Church calendar[edit]

One part of the autocephalous Orthodox churches follows the Julian calendar, while the
other part follows the Revised Julian calendar. The autonomous Church of Finland of
the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as parts of the Church of the Czech Lands and
Slovakia, use the Gregorian calendar.[citation needed] Many church traditions, including the
schedules of services, feasts, and fasts, are structured by the church's calendar, which
provides a strictly observed intermingled set of cycles of varying lengths. The fixed annual
cycle begins on 1 September and establishes the times for all annual observances that are
fixed by date, such as Christmas. The annual Paschal cycle is established relative to the
varying date of Pascha each year and affects the times for such observances
as Pascha itself, Great Lent, Holy Week, and the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost.
Lesser cycles also run in tandem with the annual ones. A weekly cycle of days prescribes a
specific focus for each day in addition to others that may be observed. [203]
Each day of the Weekly Cycle is dedicated to certain special memorials. Sunday is dedicated
to Christ's Resurrection; Monday honors the holy bodiless powers (angels, archangels, etc.);
Tuesday is dedicated to the prophets and especially the greatest of the prophets, St. John
the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord; Wednesday is consecrated to the Cross and recalls
Judas' betrayal; Thursday honors the holy apostles and hierarchs, especially St. Nicholas,
Bishop of Myra in Lycia; Friday is also consecrated to the Cross and recalls the day of the
Crucifixion; Saturday is dedicated to All Saints, especially the Mother of God, and to the
memory of all those who have departed this life in the hope of resurrection and eternal life.