2025 LITURGICAL CALENDAR & NOTES

                                                                  2025___         2026                     2027____      2028___    2029______

Lent (Forgiveness Sunday)           March 2           February 22        March 14          February 27    February 18

PASCHA                                                 April 20           April 12                  May 2                April 16             April 8

Ascension                                             May 29            May 21                   June 10              May 25              May 17

Pentecost                                              June 8              May 31                   June 20              June 4                May 27

Easter (Western Denominations).   April 20       April 5____  March 28__  April 16___   April 1____

2025 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FASTING DISCIPLINE

Fasting Seasons                                 Holy Lent (thru) Great Saturday                    March 3 - April 19

1. Peter and Paul Fast (Apostles Fast) June 16 - June 28

                                                            Dormition Fast                                                August 1 - August 14

                                                            Nativity Fast (Advent)                                    November 15 - December 24

Fast-Free Weeks                               Post-Feast: Nativity of Christ                         December 25 - January 4

                                                            Week following the Publican and Pharisee    February 10 - February 16

                                                            Bright Week (following PASCHA)               April 20 - April 26

                                                            Trinity Week (following Pentecost)               June 8 - 14

Days of Fasting                                  All Wednesdays and Fridays except as noted above as “fast-free”

                                                            Eve of Theophany (Strict Fast)                      January 5

                                                            Beheading of St. John (Strict Fast)                 August 29

                                                            Elevation of the Cross (Strict Fast)                September 14

                                                            Eve of the Nativity of Christ (Strict Fast)      December 24  

2025 MEMORIAL LITURGIES FOR THE DEPARTED - AMBRIDGE PARISH

                                                                                          Pre-Lent/Lent                                                 Feb.22 / Mar.15 / Mar.22

                                                            Saturday before Pentecost                                  June 7

                                                            St. Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher Saturday           October 25

2025 DATES WHEN WEDDINGS ARE NOT TO BE CELEBRATED

(Unless a dispensation is granted by the ruling bishop upon the request of the parish priest)

• On the eves of Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year (i.e., Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
• On the eves of Sunday throughout the year (i.e., Saturday evenings)
• On the eve of Holydays commemorated in the parish
• In all the fasting seasons noted previously
• From the Nativity of Christ through the Second Day of Theophany
• During the Week of Cheesefare
• During Bright Week
• On the Eve and Holyday of “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist”
• On the Eve and Holyday of “The Elevation of the Precious Cross”

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• Note! The SCHEDULING OF THE WEDDING SACRAMENT should be finalized with the parish priest before any other nuptial planning is done. Please remember that wedding ceremonies performed outside the Orthodox Faith are not recognized as valid Orthodox Sacramental unions. Suspension from the Holy Sacraments (as well as loss of other parish membership privileges) is automatic in such instances until “normalized” as per private instruction from the parish priest in consultation with the diocese.

• While the guidelines for Orthodox Christians fasting (as well as participation in the Holy Sacraments) should be taken seriously, they are not to be interpreted with “dour and pedantic legalism.” It is the prerogative of the ruling bishop to grant dispensations concerning these guidelines if recommended by his representative, the parish priest.

• Individuals under the care of a physician need to discuss their fasting regimen with the parish priest, who, as your spiritual father, will give guidance to mitigate the fasting regimen, as appropriate.

• Any parish member or parish organization using any of the parish’s facilities (including the Youth Center) must follow the fasting guidelines as outlined above when serving food or beverages.

~ Please contact Fr. Bill if you have questions concerning any of the information above ~