Religious Holidays: 2008-2009
June 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
All Saints Day (Orthodox Christian)
This holiday honors known and unknown saints.
July 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
*Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i)
In 1850 C.E. at the age of 31, the Bab was executed by a firing squad in Tabriz. This event is observed at noon and all work and commerce cease on this day.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
**Isra' & Mi'raj (Muhammad's Ascension) (Islam)
This day commemorates Muhammad's two-part journey, which he made in one night. Isra is the Arabic word referring to Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to the site of Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Mi'raj is the Arabic word referring to the second part of the journey, Muhammad's ascension from Masjid al-Aqsa to the heavens.
August 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
**Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
The birth of Lord Krishna and his rescue from death by the demon Kasna are celebrated on this day. Born in a prison, Lord Krishna was carried by his father to another village and exchanged with the daughter of a cow herder for his safety.
September 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
**First Day of Ramadan (30 days) (Islam)
This is the holiest period in the Islamic Year. This period acknowledges the Prophet Mohammad's receiving of the divine revelations, and is observed by fasting between sunrise and sunset during the entire month, reading the Qur'an, and worshipping in the mosque or home.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
**Ganesh-Chaturthi (Hindu)
This day commemorates the god Ganesh, one of Hindu's major deities. Ganesh is known as the 'Remover of All Obstacles', and is called upon at the start of all new undertakings.
Monday, September 29, 2008
St. Michael and All Angels (Christian)
This feast, also known as Michaelmas, is associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days because it falls near the equinox. St Michael is one of the principal angelic warriors and was seen as a protector against the dark of night.
Tuesday-Wednesday, September 30-October 1, 2008
*ROSH HASHANAH (New Year) (Jewish)
This holiday begins the Jewish New Year, which commemorates the creation of the world. Like all Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown the night before (erev) and ends ten days later with Yom Kippur. In Hebrew, the holiday means, "head of the year".
For student absences:
http://www.muhillel.org/JewishLife06/ClassHolidaysLetter07.pd
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
**Navaratri (Hindu)
This translates as 'nine nights', starting on the new moon and ending on Dussehra. This celebration is dedicated to the goddess of Durga who had nine incarnations and has the power to destroy demons.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
**Eid-al-Fitr (End of the Ramadan Fast) (Islam)
This is celebrated for three days and marks the end of Ramadan.
October 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
**VIJAYA DASAMI (Last day of Navaratri)
This festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu month, Ashwina, and is the last of the 10-day annual festival of Navaratri. The festivities celebrate the victory of the forces of Good over Evil. It is also considered a day to begin new things in life.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
*YOM KIPPUR (Day of Atonement) (Jewish)
The Day of Atonement is the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish year that includes fasting and cessation from work.
For student absences:
http://www.muhillel.org/JewishLife06/ClassHolidaysLetter07.pdf
Tuesday-Wednesday, October 14-15, 2008
*Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) (Jewish)
Sukkot celebrates both the harvest, as well as the 40 years that the children of Israel wandered in the desert. Sukkot
is one of the three major holidays, together known as the Shloshet ha-Regalim (three pilgrim festivals), and represents historically when the Jewish traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Saturday, October 20, 2008
*BIRTH OF THE BAB (Baha'i)
Born as Sayyid 'Ali Muhammad in southwestern Iran, the Arabic title, "Bab" means 'the gate'. There is no work on this day, and Baha'is come together for prayer and festivities.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
*Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
*Simchat Torah (Jewish)
This joyful holiday, "rejoicing the Torah" marks the beginning of the year-long reading of the Torah. The Torah, which is also known as the Five Books of Moses, means "teaching," "instruction," or "law" in Hebrew.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
**DEEPAWALI (Diwali) (Hindu, Sikh, Jain)
This is the start of the Hindu New Year. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is also known as the "Festival of Lights", where lamps are lit to symbolize hope for humanity.
November 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
All Saints Day (Christian)
This day honors known and unknown saints.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
*BIRTH OF BAHA'U'LLAH (Baha'i)
Born as Mirza Husayn' Ali, into one of the leading noble families of Persia in 1817. His Arabic title means 'The Glory of God'.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Advent (First Sunday) (Christian)
The Christian Church year begins with advent (meaning coming or arrival), which is also a time when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
December 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) (Buddhism)
This day commemorates the date of Siddhartha Gautama's realization and presentation of the Four Noble Truths.
Monday, December 8, 2008
**Eid-al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) (Islam)
Including the Hajj, this three-day festival celebrates Abraham's test of obedience to Allah (God) when he was asked to sacrifice his son Ismael. At the last minute, Allah replaced Ismael with a lamb.
Monday-Monday, December 22-29, 2008
*Hanukkah (Fest of Lights) (Jewish)
In approximately 164 B.C, the Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom, won victory over the Syrians. Upon returning to the Temple, they found only one jar of oil to light the eternal light. In spite of the shortage of oil, the eternal light stayed lit for eight days. A special eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah is lit over this period to celebrate the eight day miracle.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day (Christian)
On this day, Christians honor the birth of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. This is the most widely observed Christian festival of the year. People celebrate it by exchanging gifts, decorating homes and communities with lights and ornaments, and attending parties and meals.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Eastern Orthodox Christmas (Eastern Orthodox)
Members of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth on this day
Friday-Thursday, December 26-January 1, 2008-2009
Kwanzaa (African/Interfaith)
Wanting to encourage African-Americans to celebrate and honor their rich heritage, Professor Maulana Karenga founded Kwanzaa in 1966. The holiday, which means 'first fruit' in Swahili, is made up of seven principles: unity, self-determination, working together, sharing, purpose, creativity, and faith. Seven basic symbols and two supplemental ones: mazao (crops), mkeka (mat), kinara (candle holder), muhindi (corn), mishumaa Saba (seven candles), kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), zawadi (gifts), bendera (flag), nguzo saba poster (poster of the seven principles) communicate these values. Candles are lit on each consecutive night in a seven-branched candelabrum; each lighting represents the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Black, red and green symbolize Kwanzaa. Black represents the people, red signifies their struggle, and green stands for the future and the hope that emanates from the struggle.
Monday, December 29, 2008
**Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) (Islam)
This observance takes place on the first day of Muharram, the month that Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE (the Hijra). This holiday is also known as Muharram.
January 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Epiphany (Christian)
For Christians, this holiday commemorates the revelation of God to mankind in human form as Jesus. This day may also be called the Twelfth Day, as it is the twelfth day after Christmas
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
**Ashura (Tenth of Muharram) (Islam)
Ashura in Arabic means "ten", signifying the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.
February 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ash Wednesday (Christian)
This is the first day of Lent, marking the 46th day before Easter. In the Catholic Church, the priest puts black ashes in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of the observers who keeps them on the whole day and washes them off after sundown. The symbolism of throwing ash over one's head signifies repentance before God.
March 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
**Milad un-Nabi (Islam)
This is the celebration of the birthday of the Muslim prophet, Muhammad. Various mosques and Muslim organizations will celebrate at various times and places throughout the month by holding Processions, decorating houses and mosques, charity and food is distributed, stories about the life of Muhammad are narrated, and poems are recited by children.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
*Purim (Jewish)
This holiday celebrates the Jews' deliverance from Haman's plot to annihilate all the Jews of the Persian Empire Public recitation of the Book of Esther, giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, and a celebratory meal (Esther 9:22) are characteristics of this holiday. The festival of Purim is known as the festival of hidden miracles. Based on the Biblical Book of Esther, Purim celebrates the profound reversal of fortune when the Jewish community of Persia was rescued by the heroic intervention of Esther and Mordecai. It is a holiday that is known for its pageantry, frivolity and generosity to friends and the needy.
April 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday (Christian)
This observance occurs on the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion as reported by all four Canonical Gospels: Mark , Matthew , Luke and John. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday (Christian)
This is also called Holy Thursday or Great Thursday. It is the holy day on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates Jesus Christ's last supper with the Apostles (12 men chosen from a group of students or disciples that followed Jesus' teaching). The last supper was a Passover seder (see below). Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (James The Younger), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Matthias are the 12 apostles.
Thursday-Friday, April 9-10, 2009
*PESACH (Passover) (Jewish)
Passover commemorates the flight of the Israelites from ancient Egypt. As described in the Book of Exodus, Passover marks the "birth" of the Children of Israel who become the Jewish nation, as the Jews' ancestors were freed from being slaves of the Pharaoh. The holiday is celebrated by the reciting of the Haggadah, which recounts the story of liberation at a seder meal that takes place on the first and last two days of the eight day holiday.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday (1:00 - 3:00 p.m.) (Christian)
This observance takes place on the Friday before Easter, which always falls on a Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary. In the Bible, this is around the time that Christ is said to have died, and is honored in those countries where Good Friday is a public holiday.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter (Christian)
This holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred on the third day of his death by crucifixion some time in the period AD 27 to 33. It is considered the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed at some point between late March and late April each year or early April to early May in Orthodox Christianity.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Palm Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
This observance occurs on the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion as reported by all four Canonical Gospels: Mark , Matthew , Luke and John. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul.
Wednesday- Thursday, April 15-16, 2009
*PESACH (Passover last two days) (Jewish)
During the last two days of Passover, as during the first two days, observers participate in a Passover seder.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian)
This observance takes place on the Friday before Easter, which always falls on a Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Easter Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
For members of the Orthodox Christian Church, Easter Sunday is celebrated on this date and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred on the third day of his death by crucifixion some time in the period AD 27 to 33. It is considered the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed at some point between late March and late April each year or early April to early May in Orthodox Christianity.
May 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
*Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Baha'i faith, Baha'u'llah.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Pentacost (Christian)
The word "pentecost" means "fiftieth day." In most Christian traditions, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter Sunday (counting Easter Sunday since it is the first day of the week). Those 50 days span seven Sundays after Easter, so Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter (7 weeks times 7 days = 49 days, plus Pentecost Sunday). It emphasizes the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to enable the people of God to witness Jesus the Christ.
Dates with an asterisk (*) indicate holy days beginning at sundown the day before this date
Dates with two asterisks (**) indicate that regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of this date.
Dates in UPPER CASE and RED indicate that abstinence from all secular activity is required. These dates fall under the abstinence policy adopted by the University Senate and the Board of Trustees. While the other religious holidays listed may not necessarily require abstinence from all secular activity, one should be sensitive to certain other observations that may involve fasting, a dietary change, or special celebrations that may occur during the day or in the evening.
Other information: Jewish and Islamic days begin at sundown of the day preceding the date shown and end at sundown on Saturday to observe Shabbat (Sabbath). Other religious traditions include similar practices. For example Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.
Ashley Adkins, Center for American and World Cultures research assistant, researched information about the holidays; the Interfaith Calendar, www.interfaithcalendar.org was used to identify the holidays and their dates.