<P> In addition to the Fixed and Moveable Cycles, there are a number of other liturgical cycles in the ecclesiastical year that affect the celebration of the divine services . These include, the Daily Cycle, the Weekly Cycle, the Cycle of Matins Gospels, and the Octoechos . </P> <P> Western Christian liturgical calendars are based on the cycle of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, including Lutheran, Anglican, and other Protestant calendars since this cycle pre-dates the Reformation . Generally, the liturgical seasons in western Christianity are Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time after Epiphany), Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time (Time after Pentecost). Some Protestant traditions do not include Ordinary Time: every day falls into a denominated season . </P> <P> The Catholic Church sets aside certain days and seasons of each year to recall and celebrate various events in the life of Christ . In its Roman Rite the liturgical year begins with Advent, the time of preparation for both the celebration of Jesus' birth, and his expected second coming at the end of time . This season lasts until Christmas Eve on December 24 . Christmastide follows, beginning with First Vespers of Christmas on the evening of December 24 and ending with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord . Traditionally, the end of Christmastide was February 2nd, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas . This feast recounts the 40 days of rest Mary took before being purified and presenting her first - born son to the Temple in Jerusalem . </P> <P> Lent is the period of purification and penance that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday . The Holy Thursday evening Mass of the Lord's Supper marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, which includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday . The days of the Easter Triduum recall Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection . The seven - week liturgical season of Easter immediately follows the Triduum, climaxing at Pentecost . This last feast recalls the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' disciples after the Ascension of Jesus . The rest of the liturgical year is commonly known as Ordinary Time . </P>

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