What is the church year?

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The Episcopal Church observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Christmas itself lasts for twelve days after which we celebrate the feast of Epiphany. (Jan 6)

 
Advent
 
Christmas
 
Epiphany

Lent, the forty days of preperation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days concluding with the feast of Pentecost.

 
Lent
 
Easter

During these times, the Bible Readings are chosen for the appropriateness of the season. During the rest of the year, the season after Epiphany and the long season after Pentecost (except for a few special Sundays), the New Testament is read sequentially from Sunday to Sunday. The Old Testament lesson corresponds in theme with one of the New Testament readings.

Pentecost