Which religious holiday is today

Below you will find a list of religious festivals during each month and a short description. This information has been compiled by the Shap Working Party on World Religions in Education , and is used with permission. Religious festival calendars are available to purchase in a range of formats from the Shap website.

Permission to reproduce the information below should be sought from Shap. The Shap calendar of religious festivals was the first calendar of its kind, and is produced in consultation with religious organisations each year. Note: Jewish festivals commence at sunset on the evening of the day prior to the date shown. Some Muslim, and certain Pagan and Druid festivals also commence in the evening. IFN has also produced a short guidance note on which of their religious festivals faith communities would appreciate receiving greetings from people of other faiths and beliefs, and suggested forms of greeting.

This can be found here. On the first or sometimes the second Sunday of the new year Methodists celebrate an annual Covenant Service in which they pledge themselves to the service of God using a specific form of words. An akhand path , an unbroken reading of the whole of the Guru Granth Sahib, spreads over a 48 hour period. Orthodox Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This is the twelfth day of Christmas.

Eastern Orthodox: Julian calendar. Many Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas and other fixed festivals thirteen days after the Western churches. To Rastafarians this is a time not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the manner prescribed by tradition, but also to reflect on this event in the context of the original prophecy of his birth, seen as a manifestation of God not only as Priest but as King.

Vivekananda, an Indian Hindu monk and a disciple of Ramakrishna, was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. This is a day for almsgiving and patching up quarrels. It is celebrated with rice sugar, pancakes, halva or cornmeal chapattis , eaten around a fire. This day promotes interfaith understanding by emphasizing factors common to all faiths. Honen CE is one of the outstanding figures in the history of Japanese Buddhism, and was the founder of Jodo Shinshu, one of the schools of Pure Land Buddhism.

A day for remembrance of people who suffered, chiefly at the hands of the Nazis during the second World War but also in other persecutions. It aims to keep memory fresh and ensure that no such atrocity happens again. A popular minor festival which celebrates the New Year for trees. Jewish tradition marks the 15th of Shevat as the day when the sap in the trees begins to rise, heralding the beginning of spring.

It is customary for Jews all over the world to plant young trees at this time and to eat fruit produced in Israel. A mid winter bonfire festival to signify that days are getting longer. The litany to fire, the Atash Niyayeesh, is recited, and Iranian legends are told of King Hoshang who discovered the art of making fire.

Piping hot stew, dancing and merry making feature. Snowdrops, which appear at this time of the year, are seen as the heralds of spring. His recognition by the aged Simeon is expressed in the words of the Nunc Dimittis. Mahayanists mark the final passing away from this world of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagara, India, at the age of Pure Land Buddhists call this Nirvana Day. Celebrations last for three or more days, and involve fireworks, dances e. Business accounts are settled and all debts paid before the New Year begins.

Tibetan New Year festival, but it is often celebrated in Nepal as well. Although largely a secular celebration, it also includes the rededication of the country to Buddhism. It especially celebrates the miracles performed by the historical Buddha at Sravasti, the capital city of the kingdom of Kosala.

Nowadays it is a day for eating and enjoyment. Elsewhere it is known as Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday , and is a time for carnivals and fairs. Widely celebrated in North India, this festival marks the beginning of spring. For Hindus it is usually linked with Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts.

Yellow is her associated colour. This first day of Lent recalls the temptations Jesus faced for forty days in the wilderness. A period of forty days fasting and self-discipline not counting Sundays that leads up to Easter.

Traditionally Christians give up something during this time to mark the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Many Christians feel it is a time for study groups, prayer and Bible reading. The Lantern Festival marks the first full moon of the year and the lengthening of the days. Strings of lanterns in various designs are hung up indoors and outside as decoration.

Purim is a carnival festival, recalling the saving of the Jewish community of Persia, as retold in the Book of Esther the Megillah , which is read through twice in each synagogue. The name of Haman is drowned out with rattles and hooters and boos by the congregation whenever it is read. The Buddha predicted his death and gave a summary of his teachings and a code of discipline which all monks are expected to recite every fortnight.

The day is observed with meditation, chanting and listening to sermons. Clay dolls representing the Emperor and Empress, are displayed in the home, and offerings of peach blossom, rice-wine and rice-cakes are placed before them. The dolls carry away any illness which is afflicting the daughters of the house, for whom prayers are offered.

This international, interdenominational prayer movement was begun in The service material is produced by a different country each year. This is the night on which Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance, leading from creation to destruction. Many Hindus fast at this time. All-night prayers focus on Shiva and his shrines and statues. Milk is poured on his symbol, the lingam.

This marks the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad through the heavens to the presence of God, when the command that Muslims should pray five times a day was given to the Prophet. Many Zoroastrians take time off to pray, recite the five Gathas and cleanse their houses.

Daily samples of sacred food are tasted by them during the daily ceremonies. This is the beginning of the Lenten Fast, which involves abstinence from meat, fish and dairy products until Easter. The patron saint of Ireland, who lived in Britain in the 4th century CE, became a priest and set out to evangelise the Irish. His symbol is the shamrock, sprigs of which are worn on this day. Parades are held in Dublin and elsewhere, often of a secular nature.

Marks the Spring equinox. As at the Autumn equinox, harmony and balance are the themes. Sutras are recited, and the graves of relatives are visited. By the Spring Equinox, the powers of the gathering year are equal to the darkness of winter and death.

The God the Green Man awakens during this season. Some dedicate this time to Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility. This is the 5th Sunday in Lent, when Christians begin to concentrate their thoughts on the Passion or suffering of Jesus. It represents the resurgence of life and the symbolic victory of the forces of light over darkness. New clothes are worn and gifts and prayers offered at the Fire Temple to seek blessings from Ahura Mazda, and to participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony, followed by dancing and making merry.

Zoroastrians celebrate the birth of the waters by going to seas, rivers and streams to recite a litany to the waters, to which they offer flowers, sugar, coconuts and flat cakes of sweet lentils. Celebrates the announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she is to bear a child, and her response in the Magnificat. On the birthday of Prophet Zarathushtra there are visits to the Fire Temple to give thanks to Ahura Mazda for his gift of the Prophet; to participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony; to listen to stories of the miraculous birth and life of the Prophet; and to share in a happy community meal, a drink and a dance.

An eight day festival when Jews commemorate the Exodus from their slavery in Egypt. Matzah unleavened bread is eaten throughout the festival. In many churches the entry is commemorated by processions, with the congregation carrying symbolic branches of trees, or palm leaves folded in the form of a cross. The most solemn week of the Christian year, in which Christians recall the events of the week in which Jesus was crucified.

A spring festival lasting one to five days. Bonfires are lit and coloured powders and dyes are thrown over people. Various stories of Vishnu and of Krishna and the gopis milkmaids are related throughout the festival. It includes displays of swordsmanship, horsemanship, archery and wrestling, together with displays of weapons and symposia of poetry, making it a lively and colourful occasion, particularly for young Sikhs.

Muslims seek forgiveness for their sins at this time. Some fast during the daytime in preparation. In certain parts of the world Muslims visit the graves of relatives, and the giving of charity is also traditional.

In many places the night is marked with firework displays. Christians remember the Last Supper when Jesus blessed bread and wine and commanded his disciples to remember him whenever they did this. This day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. Meditative services are held in church to mark the time that Jesus spent on the cross. This is the last day of Lent.

Special services involving the lighting of the Paschal Candle and the renewal of baptismal vows take place in the evening in preparation for Easter. Easter Day is the most important festival of the Christian year, as it is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. No matter what faith they come from, religious holidays provide important opportunities to step back from day-to-day life: to reflect, to remember, and to reaffirm. The Holiday below is the next major religious holiday in our queue — so you can either celebrate today, or get ready in advance with our list of all religious holidays!

The concept behind this day is to unite the different people of different religions, while learning how to save a life by donating vital organs to those in need. America is a land of great diversity — there are people from different races, backgrounds, and nations. There may be huge differences in their lifestyles and ideas, but one thing all these people have in common is belief in humanity or human kindness.

National Donor Sabbath is a three-day observance of prayers, worship, and coming together of the leaders of different faiths to participate in services, programs, and initiatives. Time is taken to talk about the importance and public need of saving lives through organ and tissue donation. Organ donations transfers life to others via transplantation so that the recipient has the chance of a full, long life, free of diseased organs such as kidneys, hearts, and even eyes.

These organs are donated by the families of loved ones who pass away in accidents and the like, with their organs intact, thus giving people with organ problems a second chance in life. We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate.

The following calendar provides a non-exhaustive list of globally recognized religious observances. Please note that Jewish and Islamic observances begin at sundown the evening before the date listed.

Some of the dates may be approximate, as many holidays, such as Islamic and Hindu holy days, are based on the lunar calendar.