Calendar of Religious Holidays
November 2010
1
All Saints Day
(Christianity)
Pope Gregory III set November first as the day to recognize all saints and martyrs, both known and unknown. These people, who have a reputation for living great lives of devotion and holiness, are celebrated through prayer.
1
Samhain
(Neo-Paganism, northern hemisphere)
Samhain celebrates the end of the harvest season and, in correlation with All Hallow's Eve and All Saints Day, recognizes the dead. A feast is often held with an extra place setting for a deceased family member, and stories are told about them.
2
All Souls Day / Day of the Dead
(Roman Catholicism)
All Souls Day is devoted to prayer and remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed. This day originated as an ancient Pagan Festival, in which the souls of the dead were believed to return to their family for a meal. Traditionally, candles were placed in the windows to guide the souls home, and an extra place setting was put at the dinner table. In addition, children would go door to door and ask for food to symbolically feed the dead. Unlike All Saints Day, All Souls Day observes those who have not yet reached heaven, and who linger in purgatory. It is believed that the prayers of the faithful will help cleanse the souls of the dead and help them reach heaven more quickly.
5
Deepavali, Diwali
(Hindu - Sikh - Jain)
Deepawali / Diwali, is a merry Hindu festival that is celebrated for five days, the third day being the height of the festival. It is primarily celebrated in the Hindu, Sikh and Jain traditions, though it is also recognized by the Buddhists of Nepal. Also know as the Festival of Lights, diyas (candles lit around the house) and fireworks are ignited, and the light of these symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Gifts are given and festive meals are prepared.
12
Birth of Baha'u'llah
(Baha'i)
This day celebrates the birth of the Baha'i founder and teacher, Baha'u'llah. Born to an affluent family in Persia in 1817, Baha'u'llah spent many of his later years as a prisoner and in exile for his work in the Babi movement. It was in his prison cell that he had his new religious revelation and the Baha'i faith was born. On this day, one of nine holy days in the Baha'i religion, Baha'is do not work. Many observe the day in small celebrations or gatherings where prayers are said from Baha'u'llah's writings.
14-18
Hajj
(Islam)
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, occurring on the 7th-12th days of the month of Dhu al-Hajja in the Islamic calendar. This is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and all able-bodied Muslims are required to participate at least once in their lifetime. Several rituals are performed during this pilgrimage, including walking counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba, a cube-shaped building representing the Muslim direction of prayer, and drinking from the Zamzam well.
15
Waqf al Arafa - Hajj Day
(Islam)
Waqf al Arafa is the Islamic observance day during Hajj in which pilgrims pray for forgiveness and mercy. Pilgrims stay awake at night to pray on the hill of Arafat, the site where Muhammad traditionally delivered his last sermon.
15
First of Advent
(Orthodox Christianity)
The Nativity fast, which begins on this day and leads up until Christmas, is a time of spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus. Certain foods cannot be consumed, such as oil, fowl, certain fish and wine, and the fasting reminds Orthodox Christians of sacrifice in anticipation of the holy day.
16
Eid al Adha
(Islam)
Concluding the Hajj, Eid al Adha is the Feast of Sacrifice: the most important feast of Islam. It recalls Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, in obedience to God, and commemorates God's forgiveness. All are expected to dress in their finest clothing and perform Eid prayer in a Mosque, and those who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals, such as sheep or cows, as a symbol of Abraham's sacrifice.
21
Christ the King
(Christianity)
Christ the King is a title for Jesus based on several passages of Scripture. On this day, Christians celebrate the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities. The Feast of Christ the King falls on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, before a new year begins with the First Sunday of Advent.
21
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib
(Sikhism)
Present day Sikhism is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak, the first Guru, and the nine Gurus who followed him. Every year, Guru Nanak's birthday commences with an Akhand Path: a reading of the Sikh holy scriptures continuously from beginning to end. This reading takes over 48 hours, and begins two days prior to Guru Nanak's birthday. The day before his birthday, processions are held with singers and musicians, and the actual birthday is spent singing, praying, decorating gurdwaras (Sikh temples), and feasting together.
24
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
(Sikhism)
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru, executed in 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam. This day commemorates his martyrdom, and remembers him not only for his defense of the Sikh faith, but for all religious liberty.
25
Thanksgiving
(Interfaith, USA)
Thanksgiving is a harvest festival, often celebrated with large family meals that incorporate traditional foods. The earliest Thanksgiving celebration is argued to have been held in either 1565 C.E. in St.Augustine, Florida, or 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
26
Day of the Covenant
(Baha'i)
In his last will and testament, Baha'u'llah, the leader of the Baha'i faith, appointed his oldest son 'Abdul-Baha, to be his successor and the Center of the Covenant. He was identified as the authorized interpreter of Baha'u'llah's writings, the perfect exemplar of his Father's teachings, and a model man for all Baha'is to emulate. This day celebrates 'Abdul-Baha and the establishment of Baha'u'llah's Covenant.
28
Ascension of 'Abdul-Baha
(Baha'i)
Abdu'l-Baha passed away on November 28, 1921. This day commemorates his death, celebrates the rising of his spirit, and reminds Baha'is to rededicate themselves to following his example.
28
First Sunday of Advent
(Christianity)
November 30th through December 24th marks the four weeks of Advent. This is a Christian time of preparation before the birth of Jesus. Often observed with the lighting of advent candles, display of wreaths and special ceremonies, some cultures also observe Advent via calendars with small boxes or pegs affixed that contain gifts to open on each day leading up to Christmas.
30
Saint Andrew's Day
(Christianity)
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Greece, Romania, Russia and Scotland, where this day is a national holiday. In Greece, a special ceremony is held in St. Andrew's Basilica in Patras, which houses St. Andrew's relics and is built over the location where he was martyred. Upon his death, St. Andrew asked to be killed on a cross in the shape of an "X", as he did not feel worthy do die on a cross similar to Jesus'. This "X", known as St. Andrew's cross, is symbolized on the Scottish Flag.