Episcopal Liturgical Calendar

About the Episcopal Liturgical Calendar

The Episcopal Liturgical Calendar follows the traditional church year as outlined in the Book of Common Prayer. The liturgical year begins with Advent (four Sundays before Christmas) and moves through the major seasons: Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the Season after Pentecost (also called Ordinary Time).

Each day in the Episcopal Church calendar is assigned specific scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), which follows a three-year cycle (Year A, Year B, and Year C) for Sunday readings. The lectionary ensures that the congregation hears a comprehensive selection of biblical texts throughout the year, including readings from the Psalms, Old Testament, Epistles, and Gospels.

Understanding Liturgical Colors

The Episcopal Church uses liturgical colors to mark different seasons and feast days: Purple for Advent and Lent (penitence and preparation), White for Christmas, Easter, and major feasts (joy and purity), Green for Ordinary Time (growth and hope), and Red for Holy Week, Pentecost, and martyrs' days (sacrifice and the Holy Spirit).

Movable and Fixed Feasts

The Episcopal liturgical calendar includes both fixed feasts (dates that remain the same each year, such as Christmas on December 25 and Epiphany on January 6) and movable feasts (dates that change based on Easter, such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Ascension Day, and Pentecost). Easter is calculated based on the lunar calendar and always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

This Episcopal Liturgical Calendar tool provides accurate dates for all major feasts and fasts from 2014 through 2089, making it an essential resource for clergy, worship planners, and anyone seeking to observe the liturgical year in their personal devotion or congregational worship.