Religious calendar
The Lutheran Church has, from the time of the Reformation, continued the remembrance of saints . The theological basis for this remembrance is understood as being connected to the words of the Epistle to the Hebrews 12:1.[ a] The Apology of the Augsburg Confession states that the remembrance of the saints has three parts: thanksgiving to God, the strengthening our faith, and the imitation of the saints' holy living.[ b] [ 3]
As a result, the Lutheran reformers retained a robust calendar of saints to be commemorated throughout the year. In addition to figures found in the Bible , early Christians such as Saint Lawrence and Martin of Tours were retained as saints on the calendar, as were extra-Biblical commemorations like the Assumption of Mary . Following the Reformation, most especially in the latter half of the twentieth century, many names were added to the calendar, both new and restored pre-Reformation commemorations.
The Calendar found below is a listing of the primary annual feasts, festivals and events that are celebrated liturgically by various Lutheran Churches in the English-speaking world. The calendars of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in their present forms are listed below, as found in the 2006 Lutheran Service Book of the LCMS , and the 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Worship of the ELCA . In addition to these, some historic observances not currently found on the aforementioned calendars but appearing in earlier Lutheran uses are also provided.[ 4]
While extensive, the Lutheran sanctoral calendar is not presently as strictly ranked as that of the Roman Catholic Church . Principal festivals are marked with BOLD CAPS and lesser festivals with bold text . If applicable, the country where a particular observed is also noted,[clarification needed ] if it is not commonly observed on that date in North America. For individuals, the date given is generally the date of their death or "heavenly birthday." The liturgical color for vestments and paraments is noted as follows: White (W), Red (R) or Violet (V). Commemorations specific to the LCMS, ELCA, or an earlier source are noted following each entry. Commemorations and festivals held in common are not annotated.
Gregory of Nazianzus
1 Circumcision and Name of Jesus (LCMS) Name of Jesus (ELCA) (W)
2 Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe , pastor, renewer of the church, 1872 (W)
3
4
5
6 THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD (W)
7
8
9
10 St. Basil the Great , Bishop of Caesarea, 379; Gregory of Nazianzus , Bishop of Constantinople, c. 389; Gregory , Bishop of Nyssa, c. 385 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
11
12
13 Octave of the Epiphany - The Baptism of Our Lord (W) - historic, now commonly observed on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany
14 Eivind Berggrav , Norwegian Lutheran bishop (Commemoration) W - ELCA
15 Martin Luther King Jr. , renewer of society , martyr, 1968 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
16
17 Anthony of Egypt , renewer of the church, c. 356 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Pachomius , renewer of the church, 346 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
18 Confession of Peter (W)
19 Henry , Bishop of Uppsala, missionary to Finland, martyr, 1156 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
20 Sebastian, Martyr (R) - Historic
Sarah , matriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
21 Agnes, Virgin and Martyr (R)
22
23
24 Saint Timothy , pastor (Lesser Festival) W - LCMSJohann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe
25 Conversion of Paul the Apostle (W)
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ends - ELCA
26 Timothy , Titus , and Silas , missionaries (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Saint Titus, pastor (Lesser Festival) W - LCMS
27 John Chrysostom , Bishop of Constantinople, 407 (W) – LCMS
28 Thomas Aquinas , teacher, 1274 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
29
30
31
Martin Luther's face and hands cast at his death.
14 Cyril , monk, 869; Methodius , bishop, 885; missionaries to the Slavs (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Valentine , martyr, 270 (Commemoration) R – LCMS
15 Philemon and Onesimus (Commemoration) W – LCMS
16 Philipp Melanchthon , confessor, 1560 (Commemoration) R – LCMS
17
18 Martin Luther , doctor and confessor, renewer of the church, 1546 (Commemoration) W
19
20
21
22
23 Polycarp , Bishop of Smyrna, martyr 156 (Commemoration) R
24 Matthias, Apostle (R) – LCMS (25th February in leap years)
25 Elizabeth Fedde , deaconess, 1921 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
26
27
28
29
Simon Ushakov, The Last Supper
1 George Herbert , priest, hymnwriter, 1633 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
2 John Wesley , 1791; Charles Wesley , 1788; priests, renewers of the church (Commemoration) W – ELCA
3
4
5
6
7 Perpetua and Felicity and companions , martyrs at Carthage, 202 (R)
8
9
10 Harriet Tubman , 1913; Sojourner Truth , 1883; renewers of society (Commemoration) W – ELCA
11
12 Gregory the Great , Bishop of Rome, 604 (W)
13
14
15
Saint Joseph
16
17 Patrick , bishop, missionary to Ireland, 461 (Commemoration) W
18
19 Joseph, Guardian of Jesus (W)
20
21 Thomas Cranmer , Archbishop of Canterbury, martyr, 1556 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
22 Jonathan Edwards , teacher, missionary to American Indians, 1758 (Commemoration) W - ELCA
23
24 Oscar Arnulfo Romero , Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, 1980 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
25 Annunciation of Our Lord (W)
26
27
28
29 Hans Nielsen Hauge , renewer of the church, 1824 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
30
31 John Donne , priest, poet, 1631 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Joseph , patriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
Michelangelo
1 Amalie Sieveking , philanthropist and social activist – (Germany)
2
3
4 Benedict the African , confessor, 1589 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
5
6 Albrecht Dürer , 1528; Lucas Cranach , 1553; artists (Commemoration) W
7
8
9 Dietrich Bonhoeffer , theologian, martyr, 1945 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
10 Mikael Agricola , Bishop of Turku, 1557 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 Olaus Petri , priest, 1552; Laurentius Petri , Archbishop of Uppsala, 1573; renewers of the church (Commemoration) W – ELCA
20 Johannes Bugenhagen , pastor, 1558 (Commemoration) – LCMS
21 Anselm , Archbishop of Canterbury, theologian, 1109 (Commemoration) W
Catherine of Siena
1 Philip and James, Apostles (R)
2 Athanasius , Bishop of Alexandria, 373 (Commemoration) W
3
4 Monica , mother of Augustine, 387 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
5 Frederick the Wise , Christian ruler, 1525 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
6
7 Carl F. W. Walther , pastor, theologian, 1887 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
8 Julian of Norwich , renewer of the Church, c. 1416 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
9 Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf , renewer of the church, hymnwriter, 1760 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Job , patriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
Sts. Constantine and Helen
10
11 Cyril, 869 and Methodius, 885, missionaries to the Slavs (Commemoration) W – LCMS
12
13
14 Matthias , apostle (Lesser Festival) R – ELCA
15
16
17
18 Erik , King of Sweden, martyr, 1160 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
19
20
21 Helena , mother of Constantine, c. 330 (W)
22
23
24 Nicolaus Copernicus , 1543; Leonhard Euler , 1783; scientists (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Esther , matriarch, (Commemoration) W – LCMS
25 Bede , theologian, 735 (Commemoration) R – LCMS
26
27 John Calvin , renewer of the church, 1564 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
28
29 Juraj Tranovský , hymnwriter, 1637 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
30
31 Visit of Mary to Elizabeth -- minor festival (W) - modern date
1 Justin , martyr at Rome, c. 165 (Commemoration) R
2
3 Martyrs of Uganda , 1886 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
John XXIII , Bishop of Rome, 1963 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
4
5 Boniface , Archbishop of Mainz, missionary to Germany, martyr, 754 (Commemoration) R
6
7 Seattle , chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, 1866 (Commemoration) W – ELCA[ 5]
8
9 Columba , 597; Aidan , 651; Bede , 735; teachers, renewers of the church (Commemoration) W – ELCA
10
11 Barnabas, Apostle (R)
12 First Ecumenical Council , 325 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
13
14 Basil the Great , Bishop of Caesarea, 379; Gregory of Nazianzus , Bishop of Constantinople, c. 389; Gregory , Bishop of Nyssa, c. 385 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Macrina , theologian, c. 379 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Elisha , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
15
Lucas Cranach the Elder, Philipp Melanchthon
16
17
18
19
20
21 Onesimos Nesib , translator, evangelist, 1931 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
22
23
24 John the Baptist (W)
25 Presentation of the Augsburg Confession , 1530 (Commemoration) W
26 John and Paul, Martyrs - LCMS
Jeremiah , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
27 Cyril , Bishop of Alexandria, 444 (Commemoration) W
28 Irenaeus , Bishop of Lyons, c. 202 (Commemoration) W
29 Peter and Paul, Apostles (R)
30 Commemoration of Paul the Apostle (R) - Historic
Benedict of Nursia
1 Catherine Winkworth , 1878; John Mason Neale , 1866; hymn translators (Commemoration) W – ELCA
2
3 Thomas , apostle (Lesser Festival) R – ELCA
4
5 St. Cyril and Methodius (Lesser festival) - amongst Slovak Lutherans
6 Jan Hus , martyr, 1415 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
Isaiah , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
7
8
9
10
11 Benedict of Nursia , Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
12 Nathan Söderblom , Archbishop of Uppsala, 1931 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
13
14
15 The Division of the Holy Apostles (R) - Historic
16 Ruth , matriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
17 Bartolomé de Las Casas , missionary to the Indies, 1566 (Commemoration) W – ELCA[ 5]
18
19
Elias Gottlob Haussmann, Johann Sebastian Bach
20 Elijah , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
21 Ezekiel , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
22 Mary Magdalene , (W)
23 Birgitta of Sweden , renewer of the church, 1373 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
24
25 James, Apostle (R)
26
27
28 Johann Sebastian Bach , 1750 W
29 Saint Martha, Virgin (W)
Mary , Martha , and Lazarus of Bethany (Commemoration) W
Olaf , King of Norway, martyr, 1030 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
30 Robert Barnes (martyr) , confessor and martyr (Commemoration) R – LCMS
31 Joseph of Arimathea (Commemoration) W – LCMS
Florence Nightingale
1
2
3 Joanna , Mary , and Salome , myrrh-bearing women (Commemoration) W – LCMS
4
5
6 Transfiguration of Our Lord (W) - More commonly observed on the last Sunday after Epiphany
7
8 Dominic , priest, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), 1221 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
9
10 Lawrence , deacon, martyr 258 (Commemoration) R
11 Clare , Abbess of San Damiano, renewer of the Church, 1253 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
12
13 Florence Nightingale , 1910; Clara Maass , 1901; renewers of society (Commemoration) W – ELCA
14 Maximilian Kolbe , 1941; Kaj Munk , 1944; martyrs (Commemoration) R – ELCA
15 Assumption of Mary (W) (modern:Mary, Mother of Our Lord )<[ 6]
Mary , Mother of Our Lord
16 Isaac , patriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
17 Johann Gerhard , theologian, 1637 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
18
19 Bernard , Abbot of Clairvaux, hymnwriter, theologian 1153 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
20 Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, hymnwriter, theologian, 1153 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Samuel , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
21
22
23
24 Bartholomew, Apostle (R)
25
26
27 Monica , mother of Augustine 387 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
28 Augustine, Bishop and Doctor , 430 (W)
29 The Martyrdom of John the Baptist (R) – LCMS
30
31
1 Joshua , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
2 Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig , bishop, renewer of the church, 1872 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Hannah , matriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
3 Gregory the Great , Bishop of Rome, 604 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
4 Moses , prophet (Commemoration)) R – LCMS
5 Zechariah , prophet
Elizabeth , matriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
6
7
8 Nativity of Mary (W) - LCMS (19th century)
9 Peter Claver , priest, missionary to Colombia, 1654 (Commemoration) – ELCA
10
11
12
13 John Chrysostom , Bishop of Constantinople, 407 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
14 Holy Cross Day (R)
15
16 Cyprian , Bishop of Carthage, martyr, c. 258 (Commemoration) R
17 Hildegard , Abbess of Bingen, 1179 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
18 Dag Hammarskjöld , renewer of society, 1961 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
Carlo Crivelli, Francis of Assisi
1
2
3
4 Francis of Assisi , renewer of the church, 1226 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
5
6 William Tyndale , translator, martyr, 1536 (Commemoration) R – ELCA
7 Henry Melchior Muhlenberg , pastor in North America, 1787 (Commemoration) W
8
9 Abraham , patriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
10 Massie L. Kennard , renewer of the church, 1996 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
11 Phillip , deacon (Commemoration) W – LCMS
12
13
14
15 Teresa of Ávila , teacher, renewer of the church, 1582 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
16
17 Ignatius , Bishop of Antioch, martyr, c. 115 (Commemoration) R
18 Luke, Evangelist (R)
19
20
21
22
23 James of Jerusalem , brother of Jesus and martyr, c. 62 (Lesser Festival) R
Gianlorenzo Bernini The Ecstasy of St. Teresa
Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg
8 Johann von Staupitz , priest, 1524 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
9 Martin Chemnitz , pastor and confessor, 1586 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
10
11 Martin of Tours , Bishop, 397 (W)
12
13
14 Emperor Justinian , confessor, emperor of New Rome, 565 (Commemoration) W – LCMS
15
16
17 Elizabeth , renewer of society, 1231 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
18
19 Elizabeth of Hungary , 1231 (W) – LCMS
20
21
22
23 Clement , bishop of Rome, c. 100 (Commemoration) W
24 Justus Falckner , 1723; Jehu Jones , 1852; William Passavant , 1894; pastors in North America (Commemoration) W – ELCA
25 Catherine of Alexandria , Martyr (R) - historic
26
27
28
29 Noah , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
30 Andrew, Apostle (R)
1
2 Dorothy Kazel , Ita Ford , Maura Clarke and Jean Donovan , martyrs of El Salvador , 1980 (Commemoration) R - ELCA
3 Francis Xavier , missionary to Asia, 1552 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
4 John of Damascus , theologian and hymnwriter, c. 749 (Commemoration) W
5
6 Nicholas , bishop of Myra, c. 342 (Commemoration) W
7 Ambrose , bishop of Milan, 397 (Commemoration) W
8
9
10
11
12
Domenico di Pace Beccafumi, Saint Lucy
13 Lucy , martyr, 304 (Commemoration) R
14 John of the Cross , renewer of the church, 1591 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
15
16
17 Daniel and the Three Young Men , prophets, (Commemoration) R – LCMS
18
19 Adam and Eve , patriarch and matriarch (Commemoration) W – LCMS
20 Katharina von Bora Luther , renewer of the church, 1552 (Commemoration) W
21 Thomas, Apostle (R) – LCMS
22
23
24 VIGIL OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD (W)
25 NATIVITY OF OUR LORD (W)
26 Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (R)
27 John, Apostle and Evangelist (W)
28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (R)
29 Thomas of Canterbury , Martyr (R) - Historic
David , prophet (Commemoration) R – LCMS
30
31
^ " "Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."[ 1]
^ "The first is thanksgiving. For we ought to give thanks to God because He has shown examples of mercy; because He has shown that He wishes to save men; because He has given teachers or other gifts to the Church. And these gifts, as they are the greatest, should be amplified, and the saints themselves should be praised, who have faithfully used these gifts, just as Christ praises faithful business-men (Matt. 25:21, 23). The second service is the strengthening of our faith; when we see the denial forgiven Peter, we also are encouraged to believe the more that grace truly superabounds over sin (Rom. 5:20). The third honor is the imitation, first, of faith, then of the other virtues, which every one should imitate according to his calling."[ 2]
^ Hebrews 12:1
^ Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI.4-6
^ Lutheran Service Book . Concordia Publishing House. 2006. pp. xii. ISBN 978-0-7586-1217-5 . The Lutheran reformers understood that there was great benefit in remembering the saints whom God has given to His Church. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (Article 21) gives three reasons for such honor. First, we thank God for giving faithful servants to His Church. Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that God extended to His saints of old. Third, these saints are examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living according to our calling in life. [...] 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings to closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.' Hebrews 12:1
^ Mayes, Benjamin T. G. "Martyrology of W Loehe" .
^ a b "The Church Year" (PDF) . Renewing Worship . January 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 8, 2006. Retrieved April 14, 2020 .
^ Evangelical Lutheran Worship Leaders Desk Edition (8th (2019) Printing ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress. 2006. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-8066-5620-5 .
Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship (1978). Lutheran Book of Worship . Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press. ISBN 9780800633301 .
Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship (1978). Lutheran Book of Worship: Minister's Desk Edition . Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press. ISBN 978-9991472546 .
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Evangelical Lutheran Worship - Final Draft . Augsburg Fortress Press, 2006.
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (1982). Lutheran Worship . St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-0570010197 .
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (2006). Lutheran Service Book . St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. pp. x–xiii. ISBN 978-0-7586-1217-5 .
Philip H. Pfatteicher (1980). Festivals and Commemorations: Handbook to the Calendar in Lutheran Book of Worship . Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press. ISBN 978-0806617572 .
Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Oriental Orthodox Anglican Protestant