Catholic holidays and their meaning

The Roman Catholic Church has some similarities with Christianity. Catholic holidays are a combination of church rites and folk traditions. As it was customary since ancient times, the main events were celebrated and timed to the approach of the next season. The church sought to combine popular festivals with the church calendar and the days of the memory of the saints. So there were Catholic holidays.

The church calendar consists of dates that are permanent or transient. The main holiday for Catholics is Easter. It is celebrated in the spring, but in different numbers. This date is calculated according to the lunar calendar. Depending on the number of days for this day, the date for the other rolling events also changes.

The church year is counted from the pre-Christmas fast. It begins exactly four weeks before Christmas. This time of prayers, repentance and memory of saints: December 6 is the day of St. Barbara, December 6 - St. Nicholas. On December 8, one of the main days in which the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary took place is celebrated. These holidays fall on the Catholic fast. Then follows one of the most significant dates in the church calendar.

Christmas for Catholics falls on December 25. This is the day of the birth of the son of the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ. In honor of this holiday, four liturgies are held. The first Liturgy is held the previous evening, then at night, in the morning and in the afternoon.

On this day the church is decorated with compositions that depict scenes from the Bible that characterize the moment of the birth of Christ. They are necessarily nurseries. Over time, they began to install and in front of houses.

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated in a family setting. It is preceded by a dinner consisting of lean dishes. Then all Catholics go to church for worship. On the day of Christmas, people eat meat dishes. Fasting ends. It is believed that on how richly the table is laid, well-being depends on the new year. In Christmas, it is customary to present others with various gifts. Christmas celebrations last 12 days. At this time celebrate the day of memory of Innocent Infants (December 28), St. Sylvester (celebrate December 31), the day dedicated to the Virgin Mary (January 1) and the Epiphany Day (falls on January 6). These Catholic holidays are part of the holy cycle.

January 17 is the day of St. Antonia. This is the patron of animals and therefore on this holiday the church is blessed with livestock. Especially this tradition is revered in France.

February 2 - The Lord's feast, when they lit candles and, lighting them, went around fields and streets.

February 3, celebrate the day of St. Blaza is a holiday for winemakers and farmers.
The beginning of the Lent usually falls on Ash Wednesday, the day when they sprinkle ash on their heads, releasing their sins. For the time of fasting there is a celebration dedicated to the Virgin Mary - the Annunciation.

The last seven days before Easter is called "Holy Week". At this time, they hold divine services in churches. The first day of this period is celebrated on Palm Sunday. Houses and churches are decorated with palm trees, willows, boxwood or olives.

On the eve of Easter, the celebration of this great event begins in the evening. In all churches, divine services are held and candles are lit. On the holiday itself, people treat each other with eggs stained for the holiday, have fun, play games and cover rich tables.

On the fortieth day after Easter, the day of the Ascension of the Most Holy Cross is celebrated. It is a holiday whose date is changing.

Christmas St. John the Baptist falls on June 24. This is one of the most popular holidays for Catholics.

August 15 is the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God. On this day, Mary ascended to heaven after her death.

Among the major Catholic events it is possible to celebrate the Triumph of All Saints (November 1) and the date of commemoration of the deceased (November 2).

Catholic holidays are similar with the Orthodox. Sometimes the discrepancy concerns only the date, because of its calculation on different calendars.