Church Holidays Calendar for December 2020

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

It is important for Orthodox people to know when the holidays are according to the church calendar. Knowledge of such dates helps to remember important events from the Bible and to draw one step closer to the Lord. Consider what church holidays Christians celebrate in December 2020.

Orthodox calendar for december 2020

At the end of the outgoing year, many church holidays await believers. Also, throughout December, the Nativity Fast will last, which will begin on November 28 and end on January 6, 2021. Its main meaning is to adequately prepare for the meeting of the Nativity of Christ.

In order not to miss an important date, you can use the calendar of Orthodox festivities in Russia for every day.

December 1

On this day, the Orthodox remember:

• Martyr Plato;
• Roman Zimookazchik, deacon and youth Varula;
• Zacchaeus, deacon of Gadarene and Alpheus, reader of Caesarea.

Orthodox Christians turn to them for help with financial problems.

December 2nd

Date of remembrance of Obadiah - one of the twelve prophets. It is customary for believers to lock their house on this day in order to protect themselves from the dark forces.

Also, the church celebrates the uncovering of the relics of the Monk Martyr Adrian Poshekhonsky, Yaroslavl, the abbot.

Orthodox Christians remember:

• Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow;
• Martyr Barlaam;
• the Monk Varlaam, Abbot of the Caves;
• the Martyr Aza of Isauria and 150 soldiers with him;
• Martyr Iliodorus.

3 december

Memorial Day is celebrated today:

• Saint Proclus, who is asked to help with household chores;
• the Monk Gregory the Decapolite;
• Monk Damian (in the schema of Diodorus) of Yuryegorsk.

4 december

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos. Also, according to folk signs, this date was considered the beginning of winter. On December 4, the famous Vvedensky stamps began to be carried out.

5th of December

On this date, Christians honor:

the Monk Paraskeva Confessor;

• memory of the apostles from 70 Philemon and Archippus and the martyr, Equal to the Apostles Apphia;
• the faithful prince Mikhail of Tverskoy;
• the faithful Yaropolk, Prince Vladimir-Volynsky;
• the martyrs Kikiliya (Cecilia);
• Martyrs Vladimir Presbyter, Valerian, Tivurtius and Maximus, Gerasimus and Procopius the Reader.

December 6

Believers remember the blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky and three saints:

• Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium;
• Gregory, Bishop of Akraganti.
• Mitrofan, Bishop of Voronezh.

Also, the church honors the martyrs:

• Boris, Bishop of Ivanovsky;
• Eleazar the presbyter;
• Alexandra;
• Sisinia, Bishop of Cyzic (III);
• Theodore of Antioch.

7 december

The holiday of Katerina Sannitsa is celebrated, which in the Orthodox calendar is called the day of the Great Martyr Catherine. The saint is considered the patroness of young unmarried girls. Therefore, many rituals on this day were associated precisely with the choice of a future husband.

They also remember:

• the great martyr Mercury;
• Martyr Augustus, Martyrs Porfiry Stratilates and 200 soldiers;
• the Monk Simon of Soyginsky.

8 december

Celebrations are held in the church:

• giving up the feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos;
• in memory of the Monk Peter the Silent, Hieromartyrs Clement, Pope of Rome and Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria.

9th December

On this date, the church honors the Monk Alypy the Stylite.

Also celebrated:

• consecration of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Kiev;
• St. George's Day.

December 10

An important holiday that is celebrated on this date is the day of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign". It is also called Winter Intent. On this day, people who know how to see and understand the signs tried to notice them.

The Church recalls:

• the great martyr Jacob of Persia;
• the Monk Palladium of Alexandria;
• Saint James of Rostov, Bishop.

Also, the Orthodox celebrate the Finding of the relics of the Blessed Prince Vsevolod (in the Baptism of Gabriel) of the Novgorod, Pskov miracle worker.

December 11th

On this date, Soykin's day is celebrated, or, as it is called in the religious calendar, the feast of the Martyr Irinarch of Sevastia and the holy seven wives. On December 11, it was customary among the people to guess and perform various rituals associated with the jay.

Day of Remembrance:

• the Monk Martyr Stephen the New;
• Saint Theodore of Rostov, Archbishop;
• Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov), Metropolitan.

12 December

On this day, Paramon of Bithinsky and 370 martyrs are commemorated. And on December 12, they judged what the weather would be next winter.

The Church recalls:

• Martyr Filumenos of Ankir;
• the Monk Akakios of Sinai, which is narrated in the Ladder.

December 13th

Andreev day. The Orthodox remember the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, who was the first to follow Jesus Christ. On this date, services are held in temples.

December 14

Naumov day is celebrated. On this day, the memory of the prophet Nahum is honored, who in the book of the Old Testament he wrote predicted the fall of Nineveh.

Also, December 14 is the day of remembrance of the righteous Philaret the Merciful.

December 15th

Day of remembrance of the prophet Habakkuk, who predicted the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. During the war with the Babylonians, he was transferred by the Angel of the Lord to Babylon to the prophet Daniel.

Day of Remembrance:

• Venerable Afanasievs;
• the Serbian king, St. Stephen Urosh V;
• martyr of Myropia of Chios.

December 16

Memorial Day is celebrated:

• the prophet Zephaniah, who foretold the calamities of the people of Judea;
• Monks Sava Storozhevsky and John the Silent.

December 17

The church remembers Saint Barbara, the patroness of pregnant women. On this day, it is customary to pray for the health of children and prepare for the New Year holidays.

Day of Remembrance:

• the Monk John of Damascus;
• Saint Gennady, Archbishop of Novgorod.

December 18

According to the church calendar, the feast of the Monk Sava the Sanctified is celebrated. This day is popularly called Salnik, or Savin's day. You can't swear, scold or work.

The Orthodox also remember Saint Guria.

December 19th

On this date, the Orthodox Church honors St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker. On the day of his memory, services are held in churches.

Also, believers observe the traditions associated with this event:

• put gifts under the pillow for children;
• bake bread and rolls;
• participate in festivities.

December 20

Memorial Day Saint Ambrose, who after baptism became a bishop. He served God faithfully, led a righteous life, and helped many on the path to becoming in the faith. Also Ambrose fought against paganism.

On the 20th day of the month also falls the day of remembrance of the Monks Nil of Stolobensky and Anthony of Siysk.

21 December

On this day, the church recalls:

• Martyr Anfisa;
• Venerable Patapius of Thebes and Cyril of Chelmogorsk.

December 22

Celebrate the Conception of the righteous Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos, and also revere the mother of the prophet Samuel - Saint Anna. Pregnant women on this day try not to work.

December 23rd

Orthodox Christians recall:

• the martyrs Minu, Hermogenes and Evgraf;
• Saint Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod;
• the Monk Thomas.

December 24

The Church honors the saints:

• Daniel the Stylite;
• Nikon Sukhoi, Pechersky, in the Near Caves;
• Stylite's bow.

On Nikon's day, it is customary to perform various rituals related to desires.

December 25

Spiridon's day, on which Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimyphus, miracle worker is remembered.

December 26

Day of Remembrance of the Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes. December 26 is also popularly called Eustratius Day. Today it is customary to abstain from abuse.

The Church also honors the memory of the saints:

• Arkady Vyazemsky and Novotorzhsky;
• Mardaria, the hermit of Pechersky;
• Arseny Latriysky, abbot.

December 27th

Filimonov day. The church name of this date is the martyrs Philemon, Apollonius, Arian and Theotikhos. Today it is customary to devote time to cleaning the house.

December 28th

They celebrate the day of memory of Tryphon of Pechenegsky, and also predict the weather for the upcoming March.

Day of Remembrance:

• the Monk Paul of Latria;
• Saint Stephen, Confessor, Archbishop of Sourozh;
• Hieromartyrs Hilarion (Troitsky), Archbishop of Verey.

December 29th

On the feast of the prophet Haggai, his memory is honored. It is customary for the laity to prepare for the holidays on this day and to guess the weather in April. The Church also remembers the Monk Sophia of Suzdal.

December 30th

Day of Remembrance:

• the prophet Daniel;
• Martyrs Ananias, Azariah and Misail.

On this date, it is customary to stage theatrical performances from the life of the prophet and three youths.

31th of December

Modest day, or the day of St. Modest, who dedicated his life to serving God. He regularly performed all the duties that were entrusted to him. After the war with the Persian king, he rebuilt the destroyed temples.

Summarize

As can be seen from the church calendar, there will be many Orthodox holidays in Russia at the end of the year. Each of them reminds us of history and important lessons. A calendar scheduled for every day will help you navigate the church holidays in December 2020 and mark these dates correctly.