food, even on traditionally fast days:
- Christmastide is the only continuous “week” (10 days) belonging to the fixed part of the month: 7.01-17.01;
- Next comes the Week of the Publican and the Pharisee (22.02-28.02), the “Delicious” week of Maslenitsa (7.03-13.03);
- Easter week is a continuation of the majestic holiday of the Resurrection of the Lord (until March 8);
- The final holiday of Trinity is June 20-26.
The liturgical year contains many more events - and almost every one of them found a place in the calendar compiled for 2016 by the clergy of the Orthodox Church.
The fixed part of the church calendar is Julian calendar, diverging by 13 days from the Gregorian. These holidays fall on the same day of the same month every year.
The moving part of the church calendar moves along with the date of Easter, which changes from year to year. The date of Easter celebration itself is determined according to lunar calendar and a number of additional dogmatic factors (not to celebrate Easter with the Jews, to celebrate Easter only after the spring equinox, to celebrate Easter only after the first spring full moon). All holidays with variable dates are counted from Easter and move in time on the “secular” calendar along with it.
Thus, both parts of the Easter calendar (movable and fixed) together determine the calendar of Orthodox holidays.
Below are the most significant ones for Orthodox Christian events - the so-called Twelfth Holidays and Great Holidays. Although the Orthodox Church celebrates holidays according to the “old style”, which differs by 13 days, the dates in the Calendar, for convenience, are indicated according to the generally accepted secular calendar of the new style.
Orthodox calendar for 2016:
Permanent holidays:07.01 - Nativity of Christ (twelfth)
14.01 - Circumcision of the Lord (great)
19.01 - Epiphany of the Lord (twelfth)
15.02 - Presentation of the Lord (twelfth)
07.04 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
21.05 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
22.05 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
07.07 - Nativity of John the Baptist (great)
12.07 - Holy First. apostles Peter and Paul (great)
19.08 - Transfiguration of the Lord (twelfth)
28.08 - Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
11.09 - Beheading of John the Baptist (great)
21.09 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
27.09 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross (twelfth)
09.10 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
14.10 - Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (great)
04.12 - Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
19.12 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
Days of special remembrance of the dead
05.03 - Ecumenical Parents' Saturday (Saturday before the week of the Last Judgment)
26.03 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
02.04 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent
09.04 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 4th week of Lent
10.05 - Radonitsa (Tuesday of the 2nd week of Easter)
09.05 - Commemoration of deceased soldiers
18.06 - Trinity Parents' Saturday (Saturday before Trinity)
05.11 - Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday (Saturday before November 8)
ABOUT ORTHODOX HOLIDAYS:
TWELVETH HOLIDAYS
In worship Orthodox Church twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle (except Easter). Divided into The Lord's, dedicated to Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to the time of celebration, the twelfth holidays are divided into motionless(non-transient) and movable(transitionable). The former are constantly celebrated on the same dates of the month, the latter fall on different numbers, depending on the date of celebration Easter.
ABOUT MEAL ON HOLIDAYS:
According to the Church Charter on holidays Nativity of Christ And Epiphanies, happened on Wednesday and Friday, there is no post.
IN Christmas And Epiphany Christmas Eve and on holidays Exaltation of the Holy Cross And Beheading of John the Baptist Food with vegetable oil is allowed.
On the feasts of the Presentation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition, Nativity and Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which occurred on Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the period from Easter before Trinity Fish is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.
ABOUT FASTS IN ORTHODOXY:
Fast- a form of religious asceticism, the exercise of spirit, soul and body on the path to salvation within the framework of a religious view; voluntary self-restraint in food, entertainment, communication with the world. Corporal fasting- food restriction; sincere post - limitation of external impressions and pleasures (solitude, silence, prayerful concentration); spiritual fasting - struggle with one’s “bodily lusts”, a period of especially intense prayer.
The most important thing is to realize that physical fasting without spiritual fasting brings nothing to the salvation of the soul. On the contrary, it can be spiritually harmful if a person, abstaining from food, becomes imbued with the consciousness of his own superiority and righteousness. “He who believes that fasting only means abstaining from food is mistaken. True fasting“, - teaches St. John Chrysostom, “is removal from evil, curbing the tongue, putting aside anger, taming lusts, stopping slander, lies and perjury.” Fast- not a goal, but a means to distract yourself from enjoying your body, concentrate and think about your soul; without all this, it becomes just a diet.
Great Lent, Holy Pentecost(Greek Tessarakoste; Lat. Quadragesima) - the period of the liturgical year preceding Holy Week And Easter holiday, the most important of the multi-day fasts. Due to Easter may fall on different calendar numbers, Lent also each year starts on different days. It includes 6 weeks, or 40 days, which is why it is also called St. Pentecostal.
Fast For Orthodox man- This a set of good deeds, sincere prayer, abstinence in everything, including food. Physical fasting is necessary to perform spiritual and mental fasting; all of them in their combination form the post is true, promoting the spiritual reunification of those who fast with God. IN days of fasting(days of fasting) the Church Charter prohibits modest food - meat and dairy products; Fish is allowed only on certain fasting days. IN days of strict fasting Not only fish, but all kinds of fish are not allowed hot food and food cooked in vegetable oil, only cold food without oil and unheated drinks (sometimes called dry eating). In the Russian Orthodox Church there are four multi-day fasts, three one-day fasts and, in addition, fasting on Wednesday and Friday (with the exception of special weeks) throughout the year.
Wednesday and Friday installed as a sign that Christ was betrayed by Judas on Wednesday and crucified on Friday. Saint Athanasius the Great said: “By allowing meat to be eaten on Wednesday and Friday, this man crucifies the Lord.” During the summer and autumn meat-eaters (periods between the Petrov and Assumption fasts and between the Assumption and Rozhdestven fasts), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. During winter and spring meat-eaters (from Christmas to Lent and from Easter to Trinity), the Charter allows fish on Wednesday and Friday. Fish on Wednesday and Friday is also permitted when the holidays of the Presentation of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the Apostle John the Theologian fall on these days. If the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany fall on Wednesday and Friday, then fasting on these days is canceled. On the eve (eve, Christmas Eve) of the Nativity of Christ (usually a day of strict fasting), which happens on Saturday or Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
Solid weeks(in Church Slavonic, a week is called a week - days from Monday to Sunday) means the absence of fasting on Wednesday and Friday. Established by the Church as a relaxation before a multi-day fast or as a rest after it. The continuous weeks are as follows:
1. Christmas time - from January 7 to January 18 (11 days), from Christmas to Epiphany.
2. The Publican and the Pharisee - two weeks before Great Lent.
3. Cheese - the week before Lent (eggs, fish and dairy are allowed throughout the week, but without meat).
4. Easter (Light) - week after Easter.
5. Trinity - the week after Trinity (the week before Peter's Fast).
One-day posts except Wednesday and Friday (days of strict fasting, no fish, but food with vegetable oil is allowed):
1. Epiphany Eve (Epiphany Eve) January 18, the day before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day, believers prepare themselves to receive the great shrine - Agiasma - Epiphany Holy Water, for purification and consecration with it at the upcoming holiday.
2. Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11. On this day, a fast was established in memory of the abstinent life of the great prophet John and his lawless murder by Herod.
3. Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27. This day reminds us of the sad event on Golgotha, when “for our salvation” the Savior of the human race suffered on the Cross. And therefore this day must be spent in prayer, fasting, contrition for sins, in a feeling of repentance.
MULTI-DAY POSTS:
1. Great Lent or Holy Pentecost.
It begins seven weeks before the holiday of Holy Easter and consists of Lent (forty days) and Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). Pentecost was established in honor of the forty-day fast of the Savior Himself, and Holy Week - in remembrance last days earthly life, suffering, death and burial of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The total continuation of Great Lent along with Holy Week is 48 days.
The days from the Nativity of Christ to Lent (until Maslenitsa) are called Christmas or winter meat-eater. This period contains three continuous weeks - Christmastide, Publican and Pharisee, Maslenitsa. After Christmastide, fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays, until the whole week (when you can eat meat on all days of the week), which comes after the “Week of the Publican and the Pharisee” (“week” in Church Slavonic means “Sunday”). In the next week, after the full week, fish is no longer allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but vegetable oil is still allowed. Monday - food with butter, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without butter. This establishment has the purpose of gradual preparation for Great Lent. The last time before Lent, meat is allowed on the “Meat Eating Week” - the Sunday before Maslenitsa.
In the next week - cheese week (Maslenitsa), eggs, fish, and dairy products are allowed all week, but they no longer eat meat. Making a fast for Lent ( last time eat fast food, with the exception of meat) on the last day of Maslenitsa - Forgiveness Sunday. This day is also called “Cheese Week”.
It is customary to observe the first and Holy Weeks of Great Lent with particular strictness. On Monday of the first week of Lent (Clean Monday), the highest degree of fasting is established - complete abstinence from food (pious laymen with ascetic experience abstain from food on Tuesday as well). During the remaining weeks of fasting: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil (vegetables, cereals, mushrooms), on Saturday and Sunday vegetable oil is allowed and, if necessary for health, a little pure grape wine (but in no case vodka). If the memory of a great saint occurs (with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before), then on Tuesday and Thursday - food with vegetable oil, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without oil. You can find out about the holidays in the Typikon or the Followed Psalter. Fish is allowed twice during the entire fast: on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (if the holiday does not fall on Holy Week) and on Palm Sunday, on Lazarus Saturday (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) fish caviar is allowed, on Friday of Holy Week it is customary not to eat any food until it is taken out shrouds (our ancestors did not eat food at all on Good Friday).
Bright Week (the week after Easter) is continuous - fasting is allowed on all days of the week. Starting from the next week after the continuous week until Trinity (spring meat-eater), fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays. The week between Trinity and Peter's Fast is continuous.
2. Petrov or Apostolic Fast.
Fasting begins a week after the feast of the Holy Trinity and ends on July 12, the day of the celebration of the memory of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. It was established in honor of the holy apostles and in remembrance of the fact that the holy apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, dispersed throughout all countries with good news, always being in the feat of fasting and prayer. The duration of this fast varies from year to year and depends on the day of Easter. The shortest fast lasts 8 days, the longest - 6 weeks. Fish is allowed during this fast, except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday - hot food without oil, Wednesday and Friday - strict fasting (cold food without oil). On other days - fish, cereals, mushroom dishes with vegetable oil. If the memory of the great saint happens on Monday, Wednesday or Friday - hot food with butter. On the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), according to the Charter, fish is allowed.
In the period from the end of Peter's fast to the beginning of the Assumption fast (summer meat-eater), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. But if these days fall on the feasts of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before, then food with vegetable oil is allowed. If temple holidays occur on Wednesday and Friday, then fish is also allowed.
3. Assumption Fast (from August 14 to August 27).
Erected in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Herself Mother of God, preparing to leave for eternal life, constantly fasted and prayed. We, the spiritually infirm and weak, should all the more resort to fasting as often as possible, turning to Holy Virgin for help in every need and sorrow. This fast lasts only two weeks, but its severity is consistent with the Great One. Fish is allowed only on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), and if the end of the fast (Assumption) falls on Wednesday or Friday, then this day is also a fish day. Monday, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, Saturday and Sunday - food with vegetable oil. Wine is prohibited on all days. If the memory of a great saint happens, then on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food with butter, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without butter.
The food regulations on Wednesdays and Fridays during the period from the end of the Dormition Fast to the beginning of the Nativity Fast (autumn fast) are the same as during the summer meat-eater, i.e. on Wednesdays and Fridays, fish is allowed only on the days of the twelfths and temple holidays. Food with vegetable oil on Wednesday and Friday is allowed only if these days fall on holidays in memory of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before.
4. Christmas (Filippov) fast (from November 28 to January 6).
This fast was established on the day of the Nativity of Christ, so that we could cleanse ourselves at this time with repentance, prayer and fasting and with a pure heart we would meet the Savior who appeared in the world. Sometimes this fast is called Filippov, as a sign that it begins after the day of celebration of the memory of the Apostle Philip (November 27). The regulations regarding food during this Lent coincide with the regulations of Petrov's Fast until St. Nicholas Day (December 19). If the feasts of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4) and St. Nicholas fall on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. From the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas until the pre-festival of Christmas, which begins on January 2, fish is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On the pre-celebration of the Nativity of Christ, fasting is observed in the same way as during the days of Great Lent: fish is prohibited on all days, food with butter is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve), January 6, pious custom requires not to eat food until the appearance of the first evening star, after which it is customary to eat kolivo or sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins; in some areas sochivo is called boiled dry fruits with sugar. The name of this day comes from the word “sochivo” - Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is also before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day (January 18), it is also customary not to eat food until taking Agiasma - Epiphany holy water, which begins to be blessed on the very day of Christmas Eve.