The Church’s Year

Advent Violet

Four weeks of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas

Christmas Gold/white

The Incarnation of Christ,
celebrated from Christmas Eve for twelve days

Epiphany White

The revelation of Christ to the world with the arrival of the Magi
celebrated until Candlemas

Candlemas White

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Lent Purple

Six weeks of preparation for Easter,
beginning with Ash Wednesday

Passiontide Red

From the fifth Sunday of Lent to Easter Eve, including Palm Sunday
(white for Maundy Thursday)

Easter Gold/white

The Resurrection of Christ from the dead
Six weeks from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, including the Ascension

Pentecost Red

The sending of the Holy Spirit

Ordinary Time Green

The Sundays between Candlemas and Lent, and from Trinity Sunday until Christ the King (the Sunday before Advent)