Calendar of Religious Holidays

September 2010

1

Church year begins
(Orthodox Christianity)

This day marks the beginning of the Orthodox Christian liturgical calendar.

2

Krishna Janmashtami
(Hinduism)

This day celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar, or incarnation, of Vishnu. Upon his birth, his life was threatened by his uncle, King Kansa, who believed that Krishna was fated to kill him. Kansa ordered that Krishna be brought to him, but the baby was miraculously carried away to a safe hiding place. Hindus celebrate this day with a large feast. Sweets are given to children, and a clay statue of Krishna is worshipped in every house.

6

Laylat al Qader
(Islam)

Meaning loosely "the night of power," this is identified as the night in which Allah first revealed the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. It is believed that this day holds more power in prayer than one-thousand months; thus many Muslims spend the whole day in prayer and reading the Qur'an. Sunni Muslims traditionally observe Laylat al Qader on the 27th day of Ramadan, while Shi'as believe the 23rd day to be the most important. Since the specific day of the revelation is uncertain, many Muslims spend the last 10 days of Ramadan focused on prayer.

8

Nativity of Mary
(Christianity)

This feast originates in fifth century Jerusalem and celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. This is recognized in the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches.

9-10

Rosh Hashanah
(Judaism)

Rosh Hashanah, marks the seventh month in the Jewish calendar and the beginning of the Jewish civil new year. It is also referred to as "the day of the sounding of the shofar," as a shofar, or ram's horn, is blown in the synagogue on this day (however, this is not practiced if Rosh Hashana falls on the Sabbath). This day is reserved for prayer and penitence, commemorating the Creation of the world as written in the Bible. It marks the beginning of the ten Days of Awe, a time for introspection and repentance, which culminate in Yom Kippur.

10

Eid al Fitr
(Islam)

Eid al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan recognizes Muhammad's divine revelation from Allah, as recorded in the Qur'an. During this period, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and time is focused on prayer, charity and self-reflection. On Eid al Fitr, Muslims celebrate the end of fasting, and give thanks to Allah for giving them the strength to practice self-control during Ramadan. This is also a time for forgiveness and helping others.

11

Ganesha Chaturthi
(Hinduism)

This day is celebrated as the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati. Known as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and success, it is believed that Ganesha bestows his presence on earth during this time. In some traditions, clay figures of Ganesha are made and worshiped for a period of two to ten days, then are thrown into the river as ritual departure back to Kailash, the sacred mountain on which he lives.

12

Paryushana
(Jainism)

Paryushana is a word that means "to stay in one place." Originally, this was a monastic practice, drawing from the tradition of monks staying in one place during the rainy season. Now, all use this time to slow down, fast, reflect and repent.

14

Holy Cross Day
(Christianity)

This day recognizes the Cross as a symbol of triumph in the Christian religion. The date traces back to the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on September 14, 335. By order of Saint Helena and her son, the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine, the church was built over the ruins of the Crucifixion and Burial sites in Israel. According to some traditions, it was also at this site that Helena found the True Cross.

18

Yom Kippur
(Judaism)

Occurring on the tenth day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the Jewish year, in which people atone for the sins of the past year. It is solemnly observed with ceremonial repentance and strict fasting for a twenty-four hour period.

23

Mabon
(Neo-Paganism--Northern Hemisphere)

Mabon is the Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time when the day is as long as the night, and people prepare for the coming winter days by storing their harvest.

23-29

Sukkot
(Judaism)

The Festival of Sukkot, also known as Feast of the Tabernacles, begins on Tishri, the 15th day after Yom Kippur. The word Sukkot refers to temporary dwelling places, or huts, and the holiday commemorates the 40 year period in which the children of Israel wandered the wilderness, living in temporary huts for protection. In some practices, temporary huts are constructed - which must have ceilings made of organic material - and all eating, praying and sleeping must take place here for the duration of the holiday. As a Jewish Biblical pilgrimage festival, Sukkot is one of three holidays during which Jews historically traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem.

27

Meskel
(Ethiopian/Eritrean Orthodox Christianity)

This day commemorates the finding of the True Cross - the physical remnants of the cross on which Jesus was crucified - by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the fourth century. The celebration includes burning a large fire, to symbolize the bonfire that Queen Eleni was told to make in a dream. As told in her prophesizing dream, the smoke from the fire leads to the burial site of the True Cross. When the fire is extinguished, followers use the charcoal to make the sign of the cross on their forheads. In the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions, the finding of the True Cross is celebrated on September 14th.

29

Michael and All Angels
(Christianity)

Also known as Michaelmas, this day recognizes the Archangel Michael, one of the principal angelic warriors, and other angels. Christians give thanks for the different ways that God watches over them.

30

Semini Atzeret
(Judaism)

Semini Atzeret, meaning the "eighth day of assembly," is celebrated after the seventh day of Sukkot, but is in fact a holiday separate from Sukkot. It is often explained that Sukkot is like a seven day party, where the Creator is the host who has invited his visitors for a limited time. On the eighth day, he has had such a pleasurable time that he asks for guests to stay an extra day. Semini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season. On this day, no work is permitted and a prayer for rain, called tefilat geshem, is recited, so that it will be plentiful and bring healthy crops.

Ramadan begins (Islam)Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is the holiest month. It recognizes Muhammad's divine revelation from Allah, as recorded in the Qur'an. During this period, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and time is focused on prayer, charity and self-reflection.

September 3rd
Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindu)
This day is celebrated as the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati. Known as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and success, it is believed that Ganesha bestows his presence on earth during this time. In some traditions, clay figures of Ganesha are made and worshiped for a period of two to ten days, then are thrown into the river as ritual departure back to Kailash, the sacred mountain on which he lives.

September 8th
Nativity of Mary (Christian)
This feast originates in fifth century Jerusalem and celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. This is recognized in the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Angilican Churches.


September 14th
Holy Cross Day (Christian)
This day recognizes the Cross as a symbol of triumph in the Christian religion. The date traces back to the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on September 14, 335. By order of Saint Helena and her son, the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine, the church was built over the ruins of the Crucifixion and Burial sites in Israel. According to some traditions, it was also at this site that Helena found the True Cross.

September 15th
Moon Cake Festival (Chinese Taoist Tradition)
In the Taoist tradition, contemplation of nature is a way of life, as it is believed that perfect harmony is achieved when one's spirit is united with nature. The Moon Cake Festival marks the mid-autumn harvest, when the moon is at it's brightest. This is a celebration of abundance and togetherness, and traditionally a special sweet cake (yueh ping) filled with sesame, lotus seeds, and hard-boiled duck eggs is served.

September 28th
Laylat al Qader (Islam)
Meaning loosely "the night of power," this is identified as the night in which Allah first revealed the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. It is believed that this day holds more power in prayer than one-thousand months; thus many Muslims spend the whole day in prayer and reading the Qur'an. Sunni Muslims traditionally observe Laylat al Qader on the 27th day of Ramadan, while Shi'as believe the 23rd day to be the most important. Since the specific day of the revelation is uncertain, many Muslims spend the last 10 days of Ramadan focused on prayer.


September 29th
Michael and All Angels (Christian)
A day to recognize the Archangel Michael, one of the principal angelic warriors.


September 29th
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
Rosh Hashanah, marks the seventh month in the Jewish calendar and the beginning of the Jewish civil new year. It is also referred to as "the day of the sounding of the shofar, " as a shofar, or ram's horn, is blown in the synagogue on this day (however, this is not practiced if Rosh Hashana falls on the Sabbath). This day is reserved for prayer and penitence, commemorating the Creation of the world as written in the Bible. It marks the beginning of the ten Days of Awe, a time for introspection and repentance, which culminate in Yom Kippur.

September 30th - October 8th
Navaratri Dusserha (Hindu)
Navaratri, or "nine nights," is a festival honoring the divine mother, Shakti. These nine nights fall around harvest time, and each day is spent worshiping one of Shakti's many manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. In the first three days, Durga, the warrior goddess, is invoked to destroy all impurities and vices. During the next three days, Lakshmi is worshiped as a giver of spiritual wealth and prosperity. Finally, the last three days honor Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom.