Festivals & Feast Days:

The Church Year

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Advent

Four Sundays before Christmas - marking the beginning of the Church Year.

Christmas

The Celebration of the Birth of Christ, 25 December

Epiphany

12 days after Christmas, on 6 January, marking the Wise Men's visit to the infant Jesus

Candlemas

40 days after Christmas, 2 February, marking the Presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple

Shrove Tuesday  

The day before Lent begins; traditionally a day for Confession, and also for pancakes, using up the foodstuffs forbidden during Lent

Ash Wednesday

The first day of Lent, 40 days before Easter Day (excluding Sundays), commemorating Jesus' time of fasting in the wilderness

Palm Sunday      

The Sunday before Easter, which begins Holy Week, and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem

Maundy Thursday      

The First Day of the Triduum, the Great Three Days preceding Easter Day, and commemorating the Last Supper

Good Friday       

The Second Day of the Triduum, commemorating the Crucifixion

Holy Saturday    

The Third Day of the Triduum, when Christ's time in the tomb is commemorated; during the evening the Vigil of Easter begins.

Easter Day          

The celebration of Christ's Resurrection; takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring

Ascension Day   

Marks the Ascension of Christ into heaven, and the end of the 40 days of Easter

Pentecost            

Marks the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples 50 days after Easter Day. (Pentecost is Greek for 50)

Trinity Sunday    

One week after Pentecost; celebrates the doctrine of the Trinity

Corpus Christi    

On the Thursday after Trinity Sunday; celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist. NB      The Patronal Festival of Emmanuel Church

Christ the King   

The end of the Church Year, one week before Advent Sunday; celebrates the kingship of Christ