Difference between revisions of "Classification of Feasts"

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*Most of these feasts have both a [[forefeast]] and a [[leavetaking]] (exceptions: '''Palm Sunday''' has neither; '''Ascension''' and '''Pentecost''' have a leavetaking but no forefeast).  
 
*Most of these feasts have both a [[forefeast]] and a [[leavetaking]] (exceptions: '''Palm Sunday''' has neither; '''Ascension''' and '''Pentecost''' have a leavetaking but no forefeast).  
 
*An [[All-Night Vigil]] is appointed for the eve of the feast.   
 
*An [[All-Night Vigil]] is appointed for the eve of the feast.   
*At [[Vespers|Great Vespers]] the [[kathisma]] reading from the [[Psalter]] that follows the litany of peace is omitted unless the feast coincides with a [[Sunday]], in which case the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual (exceptions: the first kathisma is omitted on the eve of Pentecost and on the eves of '''Nativity''', '''Theophany''', and '''Transfiguration''' when those feasts fall on a Sunday).  
+
*At [[Vespers|Great Vespers]]  
 +
**The [[Psalter#Kathismata|kathisma]] reading from the [[Psalter]] that follows the litany of peace is omitted unless the feast coincides with a [[Sunday]], in which case the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual (exceptions: the first kathisma is omitted on the eve of Pentecost and on the eves of '''Nativity''', '''Theophany''', and '''Transfiguration''' when those feasts fall on a Sunday).
 +
**Old Testament readings follow the prokeimenon.
 
*[[Festal Orthros]]  
 
*[[Festal Orthros]]  
 
**The [[polyeleos]] (Psalms 134 and 135) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the [[amomos]] (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
 
**The [[polyeleos]] (Psalms 134 and 135) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the [[amomos]] (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
 
**Select Psalm verses from the [[eclogarion]] can follow the polyeleos, if desired.  
 
**Select Psalm verses from the [[eclogarion]] can follow the polyeleos, if desired.  
**There is a gospel pericope for the feast (chanted from the [[holy doors]] and without a veneration following).
+
**There is a gospel [[pericope]] for the feast (chanted from the [[Holy Doors]] and without a veneration following).
 
**The praises and the great doxology are chanted.  
 
**The praises and the great doxology are chanted.  
 
*At the [[Divine Liturgy]] for the feast, the patronal [[troparion]] of the temple is suppressed.
 
*At the [[Divine Liturgy]] for the feast, the patronal [[troparion]] of the temple is suppressed.
 
*The divine services are for the feast alone; all other commemorations are suppressed (even on a Sunday).   
 
*The divine services are for the feast alone; all other commemorations are suppressed (even on a Sunday).   
*When the feast falls on a [[fasting|fasting day]], the fast is relaxed to permit fish, wine, and oil.
+
*When the feast falls on a [[fasting|fasting day]], the fast is relaxed to permit fish, wine, and oil (exception: in '''Elevation of the Holy Cross''', even if it falls on Sunday, a strict fasting is observed.).
  
== Second Class Feasts ==
+
== Second Class Feasts—Feasts of the Theotokos ==
 +
:[[Nativity of the Theotokos]], [[September 8]]
 +
:[[Presentation of the Theotokos]], [[November 21]]
 +
:[[Dormition]] (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos, [[August 15]]
 +
:[[Presentation|''Presentation of Christ'']], [[February 2|''February 2'']]'''+'''
 +
:[[Annunciation|''Annunciation'']], [[March 25|''March 25'']]'''+'''
  
== Third Class Feasts ==
+
:'''+ ''These are considered Feasts of the Theotokos, but they also share certain characteristics proper to First Class Feasts''.'''
 +
 
 +
*These feasts have both a forefeast and a leavetaking. 
 +
*An All-Night Vigil is appointed for the eve of the feast. 
 +
*At Great Vespers
 +
**When the feast falls on any day other than Sunday, the kathisma reading appointed for the day is replaced by the first stasis of the first kathisma (Psalms 1-3) (exceptions: at the Great Vespers for the '''Presentation of Christ''' and '''Annunciation''' the kathisma reading is omitted altogether). 
 +
**When the feast falls on a Sunday the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual.
 +
**Old Testament readings follow the prokeimenon.
 +
*At Festal Orthros
 +
**The polyeleos (Psalms 134 and 135, or Psalm 44 with its poetic refrains) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the amomos (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
 +
**Select Psalm verses from the eclogarion can follow the polyeleos, if desired.
 +
**There is a gospel pericope for the feast (chanted from the holy doors and without a veneration following).
 +
**The praises and the great doxology are chanted.
 +
*At the Divine Liturgy for the feast, the patronal troparion of the temple is suppressed.
 +
*When the feast falls on a Sunday the services for the feast are combined with those of the Resurrection from the [[Octoechos]]. 
 +
*When the feast falls on a fasting day, the fast is relaxed to permit fish, wine, and oil (exception: when '''Annunciation''' falls during [[Holy Week]], wine and oil (but not fish) are permitted; when '''Annunciation''' falls on [[Holy_Week|Holy Friday]] or [[Holy Saturday]], wine (but not oil or fish) are permitted).
 +
 
 +
== Third Class Feasts—Vigil and Polyeleos Commemorations ==
 +
'''Third Class Feasts''' are commemorations for which the [[Menaion]] includes a complete akolouthia.
 +
 
 +
*These feasts generally do not have a forefeast or a leavetaking (exceptions: the commemorations of St. [[Demetrios]] ([[October 26]]), the [[Nativity of the Forerunner]] ([[June 24]]), Ss. [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] and [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] ([[June 29]]), and the [[Beheading of St. John the Forerunner|Beheading of the Forerunner]] ([[August 29]]) each has a leavetaking). 
 +
*An All-Night Vigil may be appointed if there is a text for [[Little Vespers]] in the Menaion, in which case the commemoration is designated '''Vigil'''.  Otherwise, an All-Night Vigil is not appointed and the commemoration is designated '''Polyeleos'''.
 +
*At Great Vespers
 +
**When the feast falls on any day other than Sunday, the kathisma reading appointed for the day is replaced by the first stasis of the first kathisma (Psalms 1-3). 
 +
**When the feast falls on a Sunday the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual.
 +
**Old Testament readings follow the prokeimenon.
 +
*At Festal Orthros
 +
**The polyeleos (Psalms 134 and 135, or Psalm 44 with its poetic refrains) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the amomos (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
 +
**Select Psalm verses from the eclogarion can follow the polyeleos, if desired.
 +
**There is a gospel pericope for the feast (chanted from the holy doors and without a veneration following).
 +
**The praises and the great doxology are chanted.
 +
* When the feast falls on a Sunday the services for the feast are combined with those of the Resurrection from the [[Octoechos]].
 +
*When the feast falls on a fasting day, the fast is relaxed to permit wine and oil (exception: the '''Beheading of the Forerunner''' (August 29) is always observed as a strict fast day when it falls on a weekday; when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday wine and oil are permitted).  If it is the patronal feastday, fish may be permitted, as well.
  
 
== Intermediate Classes ==
 
== Intermediate Classes ==
Line 51: Line 90:
 
[[Category:Feasts]]
 
[[Category:Feasts]]
 
[[Category:Liturgics]]
 
[[Category:Liturgics]]
 +
 +
[[ro:Împărţirea sărbătorilor]]

Latest revision as of 09:48, September 24, 2011

In the Orthodox Church, liturgical celebrations are ranked according to a hierarchy of several classifications. Each class as its own characteristics and is expressed in the divine servcies and disciplines of the Church in a particular way. See also feast day.

General

Pascha is in a class of its own, ranking above all other commemorations.

The twelve Great Feasts are divided between First Class Feasts (feasts of our Lord) and Second Class Feasts (feasts of the Theotokos).

The lesser classes—Third Class Feasts, Fourth Class Feasts, and Fifth Class Feasts—commemorate the lives of the saints, holy events, and holy objects. Between the Third Class and Fourth Class there are two Intermediate Classes.

First Class Feasts—Feasts of the Lord

Elevation of the Holy Cross, September 14
Nativity of Christ (Christmas), December 25
Theophany, January 6
Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Pascha
Ascension, forty days after Pascha
Pentecost, fifty days after Pascha
Transfiguration, August 6
  • Most of these feasts have both a forefeast and a leavetaking (exceptions: Palm Sunday has neither; Ascension and Pentecost have a leavetaking but no forefeast).
  • An All-Night Vigil is appointed for the eve of the feast.
  • At Great Vespers
    • The kathisma reading from the Psalter that follows the litany of peace is omitted unless the feast coincides with a Sunday, in which case the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual (exceptions: the first kathisma is omitted on the eve of Pentecost and on the eves of Nativity, Theophany, and Transfiguration when those feasts fall on a Sunday).
    • Old Testament readings follow the prokeimenon.
  • Festal Orthros
    • The polyeleos (Psalms 134 and 135) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the amomos (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
    • Select Psalm verses from the eclogarion can follow the polyeleos, if desired.
    • There is a gospel pericope for the feast (chanted from the Holy Doors and without a veneration following).
    • The praises and the great doxology are chanted.
  • At the Divine Liturgy for the feast, the patronal troparion of the temple is suppressed.
  • The divine services are for the feast alone; all other commemorations are suppressed (even on a Sunday).
  • When the feast falls on a fasting day, the fast is relaxed to permit fish, wine, and oil (exception: in Elevation of the Holy Cross, even if it falls on Sunday, a strict fasting is observed.).

Second Class Feasts—Feasts of the Theotokos

Nativity of the Theotokos, September 8
Presentation of the Theotokos, November 21
Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos, August 15
Presentation of Christ, February 2+
Annunciation, March 25+
+ These are considered Feasts of the Theotokos, but they also share certain characteristics proper to First Class Feasts.
  • These feasts have both a forefeast and a leavetaking.
  • An All-Night Vigil is appointed for the eve of the feast.
  • At Great Vespers
    • When the feast falls on any day other than Sunday, the kathisma reading appointed for the day is replaced by the first stasis of the first kathisma (Psalms 1-3) (exceptions: at the Great Vespers for the Presentation of Christ and Annunciation the kathisma reading is omitted altogether).
    • When the feast falls on a Sunday the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual.
    • Old Testament readings follow the prokeimenon.
  • At Festal Orthros
    • The polyeleos (Psalms 134 and 135, or Psalm 44 with its poetic refrains) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the amomos (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
    • Select Psalm verses from the eclogarion can follow the polyeleos, if desired.
    • There is a gospel pericope for the feast (chanted from the holy doors and without a veneration following).
    • The praises and the great doxology are chanted.
  • At the Divine Liturgy for the feast, the patronal troparion of the temple is suppressed.
  • When the feast falls on a Sunday the services for the feast are combined with those of the Resurrection from the Octoechos.
  • When the feast falls on a fasting day, the fast is relaxed to permit fish, wine, and oil (exception: when Annunciation falls during Holy Week, wine and oil (but not fish) are permitted; when Annunciation falls on Holy Friday or Holy Saturday, wine (but not oil or fish) are permitted).

Third Class Feasts—Vigil and Polyeleos Commemorations

Third Class Feasts are commemorations for which the Menaion includes a complete akolouthia.

  • These feasts generally do not have a forefeast or a leavetaking (exceptions: the commemorations of St. Demetrios (October 26), the Nativity of the Forerunner (June 24), Ss. Peter and Paul (June 29), and the Beheading of the Forerunner (August 29) each has a leavetaking).
  • An All-Night Vigil may be appointed if there is a text for Little Vespers in the Menaion, in which case the commemoration is designated Vigil. Otherwise, an All-Night Vigil is not appointed and the commemoration is designated Polyeleos.
  • At Great Vespers
    • When the feast falls on any day other than Sunday, the kathisma reading appointed for the day is replaced by the first stasis of the first kathisma (Psalms 1-3).
    • When the feast falls on a Sunday the first kathisma (Psalms 1-8) is read at Great Vespers on Saturday evening as usual.
    • Old Testament readings follow the prokeimenon.
  • At Festal Orthros
    • The polyeleos (Psalms 134 and 135, or Psalm 44 with its poetic refrains) is chanted immediately after the second poetic kathisma (on a Sunday it replaces the amomos (Psalm 118) as the third reading from the Psalter).
    • Select Psalm verses from the eclogarion can follow the polyeleos, if desired.
    • There is a gospel pericope for the feast (chanted from the holy doors and without a veneration following).
    • The praises and the great doxology are chanted.
  • When the feast falls on a Sunday the services for the feast are combined with those of the Resurrection from the Octoechos.
  • When the feast falls on a fasting day, the fast is relaxed to permit wine and oil (exception: the Beheading of the Forerunner (August 29) is always observed as a strict fast day when it falls on a weekday; when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday wine and oil are permitted). If it is the patronal feastday, fish may be permitted, as well.

Intermediate Classes

Katholicon

Small Bells

Fourth Class Feasts

Fifth Class Feasts

Sources


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