The Church Year
A rhythm of hope, celebration, reflection, and growth.
Where We Are Today
The church year follows the life of Christ and our response in faith. Enable JavaScript to see today’s season and the dated calendar.
Explore the Liturgical Calendar
The church year begins with Advent, rather than January 1. Choose the year in which Easter falls; its Advent and Christmas begin in the previous calendar year.
Seasons of the Church Year
Dates include both the first and last day shown. Holy Week is listed separately so each day appears once in the season cards. The Easter celebration begins at the Great Vigil on Easter Eve.
Why is Lent called forty days?
From Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday there are 46 calendar days. Removing the six Sundays leaves the traditional forty days of preparation. In this guide, the first 39 calendar days appear under Lent and the final seven under Holy Week. The Great Three Days, or Triduum, begins with Maundy Thursday’s evening liturgy and leads through Good Friday and Holy Saturday into Easter.
Why do the dates and lengths change?
Christmas is always December 25, but Easter moves each year. Ash Wednesday falls 46 days before Easter; Ascension is the fortieth day of Easter, and Pentecost the fiftieth. This changes the time available between Epiphany and Lent, and between Pentecost and Advent.
Special Days & Principal Feasts
Selected feasts and observances, with a short explanation of each. The seven Principal Feasts are marked.
Fixed feasts are shown on their calendar dates. Some are transferred when they meet a Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, or Easter Week. These are reference dates, not a schedule of parish services. Check the Parish Calendar and bulletin for St. Peter’s observances.
Colors & Their Meanings
Vestments and altar hangings help us recognize the character of a season. The colors below describe common Episcopal customs; a feast or local tradition can change the usual seasonal color.
White or Gold
Joy, resurrection, and celebration. Used at Christmas, Easter, and many feasts of Christ and the saints.
Green
Growth and the daily practice of faith, especially after Epiphany and Pentecost.
Purple
Repentance and preparation. Usual in Lent and also used in Advent.
Blue
Hope and expectant waiting; an Advent alternative to purple in many parishes.
Red
The fire of the Holy Spirit and the witness of martyrs. Used at Pentecost and commonly on Palm Sunday.
Rose & Other Customs
Some churches use rose on Advent’s third Sunday and Lent’s fourth Sunday. Holy Week may include red, white, bare altars, or other local customs.
Living the Church Year
Let the seasons shape your prayer: wait with hope in Advent, receive Christ’s light at Christmas, turn toward God in Lent, rejoice through Easter, and carry that life into service throughout the year.
Sources & calendar notes
Based on the Book of Common Prayer, Calendar of the Church Year, the Episcopal Church’s seasonal resources, and the Diocese of Texas guides to Lent and Advent. Dates use the Western Gregorian Easter calculation. Today follows Brenham’s Central Time. Color customs vary; this guide does not replace the parish worship calendar or a complete calendar of saints.