September 29-30: Rosh HaShanah – Judaism
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning and celebration of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the high holy days and is very important to the Jewish Religion; it is a time of prayer and reflection.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm
October 8: Yom Kippur – Judaism
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath, meaning no work can be performed on that day. Also, it is a complete fast that begins at sunset the evening before Yom Kippur and ends at nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement.”
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday4.html
October 26: Diwali – Jain – Hindu – Sikh
This Festival of Lights commemorates the triumph of the Good over the Evil and Light over Darkness.
http://www.diwali2011.in/
November 1: Samhain-Beltane – Wicca/Pagan
This marks the beginning of the Pagan year; a time to search for wisdom and guidance.
http://www.mysticfamiliar.com/library/witchcraft/sabbats.htmore about
November 6-9: Eid al Adha – Islam
This festival, also called the Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to God. It also commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/eid-al-adha
November 10: Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Birthday - Sikh
Guru Nanak Dev Sahib’s birthday is one of the most important celebrations for the Punjabis. The celebration of his birthday starts early in the morning with a procession in which people sing shabads or hymns. Tea and other treats are offered to the members of the procession. The Granth Sahib, which is the Sikh’s holy book is handled with extreme care. People pray and follow the procession and celebrate with the community.
http://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-festivals-india/punjab/birthday-of-guru-nanak-dev-sahib.html
November 12: Birth of Baha’u’llah – Baha’i
Baha’u’llah is the Messenger of God for the Baha’is. His teachings create the foundation of the Baha’i faith which is the unity of all people. http://www.bahai.org/dir/bahaullah
The birth of Baha’u’llah is celebrated with prayers, a feast (banquet lunch) and music -people of all races and backgrounds will celebrate the unity of people and peace.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/bahais-celebrate-the-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-bahaullah/2011/11/01/gIQAHoTcfM_blog.html
November 26: Hijra – New Year – Islam
This is the first day of the month of Muharram which marks the time in 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina. The purpose of this move was to set up the first Islamic state.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/alhijra.shtml
December 5: Ashura - Islam
The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram. It is commemorated by Shi’a Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/holidays/ashura.htm
December 8: Immaculate Conception – Catholic Christian
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the conception of the Virgin Mary without, according to the Roman Catholic Church, any stain of original sin. The proclaimed Roman Catholic dogma states “that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Mass celebrated on campus
December 8: Rohatsu (Bodi Day) – Buddhism
This is the celebration of the enlightenment of Buddha. Most importantly, a candle is lit every evening for thirty days, symbolic of enlightenment.
http://www.examiner.com/zen-buddhism-in-national/bodhi-day-what-it-is-and-how-to-observe-it
December 21-28: Hanukkah - Judaism
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights. In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.
December 22: Winter Solstice – Wicca/Pagan
A winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic people as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. This time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess.
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usxx&c=holidays&sc=yule&id=1900
December 25: Christmas - Christian
Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christmas is preceded by 40 days of spiritual preparation called Advent. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. www.history.com/topics/christmas
January 7: Feast of the Nativity – Orthodox Christian
http://www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/nativity
January 23: Chinese New Year – Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist
The Chinese New Year remains the most important social and economic holiday in China. Originally tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar, the holiday was a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It was also a time to bring family together for feasting. http://www.history.com/topics/chinese-new-year
February 2: Imbolc – Lughnassad – Wicca/Pagan northern and southern hemispheres
The second of four great fire festivals, Imbolc (meaning “in milk”) recognizes a time of awakening, promise and hope for the spring.
http://www.sacredfire.net/festivals.html
February 15: Nirvana Day – Buddhist – Jain
Yearly Buddhist festival commemorating Buddha’s death at 80 when he reached Nirvana. Nirvana is reached when all desires and afflictions are gone and it marks the end of the death/rebirth cycle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/buddhism/nirvana.shtml
February 22: Ash Wednesday – Lent begins – Christian
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatisashwednes.htm
March 8: Purim - Judaism
This merry holiday celebrates a time when Jewish people in Persia were saved from destruction.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm
March 8: Magha Puja Day - Buddhist
A holy day celebrating a time in Buddha’s life when his disciples assembled spontaneously to pay homage to him.
http://www.buddhanet.net/festival.htm
March 8: Holi – Hindu
This springtime festival of colors includes music, dancing, laughter and teasing. It is a fun-filled, joyous celebration.
http://hinduism.about.com/od/holifestivalofcolors/a/holybasics.htm
March 20: Equinox-Ostara-Wicca/Pagan (northern hemisphere)
Celebration of new life; a tme of renewal and rebirth.
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/ostarathespringequinox/p/Ostara_History.htm
March 21: Naw Ruz (New Year) – Baha’i
The New Year celebrates the love relationship between the Creator and his creation, the material world.
http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Nowruz/NowRuz.html
March 23: New Year - Hindu
Hindus in the various states of India celebrate the New Year with different activities and many times not all states celebrate on the same date. Most observations fall around mid-March.
http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/hindunewyear.htm
April 5: Holy (Maundy) Thursday – Christian
Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels. According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus and Disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciples’ feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servanthood. Traditional practice is the celebration of Mass with the symbolic washing of feet of twelve representatives of the faith community. At Elon, this is celebrated in Holt Chapel.
April 6: Good Friday - Christian
Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross. Traditional practice is Stations of the Cross. At Elon, this is done at 12:00 noon around Fonville Fountain.
http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatisgoodfrida.htm
April 6: Lord’s Evening Meal – Jehovah’s Witness Christians
This was first observed by Jesus Christ on Jewish Passover in 33 C.E. It is observed only once per year. Celebrants partake of bread and wine which are symbols of Christ’s body and blood
http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/appendix_06.htm
April 6: Hanuman Jayanti - Hindu
This event celebrates Hanuman, the ape that helped Lord Rama fight evil, one of the most popular Hindu idols. Hanuman represents the power that lies within all of us that we fail to use.
http://hinduism.about.com/b/2011/04/17/hanuman-jayanti-march-29-30-2010.htm
April 6: Mahavir Jayanti – Jain
This festival celebrates Mahavira, also Vardhamana, a great prophet of peace and social reformation. This is a Festival of Lights commemorating the lamp of peace first lit by Mahavir.
http://festivals.tajonline.com/mahavir-jayanti.php
April 7th – 14th: Pesach (Passover) – Judaism
Pesach, which means to pass through, is a festival celebrating Passover. Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and the fact that God passed over the Jewish homes when the first born Egyptians were slain.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm
April 8: Easter – Christian
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion on Good Friday. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday. Easter marks the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. Traditional practice is the celebration of Mass. At Elon, Mass is celebrated in McKinnon Hall at 12:00 noon.
April 15: Easter/Pascha – Orthodox Christian
This is the most important feast in the Orthodox Christian church and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It recognizes Christ’s power over death and the gift to Orthodox Christians of restoration, transformation and life everlasting.
http://lent.goarch.org/holy_pascha/learn/
April 19: Yom HaShoah – Judaism
Otherwise known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, this event is a remembrance for persons who died in the Shoah, actions against the Jewish people during World War II.
http://urj.org/holidays/hashoah/
May 6: Visakha Puja – Buddhist
This festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. The day includes preparation of sweets for the monks, sermons, a candle-lighting ceremony and a walk around the main chapel three times.
http://www2.tat.or.th/visakhapuja/eng/about.html
May 23: Declaration of the Bab- Baha’i
This holiday marks the beginning of the Baha’i Faith, which began on May
23, 1844. Throughout the late 18th and early 19th century, preachers began spreading the word of the advent of the Qá'im, This holiday is used to represent the beginning of the Baha’i faith.
http://planetbahai.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?article=37
May 27: Pentecost- Christian
Pentecost is a celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples, following his resurrection. Pentecost always occurs seven weeks after Easter Sunday and is typically celebrated with a feast. Some people consider it the birthday of the Church.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15614b.htm
July 20: Ramadan Begins- Islam
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and lasts for either twenty- nine or thirty days. It is the Islamic month of fasting where people of faith do not have sex, drink, eat, or smoke during daylight hours. The purpose of Ramadan is to teach or remind people about patience, faith, and submission to God.
http://www.colostate.edu/orgs/MSA/events/Ramadan.html
August 10: Krishna Janmashtami- Hindu
This Hindu Festival is used to celebrate the birth of Krishna. Krishna is one of the central figures in Hinduism and is considered the Supreme Being. The festival starts with a twenty-four hour fast, ending at midnight and followed by a great celebration.
http://www.dlshq.org/religions/krishna_jan.htm
August 19-21: Eid al Fitr- Islam
This Muslim holiday marks the End of Ramadan. The first day of Eid always falls on the first day of the month in the Islamic calendar. People participate in traditional Islamic activities and offer prayers throughout the holiday.
http://www.theeid.com/eid-ul-fitr-celebrations/
September 8: Nativity of Mary- Christian
This holiday is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church and most Anglican Churches. It is used to celebrate the date nine months after Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
http://www.wf-f.org/BirthofMary.html
September 17-18: Rosh Hashanah- Judaism
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning and celebration of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the high holy days and is very important to the Jewish Religion; it is a time of prayer and reflection.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm
September 20-29: Paryushana Parva – Jain
This Jain practice is a yearly time of uplifting through fasting, meditation, introspection, love and forgiveness for all humanity.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/edit-page/30106389_1_paryushan-parva-forgiveness-jains
September 22: Equinox-Mabon-Wicca/Pagan
Mabon, falling in September in the Northern Hemisphere, is a celebration of the second harvest during the autumn equinox. Also, it is when the day is equal to night and a balance is created between the two aspects of light and dark.
http://www.crystalinks.com/autumn.html
September 26: Yom Kippur-Judaism
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath, meaning no work can be performed on that day. Also, it is a complete fast that begins at sunset the evening before Yom Kippur and ends at nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement.”
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday4.html
October 1-7: Sukkot- Judaism
This festival begins on the fifth day after Yom Kippur and is one of the most joyous holidays. Sukkot helps commemorate the period in which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert. People live in temporary dwellings during the festival.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm
October 16-23: Navaratri – Hindu
Nine day festival celebrating the nine manifestations of the Goddess Durga.
http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/11/navratri-2010-dates-navaratri-calendar.html
October 26-29: Eid al Adha-Islam
This festival, also called the Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to God. It also commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/eid-al-adha
November 1: All Saints Day- Christian
On this day, the Catholic Church and some Protestant churches commemorate all saints, both known and unknown. http://www.churchyear.net/allsaints.html
November 1: Samhain-Beltane – Wicca/Pagan
This marks the beginning of the Pagan year; a time to search for wisdom and guidance.
mhttp://www.mysticfamiliar.com/library/witchcraft/sabbats.htmore about
November 12: Birth of Baha’u’llah – Bahai
Baha’u’llah is the Messenger of God for the Baha’is. His teachings create the foundation of the Baha’i faith which is the unity of all people. http://www.bahai.org/dir/bahaullah
The birth of Baha’u’llah is celebrated with prayers, a feast (banquet lunch) and music -people of all races and backgrounds will celebrate the unity of people and peace.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/bahais-celebrate-the-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-bahaullah/2011/11/01/gIQAHoTcfM_blog.html
November 13: Diwali – Hindu – Jain – Sikh
Festival of Lights which commemorates the triumph of the Good over the Evil and Light over Darkness.
http://www.diwali2011.in/
November 15: Hijra – New Year – Islam
This is the first day of the month of Muharram which marks the time in 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina. The purpose of this move was to set up the first Islamic state.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/alhijra.shtml
November 24: Ashura - Islam
The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram. It is commemorated by Shi’a Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/holidays/ashura.htm
November 28: Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Birthday - Sikh
Guru Nanak Dev Sahib’s birthday is one of the most important celebrations for the Punjabis. The celebration of his birthday starts early in the morning with a procession in which people sing shabads or hymns. Tea and other treats are offered to the members of the procession. The Granth Sahib, which is the Sikh’s holy book, is handled with extreme care. People pray and follow the procession and celebrate with the community.
http://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-festivals-india/punjab/birthday-of-guru-nanak-dev-sahib.html
December 8: Rohatsu (Bodhi Day) – Buddhist
This is the celebration of the enlightenment of Buddha. Most importantly, a candle is lit every evening for thirty days, symbolic of enlightenment.
http://www.examiner.com/zen-buddhism-in-national/bodhi-day-what-it-is-and-how-to-observe-it
December 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary – Catholic Christian
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the conception of the Virgin Mary without, according to the Roman Catholic Church, any stain of original sin. The proclaimed Roman Catholic dogma states “that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Mass is celebrated on campus.
December 9-16: Hanukkah – Judaism
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights. In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.
December 21: Winter Solstice – Wicca/Pagan
A winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic people as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. This time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess.
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usxx&c=holidays&sc=yule&id=1900
December 25: Christmas – Christian
Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christmas is preceded by 40 days of spiritual preparation called Advent. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. www.history.com/topics/christmas
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