Calendar of Religious Holidays
February 2010
2
Candlemas
(Christianity)
Under Mosaic law, after giving birth to Jesus, Mary was obligated to go to the temple with an offering and have the priest pray for her, so that she would be ritually cleansed. This event thus marked the first solemn “presentation of Jesus” in the temple. Since the 4th century, when Jesus’ birth was set at December 25, this “presentation day” and “feast of the purification of Mary” was set on February 2. In Catholic tradition, beeswax candles were blessed on this day and then distributed to the clergy and the laity, after which there was a procession. Such processions with candles take place even today, with the priest leading the procedure stopping occasionally to chant “the light of Christ,” which is then intoned by the people.
2
Saint Brigid of Kildare
(Celtic / Christianity)
Saint Brigid of Kildare, who lived from 451 to 525 CE, is one of Ireland's patron saints. She was an Irish Christian nun, and the founder of several convents including Kildare Abbey, one of the most prestigious abbeys in Ireland.
2
Imbolc (Neo-Paganism)
Falling halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, Imbolc celebrates the increased growing power of the sun, and the anticipation of spring. This celebration is commonly thought to be a precursor to Groundhog Day.
3
Setsubun sai
(Shinto)
This festival marks the end of "Kan," the coldest season. Beans are commonly thrown to keep demons away.
7
Four Chaplains Sunday
(Interfaith)
In February of 1943, the U.S.A.T. ship Dorchester was transporting troops to European battlefields with over 900 soldiers aboard when it was hit by a torpedo off the coast of Greenland. The ship sank in 20 minutes, and only 230 soldiers survived the icy ocean waters. Survivors recounted how the ship’s four chaplains—a Catholic priest, a Methodist minister, a Protestant Reverend, and a Jewish rabbi—helped the men into their life jackets and onto the lifeboats. When life jackets ran out, the four, who had been friends since chaplains school, took off their own jackets and gave them to individuals who still needed them. From accounts, they were last seen with their arms linked and praying aloud as the Dorchester sank, killing them and over 600 other soldiers. They are remembered today with a number of interfaith services.
7
Meatfare Sunday
(Orthodox Christianity)
Traditionally, this is the last day that Orthodox Christians eat meat before commencing their fast, which lasts until Easter.
11
Our Lady of Lourdes (Christianity)
This marks the day in 1858 when St. Bernadette had her first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Lourdes in southern France. She had 18 apparitions in all, one which told her to dig for a spring. The water of this spring is said to have great healing powers, and Christians make pilgrimages to visit this spring and the church that was built on the property.
12
Maha Shivaratri
(Hindu)
Also known as the "Great Night of Shiva," this day celebrates Lord Shiva, one of the great Hindu deities, with a day of fasting, an all night vigil, and offerings of Bilva leaves.
14
Chinese New Year (Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist)
The most important holiday for the Chinese, the New Year is a time to reflect on the past and celebrate the future. This is a 15-day celebration with each day having special significance. The first day is recognized as the time to welcome the gods of heaven and earth, and many people abstain from eating meat. Sons-in-law pay respect to their spouses’ parents on the third and fourth days. On the fifth day, people remain in the home to welcome the god of wealth, while during the sixth through the tenth days, relatives and friends are visited. The fifteenth and final day ends with the Lantern Festival, held at night. Traditionally, trays of oranges, tangerines, and candy, as well as vases of flowers are displayed. Red envelopes with money are often given to children by elders. The color red, used extensively in decoration and dress, symbolizes good luck and wards off evil spirits.
14
Losar (Buddhist)
This day marks the commencement of the Tibetan New Year celebration. In some traditions, the celebration lasts for fifteen days, while in others the focus is on the first three days. Traditional foods and beverages are made and consumed, such as changkol (similar to beer) and guthuk (a type of noodle), and special ceremonies and dances are held, some in celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
14
St. Valentine's Day
(Christianity)
Pope Gelasius assigned February 14th as Saint Valentine's Day in 496 CE. This day commemorates the death of Saint Valentine of Rome, who, according to tradition, was martyred on February 14th ca. 270 CE. However, less commonly known, this day also recognizes another Saint Valentine: Saint Valentine of Terni, who was martyred in 197 CE. Saint Valentine's Day was not associated with romantic love until the High Middle Ages, when legends and stories about Valentine were written and popularized by Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle.
14
Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox Christianity)
Also known as the "Sunday of Forgiveness," this day often reflects on Adam and Eve and their exile from the Garden of Eden, emphasizing the human fall into sin and separation from God. This reminder prepares Orthodox Christians for the intense fasting of Lent – a time to focus and seek forgiveness from God. This is the last day that dairy products can be consumed before the Lent fast.
14
Transfiguration Sunday (Christianity)
Transfiguration Sunday, celebrated on the last Sunday before Lent, marks the day that Jesus was “transfigured” on the mountain. His appearance became radiant, and he was joined by both Moses and Elijah. The disciples who were with him saw him in this dazzling glory, and they heard a voice from heaven that said “This is my beloved Son...Listen to him.”
15
Nirvana Day
(Buddhism)
This day commemorates the Buddha’s death, when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80. Nirvana is the end to all wanting, and thus the end to all suffering that craving brings about in us. Buddhists who observe Nirvana day often do so by examining their lives, in order to make those changes needed to help them achieve the perfect peace that Nirvana is supposed to bring. Observances sometimes take place in monasteries, where people read the Paranibbana Sutta, one of the Buddhist texts that describes the Buddha’s final days.
15
Great Lent (Orthodox Christianity)
On this day, referred to as "Clean Monday," Orthodox Christians leave behind sinful attitudes and certain foods as they prepare for the Great Lent. This is a seven week period of fasting to prepare for Orthodox Easter, the greatest feast of the year.
16
Shrove Tuesday (Christianity)
Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of Lent, during which Christians are supposed to examine their lives, confess their sins, and receive advice on mending their ways during the time of purification that Lent represents. In Old English, the word “shrove” referred to the act of listening intently to someone and giving advice. The French term for this day, Mardi Gras, means Fat Tuesday, which is said to come from the custom the French had of using up all the fats they had in the house for cooking, since the food during Lent’s time of “fast and abstinence” would entail leaner cuisine. The fat would be baked into “rich” meals on Mardi Gras, and often what was cooked ended up being a pancake of sorts; thus the custom still observed in some parts of the western world of eating pancakes on the day before Lent. In many places it is a time for a final “celebration” before the 40 days of purification that precede Easter.
22
Transfiguration Sunday
(Christianity)
Celebrated the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent, Transfiguration Sunday the day that Jesus was “transfigured” on the mountain. His appearance became dazzling, and he was joined by both Moses and Elijah. The disciples who were with him saw him in this dazzling glory, and they heard a voice from heaven that said “This is my beloved Son...Listen to him.”
17
Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
In the Western Church, Lent - the fasting season marking Jesus' time in the wilderness - commences with Ash Wednesday. Many Christians attend church, where their foreheads are marked with ashes in the form of the cross. The ashes consist of the burnt remains of palms blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. This cross of ash symbolizes that the person belongs to Jesus Christ, and reminds them of human mortality.
Sundown on 26 - March 1
Intercalary Days
(Baha'i)
The Intercalary Days, or “Days of Ha,” occur between the eighteenth and nineteenth months of the Baha’i Calendar, and end one day before the Baha’i fast begins. There are four Intercalary Days in ordinary and five in leap years. These are days of preparation for the Fast; days of hospitality, charity, ministering to the poor and sick, the giving of presents, and so on.
February 26
Mawlid an Nabi (Islam)
Mawlid al-Nabi means “the birth of the Prophet.” This day celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam. In some sects, the day is spent reciting litanies and special sermons, honoring religious dignitaries, gift giving and feasting.
February 28
Purim (Judaism)
Purim is a Jewish festival that recognizes the deliverance of the Persian Jews from destruction during the reign of King Ahasuerus. This story, recorded in the book of Esther, is read aloud in Synagogues on Purim, and adults and children often wear costumes commemorating the characters. Families also exchange gifts and eat special foods.
February 28
Holi (Hinduism)
Holi, the Hindu spring festival also know as "the festival of colors," is a celebration of fertility, harvest, and Hindu legends. Festivities surrounding Holi can last up to sixteen days, though the main day of Holi is celebrated by people throwing colored water or powder at each other, and lighting bonfires. The bonfires represent the miraculous escape of Prahlad from the fire of the Demoness Holika. His escape was said to be due to his staunch devotion to the god Vishnu.