The
Paschal cycle in the
Eastern and
Oriental Orthodox Churches, is the cycle of the
moveable feasts built around
Pascha (Easter). The cycle consists of approximately ten weeks before and seven weeks after Pascha. The ten weeks before Pascha are known as the period of the
Triodion (referring to the
liturgical book that contains the services for this liturgical season). This period includes the three weeks preceding
Great Lent (the "pre-Lenten period"), the forty days of Lent, and
Holy Week. The 50 days following Pascha are called the
Pentecostarion (again, named after the liturgical book).