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Glossary of Religious Holidays
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Alliance
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* Advent (Christian)
Liturgical New Year
Day begins a period of preparation for celebration of birth of Jesus;
Observed with advent calendars, wreaths and ceremonies
* Advent Fast (Orthodox Christianity)
Marks the beginning of
the forty-day vegetarian fast in preparation for Christmas day
* Al-Hijra / New Year (Muslim)
Muslimic cycle of months
begins; Formulas determine holy days based on lunar events
* All Saints Day (Christian — ; Roman Catholic)
Day for honoring saints;
Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church where saints have
special formal status
* All Souls Day (Christian)
Prayers of intercession
offered for the dead
* Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian)
Celebration of Gabriel
announcing to the Virgin Mary the coming birth of Jesus
* Asalha Puja Day (Buddhist)
One of the sacred days
in Buddhism; It marks the coming into existence of the Triple Gems, namely
the Lord Buddha, His Teaching, and His Disciples
* Ascension of Abd al-Baha (Baha'i)
Celebration of the this
leader's spirit rising to its heavenly dwelling
* Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
Recollection of the death
of Mirza Husayn Ali; Observed by prayers and readings and suspension of
work
* Ascension of Jesus (Christian)
Recognition of the return
of Jesus to heaven after the resurrection; Perhaps the earliest observed
celebration in Christianity, it is observed through prayers and music
* Ash Wednesday (Christian)
Use of ashes to signify
penitence; first day of Lent
* Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian — ; Roman
Catholic)
Observation honoring the
belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was translated to heaven at her
death
* Ashura (Muslim)
Optional single day fast
recognizing the Creation, Noah's departure from the ark, and the saving
of Moses from Pharaoh
* Autumn Feast (American Indian)
An occasion to share food
with the Spirits of Autumn
* Ayathrem Gahambar (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrates prosperity
* Ayyam-I-Ha (Baha'i)
Beginning of a series
of special days (Intercalary Days) that balance out the calendar; Observed
by hospitality and acts of charity
* Baptism of Jesus (Christian)
Commemorates the beginning
of the public ministry of Jesus
* Beginning of the Ecclesial Year (Orthodox Christianity)
Marks the Orthodox Christian
New Year
* Beltane (Wiccan)
Celebration of the conjoining
of the goddess with the energy of the god in the sacred marriage which
is the basis of all creation
* Birth of the B'ab (Baha'i)
Honoring of the birth
of the founder, Mirza 'Ali-Muhammed, in 1819 c.e.
* Birth of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
Celebration of the birth
of their teacher and Messiah; Observed by refrain from work
* Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
Beginning in 1999 c.e.,
this birthday is taken as the beginning of their calendar year
* Bodhi Day / Rohatsu (Buddhist)
Celebration of the time
when Prince Gautama took his place under the Bodhi tree vowing to remain
until he attained supreme enlightenment
* Bon Festival (Shinto)
Ancestral soul's day;
Observed by enjoying special meals and visiting graveyards to recall the
souls of ancestors
* Buddha Day (Buddhist)
Celebration of the birth
of Buddha
* Christ the King (Christian)
Celebration of the preeminence
of Jesus over all earthly authorities
* Christmas Day (Christian)
Celebration of the birth
of Jesus Christ
* Christmas Eve (Christian)
Celebration of the arrival
of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus; Observed with
worship, festive meals, manger scenes
* Circumcision of Jesus (Christian)
Recognition of Jewish
foundations, commemorating the day the infant Jesus was brought to the
Temple for the ritual act of circumcision
* Corpus Christi (Christian — ; Roman Catholic)
Celebration in honor of
the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ
* Dalai Lama birthday (Buddhist)
Observation with traditional
dances, picnics and singing; Each Dalai Lama is seen as a reincarnation
of predecessor
* Dasa Laxana (Jain)
Observance with focus
on the holy texts describing the ten characteristics to which Jains aspire
* Day of Hajj (Muslim)
Observance of revelation
at Mt. Ararat to Mohammed
* Day of the Covenant (Baha'i)
Celebration of the covenant
given in the last will and testament of Baha'ullah
* Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i)
Recognition of the declaration
in 1844 c.e. by Ali Muhammed that he is the anticipated "Coming One"
of all religions; Observed by suspension of work
* Dewali (Hindu)
Festival of Lights symbolizing
the human urge to move toward the light; Observed with gift exchanges,
fireworks and festive meals
* Dharma Day (Buddhist)
Buddha's first discourse
following his enlightenment
* Dussehra (Hindu)
Festival celebrating the
victory of Lord Rama over the demons; Observed by worship of, prayers
to and meditation upon Lord Rama
* Easter (Christian)
Commemoration of the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion; Observances include worship
services beginning at sunrise, music, feasting, and parades
* Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
Feast of Sacrifice, the
most important feast of Muslim; Concludes the Hajj and is a three-day
festival recalling Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience
to Allah; Observed by giving meat to the poor
* Epiphany (Christian)
Commemoration of the manifestations
of the divinity of Jesus Christ; The homage of the magi is honored
* Elevation of the Holy Cross (Christian)
Celebrates when Saint
Helen found the Holy Cross, which was stolen in the 7th Century C.E.
* Entry of Mother of God (Orthodox Christianity)
Commemorates the entrance
of Mary into the Holy of Holies in the Hebrew temple, marking the beginning
of her life of absolute dedication to God
* Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Christian — ; Catholic)
Honoring of a legendary
appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 C.E.
* Feast of Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Orthodox Christianity)
Celebrates the Archangels
Michael and Gabriel and all the other angels mentioned in the Bible
* First Parkash (Sikh)
Scripture, Adi Granth,
installed in Golden Temple
* Four Chaplains Day (Christian)
Commemoration of the event
in World War II when four Chaplains of Jewish and Christian traditions
gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic
Ocean
* Ganesa Caturthi (Hindu)
Lively festival honoring
the god of prosperity, prudence and success; images of Ganesa are worshipped
* Ghambar Maidyozarem (Zoroastrian)
Celebration of the creation
of the sky and the harvest of winter crops
* Gion Matsuri (Shinto)
Honors sun god with parades,
music and story telling
* Good Friday (Christian)
Remembrance of the crucifixion
of Jesus and related events
* Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday (Sikh)
Observation of the 1666
c.e. birthday of the last of the human gurus who installed Sikh scriptures
* Guru Nanak’s Birthday (Sikhism)
Celebrates their founder,
Guru's birthday; Even though his birthday is celebrated on October 31st,
biographers record his birth on April 15th 1469
* Hanukkah (Jewish)
Festival of Lights commemorating
the Maacabean recapture and rededication of Jerusalem Temple in 165 b.c.e.;
Observed with special readings and praise songs focusing on liberty and
freedom and the lighting of the eight candle Menorah
* Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
Day when mock battles
are fought and martial arts are displayed
* Holi (Hindu)
Spring festival dedicated
to the god of pleasure; Observed in a colorful and boisterous manner,
with people showering each other with colored water and smearing red and
green powder on each other
* Holy Family (Catholic Christian)
Celebrates of the love
between the family of Jesus
* Holy Innocents Day (Christian)
Day of solemn memory of
male children killed by King Herod in the attempt to destroy Jesus
* Holy Week (Christian)
Observed the week before
Easter with solemn ceremonies based on events in Jesus' life, especially
on Holy Thursday and Good Friday
* 'Id al-Fitr (Muslim)
A three-day fast marking
the close of Ramadan, it is a festival of thanksgiving to Allah for enjoying
the month of Ramadan; Observance involves wearing finest clothing, saying
prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions
* Imbolc
Reflection on the power
of the gods, from which physical and spiritual harvest will come.
* Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic)
Day of celebrating the
belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all
of her life; Observed as a day of obligation with required church attendance
* Jashan Mehergan (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrates the Festival
of righteousness and justice
* Jashan Sadeh (Zoroastrian)
Ritual time using symbolic
elements and prayers commemorating the discovery of fire; Observed by
the recital of sacred writings
* Jashne Tirgan (Zoroastrianism)
The festival of water, one of
the essential elements of the faith
* Janam Ashtami (Hindu)
Celebration of the birth
of Krishna
* Kathina (Buddhist)
Monks are given new robes
* Lammas (Wiccan)
Festival of the first
harvest
* Laylat al Bara'ah or Shab-Barat (Muslim)
Night of Forgiveness,
this is a night of prayer to Allah for forgiveness of the dead; Preparation
for Ramadan through intense prayer
* Laylat al Isr’wa al Miraj (Islam)
Commemorates Muhammad’s
night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his assent to and return from
heaven during the same night where he brought back God's commandment of
the five daily compulsory prayers
* Laylat al-Miraj or Nuzulul Qur'an (Muslim)
Observance of Mohammed's
night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven
* Laylat al-Qadr (Muslim)
Night of power, commemorating
first revelation of Qur'an to Mohammed in 610 c.e.
* Lent (Christian)
Forty-day period of preparation
for Easter; A time of intense devotion, it is observed by fasting, frequent
worship and acts of charity
* Litha (Wiccan)
Celebration of sacred
marriage in which God's energy is poured out in service of life
* Maghi (Sikh)
Commemoration of battle
in which 40 Sikhs died for Guru Gobind Singh Ji
* Mahavir Nirvana (Jainism)
The celebration of when
their lord, Mahavir's, reached Nirvana or Moksha; It is observed by lighting
lamps
* Mahavira-jayanti (Jain)
Recognition of a great
hero, Lord Mahavira
* Mahashivaratri (Hindu)
Dedicated to Shiva, a
deity whose cosmic dance creates the world
* Maidgoshahem (Zoroastrian)
Joyous mid-summer feast
relating to the creation of the waters; Observed with rituals, prayers,
sharing food
* Makar Sakranti (Hindu)
Celebration marking entry
of the sun into Capricorn, observed by feeding the poor and offering libations
to the dead
* Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahaduri (Sikh)
Observance of the anniversary
of the martyrdom in 1675 C.E. of Guru Tegh Bahaduri, the ninth guru
* Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i)
Commemoration of Ali Mohammed's
execution in 1850 c.e. by Persian political and religious powers; Observed
by abstaining from commerce and work
* Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh)
Remembrance of those who
have suffered for the faith; Observed by reading the Guru Granth Sahib
* Martyrdom of John the Baptist (Christian)
Observance to remember
the beheading of John, who challenged the moral life of King Herod
* Mary, Mother of God (Catholic)
Celebration of the mother
of Jesus
* Maulid el-Nabi (Muslim)
Commemoration of the birthday
of Mohammed in 571 c.e.; Observed by reading of prophet's teachings and
holding of religious meetings
* Maunajiyaras (Jain)
Day of fasting, silence
and meditation on the five holy teachers
* Maundy Thursday (Christian)
Observance of the first
Lord's Supper
* Mulvian Bridge Day (Christian)
Remembrance of October
28, 312 C.E., when Emperor Constantine prevailed in a battle and proceeded
to make Christianity the legal religion of the Roman Empire; Observed
by reflection on religion and state relationships takes place
* Naming of Jesus Christ (Orthodox Christianity)
Commemorates the circumcision
and naming ceremony of Jesus
* Nativity of the Mother of God (Orthodox Christian)
Celebration of Mary the
Mother of Jesus
* Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Christian)
Celebration of the role
of John in baptizing Jesus; Special interest for Hispanic tradition
* Navratra (Hindu)
Festival of the divine
mother honoring Durga, wife of Shiva, and seeking her blessings; Also
observed as a celebration recalling the days of Lord Krishna
* Naw Ruz (Baha'i)
Observance of the vernal
equinox symbolizing spiritual growth and renewal
* Nineteen Day Fast (Baha'i)
Sunrise to sunset fast
* Nirvana day (Buddhist)
Regional observance of
the death of Buddha
* Ostara (Wiccan)
Welcoming of spring and
welcoming of goddess-as-maiden
* Oh-harai-taisai (Shinto)
Grand Purification Ceremony
to obtain purification from offenses committed during the first half of
the year
* Paitishahem Gahambar (Zoroastrian)
Festival commemorating
the creation of the earth and the harvesting of summer crops
* Palm Sunday (Christian)
Celebration of the entry
of Jesus into Jerusalem, beginning Holy Week; Observed by worship celebrations
and parades using palm branches
* Paryushana (Jain)
Eight-day festival signifying
human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement; Observance
marked by recitations from sacred writings and family exchange of cards
and letters
* Passover (Pesach)
Eight-day commemoration
of the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt; Observed by recounting
the story of the Exodus and the ongoing struggle of all peoples for freedom
from internal and external tyranny is celebrated
* Pentecost (Christian)
Observation of the day
when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the forms of tongues of
fire and rushing wind; Traditional day for baptism and confirmation of
new Christians
* Pioneer Day (Mormon)
Observation of arrival
of first settlers at Great Salt Lake on July 24, 1847 c.e.
* Purim (Jewish)
Celebration of the deliverance
of the Jewish minority in Persia from genocide; Observed by charity to
the poor, sharing food with friends, and vigorous merrymaking
* Prophet Elias Day (Orthodox Christianity)
Honors the holy prophet
of Elias
* Rain Retreat Observance (Buddhist)
Marks the time when the
Sangha, or specialists of spiritual life, retreats for collective study
and meditation
* Ramadan (Muslim)
Month for commemorating
Muhammad's reception of the divine revelation recorded in the Qur'an;
This holiest period of the Muslimic year is observed by strict fasting
from sunrise to sunset
* Ramanavami (Hindu)
Celebration of the birth
of Rama, hero of the religious epic poem, The Ramayana; Observance involves
telling of stories and going to the temple
* Reformation Day (Christian)
Anniversary of the beginning
of the Protestant reformation on Oct 31, 1517 c.e. when Martin Luther
posted a belief statement on Wittenberg Church door
* Ridvan (Baha'i)
Commemoration of the twelve-day
period in 1863 c.e. when Baha'u declared that he was God's messenger for
this age; Observed by suspension of work on the first, ninth and twelfth
days of the festival
* Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
New Year; Observance is
marked by a time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and penitence; The
story of Abraham is read, the ram's horn is sounded, and special foods
are prepared and shared
* Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic)
Occasion to pay homage
to Christ's all-encompassing love for humanity; Observed with solemn worship
* Saint Benedict Day (Catholic)
Recognition of the father
of the Western Church Monastic tradition, The Benedictine Order
* Saint Francis Day (Catholic)
Recognition of the founder
of the Franciscan Monastic Order; Service to people and appreciation for
the natural creation are marks of the Order
* Saint James Day (Christian)
Recognition of the martyrdom
of the Apostle James the Great in 44 C.E.
* St. John Apostle and Evangelist (Christian)
Recognizes the spiritual
work of St. John
* Saint Luke Apostle and Evangelist (Anglican Christian)
Recognizes St. Luke, Apostle
of Jesus Christ and Evangelist; He was one of the authors of the four
canonical gospels
* Saint Matthew, Apostle, and Evangelist (Anglican Christian)
Honors St. Matthew, Apostle
of Jesus Christ and an Evangelist; He was also one of the authors of the
four canonical gospels
* Saint Michael and All Angels (Christian)
Celebration of angels
as companions who help fight off the power of evil and who are present
at the hour of death
* Saint Stephen's Day (Christian)
Remembrance of St. Stephen,
the first Christian martyr
* Saint Thomas Apostle (Anglican Christian)
Recognizes the spiritual
work of St. Thomas
* Samhain (Wiccan)
Celebration of endings
and beginnings; Observed by reverence of elders
* Setsunbun-sai (Shinto)
Family celebration of
the coming of spring with shouts of "Devils out, Fortune in"
* Shavuot (Jewish)
Celebration of Moses'
descent from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments; Plants and flowers are
used in decorations
* Shivarat or Mahasivaratri (Hindu)
Worship of Shiva with
flowers
* Simchat Torah (Jewish)
Day to celebrate the reading
of the Law; Observed with Synagogue services involving readings, processions
and blessing of the children
* Spring Ohijon (Buddhist)
Meditation on the teachings
of Buddha at the equinox
* Sukkot (Jewish)
Feast of Tabernacles celebrating
the harvest and the wandering of Israel in the wilderness dwelling in
tents
* Tammuz, Seventeenth (Jewish)
Traditional day of fasting
to mourn over Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple
* Tisha be-Av (Jewish)
Day of fasting in remembrance
of the destruction of the Temple in 516 b.c.e and 70 c.e.
* Transfiguration of Jesus (Christian)
Commemoration of the experience
on Mt. Tabor when Jesus' physical appearance became brilliant as his connection
with traditional Jewish holy figures became evident to the disciples
* Trinity Sunday or Day (Christian)
Honoring the belief in
one God with a threefold nature
* Tu B'shevat (Jewish)
Celebration of the coming
of spring; Observed by preparation of foods native to Israel
* Tulsedas Jayanti (Hindu)
Remembrance of the poet
Tulsedas as one who brought spiritual uplift to the masses of people
* Ullambana (Buddhist)
Celebration of the ritual
of saving the deceased from torments after death
* Vaisakhi (Hindu and Sikh)
Solar new year — ;
the most important holy day of the year for Sikhs; Observed by temple
worship, feasting and dancing
* Vasant Panchami (Hindu)
Festival of spring honoring
the goddess of learning; Observed by the wearing of bright clothing
* Vijaya Dashami (Hinduism)
Commemorates the day of
victory over Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, by Lord Ram; it denotes
victory over evil
* Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian)
Celebration for the restoration
of unity between the churches
* Wesak (Buddhist)
Holiest day, it celebrates
Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death
* Winter Feast (American Indian)
Commemorates the Winter
solstice with private contemplation and feast
* Yom Hashoah (Jewish)
Holocaust Day — ; This
day has been established to remember the six million Jews killed by the
Nazis in 1933-45 c.e.; Observed by many non-Jews as well
* Yom Kippur (Jewish)
Day of Atonement — ;
holiest day of the Jewish year observed with strict fasting and ceremonial
repentance
* Yule (Wiccan)
Celebration of winter-born
king symbolized by rebirth of the sun
* Zartosht Deso (Zoroastrianism)
Commemorates the death
of their prophet Zarathushtra
Printed sources include:
Religious Holidays and Celebrations: An Encyclopedic Handbook 2nd edition — ; edited by Karen Bellenir — ; Omnigraphics Inc., Detroit, Michigan 1998
The MacMillan Visual Desk Reference by The Diagram Group — ; Macmillan Publishing Company New York 1993
The Complete Idiot's Guide to The World's Religions by Brandon Toropov and Father Luke Buckles — ; Alpha Books New York 1997
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