In addition to the twelve major celebrations in the Church, called the twelve, there are several special great feasts. Orthodoxy refers to the Great Celebrations one Lord's, one Mother of God and three feasts dedicated to the saints.
Circumcision of the Lord
The only Great Feast in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated by the Orthodox Church in January. On the 14th of this month, the event of the circumcision of the Savior's foreskin is remembered. In church tradition, this day is reflected in the name of the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord. The very essence of the circumcision of boys in the Old Testament was the visible dedication of the infant to God and the communion of the latter with the chosen people. Circumcision was performed on the eighth day from birth.
Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos
A special place in Orthodox culture is held by the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which has been revered in Russia since the Middle Ages. This celebration is the historical memory of the Church about the appearance of the Mother of God in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople. The event took place around the beginning of the 10th century, during the invasion of the Byzantine capital by foreigners. The Most Holy Theotokos appeared to Saint Andrew in the domed part of the church. The Virgin Mary stretched out her omophorion over the worshipers as a sign of intercession and special intercession before God for the human race. In Russia, this holiday is celebrated on October 14th.
Day of the Holy Primate Apostles Peter and Paul
The end of St. Peter's Lent falls on the 12th July, the day when the Church honors the memory of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This holiday is also one of the Great ones. This naming of the apostles is not accidental, because it is Peter and Paul who stand out from among the other disciples of Christ with their lives and preaching work. The New Testament contains several sacred texts, the authorship of which belongs to these apostles. In particular, Peter wrote two conciliar epistles, and Paul - fourteen epistles to various Christian communities and individuals.
Holidays in honor of St. John the Baptist
Two Great Feasts refer to the personality of St. John the Baptist: the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7) and the Beheading of the head of the great prophet who baptized the Lord (September 11). Jesus Christ Himself announced to people that the prophet John is the greatest of all who have ever been born a woman. Saint John is called the Forerunner, since it was he who prepared the people for the coming of the Savior of the world, called people to the realization of their sinfulness and repentance.
