12 Great Feasts of the Church - Cliff Notes Version



In the book of Joshua, upon crossing the Jordan and entering the Promised Land, Joshua commands that 12 stones be taken from the Jordan to be set as a memorial of what God accomplished, perpetuating the faith and instructing future generations.  The 12 Great Feasts of the Church serve this same purpose, as we celebrate and remember the works of God in the past, present, and the future.  


Several years ago, our class went through each feast looking at the Scriptures and hymns that make up these celebrations, and out this study this guide was created.  This is a starting point to deepen the celebration of each feast and increase the memory of God in our lives.  




1.  Sept. 8  Nativity of the Theotokos

Gen 28:10-17; Ezek 43:27-44:4; Prov. 9:1-11; Lk 1:39-49,56;
Phil 2:5-11; Lk 10:38-42;11:27-28

Keys Thoughts:  Wheel of Salvation Begins to Turn/ Prepare our Hearts for God

2.  Sep. 14   Exaltation of the Cross

Ex. 15:22-27; 16:1-2; Prov. 3:11-18; Is. 60:11-16; John 12:28-36; 1 Cor. 1:18-24; John 19:6-35

Keys Thoughts:  The Cross is Foolishness, Wisdom of God, the Power of Salvation, Path of Salvation

3.  Nov. 21  Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple

Ex. 40:1-35; 1 Kings. 7:51-8:11; Ezek 43:27-44:4; Heb. 9:1-7; Matins & Lit. Gospel same as Nativity

Keys Thoughts:  Mary becomes the Temple/Man is to become the Temple/ Glimpse of Christmas

4.  Dec. 25  Nativity of Christ
             
            Micah 5:2-4; Hebrews 1:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; Baruch 3:36-4:4; 
            Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 7:10-16; 8:1-4, 8-10; 
            Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; Hebrews 2:11-18; 
            Matthew 2:13-23; Gal. 4:4-7
             
            Keys Thoughts:  Incarnation/ God is With Us/ Sun of Righteousness

5.  Jan. 6  Theophany
             
            Isaiah 35:1-10; Acts 13:25-32; Matt. 3:1-11; Isaiah 1:16-20; 
           Acts 19:1-18;   Mk 1:1-8; Isaiah 12:3-6; Rom. 6:3-11; Mk 1:9-15; 
            Isaiah 49:8-15; Titus 2:11-14; 3.4-7; Mt 3:13-17 ; Genesis 1:1-13; 
           Exodus 14:15-18, 21-23, 27-29; Exodus 15:22-27, 16:1;  
           Joshua 3:7, 8, 15-17; 2 (4) Kings 2:6-14; 2 (4) Kings 5:9-14; 
           Isaiah 1:16-20; Gen 32:1-10; Exodus 2:5-10; Judges 6:36-40; 
          1 (3) Kings 18:30-39; 2 (4) Kings 2:19-22; Isaiah 49:8-15; 
          1 Cor. 9:19-27; Luke 3:1-18; 1 Cor. 10:1-4; Mark 1:9-11

Keys Thoughts:  Christ’s Mission is Revealed/ Trinity is Revealed/ Baptism opens the door of Salvation/ Creation is Sanctified

6.  Feb. 2 Presentation of Christ in the Temple
             
            Exodus 12:15-13:16, Leviticus 12, and Numbers 8; Isaiah 6:1-12;
            Isaiah 19:1,3-5,12,16,19-21.Heb. 7:7-17; Luke 2:22-40

Keys Thoughts:  Fulfillment of the Law/ Living Sacrifice/ Waiting on God leads to an Encounter with God/ Prophecy of Christ’s Mission


7.  Mar. 25  Annunciation of the Theotokos
             
            OT readings same as Nativity of Theotokos Heb. 2:11-18; Luke 1:24-38

Keys Thoughts:  Beginning of Salvation/ Hear the Word, Receive the Word, Proclaim the Word.

8.  Palm Sunday (Sun before Pascha)

Gen 49:1-2; 8-12; Zeph 3:14-19; Zech 9:9-15; Matt 21:1-17; Phil 4:4-9; John 12:1-18

Keys Thoughts:  Behold the King/ Accept the Kingdom/ The King is the Suffering Servant/ Innocence of Praise/ Prefigures the Gentiles/ Tragedy of the Betrayal

9.  Ascension (40 days after Pascha)

Is. 2:2-3; Is. 62:10-63:9; Zech 14:1-11; Mk 16:9-20; Acts. 1:1-12; Lk 24:36-53             

Keys Thoughts:  Promise of the Holy Spirit and Second Coming/ Man’s Nature is Glorified

10.  Pentecost  (50 days after Pascha)

Num 11:16-17,24-29; Joel 2:23-32; Ezek 36-24-28; Jn. 20:19-23; Acts. 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12

Keys Thoughts:  Promise of the Holy Spirit is Fulfilled/ The Holy Spirit is God; Unites the World; Bestows Wisdom; Empowers Christians; Brings Holiness/ Man should Fear God; Confess Sin/ Praise God/ Seek God.

11.  Aug. 6 Transfiguration

Ex. 24:12-18; Ex. 33:11-23; 34:4-8; 1 Kgs 19:3-16; Lk 9:28-36; 2 Pet 1:10-19; Mt 17:1-9

Keys Thoughts:  Trinity is Revealed/ Glory of God is Revealed/ Fulfillment of Law & Prophets/ Lord of the Living and the Dead/ Preparation for Crucifixion/ Man’s Destiny is Glory

12.  Aug. 15 Dormition of the Theotokos
             
             same as Nativity of the Theotokos readings
             
              Keys Thoughts:  The Great Example/ The Hope of Salvation

Where is Easter (Pascha)?  It is the Feasts of Feasts, and contains all the above.  Each of the 12 flows out of Easter.  

Comments

Christopher Orr said…
What of the Crucifixion?  Is this in some way 'included' with Pascha in being set outside of/above the 12 Great Feasts?

I seem to remember seeing icon cycles of the 12 feasts that include the Crucifixion, though I'm not sure what other feast would be 'bumped' to keep the number at 12.
11:09 AM
Theron Mathis said…
I have never seen the Crucifixion in the cycle, but I think you are right in that it is included with Pascha.  The whole passion of Holy Week seems to be one grand event culminating in the Resurrection, and in every feast you can see the elements of the Cross and Resurrection.  

If you find that icon, let me know.  
8:09 AM
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