The liturgical calendar, also known as the church year, Christian year, ecclesiastical calendar, or kalendar, is the cycle of liturgical days and seasons that determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of scripture are to be read. It structures the year around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, following a sequence of seasons that reflect theological themes and provide a rhythm for worship and reflection. The liturgical year begins with Advent, a season of preparation for the coming of Christ, and ends with the final Saturday of Ordinary Time, marking the completion of the cycle. The calendar is used by various Christian traditions, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant denominations, though the specific observances and emphasis may vary.
The liturgical year is divided into six primary seasons: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time after Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time after Pentecost. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th, which places it between November 28th and December 3rd, and lasts until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Christmas season starts on Christmas Day and lasts for 12 days, extending through Epiphany, with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marking its conclusion in many traditions. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays, covering 46 calendar days in total, and is a penitential season focused on repentance and preparation for Easter. The Easter season, which begins with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening, lasts 50 days, culminating in Pentecost, and is a time of joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Ordinary Time, meaning “counted weeks,” is the longest season and occurs in two parts: after Epiphany and after Pentecost. It focuses on the public ministry of Jesus and the ongoing life of the Church until the next Advent. The liturgical calendar also includes a three-year cycle (A, B, and C) for Gospel readings, with Matthew, Mark, and Luke being the primary Gospels used in each cycle, respectively, while the Gospel of John is featured on specific Sundays. Each season is associated with distinct liturgical colors—purple or rose for Advent, white for Christmas and Easter, green for Ordinary Time, and red for Pentecost and Passion Sunday—used in vestments and church decorations to reflect the mood and theological emphasis of the season. The calendar also incorporates Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials to honor saints and significant events throughout the year.
