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Category: Liturgical Calendar

The Liturgical Calendar defines the Church year, outlining a series of seasons and festive occasions that liturgical ceremonies observe throughout the year. Christians used this calendar as a guide, so they could properly celebrate the significant events in the life of Christ and the Church.

The liturgical year is divided into six seasons, each with its own theme and focus. Advent, which heralds the coming of Christ, begins the Church year, followed by Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. Lent is a time of penance and reflection, leading up to Holy Week, which culminates in the celebration of Easter, the most important feast of the Christian calendar. Ordinary Time follows Easter, with a focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Church. The season of Advent then begins again, marking the end of one liturgical year and the beginning of another.

Throughout the year, the Liturgical Calendar also includes several important feasts and solemnities, such as the Feast of the Epiphany, the Transfiguration, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and All Saints’ Day. These celebrations allow the faithful to honor the lives of the saints and reflect on the significance of their contributions to the Church.

By following the Liturgical Calendar, Christians can participate in a rich tradition of liturgical worship that connects them to the history of the Church and the life of Christ. It provides a framework for the celebration of the mysteries of faith and ensures that Christian followers would never lose sight of the significance of these events in their lives.

Ecclesiastical-Sewing-Lent-Stoles-St.-Ambrose-Collection

Do you have your favorite Violet Stole Style Selected Yet? Lent is coming!

Some of our favorite fabrics, the richly historic pattern – Fairford, along with the Winchester Brocade. The Brocades are available in deep violet color. Violet is the color used by a wide number of church bodies during the season of Lent. The color violet is used for Lent because it is associated with mourning.  We reflect on the mysteries of Christ and remember the pain and suffering of His crucifixion. Violet is also the color of royalty and it reminds us that we will soon celebrate Christ’s resurrection and sovereignty.

Bespoke Liturgical Religious Fabrics for Church Vestments

Planning Your Lent Church Vestment Projects: a Liturgical Fabric Review

Violet is an appropriate color for Lent. It is associated with pain, suffering, mourning, and loss. Yet it is also the color of Royalty. Winchester is a wonderful Brocade Fabric. It has a nice hand and the weight is designed for use with hand embroidery and goldwork embroidery. It holds up well for machine embroidery. It drapes beautifully for chasubles and copes.

Adoration of the Magi - Epiphany Banner Ecclesiastical Sewing

Epiphany: A Celebration with Varied Traditions

Epiphany is a feast day in the Western church, white vestments and paraments are used. Sometimes gold is substituted. There aren’t any specific Epiphany symbols, but there are often representations of the Three Kings elsewhere in churches.

Jacobean Altar Frontal Ecclesiastical Sewing

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God | Ecclesiastical Sewing (2019)

All feasts of Mary, as indeed are all feasts of all the worthies of the faith, are feasts that point to our Lord Jesus Christ and his work “for us and for our salvation.” Mary is our prime example of created humanity at its finest.  She is humble but brave, courageous but modest, truthful and kind, upright and vulnerable, and unafraid to follow the leadings of God.

Advent Stole and Altar hangings

Blue or Purple: An Advent Debate

The choice between blue and purple Advent vestments reflects diverse traditions. Blue, popular in Scandinavia and the British Isles (“Sarum blue”), symbolizes the night sky before dawn, echoing themes of hope and new beginnings tied to the Christmas narrative. While, purple vestments, symbolizing penitence, have distinct connotations. Historically derived from Mediterranean snails, purple’s expense symbolizes royalty.

St. Philip Apostle; St. Philip Feast Day, Ecclesiastical Sewing

St. Philip and St. James and New Apostle Pastor Stole

Lutherans and Roman Catholics celebrated the feast days of St. Philip and St. James the Apostles on May 1st and 3rd. Both church bodies agree on the importance of these Apostles. Philip was called by Jesus in Bethsaida and brought Nathanael to Christ, while St. James is traditionally believed to have been martyred. Ecclesiastical Sewing has introduced “The Apostle Collection” of church vestments, emphasizing these important figures in Christian history.

St, Margaret Red

Pentecost a Season of Red Liturgical Fabrics

Red is the traditional color for Pentecost vestments, and among my favorite “red” options are fabrics like the St. Margaret Brocade, showcasing a bold pattern with a Tudor Rose and Crown. This liturgical brocade is available in solid red and two-toned variations, including the fiery red/gold option in the Fairford Brocade. Another excellent choice is the Red Lichfield Brocade, offering a rich hue perfect for Pentecost. Additionally, there’s the Luther Rose Brocade, Ely Crown, Silk Dupioni, and more in vibrant red tones.

Dayspring Vestment Collection by Ecclesiastical Sewing

Dayspring is a Collection of Designs intended for use at both Christmas and Easter. Dayspring is a Messianic Prophecy that is fulfilled at the Resurrection. The Dayspring Church Vestment Collection incorporates the IHS Holy Monogram, the Chi Rho Symbols, Alpha and Omega, the Rising Sun, and the Glorious Cross. There are also Angels in adoration. The entire Ecclesiastical Sewing team is honored to have been a part of creating this new Dayspring Collection of Designs for use in your churches for the Christmas and Easter Seasons of the church year.