Christmas and Easter Lecture Notes

Flashcards to help study the key concepts and events related to Christmas and Easter, focusing on both Western and Eastern Orthodox Church traditions.

When does Advent take place?

Four weeks before Christmas in the Western Church

What does Advent focus on?

Jesus' first coming as a baby and Jesus' Second Coming when the world ends (the Parousia)

What are the Advent colors in the Western Church?

Purple (repentance and royalty) and sometimes blue (hope)

What do the four candles on an Advent wreath symbolize?

Hope, love, joy, and peace

When is the fifth white candle lit on the Advent wreath?

Christmas Eve

What does the 5th white candle lit on Christmas eve symbolise?

Jesus as the light of the world

What are popular advent traditions in the western church?

Advent calendars, carol services, nativity plays, and Christingle services

What are the three traditional Eucharist services on Christmas Day in the Western Church?

Midnight on Christmas Eve, dawn on Christmas Day, and during Christmas Day

What is Plygain in the western church?

A Welsh service held at daybreak on Christmas morning to sing carols

When does the Nativity Fast take place in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Forty days before Christmas

What does the Nativity Fast include?

Abstaining from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil

What is Paramony in the eastern church?

The eve of the nativity - a strict day of fasting

What are the liturgical colors during the Nativity in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Red (God's presence) and sometimes gold (majesty)

What do feast days celebrate during the Nativity Fast?

Old Testament prophets

What happens two Sundays prior to the Nativity in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Commemoration for the ancestors of Jesus and the ancestors of the faith

What are the hours in the Eve of the Nativity?

Bible reading and hymns for each hour.

What are Vespers?

Evening worship with Bible readings on the theme of the incarnation and Jesus as the fulfilment of prophecy in the eastern church

What happens on the Eve of the Nativity in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

An all-night vigil with psalms and chanting which ends with Matins

How does the Nativity Day affect the fast?

The fast is broken. White linen on the table symbolizes the cloth Jesus was wrapped in.

What is Lent a time of in both churches?

Spiritual development, fasting, and self-denial.

How is Ash Wednesday observed in the Western Church?

Ashes created from palm branches are placed on heads in the shape of a cross to symbolize repentance.

What is the liturgical color for Lent in the Western Church?

Purple

What happens to church ornaments during Lent in the western church?

Ornaments are removed or covered.

How is Laetare Sunday observed in the Western Church?

Rose vestments are worn to symbolize joy.

What is Passion Sunday in the western church?

The beginning of Passiontide (the last two weeks in Lent)

What is Clean Monday in the eastern church?

Spiritual cleansing of the faithful followed by strict fasting

What takes place during the Great Lent in the eastern church?

There are many commemorations and vigils that take place.

What happens in week 2 of Great Lent in the eastern church?

Commemoration of St Gregory Palamas

What happens in weeks 3 & 4 of Great Lent in the eastern church?

Veneration of the Cross with an all-night vigil

What happens in week 5 of Great Lent in the eastern church?

Celebration of Mary the mother of Jesus - akathist Saturday

What happens in week 6 of Great Lent in the eastern church?

Vespers on Lazarus Saturday to celebrate Lazarus' resurrection

What Does Palm Sunday mark in both churches?

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem

What does Maundy Thursday commemorate?

The Last Supper, where Jesus washed his disciples' feet

What is common during the Manduy Thursday service?

Feet washing

What does Good Friday remember?

Jesus' crucifixion, death, and burial

What happens during a Tenebrae service?

In lutherean, anglican and catholic churches:

Candles are extinguished after readings of the Passion accounts.

When does Holy Saturday take place in the western church?

The Easter vigil begins Saturday night into Easter Sunday morning.

What is special of each day of Holy Week in the eastern church?

Each day of Holy Week has its own theme and service

What happens on Holy/Great Monday in the eastern church?

Jospeh/cursed fig tree

What happens on Holy/Great Tuesday in the eastern church?

Parable of 10 virgins

What happens on Holy/Great Wednesday in the eastern church?

Jesus' anointing at Bethany

What happens on Holy/Great Thursday in the eastern church?

the Last Supper

What happens on Holy/Great Friday in the eastern church?

Jesus' passion. A cloth icon representing Jesus' burial sheet is placed on a bier representing Jesus' tomb.

What happens on Holy/Great Saturday the eastern church?

Jesus 'burial and descent into hell. A day of strict fasting.

What happens during the last service (Midnight Office) in the eastern church?

A priest places the epitaphios (icon) on the altar and all lights are extinguished

What does Easter Sunday celebrate?

Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus

How is Easter Sunday decorated in the western church?

White and gold colors are used and there will be flowers, bells and joyous hymns

What is the date of Easter Sunday in the western church?

Its a moveable feast, the first Sunday according to the Gregorian calendar after the first ecclesiastical full moon, after the vernal equinox (21st March).

What may easter be after in the western church?

Passover.

What is the date of Easter Sunday in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Its a moveable feast, the first Sunday according to the Julian calendar after the first actual full moon, after the vernal equinox as observed from Jerusalem.

What is Easter always after in the eastern church?

Passover.

What do eastern churches do on Easter Sunday?

At midnight the priest lights a candle and this light is passed to candles held by the congregation. The resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed and a procession takes place.