The Parish of Porth Newydd
Holy Days
The Christian Year
The Church year is divided up by various festivals and seasons. Some, like
Christmas Day, happen on the same date every year, while others move around
within a range of dates.
The main festival that moves is Easter, and since many other festivals have their dates fixed in relation to Easter, they move with it.
Shrove
Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which is the first day
of Lent. It's a day of penitence, to clean the soul, and a day of celebration
as the last chance to feast before Lent begins.
Ash
Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent for Western Christian churches. It's
a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast.
Lent
Lent is the period of forty days which comes before Easter in the Christian
calendar. Lenten Lunches in the Parish
Passion Sunday
Passion Sunday is the 5th Sunday in Lent and the second Sunday before Easter,
except in Roman Catholic churches. In Roman Catholic
churches Passion Sunday is used to refer to the Sixth Sunday in Lent - which
is also called Palm Sunday - since the revision of the liturgical calendar
in 1969.
Palm
Sunday
The most solemn week of the Christian year, Holy week is the week leading
up to Easter, and is the week during which Christians particularly remember
the last week of Jesus's life. Holy week begins on Palm Sunday. You can read
about a families experience of this week here
Maundy
Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. Christians remember it as the
day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established
the ceremony known as the Eucharist.
Good
Friday
The most important events in Christianity are the death and later resurrection
of Jesus Christ, the Jewish prophet whose teachings are the foundation of
the faith.
Easter
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important
Christian festival, and the one celebrated with the greatest joy. You can
read about a families experience of this week here
Feast
of the Ascension
The fortieth day after Easter Sunday, commemorating the Ascension of Christ
into heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2.
Pentecost
Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter.
Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus, the son of
God. However it is not only a Christian festival.
Epiphany
Epiphany is an ancient festival that focuses on God's revelation of himself
to the world through the incarnation of Christ.
Candlemas
Candlemas commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the
birth of her son Jesus.
