The Orthodox Church has twelve Great Feasts — the major commemorations of Christ and the Theotokos that shape the liturgical year. Along with Pascha (which surpasses them all), these are the highest celebrations of the Church.
The twelve Great Feasts
| Feast | Date (New Calendar) | What it commemorates |
|---|---|---|
| Nativity of the Theotokos | September 8 | The birth of the Virgin Mary |
| Elevation of the Holy Cross | September 14 | The finding of the True Cross by St. Helena |
| Presentation of the Theotokos | November 21 | Mary presented at the Temple as a child |
| Nativity of Christ | December 25 | The birth of Jesus |
| Theophany (Epiphany) | January 6 | The baptism of Christ |
| Presentation of Christ | February 2 | Christ presented at the Temple (Candlemas) |
| Annunciation | March 25 | The archangel Gabriel announces to Mary |
| Palm Sunday | Sunday before Pascha | Christ’s entry into Jerusalem |
| Ascension | 40 days after Pascha | Christ’s ascension to heaven |
| Pentecost | 50 days after Pascha | The descent of the Holy Spirit |
| Transfiguration | August 6 | Christ transfigured on Mt. Tabor |
| Dormition of the Theotokos | August 15 | The repose of the Virgin Mary |
How feasts affect fasting
Great Feasts change or lift fasting requirements:
Nativity of Christ (Dec 25): The Nativity Fast ends. All foods permitted. If it falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fast is lifted entirely.
Theophany (Jan 6): If it falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fast is lifted.
Annunciation (Mar 25): Fish is permitted during Great Lent, even on Wednesday or Friday. This is one of the most significant dispensations of the Great Fast.
Palm Sunday: Fish, wine, and oil are permitted — a notable respite in the middle of Holy Week.
Transfiguration (Aug 6): Fish is permitted during the Dormition Fast, even on Wednesday or Friday. Grapes are traditionally blessed on this day.
Dormition (Aug 15): The Dormition Fast ends. All foods are permitted.
Elevation of the Holy Cross (Sep 14): A strict fast is observed despite being a Great Feast — a rare case of fasting on a Great Feast. The fast commemorates the suffering of Christ.
Feasts within fasting seasons
Several Great Feasts fall inside fasting seasons:
- Annunciation — inside Great Lent (when Great Lent and Annunciation coincide with Holy Week, the rules are more complex; consult your priest)
- Transfiguration — inside the Dormition Fast
- Elevation of the Holy Cross — at the start of the general post-Pentecost period; technically a feast but with a fasting observance
When a Great Feast falls on a fast day, the feast takes precedence — usually relaxing the fast to allow fish (or all foods, depending on the feast).
Why twelve?
The number itself is not doctrinally fixed. Different traditions number the feasts slightly differently. What matters is that these are the central celebrations of the Church’s year — the “high holy days” of Orthodox liturgical life.
Feast or Fast displays feast names and icons for Great Feasts, showing when a feast lifts or modifies the fast.