The church year includes many festivals and holy days beyond Christmas and Easter. They help Christians remember important events in the story of Jesus, reflect on the lives of people in the Bible and consider how faith connects with everyday life.
Candlemas, celebrated in early February, recalls the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. The story describes Jesus as a light for all people.
The Annunciation remembers the biblical account of the angel Gabriel telling Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. It points towards the coming of Jesus and the Christian belief that God entered human life.
In Finland, Midsummer (juhannus) is a popular summer celebration associated with light, nature and time spent with family and friends. Its name and Christian background are connected to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus.
The dates and customs of these festivals vary. Together, they show how the Christian calendar connects the story of faith with the seasons and traditions of life in Finland.