Relations between feast days and seasons?

[Dimitris]

Hallo!

I was wondering if there is a relation between specific feast days and the respective seasons in which they are located. For example, is it just coincidence that the birth of Jesus Christ is in wintertime (when everything is cold and dark, which means Jesus Christ is the light into this darkness)? Is is coincidence that His resurrection is in spring (when nature awakes from winter)? Are there any theologists who have wirtten about this issue?

Kind regards,
Dimitris

[Andreas Moran]

I read that there is symbolism in the locating of some feasts on the calendar. The feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (24 June New Calendar) is close to the summer solstice - afterwards, the days become shorter: 'I must decrease'. Christmas is close to the winter solstice - afterwards, the days grow longer: 'He must increase'. (See John 3:30.) The idea of Easter coinciding with Spring (rebirth, etc.) is inapt - it doesn't work in the southern hemisphere!

[Olga]

Here in the southern hemisphere, all is opposite with regard to the seasons and the feasts, as Andreas pointed out. Many of you would find it inconceivable to celebrate Christmas during a heatwave, which, of course, is normal here. Easter falls during autumn, which is usually not very different to spring in terms of weather here.

However, one feast which is well suited to southern hemisphere seasons is Theophany, in our high summer. It seems quite fitting that water is blessed on a hot day. Many Greek parishes have a "Blessing of the Waters" ceremony at the local beach. A ceremony is held on the jetty/pier, a wooden cross on which is tied a sprig of basil (of course!) is tossed into the water by the priest or bishop, and the young men in the water below scramble to retrieve it. On the Slavic side, being tapped on the head and shoulders with a large horsehair brush sopping with holy water after Theophany Liturgy is VERY refreshing! The same in the depths of a northern winter would be a different story ....

[Andreas Moran]

A different story indeed! In Moscow, at some lakes and rivers, they make a large Cross-shaped hole in the ice and some hardy folk jump into the water!

[Nicolaj]

As we read the gospels, we see clear that the dates are most related to Jewish feasts!
And therefore, it wasn't just taken a day at the calendar which seems to be appropriate for this feast, the Lord through his walk on earth as a pious Jew gave us so the most days for feasts at forehand!

In Christ, Nicolaj the sinner

[Dimitris]

Hallo!

Thank you for your answers so far. Of course, in the southern hemisphere the seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. But don't you think there is a deeper meaning that for example the Nativity of the Lord falls in the time when days begin again get longer? As said before, this is only true for the northern hemisphere, but it is in this hemisphere the Lord lived, the Church was founded and spread first.

Nicolaj, I think I don't completely understand your answer. I mean, winter is winter (dark, short days), regardless if time is counted in Jewish or another calendar.

Kind regards,
Dimitris

[Nicolaj]

I just meant that it is beautiful to have Christmas in winter and Pascha in spring and so on, but that this all is meanly dependent from the Jewish calendar.

In Christ, Nicolaj