Orthodox holidays and fasts originate from the Old Testament times, gradually merging with the holidays that appeared in the New Testament time. Each of them the church devotes to the most important events in the life of the Mother of God and Jesus Christ, as well as to the saints. When are Orthodox holidays and fasts celebrated in 2014?
Orthodox holidays 2014
The most significant festive events for every Christian are the Twelve and Great Orthodox Feasts. So, on September 21, the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated, and on September 27, the Exaltation of the Lord's Cross. December 4 marks the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Nativity of Christ in 2014 is celebrated on January 7, January 19 - the Baptism of the Lord, and on February 15 - the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated. The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in 2014 falls on April 7, the Transfiguration of the Lord - on August 19, the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos - on August 28.
Despite the old-style church celebrations, the modern calendar indicates the dates of the holidays according to the generally accepted new style.
The twelve (rolling) holidays in 2014 fall as follows: Palm Sunday is celebrated on April 13 (the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem), the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on May 29, and the Day of the Holy Trinity falls on June 8. Great Orthodox holidays (with a constant date) are celebrated this year as follows: on January 14, Christians celebrate the Circumcision of the Lord, on July 7 there is the Nativity of John the Baptist, on July 12 - the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. On September 11, the Beheading of John the Baptist is celebrated, and on October 14, the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Church Fasts 2014
The Great Orthodox Fast, established in honor of Jesus Christ, who was starving for forty days in the desert, is observed in 2014 from March 3 to April 19. Good Friday falls on April 11, and Lazarev Saturday falls on April 12. In the period from June 16 to July 11, Christians observe the Peter or Apostolic Fast, which is also called the Summer Fast.
The duration of the Petrov Lent varies depending on the early or late onset of Easter.
The Dormition Fast in 2014 begins on August 14 and ends on August 27. The church associates it with the fasting of the Mother of God, who, before moving to heaven, spent all the time in prayer and fasting. August 19 (Day of the Transfiguration of the Lord) is allowed to eat fish. And finally, the Nativity Fast of 2014 falls on November 28-January 6 and is celebrated forty days before the Nativity of Christ.
