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Advent History and Tradition

All Hallows Eve Traditions

All Saints Day

Annunciation -- A Virgin Will Conceive

Annunciation -- the Truth

Ascension and The Great Commission

Ascension Day Traditions

Ascension from Bethany

Ash Wednesday

Candlemass

Christmas Eve

Christmas: the True Meaning

Crown of Thorns in the Passion of Christ

Easter and the Resurrection

Easter Story: The Role of Pontius Pilate

Epiphany

Feast of Corpus Christi

Feast of the Annuncation

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Feast of the Transfiguration

Forgiveness on the Cross of Calvary

Good Friday

Good Friday: The Passion of Christ

Holy Week

Judas' Betrayal Cost Him His Life

Lent

Maundy Thursday

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday: Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Pentecost

Peter's Denial of Christ

Reformation Day

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Resurrection: The Witnesses

Resurrection: The Words of Jesus

Resurrection: Women at the Tomb

Shrove Tuesday

Simon of Cyrene Picks Up the Cross

Sinless Sacrifice of Jesus

Stations of the Cross

The Last Supper

The Last Supper: Jesus Washes the Disciple's Feet

Transfiguration of Jesus

Trinity Sunday

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Ordinary Time (as opposed to sacred time) refers to two specific periods in the Christian calendar in which the occurring Sundays are not directly related to the Christmas or Easter holidays. Rather than referring to something everyday or common, "ordinary," in this sense, comes from the word ordinal (meaning "numbered"), referencing the manner in which the Sundays of the period are numbered. The term was coined at the Second Vatican Council, taking effect with after the Season of Advent in AD 1969.

Colors and Focus
The color green is most often associated with the two periods of Ordinary Time, and can generally be found in the sanctuary during these portions of the liturgical year. It is usually considered a symbol of the Church's growth and rebirth. In this spirit, Scriptural readings during these periods sometimes focus on the annual Synoptic Gospel or on themes of local interest or import to the congregation.

Time after Epiphany and Septuagesima The first period of Ordinary Time falls between the first Sunday after Epiphany (on or around January 6^th) and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent. This liturgical season can last anywhere from four to nine weeks, depending upon the year. This portion of Ordinary time replaces the traditional Seasons of "Time After Epiphany" and "Septuagesima," which are still in use by some traditional Catholics. Many Protestants also use the older terminology, and tend to begin the season on January 6^th.

Time after Pentecost
The second part of Ordinary Time begins after the Easter Season, on Pentecost Monday, and ends on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. For traditional Catholics, this season begins on Trinity Sunday.

Before the Roman liturgical calendar was reformed at the Second Vatican Council, the Sundays in this part of the year were listed as "Sundays after Pentecost" by Roman Catholics, and some Protestants also continue to support the older terminology. Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost) takes place in this span of time. The remainder of the liturgical year after Trinity Sunday is known as the Trinity season in Roman Catholicism. Anglicans either refer to this as the Season after Pentecost or the Season after Trinity, or, informally, the "Long Green Season," referring to the period's traditional color.

Although not the focus of the liturgical calendar, for Christians of all denominations Ordinary Time remains an important part of the ecclesiastical year, one in which they can live in the spirit of life and rebirth and continue in the work of the church.