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Calendar of saints (Lutheran)

Religious calendar

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Through Martin Luther

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.

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 a saint’s day is not commonly observed in North America, the country where that saint is observed is also noted. 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.

January

  • 1 Circumcision and Name of Jesus (LCMS) Name of Jesus (ELCA) (W)
  • 2 Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe, pastor, renewer of the church, 1872 (W)
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  • 4
  • 5
  • 6 THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD (W)
  • 7
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  • 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
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  • 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)
    • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Begins - ELCA
  • 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
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  • 24 Saint Timothy, pastor (Lesser Festival) W - LCMS
  • 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
    • Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith (Commemoration) W – ELCA
  • 28 Thomas Aquinas, teacher, 1274 (Commemoration) W – ELCA
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