Religious Holidays and Celebrations

Muslim/Islam

Weekly congressional prayer service. Planning: The observance takes about 30 to 45 minutes beginning around midday (1 p.m.) and includes both a sermon and short prayer. The prayer is kept short so congregants can go back to work or class afterwards.

Muslim/Islam

One of the two main Islamic festivals celebrated by all Muslims (the other is Eid al-Fitr), this festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Muslims attend morning prayers and spend the day celebrating with family and community.

Muslim/Islam

This Eid is celebrated by the Shi‘a Muslim community. It commemorates the time when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was said to have appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor. Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.

Muslim/Islam

The Shi‘a community honors this day because it marks the Hijra or migration of Muslims from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E. It is the start of the first Islamic community. It is also the first day of the first month of the Islamic year. Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.

Muslim/Islam

The Shi‘a Muslim community honors this as a day of great mourning, marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad's grandson. Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.

Catholic

A Feast Day to celebrate the assumption of Mary, Jesus’ mother, into heaven. A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church

Hindu

The tying of thread, talisman, or amulet on the wrist as a form of ritual protection. The protection is primarily offered by sisters to brothers, but also by priests to patrons, and sometimes by individuals to real or potential benefactors.

Hindu

Worship of snake-deities

Shia Muslim/Islam

The Shi‘a community ends the traditional mourning period over the tragedy of Imam Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.

Hindu

Annual Hindu festival that demarcates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of god Vishnu.

Pagan

A celebration of the transition from life to death, the harvest, and the bounty of the earth.

Jewish

This marks the beginning of the Jewish year and is the first of the High Holidays and the 10 Days of Awe. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work, attending services, hearing the sound of the shofar, and holiday meals

Jewish

The Day of Atonement, at the end of the 10 Days of Awe, and second of the High Holidays is devoted to prayer, repentance and fasting. The Sabbath of Sabbaths in the Jewish calendar, it is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work, refraining from eating and drinking from sundown to sundown, and attending services.

Muslim/Islam

Muslim/Islam: Some Muslim communities celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Most observances will happen in the evening. Not all Muslims participate in this holiday.

Jewish

The Feast of the Tabernacles commemorates the dwelling of the Israelites in the wilderness. Jews build sukkot (booths) and spend time in them over the week. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work on the first two days and eating in the sukkah. All are invited to use the campus sukkah during this holiday.

Jewish

The eighth day of Sukkot, this holiday coincides with the beginning of the rainy season in Israel, and incorporates prayers for rain and a good harvest. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work.

Jewish

A celebration of the Torah, this festival marks the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work and attending services.

Hindu

A festival dedicated to the Hindu God Shakti.

Hindu

Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Lord Rama is remembered as winning a victory over evil.

Protestant Christian

The Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious freedom.

Pagan

On this night, nearly halfway between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice, Pagans honor a liminal time when the boundary between the physical and the spiritual world is thinnest, and access to knowledge of the dead is possible.

Christian Planning: Refraining from class or assigned work is not expected, but please note there is a 5pm on-campus Mass for this significant holy day in the Catholic calendar.

Honors all the saints, known and unknown A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church

Mesoamerican native and Christian

A festive Mexican holiday when families remember their dead and the continuity of life.

Christian

A day commemorating the faithful departed.

Hindu, Jain, Sikh

The festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Planning: November 12 is the Hindu Amavasya, or new moon, when puja is offered to Maha Lakshmi.

Orthodox Christian

The Nativity Fast begins forty days before the Nativity Feast (Jesus’ birth) and is a time to prepare, through fasting and prayer, for the upcoming feast.

Hindu

Native to the Madhesh and Mithila regions, Chhath is the worship of the Sun and his wife Usha, thanking them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.

Interfaith, USA

Day celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

Christian

The season in which Christians prepare and expectantly wait for the birth of Jesus. In the Western Church, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day.

Catholic Planning: Refraining from class or assigned work is not expected, but please note there is a 5pm on-campus Mass for this significant holy day.

A feast in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church

Buddhist

In the Northern or Mahayana tradition, this day celebrates the Buddha’s attainment of Enlightenment.

Jewish

The Festival of Lights marks the victory of the Maccabees and rededication of the Temple. It is a celebration of religious freedom and an affirmation of God’s saving power.

Neo-Pagan/Wiccan

The shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice symbolizes the natural cycle of life and death, and the return of light into the world.

Christian

The celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem.

African-American

An African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture, Kwanzaa is a secular observance with some religious participation. Seven life virtues are presented. The dates are always December 26 - January 1.

Catholic

A holy day of obligation during which Mary, the mother of Jesus, is celebrated.

Christian

A celebration of the epiphany (or manifestation) of Jesus’ divine nature. Eastern or Orthodox Christian churches commemorate the baptism of Jesus; Western churches commemorate the coming of the Magi or "Wise Men".

Orthodox Christian

Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Jewish

The traditional Jewish New Year for trees, this holiday has become a modern celebration of earth and the environment.

Buddhist

Begins on the first full moon of January (actual date is not always predictable because the beginning is marked by the sighting of the full moon).

Buddhist/Daoist/Confucian (secular in origin; observed across religious and secular communities throughout East Asia cultural regions excluding Japan)

Celebrated as the most important holiday of the year in the East Asian Lunar calendar (also known as the Chinese lunar calendar). The holiday is observed primarily in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Vietnam and Korea, and also many Southeast Asian countries with significant populations from the above regions. The Year of the Dragon begins.

Hindu

A spring festival that is treated as the start of spring. This also marks the start of preparation for Holika bonfire and Holi, which occurs forty days later

Christian Planning: Refraining from class or assigned work is not expected but attentiveness to the 5pm ecumenical service on campus is encouraged-it is attended by many Christian students

The beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of preparation, prayer and repentance leading up to Easter, the most important time in the Christian calendar.

Buddhist

This day is the celebration of the day with Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana upon the death of his physical body.

Hindu

A Hindu festival in honor of Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati.

Muslim/Islam

Ramadan is the (lunar) month of fasting for all Muslims. Those who practice abstain from eating, drinking from dawn until sunset. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Since Muslims are fasting for most of the day, and for 30 consecutive days, they may experience fatigue. Each Muslim experiences Ramadan differently. Muslims may also be staying up late at night in worship or for community gatherings.

Christian

Christian celebration of Patrick who brought Christianity to Ireland in early days of the faith.

Orthodox Christian

Eastern Orthodox churches begin the season of Lent, marked by fasting, prayer, and charity.

Neo-Pagan/Wiccan

A day that marks the rebirth of the year, and celebrates the change of seasons and the rebirth of the spirit after death.

Jewish

This joyous celebration of the story of Esther commemorates the victory of the Jews over a tyrannical enemy.

Christian

The most important Christian holidays, marking the Last Supper, passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, with a day of holy observance on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

Hindu

A widely-celebrated festival during which participants throw colored water or powder at one another to celebrate episodes in the life of Krishna.

Hindu

The new year is celebrated at various times of the year, usually during spring harvest time, based on the solar or lunar calendars.

Muslim/Islam

Muslim/Islam: This celebration marks the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting and is known as the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast." The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Muslims will go to the mosque in the morning to pray and spend the day with friends and family celebrating.

Buddhist

These days mark the New Year for many countries in Southeast Asia. Cleansing rituals are performed, which represent a cleansing of the soul and a washing away of the old year.

Hindu

The first day of a nine-day festival in honor of the birth of Rama. The Ramayana, an Indian Epic, is performed.

Jain

Jain festival honoring Lord Mahavira on the founder’s birthday.

Jewish

Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Seders, ritual feasts at which the story of the Exodus is recounted, are conducted on the first and second nights, followed by six more days of observance during which dietary restrictions apply.

Orthodox Christian

Eastern Orthodox churches observe Holy Week, including Holy Thursday and Great Friday and Easter or Pascha. On Holy Friday, adults abstain from food and drink as their health allows.

Jewish

Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Catholic

A Feast Day to commemorate the ascension of Jesus into heaven after his resurrection

Christian

Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit and the founding events of the Christian church.

Jewish

A harvest festival celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Observance includes refraining from work.

Muslim/Islam

One of the two main Islamic festivals celebrated by all Muslims (the other is Eid al-Fitr), this festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Muslims attend morning prayers and spend the day celebrating with family and community.

Pagan

Midsummer, or the day of “solstinium” (“standing still of the sun”) is associated with symbols of fertility, rebirth, the harvest and the bounty of nature.

Orthodox Christian

Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit and the founding events of the Christian church.

Christian

A liturgical feast in honor of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.