The Orthodox Calendar 2024 for believers is more than just a list of dates or a usual tool for tracking time. In reality, it’s a guide that suggests the right actions for each day. It’s also a true map that can help navigate the world and guide through the challenges of time. It marks events that are important for every Christian. We have gathered the most important dates from the calendar to share with our readers.
Recommend that you also read – Zodiac Signs by Month in Order – Dates and Descriptions of Each Zodiac Sign.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 – When Is Easter?
Easter is the most important holiday of the year for Orthodox Christians. According to the New Julian calendar, it is celebrated on May 5th. Easter is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox on March 21st. Therefore, the date changes every year.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 – The Most Important Holidays of the Year
The major holidays of the year are also known as the Twelve Great Feasts, and there are 12 of them – eight dedicated to Jesus Christ and four dedicated to the Mother of God. Most of them – nine – are immovable and have fixed celebration dates. Three are movable.
The Major Holidays in the Orthodox Calendar 2024:
- Epiphany or Theophany – January 6.
- The Presentation of the Lord – February 2.
- The Annunciation – March 25.
- Palm Sunday or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem – April 28 (movable).
- The Ascension of the Lord – May 9 (movable).
- Pentecost – June 23 (movable).
- The Transfiguration of the Lord – August 6.
- The Dormition of the Mother of God – August 15.
- The Nativity of the Mother of God – September 8.
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – September 14.
- The Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple – November 21.
- Christmas – December 25.
Besides the Twelve Great Feasts, there are other important holidays that should not be forgotten:
- The Circumcision of the Lord – January 1.
- The Nativity of John the Baptist – June 24.
- The Apostles Peter and Paul – June 29.
- The Beheading of John the Baptist – August 29.
- The Protection of the Mother of God – October 1.
- The Synaxis of Archangel Michael – November 8.
- St. Andrew the First-Called – November 30.
- St. Nicholas – December 6.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 – Major Holidays and Important Events by Month
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for January
- January 1 – St. Basil the Great.
- January 5 – Epiphany Eve.
- January 6 – Epiphany, The Baptism of the Lord.
- January 12 – St. Tatiana the Martyr.
- January 30 – St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom.
Epiphany Eve (January 5) – One-day fast.
Yuletide – from December 25 to January 4 and the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee – from January 24 to January 30 – non-fasting weeks.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for February
- February 2 – The Presentation of the Lord.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for March
- March 25 – The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Universal Memorial Saturdays:
- Meatfare Saturday – March 9.
- Second Saturday of Great Lent – March 30.
These are days for honoring the deceased, Memorial Parent Saturdays.
Cheesefare Week (Maslenitsa) – from March 11 to March 17 – non-fasting week.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for April
- April 28 – Palm Sunday, Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
Memorial Saturdays during Great Lent:
- Third Saturday of Great Lent – April 6.
- Fourth Saturday of Great Lent – April 13.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for May
- May 5 – Easter, The Resurrection of Christ.
- May 25 – The Third Finding of the Head of John the Baptist.
Great Lent runs from March 18 to May 4.
Bright Week (Paschal Week) – from May 5 to May 11 – non-fasting week.
Radonitsa (Rejoicing) – May 14 and Commemoration of Fallen Soldiers – May 9 – days for honoring the deceased.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for June
- June 13 – The Ascension of the Lord.
- June 23 – The Descent of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost.
- June 24 – The Holy Trinity.
- June 29 – The Apostles Peter and Paul.
Trinity Week – from June 24 to June 30 – non-fasting week.
Trinity Memorial Saturday – June 22 – a day for honoring the deceased, Memorial Parent Saturday.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for July
- July 7 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
- July 15 – St. Vladimir the Great, Equal-to-the-Apostles.
- July 25 – The Dormition of St. Anne.
The Apostles’ Fast may not be observed this year. However, if desired, the Church blesses fasting from July 1 to July 5.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for August
- August 1 – The Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
- August 6 – The Transfiguration of the Lord.
- August 15 – The Dormition of the Mother of God.
- August 29 – The Beheading of John the Baptist.
One-day fast on August 29 for the Beheading of John the Baptist. Dormition Fast (Theotokos’ Fast) is from August 1 to August 14.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for September
- September 8 – The Nativity of the Mother of God.
- September 14 – The Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
One-day fast on September 14 for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for October
- October 1 – The Protection of the Mother of God.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for November
- November 8 – The Synaxis of Archangel Michael.
- November 21 – The Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple.
- November 30 – St. Andrew the First-Called.
Nativity Fast (Philip’s Fast) begins on November 15 and continues until December 24.
Dmitry’s Memorial Saturday – November 2 – a day for honoring the deceased, Memorial Parent Saturday.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 for December
- December 6 – St. Nicholas.
- December 9 – The Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos.
- December 25 – Christmas.
Orthodox Calendar 2024 – video
To learn more about the Orthodox calendar and the days dedicated to different saints, watch the video:
Conclusions
Our Orthodox Calendar 2024 includes the major holidays for the entire year. It also reminds you of the fasting periods and non-fasting weeks. It is important not to forget the memorial days for the deceased. To stay updated with events, use our calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Orthodox Calendar 2024
Due to the late Easter, there is no time for it. It begins the week after Pentecost and lasts until the Feast of Peter and Paul. This year, it would have started on June 30 and ended on June 29, which is impossible.
Christmas is an immovable feast and is celebrated annually on December 25 according to the New Julian calendar.
No, it is not necessary, but it is advisable to pray for the soul of the deceased in the Church or even at home.
