Welcome to the Cycle of a New Church Year

It seems like every time I turn around, someone is claiming the beginning of a new year. Western Christians start anew at advent. Theophany and Pascha have also been markers of new beginnings historically. Our culture celebrates the new year in the middle of winter on January 1. The school year could begin in August or September. We start a new year every birthday God grants us. There seems to be so many opportunities to start a “new year.” It has left me wondering how to orient myself and if there really is even such thing as a new year?

The beauty, I suppose, of having so many “new years” is the gift of renewal and even repentance. 365 days is enough time to veer off course and lose focus. We need markers to bring us back. While all of these “new years” previously mentioned can serve that purpose, the truest new year is September 1st, the beginning of the liturgical cycle. Of all the calendars we follow, this ought to be most central, the calendar of calendars. Christ is the Alpha and Omega, and it is here in His Church that we mark our lives, beginning and ending with Him. Furthermore, September 1st is the day the church recognizes the birth of creation itself. This date does not mark another arbitrary “new year” but the very beginning of time. We celebrate because it is the beginning of beginnings and the renewed chance to live more deeply a life in Christ.

If you are wanting to recognize the beauty of the start of the new liturgical calendar, but aren’t sure how, well, that’s why we are here. Our newly released liturgical new year thread cards are short and sweet but will still guide your heart, head, hands, and hearth through major themes of the feast, perfect for families or busier seasons of life. These cards can be used separately or in conjunction with the Autumn Treasury, which is a collection of feast traditions for the person aiming to establish Orthodox culture in their homes and communities.

By signing up for the Word, Weave, & Stone newsletter, you will receive reminders of important dates and updates on new releases so you can continue synchronizing with the patterns within the Orthodox Church. Whichever path you choose, we hope you will allow us to walk alongside you this year and be your companion as you strive to orient yourself towards the annual Orthodox cycle.

-V.W