Advent
The church begins it's year with Advent, from the Latin for 'to come'. During Advent, we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, firstly in the birth at Bethlehem at Christmas, but also for his second coming, when he shall sit as judge of the world. For this reason Advent is both a joyful and a penitential time, where we prepare for the coming of the light of God into the world, and remember our sins. The focus changes in the last week of Advent to an expectation of the imminent coming of God.
Christmas
Christmas is the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and rejoice that God has become Man. This season begins with the evening service on Christmas Eve, and its greatest celebration is with the midnight mass that night, during the course of which the infant is laid in the crib. The celebrations last for 12 days, thought to the eve of Epiphany
Epiphany
The celebration of, as the Book of Common Prayer calls it, the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. During this time, we celebrate both the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus, but also his baptism, and his turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana. In all of these, Jesus is shown to be the Son of God, and recognized as such. The Season lasts until Candlemas
Candlemas, or the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
On this feast, 40 days after Christmas, we commemorate the presenting of the infant Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem, as required by the Law. The prophet Simeon, and old man dwelling in the Temple precincts, and the prophetess Anna both greeted the child, who is, in Simeon's words, "a light to lighten the nations". From this arose the custom of blessing the church's candles on this day, reminding us that they are symbols of God.
Before Lent
A period of time without any special focus, as we live the Christmas Cycle of festivals behind and await the start of the Easter Cycle, varies between 1 and 5 Sundays in length depending on the date of Easter.
Lent
A period of preparation for Easter, this has its origins in the final preparations of candidates for baptism in early church, who were baptized at Easter. This season is a time of fasting and penance, images may be veiled, the Gloria is not sung at mass, and Alleluia is not said. It is a time for reflection, for amendment of life, and for entering deeper into the mysteries of God.
Passiontide
The last two weeks of Lent have a specific focus on the death and Passion of Jesus. This is the time where special attention is paid to the Cross, both its agony and pain, and also its triumph, with ancient hymns for the time begining with lines such as 'Sing my tongue the glorious battle', or 'The Royal Banners forward go'.
Palm Sunday
The beginning of the last week before Easter, when, in commemoration of Jesus' entry in to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, palms are blessed, distributed to the people, and all present process into church. The Passion Gospel, recounting the final hours before and during the crucifixion is read quite plainly on this day.
Holy Week
The final week before Easter, where we fellow on a daily basis the last week of Jesus' life
Maundy Thursday
This is the day on which we remember Jesus' last supper with his disciples, his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and his betrayal by Judas. On this day, only two masses are ever celebrated - the first, in the Cathedral, by the bishop who blesses the holy oils used to anoint people in the sacraments, and the second, the Mass of the Last Supper, following which the remaining consecrated bread is taken in procession to an altar, in front of which the congregation watches till midnight, and all the remaining furnishings, hangings and decorations are removed, leaving only a bare church.
Good Friday
This is the day when the church remembers the death of Jesus on the Cross. The liturgy of the day begins in silence, with the clergy prostrate on the floor of the church. There is no greeting or ending in this service. The readings are read solemnly, but without ceremony. Then a large cross is brought in, and ceremonially unveiled. All kneel before it, while the Reproaches are sung. After this all are invited to come forward and kiss or touch the foot of the cross. The cross is then carried to the Altar, where it stands as the only ornament in the church. Prayers are said. then the remaining consecrated bread is brought from the Altar to which it was taken the previous night, and those present receive communion. All then depart in silence.
Holy Saturday
A day when, in the worship of the church, nothing happens. Until...
The Easter Vigil
Late in the night of Holy Saturday, or early Easter Sunday morning, the Easter Vigil is kept. The church has had its decorations and images replaced. A fire is lit, and blessed, and large candle is marked and lit to represent the newly risen Christ. Acclaimed with the Alleluias that have been been silent since Lent began, the church celebrates the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus, keeping with great triumph his victory over sin and death. This service is the principal celebration of Easter, the greatest of all the festivals of the Church
Easter
Easter began with the Vigil, described above. On Easter day the Church celebrates Christ's Victory over sin, his vanquishing of death. After the first Easter, the world was changed for ever. During this time, for the next seven weeks, a week of weeks, the church celebrates the Resurrection and the life of the early Church recounted in the book of Acts.
Ascension Day
Forty days after Easter, Jesus ascended into heaven, where, according the Nicene Creed, he is "seated at the right hand of the Father". In so doing, he carried his humanity to the highest place of heaven. On this day, we remember Christ ascending to his throne as King of All Creation.
Pentecost (Whitsun)
This is the commemoration of the Sending of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples gathered together. Flames of fire were seen to descend upon them, and they began to preach the Good News of Jesus and the Resurrection using the languages of the people present. For this reason it is regarded as the birthday of the Church. This was also another traditional day for baptisms to occur, the candidates being dressed in white, giving rise to the name Whitsun.
Trinity Sunday
This follows a week after Pentecost, and is the day when the Church considers the nature of God, and his being of Three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
After Trinity
A long period of between 18 and 23 weeks, where the Church has no thematic focus, but instead studies the life of Christ, and follows patterns of normal daily living.
Before Advent
The last four weeks before advent, and the year beginning again, are kept as a time of remembering the saints, and of celebrating Christ's Kingship.
Christ the King
The Sunday before Advent, where we remember Christ as King, with all power in heaven and earth given to him.