The Great Feasts of the Church. Pascha is the most important feast day of our entire liturgical year - often called the “Feast of Feasts,” and for this reason it’s counted in addition to the twelve great feasts of the Church. The feasts themselves celebrate and commemorate the major events in the lives of Christ and the Theotokos; 7 for the former and 5 for the latter. Since the liturgical new year (called the Indiction) is September 1st, the Great Feasts are (in order):
The Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8th)
The Elevation of the Holy Cross (September 14th)
The Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple (November 21st)
The Nativity of Christ (December 25th)
The Theophany (Baptism) of Christ (January 6th)
The Presentation (Meeting) of Christ in the Temple (February 2nd)
The Annunciation (March 25th)
Palm Sunday/ Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Sunday before Pascha)
The Ascension of Christ (40 days after Pascha)
Pentecost (50 days after Pascha)
The Transfiguration (August 6th)
The Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15th)
These are especially important to the liturgical life of the Church because the entire Church celebrates together!