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The festive calendar of the Church of Unity

Working translation. Synchronized with the Russian corpus as of 2026-10-25. Canonical formulas are binding only in the Russian original; publication — after human review.

Preface

The festive calendar is a cycle of feasts through which the community marks important moments on the path to the One. Feasts are not simply days of rest or entertainment. They are a way to create a point of support in the flow of time, recall the goal, and strengthen the bonds in the community.

Feasts are a game for memory and heart. They help remember what matters when everyday bustle distracts attention. They recall the goal when the path seems long and hard. They join hearts when minds scatter in different directions. But feasts do not replace creation; they only support it.

Feasts are not a demand upon the One. The One does not answer with a voice and does not bargain: the words of the feast do not vanish — they return with you. A feast is a way to attune yourself to the Echo of the One, to hear it more clearly and follow it more honestly.

See also: the Canon, Chapter 13. On Symbols and Mass Actions.

1. Annual feasts

1.1. The Day of Unity

Date: the first Sunday of the new year.

Meaning: the Day of Unity is the celebration of the beginning of the new year and the renewal of the striving toward the One. It is the time when the community recalls its goal, strengthens its bonds, and attunes itself to a creative year.

Symbolic meaning: the One is the outcome of the whole path. The Day of Unity recalls to us that every new year is a step toward this outcome. Every day, every action, every thought draws near this moment or moves it away.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with the circle with the point as a reminder of unity. The participants prepare the festive meal and gifts for the community.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of unity and respect.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. An overview of the past year. The Representative briefly tells what the community achieved in the past year. This includes results, projects, victories, and lessons.
  1. Gratitude. The participants express gratitude for the past year, for the achievements, for the support, for the lessons, for the bonds.
  1. The naming of the goals of the new year. The Representative presents the goals of the community for the new year. The participants discuss and supplement them.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal, strengthening the bonds and creating a common experience.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it a new year.

1.2. The Day of Knowledge

Date: the first Sunday of spring.

Meaning: the Day of Knowledge is the celebration of knowledge as a path to the One. It is the time when the community acknowledges the importance of learning, of passing on knowledge, and of constant development.

Symbolic meaning: knowledge is the light that lights the path to the One. The Day of Knowledge recalls to us that every new fact, every new understanding, every new discovery draws near this moment.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of knowledge: books, images. The participants prepare presentations of their knowledge or achievements.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of respect for knowledge.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The presentations of knowledge. The participants present their knowledge or achievements. These can be scientific discoveries, practical skills, philosophical reflections.
  1. Gratitude to teachers. The participants express gratitude to those who passed on knowledge to them: teachers, mentors, authors of books.
  1. The promise to learn. The participants make a public promise to continue learning and developing in the new year.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal, continuing the discussions of knowledge.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it the path of knowledge.

1.3. The Day of Creation

Date: the first Sunday of summer.

Meaning: the Day of Creation is the celebration of creation as a path to the One. It is the time when the community acknowledges the importance of labor, of making, and of contribution into the common cause.

Symbolic meaning: creation is the action that draws near the One. The Day of Creation recalls to us that every made object, every performed deed, every help to another draws near this moment.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of creation: instruments, works of art, images of what was made. The participants prepare presentations of their creative deeds.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of respect for labor.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The presentations of creation. The participants present their creative deeds. These can be built houses, created works of art, performed projects, help to others.
  1. Gratitude to creators. The participants express gratitude to those who created: builders, artists, teachers, doctors, all who contribute.
  1. The promise to create. The participants make a public promise to continue creating in the new year.
  1. Common creation. The participants together perform a small creative action: build something, make something, help someone.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal, continuing the discussions of creation.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it the path of creation.

1.4. The Day of Harmony

Date: the first Sunday of autumn.

Meaning: the Day of Harmony is the celebration of harmony as a path to the One. It is the time when the community acknowledges the importance of balance, peace, and respect in relations.

Symbolic meaning: harmony is the state when all parts are joined into a whole. The Day of Harmony recalls to us that every act of respect, every reconciliation, every peaceful dialogue draws near the One.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of harmony: images of balance, peace, unity. The participants prepare stories about harmony in their life.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of peace and respect.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. Stories about harmony. The participants share stories about harmony in their life, about reconciliations, about peaceful dialogues, about balance.
  1. Gratitude for harmony. The participants express gratitude to those who contributed to harmony: mediators, peacemakers, those who listened and understood.
  1. The promise to seek harmony. The participants make a public promise to continue seeking harmony in themselves and in the community.
  1. The rite of reconciliation. If there are unresolved conflicts, the participants use this time for reconciliation. The Representative helps the process.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal, strengthening the bonds and creating an atmosphere of harmony.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it the path of harmony.

1.5. The Day of memory of the departed

Once a year — at the autumn Feast of Autumn or on the Sunday following it (the community chooses the date once and keeps it) — the community remembers all its departed at once.

Why one day for all: not every departed one had a sending-off with the community; not every one was sent off by a Speaker; someone's near ones died outside the community, and the grief remained with ours. One day closes all.

The order (instead of the usual Quiet Evening):

  1. The gathering. Silence, the light by the circle.
  2. The names. The host names all the departed of the community in its whole history — slowly, by name. Whoever wants adds his own — not members: "my mother," "my friend." The name is pronounced — this is all that is needed.
  3. One minute of silence. Exactly a minute.
  4. The results of the year. One phrase from each who wishes: what of the departed has grown in this year.
  5. The table. The memorial table by the rules of the Sunday one.

Do not turn the day into a mourning duty: the grieving one has the right not to come. Memory — is an invitation, not a debt.

2. Periodical feasts

2.1. The Feast of the Community

Periodicity: once every three months.

Meaning: the Feast of the Community is the celebration of unity and bonds in the community. It is the time when the community strengthens its bonds, acknowledges the contribution of each, and creates a common experience.

Symbolic meaning: the community is the foundation of the path to the One. The Feast of the Community recalls to us that we do not walk alone, that we are part of a whole, that our bonds draw near the One.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be comfortable and warm. The participants prepare treats and gifts for the community.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of unity.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The acknowledgment of contribution. The Representative acknowledges the contribution of the participants into the life of the community for the past period. The participants express gratitude to each other.
  1. Common activity. The participants together perform some action: play, sing, discuss, create.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast.

2.2. The Feast of Gratitude

Periodicity: once every six months.

Meaning: the Feast of Gratitude is the time when the community expresses gratitude for everything received: for knowledge, for support, for possibilities, for life itself.

Symbolic meaning: gratitude is the acknowledgment of the good. The Feast of Gratitude recalls to us that we receive much, and that gratitude strengthens bonds and draws near the One.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of gratitude. The participants prepare words of gratitude.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of gratitude.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The expression of gratitude. The participants express gratitude: to each other, to the community, to the One, to life.
  1. The creation of gratitude. The participants together create something that expresses gratitude: a song, a picture, a story.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast.

3. Seasonal feasts

3.1. The Feast of Spring

Date: the day of the spring equinox.

Meaning: the Feast of Spring is the celebration of the awakening of life, of a new beginning, and of hope. It is the time when the community acknowledges the cyclicality of life and the possibility of new growth.

Symbolic meaning: spring is the time of awakening. The Feast of Spring recalls to us that after every winter spring comes, after every darkness light comes, after every end a new beginning starts.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of spring: flowers, greenery, images of awakening. The participants prepare seeds or saplings for planting.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of hope.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The acknowledgment of winter. The participants acknowledge the difficulties of the past winter: physical, emotional, spiritual. They express gratitude for the lessons of winter.
  1. The greeting of spring. The participants greet spring: hopes, new beginnings, possibilities of growth.
  1. The planting. The participants together plant seeds or saplings, signifying new growth.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it new growth.

3.2. The Feast of Summer

Date: the day of the summer solstice.

Meaning: the Feast of Summer is the celebration of the blossoming of life, of energy, and of creation. It is the time when the community acknowledges the fruitfulness of labor and the joy of life.

Symbolic meaning: summer is the time of blossoming. The Feast of Summer recalls to us that labor brings fruits, that creation delights, that life is beautiful.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of summer: the sun, fruits, images of blossoming. The participants prepare the fruits of their labor.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of joy.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The acknowledgment of fruits. The participants acknowledge the fruits of their labor: achievements, what was made, what was received.
  1. The celebration of life. The participants celebrate life: sing, dance, play, laugh.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal, including the fruits of summer.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it the continuation of creation.

3.3. The Feast of Autumn

Date: the day of the autumn equinox.

Meaning: the Feast of Autumn is the celebration of the harvest, of gratitude, and of preparation for rest. It is the time when the community acknowledges the cyclicality of life and the value of what has been gathered.

Symbolic meaning: autumn is the time of gathering. The Feast of Autumn recalls to us that labor brings fruits, that gathering matters, that rest is necessary.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of autumn: fruits, leaves, images of gathering. The participants prepare the fruits of their harvest.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of gratitude.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. Gratitude for the harvest. The participants express gratitude for the harvest, for the fruits of labor, for knowledge, for experience.
  1. The acknowledgment of what has been gathered. The participants acknowledge what they have gathered in the past time: knowledge, bonds, achievements.
  1. Preparation for rest. The participants discuss how they will rest and restore their strength.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share the festive meal, including the fruits of autumn.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it rest and restoration.

3.4. The Feast of Winter

Date: the day of the winter solstice.

Meaning: the Feast of Winter is the celebration of silence, of peace, and of inner light. It is the time when the community acknowledges the value of rest, of reflection, and of inner work.

Symbolic meaning: winter is the time of peace. The Feast of Winter recalls to us that rest is necessary, that silence heals, that inner light lights the path.

The order of holding:

  1. Preparation. The place of the feast must be decorated with symbols of winter, images of silence. The participants prepare words of reflection.
  1. Arrival and greeting. The participants arrive at the place of the feast. They greet each other, creating an atmosphere of silence.
  1. The quieting. When all have gathered, the Representative gives a short silence (about a minute): not a ritual, but a passage from noise to the circle.
  1. The reflections. The participants share reflections on the past year: on lessons, on growth, on hopes.
  1. The acknowledgment of inner light. The participants acknowledge the inner light — the Echo of the One that leads them.
  1. The pause of silence. The participants make a pause of silence, signifying the inner light.
  1. The festive meal. The participants share a quiet festive meal.
  1. The final silence (about a minute). The participants quiet down, so as to leave the feast into ordinary life unhurriedly.
  1. The completion. The Representative announces the completion of the feast and, on behalf of the community, wishes it inner peace.

4. The order of holding feasts

4.1. General principles

Solemnity. Feasts must be held with solemnity and respect. This is not mere entertainment but time for the acknowledgment of what matters.

Inclusion. All participants must have the possibility to contribute to the feast. No one must be excluded.

Creation. Feasts must include elements of creation: common activity, the making of something, help to others.

Silence. Every feast must include pauses of silence for attunement to the Echo of the One.

Gratitude. Feasts must include the expression of gratitude: to each other, to the community, to the One, to life.

4.2. Preparation for the feast

The definition of the purpose. A feast always has a concrete purpose. The purpose must be clearly defined in advance and communicated to all participants.

The invitation of participants. Depending on the purpose, the feast may include all members of the community or only a part of them. The invitation must be sent in advance.

The preparation of the place. The place of the feast must be prepared in advance: decorated, cleaned, organized.

The preparation of the participants. The participants must prepare in advance: bring treats, gifts, presentations, words of gratitude.

4.3. The holding of the feast

The beginning of the feast. The feast begins with the arrival and greeting of the participants. Then follows the pause of silence for attunement of minds.

The main part. The content of the main part depends on the type of the feast. It can be a presentation, common activity, the festive meal.

The completion of the feast. The feast ends with the pause of silence for the integration of experience. Then the Representative announces the completion of the feast.

4.4. After the feast

The integration of experience. The participants are recommended, after the feast, to make a pause for the integration of what was lived through.

The documentation. If the feast included the making of decisions or the acknowledgment of achievements, this must be documented.

The follow-up actions. After the feast follow-up actions may be required: the execution of decisions made, the continuation of celebration, help to those who need.

5. Local feasts of the community

5.1. The order of creating local feasts

The proposal of a feast. Any member of the community may propose the creation of a local feast. The proposal must include:

The discussion. The proposal is discussed at a gathering of the community. The participants express their opinions, put questions, propose improvements.

The vote. If the community decides to create a local feast, a vote takes place. Each member of the core has one vote. The decision is considered accepted if no less than two thirds of the members of the core voted for it.

5.2. The criteria and limitations

The criteria of creating local feasts:

The limitations of local feasts:

The revision and abolition. The community may revise the decision about a local feast in the future. If the feast ceases to accord with the needs of the community or with the teaching, it may be abolished or changed. The decision on abolition is made by voting, similarly to the creation.

Conclusion

The festive calendar is a cycle of feasts through which the community marks important moments on the path to the One. Feasts are not simply days of rest or entertainment. They are a way to create a point of support in the flow of time, recall the goal, and strengthen the bonds in the community.

Feasts are a game for memory and heart. They help remember what matters, recall the goal, join hearts. But feasts do not replace creation; they only support it.

Feasts are not a demand upon the One. The One does not answer with a voice and does not bargain: the words of the feast do not vanish — they return with you. A feast is a way to attune yourself to the Echo of the One, to hear it more clearly and follow it more honestly.

Use these feasts honestly and consciously. May they become not mere days of rest but guides to action. May every feast lead not to entertainment but to essence, to creation, to knowledge, to harmony.

The matter is not in feasts — in true steps.