Shap Calendar of Religious Festivals: ePictorial Calendar

Calendar of Religious Festivals 2019-2020

ePictorial Calendar www.shapcalendar.org.uk

January 2019 PEOPLE OF BELIEF: MICHELLE OBAMA New Year's Day / Hogmanay Ganjitsu Naming of Jesus / Circumcision Mary, Mother of God

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Shap

EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

16

Wednesday

17

Thursday

Shinran Memorial Day

1

Tuesday

2

Wednesday

18

Friday

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

3

Thursday

19

Saturday

Theophany [3] (Julian)

4

Friday

20

Sunday

World Religion Day (Baha'i)

21

Monday

Tu B'Shevat

22

Tuesday

Birthday of Guru Gobinbd Singh

5

Saturday

6

Sunday

7

Monday

23

Wednesday

8

Tuesday

24

Thursday

9

Wednesday

25

Friday

10 Thursday

26

Saturday

11 Friday

27

Sunday

12 Saturday

28

Monday

29

Tuesday

30

Wednesday

31

Thursday

Theophany [3] Epiphany [Ang / RC] Christmas Eve / Day [3] Methodist Covenant Service Ethiopian Christmas Day

Honen Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day

Birthday of Swami Vivekananda

13 Sunday

14 Monday 15 Tuesday

Baptism of Christ [Ang] Baptism of the Lord [RC] Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Lohri/ Makar Sankranti / Pongal

Jashne-e-Sadeh [IZ]

Photo courtesy Katy Dalal, Zoroastrian Tapestry, Art, Religion and Culture Text provided by Firoza Punthakey Mistree and Khojeste P Mistree

When a Zoroastrian dies, members of the family offer appropriate prayers and rituals before consigning the body on the following day to the nearest Tower of Silence (although today an alternative cremation service is used by some Parsis owing to the lack of a sufficient presence of vultures). Later (on the fourth morning after the death) a gathering of family members of the deceased will share in a ‘Satum’ ceremony, a meal offering ritual prayer for the dead, held in the outer ritual precinct of the fire temple, or, as shown here, on a carpet laid out for the ritual at home. Family members offer sandalwood and frankincense to the fire towards the end of the ceremony. They and their friends consume the consecrated food in honour of the departed soul, or the food is left to be eaten by the priest and his family. A small dish with food for the fire temple dog is also kept for consecration during the ‘Satum’ ritual and this is fed to the dog after the ritual is over.

January 2019: Zoroastrian religious food made for the Satum ceremony in memory of a deceased person.

February 2019

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

16

Saturday

IMBOLC / CANDLEMAS

17

Sunday

PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE CANDLEMAS

18

Monday

SETSUBUN / BEAN SCATTERING

19

Tuesday

20

Wednesday

21

Thursday

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: DESMOND DOSS

1

Friday

2

Saturday

3

Sunday

4

Monday

5

Tuesday

6

Wednesday

22

Friday

7

Thursday

23

Saturday

8

Friday

PARINIRVANA / NIRVANA DAY

24

Sunday

9

Saturday

SARASVATI PUJA / VASANT PANCHAMI

25

Monday

10 Sunday

26

Tuesday

11 Monday

27

Wednesday

12 Tuesday

28

Thursday

13 Wednesday

14 Thursday 15 Friday

YUAN TAN (NEW YEAR OF THE PIG) LOSAR

Shap

LANTERN FESTIVAL MAGHA PUJA

Photo courtesy Katy Dalal, Zoroastrian Tapestry, Art, Religion and Culture Text provided by Firoza Punthakey Mistree and Khojeste P Mistree

At the Zoroastrian ‘Satum’ ceremony, where ritual prayers are offered for the dead person, foods are offered which should be freshly cooked. The souls and spirits of the dead are said to visit the earth so that they may listen to the prayers recited and enjoy the aroma of food and the fragrance of sweet-scented flowers. The dishes need to be aromatic, and often represent the favourite foods the deceased person would have chosen when alive. The food is consecrated with prayers before a ritual fire, and is then normally shared by priests or other ‘righteous’ people, such as the family priest and his family. It is accompanied by a beaker of sweet wine or sherry. The ‘Satum’ is performed three times a day on the following six days and then every month for a year and subsequently on the annual remembrance day. The ritual is a memorial prayer, performed to give comfort to the dead and solace to the living.

February 2019: Zoroastrian ritual food consecrated with prayers before a ritual fire.

Shap

March 2019

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: AELMA LAGERLOF

16

Saturday

1

Friday

17

Sunday

ST PATRICK'S DAY

2

Saturday

18

Monday

HIGAN BEGINS

3

Sunday

HINAMATSURI

19

Tuesday

ST JOSEPH'S DAY

4

Monday

MAHASHIVRATRI

Wednesday

SHUNBUN NO HI SPRING EQUINOX (OSTARA) VERNAL EQUINOX (DRUID) NAW RUZ MAGHA PUJA HOLI / HOLA MOHALLA PURIM JAMSHEDI NORUZ [IZ]

ST DAVID'S DAY WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

20

5

Tuesday

SHROVE TUESDAY

21

Thursday

6

Wednesday

ASH WEDNESDAY LENT BEGINS

22

Friday

7

Thursday

23

Saturday

8

Friday

24

Sunday

AVA MAH PARAB [S]

9

Saturday

25

Monday

THE ANNUNCIATION [ANGLICAN/[3]/RC] LADY DAY

26

Tuesday

KHORDAD SAL [IZ]

27

Wednesday

12 Tuesday

28

Thursday

13 Wednesday

29

Friday

14 Thursday

30

Saturday

15 Friday

31

Sunday

10 Sunday

11 Monday

GREAT LENTEN FAST BEGINS FRAVARDIGAN BEGINS

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Men and women volunteer for seva (selfless service) in the preparation of chapatis for the community kitchen or langar at a Gurdwara in Delhi. The food is donated by devotees who contribute offerings to the Guru Granth Sahib, the Guru of the Sikhs, when they arrive at the Gurdwara, meaning ‘House of the Guru’.

March 2019: Sikh Food being prepared in a langar in Delhi.

April 2019

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: MARGARET FELL

16

Tuesday

1

Monday

17

Wednesday

MAHAVIRA JAYANTI

2

Tuesday

18

Thursday

MAUNDY THURSDAY

3

Wednesday

19

Friday

GOOD FRIDAY HANUMAN JAYANTI

4

Thursday

20

Saturday

HOLY SATURDAY PASSOVER / PESACH THE NIGHT OF FORGIVENESS

5

Friday

21

Sunday

EASTER DAY RIDVAN BEGINS

6

Saturday

22

Monday

ADAR MAH PARAB [S]

7

Sunday

PASSION SUNDAY

23

Tuesday

ST GEORGE'S DAY

8

Monday

HANAMATSURI

24

Wednesday

9

Tuesday

25

Thursday

10 Wednesday

26

Friday

11 Thursday

27

Saturday

12 Friday

28

Sunday

SONGKRAN

29

Monday

VAISAKHI / BAISAKHI RAMA NAVAMI PALM SUNDAY HOLY WEEK STARTS

30

Tuesday

13 Saturday

14 Sunday

15 Monday

THE PROPHET'S NIGHT JOURNEY AND ASCENT INTO HEAVEN

TOMB SWEEPING DAY

PASCHA [3] EASTER DAY [3]

MAY EVE BELTAINE EVE

Eating chapatis and a vegetable curry, as here in this Indian Gurdwara, the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi, is a key part of worship for those attending Gurdwaras throughout the world. This sharing of food with people from various backgrounds is an essential part of the teachings of Sikhism in India, the UK or elsewhere, emphasising the one-ness of humanity, challenging inequality and demonstrating the importance of sharing with one another. Traditionally the practice dates back to the time of Guru Nanak, as does the communion food, the Karah Prasad, which he instituted to ensure equality among his followers and to overcome untouchability. It must be eaten on the spot and may be given to visitors without distinction of class or creed.

April 2019: Sikhs eat their lunch6me meal in the langar

May 2019 PEOPLE OF BELIEF:

ROBERT OWEN

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

16

Thursday

1

Wednesday

BELTAINE

17

Friday

2

Thursday

YOM HASHOAH

18

Saturday

3

Friday

19

Sunday

4

Saturday

20

Monday

5

Sunday

21

Tuesday

6

Monday

22

Wednesday

7

Tuesday

23

Thursday

LAG B'OMER

8

Wednesday

24

Friday

DECLARATION OF THE BAB ZARATOSHT-NO-DISO

9

Thursday

25

Saturday

10 Friday

26

Sunday

11 Saturday

27

Monday

28

Tuesday

LAILAT-UL-QADR [SHI'A] / NIGHT OF POWER

13 Monday

29

Wednesday

ASCENSION OF BAHA'U'LLAH

14 Tuesday

30

Thursday

ASCENSION DAY

15 Wednesday

31

Friday

LAILAT-UL-QADR [SUNNI]

12 Sunday

RAMADAN BEGINS

YOM HA'ATZMA'UT

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

VESAKHA PUJA / BUDDHA DAY

Vast numbers of Sikhs eat together at a festival lunchtime; on other days the langar will still provide a meal for all who turn up, and none are turned away. Here in Delhi as many as 5,000 people will be fed in a single day, as long as respect is shown in a proper manner by prostration before the Guru Granth Sahib. The langar operates on donations and is run by volunteers to provide sustenance to all, acting as a kitchen by the community, for the community.

May 2019: Being willing to eat with all and sundry is an essen8al aspect of the Sikh tradi8on

June 2019

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

TRINITY SUNDAY PENTECOST [3] MARTYRDOM OF GURU ARJAN DEV

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: HELEN KELLER

16

Sunday

1

Saturday

17

Monday

2

Sunday

18

Tuesday

3

Monday

19

Wednesday

4

Tuesday

20

Thursday

5

Wednesday

EID-UL-FITR

21

Friday

6

Thursday

ASCENSION DAY [RC]

22

Saturday

7

Friday

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

23

Sunday

CORPUS CHRISTI [RC]

8

Saturday

24

Monday

MIDSUMMER DAY

9

Sunday

25

Tuesday

10 Monday

26

Wednesday

11 Tuesday

27

Thursday

12 Wednesday

28

Friday

13 Thursday

29

Saturday

14 Friday

30

Sunday

15 Saturday

PENTECOST / WHIT SUNDAY ASCENSION DAY [RC] SHAVUOT

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THANKSGIVING FOR THE EUCHARIST CORPUS CHRISTI [RC]

MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE SUMMER SOLSTICE WORLD HUMANIST DAY

Fresh fruit is offered daily to the deity at each Hindu shrine or temple, as it is here on the occasion of the blessing by a priest for the bridegroom in preparation for his wedding.

‘The gifts have to be placed carefully according to traditional rules: uncooked food and lamps on the image’s left and cooked foods on the right.’ (E.G. Parrinder) Much of the food offered to the gods is returned to individual worshippers as an indication of the god’s favour.

June 2019: The bridegroom looks on as the priest makes an offering of foods at a Hindu wedding in Bengal.

July 2019

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PEOPLE OF BELIEF: NAN ASNAI'U

16

Tuesday

1

Monday

17

Wednesday

2

Tuesday

18

Thursday

3

Wednesday

19

Friday

4

Thursday

20

Saturday

5

Friday

21

Sunday

6

Saturday

22

Monday

7

Sunday

23

Tuesday

8

Monday

24

Wednesday

9

Tuesday

25

Thursday

26

Friday

11 Thursday

27

Saturday

12 Friday

28

Sunday

29

Monday

14 Sunday

30

Tuesday

15 Monday

31

Wednesday

10 Wednesday

13 Saturday

JASHN-E-TIRGAN [IZ]

RATHA YATRA

CHOKOR / CHO KOR DU CHEN

FRAVARDIGAN [K]

MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB

O-BON (JAPAN)

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

ASALHA PUJA / DHAMMA DAY

NAVROZE [K]

KHORDAD SAL [K] BIRTHDAY OF HAILE SELASSIE I

July 2019: A Chris1an harvest fes1val of ďŹ sh from the sea in London Each Autumn in the fish market in Billingsgate in London a distinctive harvest festival takes place, in which a display of fish caught in the sea is presented. In the same spirit as that in which the fruits of the fields are presented in churches throughout the UK, so in this festival of fish the spirit of thanksgiving is paramount – gratitude to those who catch the different types of fish and those who arrange for their preservation and purchase. Fish is of course an alternative to eating meat in certain Christian traditions, especially on a Friday, the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus.

August

2019

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: NICHOLAS OF CUSA

1

Thursday

2

Friday

3

Saturday

4

17

Saturday

18

Sunday

19

Monday

THE TRANSFIGURATION [3] (JULIAN)

Sunday

20

Tuesday

EID-UL-GHADIR [SHI'A]

5

Monday

21

Wednesday

6

Tuesday

THE TRANSFIGURATION

22

Thursday

7

Wednesday

HERD BOY AND WEAVER GIRL FESTIVAL FRAVARDIGAN / MUKTAD [S]

23

Friday

8

Thursday

24

Saturday

9

Friday

25

Sunday

LAMMAS / LUGHNASADH

DHUL HIJJAH / FIRST OF TEN DAYS

NAVROZE [S]

JANMASHTAMI / KRISHNA JAYANTI KHORDAD SAL [S]

10 Saturday

HAJJ BEGINS

26

Monday

11 Sunday

TISHA B'AV YAUM ARAFAH

27

Tuesday

PARYUSHAN PARVA BEGINS

12 Monday

EID-UL-ADHA

28

Wednesday

DORMITION [3] (JULIAN)

13 Tuesday

O-BON (TOKYO)

29

Thursday

14 Wednesday

RAKSHA BANDHAN

30

Friday

15 Thursday

HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY [RC] DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD [3]

31

Saturday

Lughnasadh, or Lammas, as it sometimes called, is the time of the corn harvest, when Pagans reap whatever they have sown and when they celebrate the fruits of the mystery of Nature. At Lughnasadh, Pagans give thanks for the bounty of the Goddess as Queen of the Land. They celebrate three different harvests: Lammas is the first of the three, a time for gathering in and giving thanks for abundance; then Mabon or the Autumn Equinox is the ‘Second Harvest of Fruit’; and Samhain is the third and ‘Final Harvest of Nuts and Berries’. Here the barley wheatsheaf and the traditional wicker basket of fruits and flowers are carried in procession through a jubilant crowd who have gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Druid processions traditionally feature the Solstices and the Equinoxes. The Autumn Equinox or Mabon features here, as seen at Primrose Hill in London.

August 2019: A Druid harvest fes5val procession showing the cornucopia and a sheaf of barley wheat

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September 2019 PEOPLE OF BELIEF: RAM MOHAN ROY

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

16

Monday

HARVEST FESTIVAL - DATE VARIES

1

Sunday

AL HIJRAH [622 CE] 1441 AH INSTALLATION OF THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB IN AMRITSAR

17

Tuesday

2

Monday

GANESH CHATURTHI

18

Wednesday

3

Tuesday

SAMVATSARI

19

Thursday

4

Wednesday

FRAVARDIN MAH PARAB [S]

20

Friday

5

Thursday

21

Saturday

6

Friday

22

Sunday

7

Saturday

23

Monday

8

Sunday

24

Tuesday

9

Monday

25

Wednesday

10 Tuesday

ASHURA

26

Thursday

11 Wednesday

ETHIOPIAN NEW YEAR'S DAY

27

Friday

28

Saturday

29

Sunday

30

Monday

12 Thursday

13 Friday

14 Saturday

15 Sunday

RABBIT IN THE MOON FESTIVAL

HIGAN BEGINS

SHUUBUN NO HI AUTUMN EQUINOX / MABON

NAVARATRI BEGINS MICHAELMAS

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated here in a Jewish family in South West London. Apples dipped in honey are significant, and the annual greetings, ‘May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year’ and ‘May it be the Lord’s will to renew us for a year which will be good and sweet’ are recited over and over again. Note the shofar, the ram’s horn at the left of the picture, which is blown a hundred times in the synagogue services at this time (unless it falls on Shabbat), and the wine goblet and two challot (loaves) ready on the table for the evening meal once the sun has set.

September 2019: Rosh Hashanah as celebrated in a Jewish family in South West London.

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October 2019 PEOPLE OF BELIEF: EDITH CAVELL

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

16

Wednesday

HARVEST FESTIVAL - DATE VARIES

1

Tuesday

JASHNE-E-MEHERGAN [IZ]

17

Thursday

2

Wednesday

GANDHI JAYANTI

18

Friday

3

Thursday

DURGA PUJA BEGINS

19

Saturday

4

Friday

20

Sunday

5

Saturday

21

Monday

6

Sunday

22

Tuesday

7

Monday

23

Wednesday

8

Tuesday

24

Thursday

9

Wednesday

25

Friday

10 Thursday

26

Saturday

11 Friday

27

Sunday

12 Saturday

28

Monday

CLIMB A HIGH MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL DASSEHRA

YOM KIPPUR

CONFERRING OF GURUSHIP IN 1708 CE ON THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB

SIMCHAT TORAH

DIVALI / DEEPAVALI BANDHI CHHOR DIVAS

13 Sunday

INTERFAITH WEEK OF PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE

29

Tuesday

THE BIRTH OF THE BAB

14 Monday

SUKKOT BEGINS PAVARANA DAY

30

Wednesday

THE BIRTH OF BAHA'U'LLAH

31

Thursday

HALLOWE'EN WINTER NIGHTS SAMHUINN

15 Tuesday

Each Spring communal Pesach meals like this are held in Jerusalem for ‘strangers’, since there are many pilgrims away from home at this time. In the UK a synagogue will often arrange for a corporate Pesach meal to be available to those who no longer have families with whom to share it. Inviting a visitor to join them for the meal is a regular feature of each Pesach celebration or Seder (Order) as it is called (each participant will have a copy of the order of service) and they may share it on either of the two first days of Pesach when the Seder is observed. The roasted shank bone, the hard boiled egg, the parsley dipped in salt water, the bitter herbs and the haroset eaten with herbs to symbolise the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves during their bondage in Egypt, these all remind them of the miracle of their delivery and their freedom.

October 2019: Communal Pesach in Jerusalem for strangers.

Shap

November 2019

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EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: BEN HELFGOTT

16

Saturday

1

Friday

ALL SAINTS' DAY

17

Sunday

2

Saturday

ALL SOUL'S DAY CROWNING OF HAILE SELASSIE I

18

Monday

3

Sunday

19

Tuesday

4

Monday

20

Wednesday

5

Tuesday

21

Thursday

6

Wednesday

22

Friday

7

Thursday

23

Saturday

8

Friday

24

Sunday

9

Saturday

25

Monday

26

Tuesday

27

Wednesday

28

Thursday

13 Wednesday

29

Friday

14 Thursday

30

Saturday

10 Sunday

BIRTHDAY OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SUNNI] REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY INTER FAITH WEEK BEGINS

11 Monday 12 Tuesday

15 Friday

ANAPANASATI DAY LOY KRATONG BIRTHDAY OF GURN NANAK

SHICHI-GO-SAN BIRTHDAY OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SHI'A]

MARTYRDOM OF GURU TEGH BAHADUR

ST ANDREW'S DAY

November 2019: Seven Buddhist monks proffer their alms-bowls at dawn to receive dona?onsfrom the laity in Laos Each Buddhist monk carries over his shoulder a traditional brown lacquer bowl in which he/she receives gifts from lay people who delight to share what they have with those ordained to a different way of life. The monks may not request any gifts so these are not ‘begging bowls’ as such but rather give the lay folk the opportunity to gain merit by making offerings of food of this nature. Buddhist monks do not eat after midday, so a late breakfast or an early lunch is an important time for these monks in Laos, at Luang Prabang, where they walk through the streets to receive the gifts from the willing hands of lay people.

December 2019

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Shap EDUCATION IN RELIGIONS

PEOPLE OF BELIEF: VERA BRITTAIN

16

Monday

1

Sunday

17

Tuesday

2

Monday

18

Wednesday

3

Tuesday

19

Thursday

4

Wednesday

20

Friday

5

Thursday

21

Saturday

6

Friday

22

Sunday

YULE [WICCAN[ WINTER SOLSTICE / ALBAN ARTHAN / ALBAN ARTHUAN

7

Saturday

23

Monday

HANUKAH BEGINS

8

Sunday

24

Tuesday

CHRISTMAS EVE

9

Monday

25

Wednesday

CHRISTMAS DAY

26

Thursday

ZARATOSHT-NO-DISO [IZ]

11 Wednesday

27

Friday

12 Thursday

28

Saturday

13 Friday

29

Sunday

14 Saturday

30

Monday

15 Sunday

31

Tuesday

10 Tuesday

ADVENT SUNDAY

BODHI DAY IMMACULATE CONCEPTION [RC]

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

OMISOKA HOGMANAY

Three Theravadin Buddhist monks crouch or kneel on the floor of a room in a monastery at Luang Prabang in Laos, as they share the gifts which their sangha (community) has received for their breakfast from local lay people. It means an early start for those who give and for those who receive. Other monks will soon join these gathered here to share out what has been received. Each meal is taken in a state of calm and silence.

December 2019: Laos - Buddhists share the food they received for breakfast.

Freebie 2019 – Shortened Text and Greetings for some 80 Festivals This year we have produced a fresh shortened text version (80 – 90 words for each festival included) plus a greeting for an exciting project. Brief description and a festive greeting are being displayed on screens in the lifts of an International Japanese Bank. We hope you will find the carefully shortened text, adapted and revised from our eBooklet, useful to print and display.

Tuesday, 1 January, 2019 NEW YEAR’S DAY National A day widely observed throughout the UK, as is New Year’s Eve the preceding night. It is customary to make New Year’s Resolutions at this time. Family get-togethers and night club celebrations are equally popular ways of marking the event. It has special significance in Scotland where bagpipes, haggis and first footing in the early hours are widespread.

A traditional greeting is: Happy New Year

71 words

Tuesday, 1 January – Thursday, 3 January, 2019 GANJITSU Japanese New Year’s Day is a National Holiday throughout Japan and its many public buildings, but is also celebrated by first visits to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Arrangements of pine (for continuity), bamboo (for sincerity) and plum blossom (new life) stand outside houses and shops.

Families gather for special, symbolic foods, and games and amulets are burnt and replaced to ensure protection and well-being throughout the coming year.

A traditional greeting is: Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu – Happy New Year!

86 words

Saturday, 5 January, 2019 (or Sunday, 13 January 2019) GURU GOBIND SINGH (1666 CE) Sikh The birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru. Gobind Singh instituted the Five Ks and established the Order of the Khalsa. He treated the Guru Granth Sahib (collected writings from the nine previous Gurus), as the eternal Guru, and taught that it was the source of the Gurus’ teachings, and should guide all future decisions.

A traditional greeting is: Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh’The Khalsa belongs to God; all victory is the victory of God’

88 words

Sunday, 6 January, 2019 / Monday, 7 January, 2019 EPIPHANY Christian The ‘twelfth day of Christmas’ commemorates the visit of the three kings (also known as the wise men or Magi) to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, bearing symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; and the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. In Mediterranean countries, Christians exchange gifts on ‘Three Kings’ Day’. Others welcome the ‘magic wise men’ who arrive by boat, bearing presents for children.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Epiphany

83 words

Sunday, 6 January, 2019 / Monday, 7 January, 2019 CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY Christian – Rastafarian and Ethiopian Orthodox Many Orthodox and Armenian churches, including the Ethiopian and Rastafarian communities, still use the Julian, rather than the Gregorian Calendar that is currently used by Western Christians.

They celebrate Christmas and certain other festivals thirteen days after the Western churches, so that the 6th and 7th January in the Orthodox calendar equate to the 24th and 25th December in the Western one.

A traditional greeting is: Merry Christmas

83 Words

Sunday, 6 January, 2019 / Monday, 7 January, 2019 CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY Christian – Rastafarian and Ethiopian Orthodox The focus of Rastafarian celebrations is the Manger scene and the arrival of the three Wise Men to celebrate the birth of the infant Jesus. Baltazar (Balthasar), one of the Three Kings, was held to be from Ethiopia, and is often depicted as a black man. At home, a big feast is prepared. No tree, no snow, no mistletoe. Tradition has it that Balthasar, the Ethiopian King, brought the frankincense.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Christmas.

Monday, 21 January, 2019 TU B'SHEVAT Jewish A popular (minor) festival which celebrates the New Year for trees – one of four New Year celebrations. 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 various fruits grown in Israel and mentioned in the Torah.

A traditional greeting is: Shana Tovah - Happy New Year

86

words

Sunday, 27 January 2019 HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY National This date is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau at the end of world War II, but remembers other victims of subsequent acts of genocide elsewhere in the world. It aims to ensure that no such atrocity ever happens again. Eleven million people were killed during the Holocaust (one million were children; six million Jewish). Other groups targeted by the Nazis were Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, disabled people, and Roma.

A traditional greeting is: Lest we forget

86

words

Saturday, 2 February 2019 THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST / THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE / CANDLEMAS Christian This is often called Candlemas from the custom of congregations holding lighted candles during the celebration in church. It records the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and his recognition by the aged Simeon, expressed in the words of the Nunc Dimittis. The festival was formerly known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A traditional greeting is:

Nunc Dimittis – Lord, now let your servant depart in peace

84

Sunday, 3 February, 2019 SETSUBUN/BEAN SCATTERING Japanese Setsubun celebrates the beginning of spring when the Bean Scattering ceremony mame maki, is performed in Shinto homes and Buddhist temples. Roasted soybeans (known as fuku mame, fortune beans) are thrown out of the door at the evil spirits to banish those that bring sickness and prevent good fortune. Members of the household eat one bean for each year of their lives.

A traditional greeting is: happiness!

Oni wa soto! - Get out, demons! and fuku wa uchi! - Come in, 87 words

Friday, 8 February 2019 (or Friday, 15 February 2019) PARINIRVANA Buddhist Mahayanist Buddhists remember the nirvana (the final passing away) of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagara, India, aged 80. His last days are described in a famous Pali text: ‘After enlightenment death transforms the body, leaving no human residue’. Untroubled by thoughts of death, the Buddha identified four places for future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and death. "But don't hinder yourself by honouring my remains."

A traditional greeting is: Hearty Greetings for Paranirvana Day

83 Words

Saturday, 9 February 2019 / Sunday, February 10 2019 SARASWATI PUJA/ VASANT PANCHAMI Hindu This festival marks the beginning of Spring, and is widely celebrated in north India. In eastern India, and notably in Bengal, Hindus worship Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts.

Yellow is particularly associated with the festival, and so images of Saraswati are dressed in yellow. Another (secular) tradition is kite-flying, associated especially with the city of Lahore.

A traditional greeting is: Namaste Mata Sarasvati - Hail Mother Sarasvati

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Friday, 1 March 2019 MAGHA PUJA / SANGHA DAY Buddhist This festival commemorates two occasions: one seven weeks after the Buddha’s enlightenment, when he taught the Four Noble Truths to five of his companions from his years of austerity; the other, 45 years later, when 1,250 enlightened disciples of the Buddha came spontaneously to the Bamboo Grove at Rajagaha. He taught them the main principles of the Dhamma and set out his teachings about the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Sangha, and the Dhamma.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Magha Puja & Sangha Day

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Sunday, 3 March, 2019 HINAMATSURI / DOLLS’ FESTIVAL / GIRLS’ DAY Japanese Clay dolls representing the Emperor and Empress of Japan are displayed in the home with offerings of peach blossom, rice-wine, rice-cakes and sweetmeats. The dolls are intended to carry away any illness threatening the daughters of the house. Pairs of paper dolls are sometimes burnt or set afloat. Parents pray their daughters will grow up to be happy and healthy and will show respect and obedience to their parents.

A traditional greeting is: Ureshii Hinamatsuri - Happy Hinamatsuri

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Monday, 4 March 2019 MAHASHIVRATRI (Great Shiva Night) Hindu On this moonless night in February Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance, the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. Devotees of Shiva fast throughout the festival.

All-night prayers focus on Shiva and his shrines and statues, where milk, water and honey are poured on his symbol, the lingam. Lord Shiva declared that the rituals performed by his devotees on Mahashivratri please him more than all others.

A traditional greeting is: Maha Shivratri - Happy Mahashivratri

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Tuesday, 5 March 2019 SHROVE TUESDAY (Pancake Day) Christian Commonly known as Pancake Day, this is the day before the start of Lent. Traditionally it is a day for repentance and absolution in preparation for Lent (‘shrive’ means to receive or make confession). Pancakes were originally made to use up all the rich foods such as butter and eggs before Lent. In some parts of the world people celebrate Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) by holding carnivals.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Pancake Day!

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Wednesday, 6 March 2019 ASH WEDNESDAY Christian The first day of LENT is when Christians remember the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness and the temptations he faced during this time. In Catholic and some Anglican churches, services are held where the worshipper’s forehead is marked with a cross of ash, which has been made from burning the palm crosses of the previous year – hence the name Ash Wednesday.

A traditional greeting is: A Blessed Ash Wednesday

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Wednesday, 6 March, 2019 – Saturday, 20 April, 2019 LENT Christian Lent is a period of forty days (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter, a time of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. It provides time for reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, his life, death, burial, and resurrection.

Traditionally Christians give up something during this time to mark the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness, which end on Easter day.

A traditional greeting is: Lenten greetings

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Monday, 11 March 2019 – Wednesday, 20 March 2019 FRAVARDIGAN / MUKTAD Zoroastrian The Zoroastrian day commences at sunrise and, on this day, immortal souls, together with their fravashis (the guardian spirits of departed ancestors), are welcomed by name by the Zoroastrian Magi (priests). For ten days these souls reside in the place of worship, hovering around a table full of metal vases, one for each family, all containing white flowers. Sacred foods, enjoyed by their departed ancestors while still alive, is prepared and tasted.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Fravardigan

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Monday, 18 March, 2019 – Sunday, 24 March, 2019 HIGAN Japanese Buddhist Wednesday, 20 March, 2019 SHUNBUN NO HI Japanese Buddhist This is the day of the Spring equinox when day and night are equal. As at the autumn equinox, harmony and balance are the themes, sutras are recited by Buddhist priests, and families visit the graves of deceased relatives.

A traditional greeting is: Atsusa samusa mo Higan ma de - Heat and cold last until Higan 75 words Thursday, 21 March 2019 JAMSHEDI NORUZ Zoroastrian (Iranian) New Year’s Day is the first day of spring. It represents the resurgence of life and the symbolic victory of the forces of light over darkness. The family cleans the house, wears new clothes, offers each other gifts, visits the Fire Temple, participates in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony to Ahura Mazda, grows green plants and paints boiled eggs for the haftsheen table, followed by eating, drinking, dancing and making merry.

A traditional greeting is: Happy New Year

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Thursday, 21 March, 2019 PURIM – FESTIVAL OF ‘DRAWING LOTS’ Jewish This carnival festival recalls how Jews in Persia were saved from massacre, as told in the Megillah, a handwritten Biblical scroll of the Book of Esther. Colourful costumes and masks are worn and the name of Haman is drowned out with rattles, hooters and boos. It is a time for generosity and festivity: food and drink are shared ‘until each person present cannot distinguish between ‘Cursed is Haman’ and ‘Blessed is Mordechai’.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Purim

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Thursday, 21 March 2019 HOLI Hindu A spring festival lasting one to five days. Bonfires are lit and normally offensive practices are allowed. Squirting coloured water and powders on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pools amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, "Never mind, it's Holi!" Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Holi

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Thursday, 21 March 2019 / Friday, 22 March 2019 HOLA MAHALLA Sikh In 1701 Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, introduced this festival at Anandpur in Punjab, India, as an alternative to the Hindu festival of Holi. It includes competitive displays of swordsmanship, horsemanship, archery and wrestling, together with displays of weapons and recitations of poetry. It is a colourful occasion, particularly for young Sikhs, and is usually observed on the day after the Hindu festival of Holi.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Hola Mahalla

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Tuesday, 26 March 2019 Zoroastrian KHORDAD SAL Zoroastrian Khordad means perfection and Khordad Sal is the Birthday of Zarathushtra. It is customary on this day to visit the Fire Temple, to give thanks to Ahura Mazda for the gift to humanity of the Prophet Zarathushtra, to participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony, to listen to stories of the miraculous birth and life of Prophet Zarathushtra, and to share in a happy community meal, a drink and a dance.

A traditional greeting is: Hail Zarathustra

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Sunday, 31 March 2019 MOTHERING SUNDAY (Simnel Sunday) Christian Mid-Lent Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Lent, has now become secularised and is more popularly known as Mother’s Day. It was, traditionally, a Sunday when Christians, and especially those in service, revisited their ‘mother church’ and then took gifts to their mothers, which often included a simnel cake.

A traditional greeting is:

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Monday, 8 April, 2019 HANAMATSURI Buddhist (Japanese) This flower festival marks the Japanese celebration of the Buddha Shakyamuni’s birthday, which Mahayana Buddhists believe was 565 BCE. The flowers accentuate the tradition that the Buddha was born in a garden in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, where it is said that Queen Maya went into labour. An image of the infant Buddha is placed in a pan and, in a ritual known as kanbutsu, water or sweet tea is poured over it.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Birthday to the Buddha

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Friday, 13 April – Sunday, April 15 2019 SONGKRAN Buddhist The traditional New Year’s Day festival in Thailand, where containers of water are thrown over those standing nearby as a symbol of washing away all the misfortunes of the past year, and all that is evil. The significance of the splashing with water relates to spiritual purification, and making a fresh start to daily life. Houses are cleaned and Buddha statues are carried through the streets.

The most common greeting is: Sawasdee Pee Mai! - A happy new year (in Thai).

Also spoken is: Suk san wan Songkran - Happy Songkran day.

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Sunday, 14 April 2019 VAISAKHI / BAISAKHI – The Sikh New Year Festival On Vaisakhi in 1699 CE, the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, founded the Order of the Khalsa, the community of baptised Sikhs. He initiated five volunteers, later known as the Panj Piare (Five Beloved Ones), with men taking the name 'Singh' and women the name 'Kaur'. Baptised Sikhs commit themselves to observe daily prayers and wear the emblems of Khalsa identity (the Five Ks).

A traditional greeting is: Waheguru ji ka Khalsa – The Khalsa belongs to God

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Or: Happy Vaisakhi

Sunday, April 14th 2019 RAMA NAVAMI Hindu This is the birthday of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and is chiefly celebrated at twelve noon (since Rama was reputedly born at that time) with the candle-lit ceremony of aarti. Rama is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the Ramayana tells the story of his life and search for human values that are a model for all to follow. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion, gentleness, kindness, righteousness and integrity.

A traditional greeting is: Sri Ram – Hail Lord Rama

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Sunday, 14 April 2019 PALM SUNDAY Christian Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent and the first day of Holy Week, when Christians remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Many churches commemorate the day by processions, with the congregation carrying symbolic palm leaves (folded in the form of a cross) or branches of palm trees. The gospels record his arrival, riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street A traditional greeting is: Hosanna!

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Thursday, 18 April 2019 MAUNDY THURSDAY Christian The term ‘Maundy’ (mandatum - ‘commandment’) stems from the words of Jesus: ‘These things I command you, that you love one another’ – the central precept of the Christian gospel. Christians remember the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and then blessed bread and wine and commanded his disciples to eat and drink ‘in remembrance of him’. The sharing of bread and wine is the basis of today’s Holy Communion, Mass or Last Supper.

A traditional greeting is: ‘In remembrance of Him’

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Friday, 19 April 2019 GOOD FRIDAY Christian Essentially a sombre day, the crucifixion of Jesus is called ‘Good Friday’ since, for Christians, it is ‘God’s Friday’, and recalls how Jesus chose to give up his life for others. It commemorates the sacrificial death of Jesus, which, along with the resurrection, comprises the heart of the Christian faith. The major Good Friday worship begins in the afternoon at 3:00 pm (the time Jesus is said to have died.

A traditional greeting is: Good Friday, God’s Friday

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Friday. 19 April 2019 HANUMAN JAYANTI Hindu Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival which celebrates at sunrise the birth of Lord Rama’s supreme devotee, the monkey-headed Hanuman, whose feats figure in the Ramayana epic. His role is to locate Rama's wife Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. He was a mighty fighter, the swiftest and strongest of all apes, and has become one of the most popular of Hindu gods.

A traditional greeting is: Hail Hanuman!

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Saturday, 20 April 2019 – Saturday, 27 April 2019 PASSOVER/PESACH Jewish This major Jewish festival of freedom commemorates the Exodus of the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The highlight is the Seder meal, held in each family’s home at the beginning of the festival, when the Haggadah (the Telling, or Story of their deliverance) is recounted. Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten and each home is spring-cleaned to ensure no trace of leaven is left in the house during Pesach.

A traditional greeting is: Khag Same'akh - Happy Festival

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Sunday, 21 April 2019 EASTER DAY Christian Easter Day is the most important festival of the Christian year, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after his death by crucifixion in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. The day is marked by special religious services and family gatherings. Easter Candles are lit in churches on the eve of Easter Sunday, as a resurrection symbol of Jesus as the light of the world and eggs, symbolic of new life are given.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Easter - Christ is risen!

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Tuesday, 23 April 2019 ST GEORGE’S DAY National St George is the patron saint of England. His particular significance to England is not clear since he lived and died in the Middle East as a martyr for his Christian faith, but his popularity grew after the Crusades, when his red cross on a white background was adopted as the symbol of the English Crusaders. Tradition claims he slew a dragon and saved a princess from being sacrificed to it.

A traditional greeting is: Happy St George’s Day

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Wednesday, 1 May, 2019 BELTAINE Wiccan/Pagan/ Druid The wheel of the year turns, spring yields to summer, and the fertility of the land is at its height.

Above all Beltaine is a Fire Festival and many pagans celebrate it by lighting fires and leaping over them to purify, cleanse and ensure fertility, or with maypole dances, symbolizing the mystery of the sacred marriage of goddess and god. Like most pagan celebrations, Beltaine is forward looking.

A traditional greeting is: Hail Beltaine!

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Monday, 6 May to Tuesday, 4 June 2019 RAMADAN Muslim For Muslims Ramadan is among the holiest months of the year, when they fast from dawn to sunset and dedicate themselves to spiritual renewal, prayer and intensive reading of the Qur’an.

No food or drink may be consumed during the hours of daylight, and those fasting must abstain from smoking and from sexual relations. Those unable to fast are expected to give charity to compensate for the ‘lost’ days.

A traditional greeting is: Have a good fast

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Sunday, 19 May 2019 VESAKHA PUJA / WESAK / BUDDHA DAY Buddhist On Wesak many Buddhists celebrate the birth, the enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, and the final passing away of Gautama Buddha. Particular stress is laid in Theravada communities on his enlightenment and lay people often celebrate this at Buddhist monasteries. Some decorate their houses with lanterns and garlands, and temples are ringed with little oil lamps, while many send ‘Wesak cards’ to their friends.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Wesak!

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Thursday, 30 May 2019 ASCENSION DAY Christian Ascension Day commemorates the last earthly appearance of Jesus. On the 40th day after his resurrection, according to Christian belief, he returned to the Apostles, led them to the Mount of Olives, and instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the promised Holy Spirit. Then, while they watched, he ascended into the clouds. It is thought to be one of the four most important dates in the Christian calendar.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Ascension Day!

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Wednesday, 5 June 2019 EID-UL-FITR / End of Ramadan - Muslim This is a time - once the fast of Ramadan has been completed - for making gifts to the poor. The charity of the fast, Zakat-ul-Fitr, must be paid before the communal Eid prayer takes place. It is a time for new clothes, good food, and presents for children. Families get together and contact friends, especially those who live far away.

The traditional greeting is

Eid Mubarak – ‘a happy and blessed Eid’.

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Sunday, 9 June 2019 PENTECOST / WHIT SUNDAY Christian Pentecost is often seen as the ‘birthday of the Church’, since this is when the disciples of Jesus first proclaimed the Gospel after receiving inspiration from the gift of the Holy Spirit. The name comes from Greek pentekoste, "fiftieth". Pentecost for Christians accordingly falls on the Sunday 50 days after Easter. The alternative name of Whitsuntide comes from the custom of converts presenting themselves for baptism on this day dressed in white.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Whitsun

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Sunday, 9 June 2019 – Monday, 10 June 2019 SHAVUOT / THE FEAST OF WEEKS / PENTECOST Jewish Shavuot (or the Feast of Weeks or the festival of First Fruits) celebrates the gift of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. It also marks the spring barley and the first wheat harvest. Synagogues are decorated with greenery and flowers and eating three cornered ravioli and other dairy foods is common. For Orthodox Jews work is not permitted throughout the festival.

A traditional greeting is: Khag Same'akh - Happy Festival

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Sunday, 16 June 2019 MARTYRDOM OF GURU ARJAN (1606) Sikh Guru Arjan, the first Sikh martyr, was tortured and killed by the Moghul Emperor, Jehangir, for his stand for freedom of worship. To demonstrate the universality of God he had laid the foundations of the Golden Temple (the Harmandir Sahib) with entrances on all four sides, and lodged there the Sikh Scriptures he had compiled (the Adi Granth), which were read there every day.

A traditional greeting is: Sat Sri Akal – God is the ultimate Truth

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Thursday, 20 June 2019 CORPUS CHRISTI – THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST / THE EUCHARIST Christian This festival celebrates with processions and mystery plays the institution by Jesus of the Holy Eucharist or Mass during the Last Supper on the day before his crucifixion. The origin of this sacrament lay in the communal Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples just before His arrest, as described in all four of the Gospels.

A traditional greeting is: Greetings for Corpus Christi

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Friday, 21 June, 2019 WORLD HUMANIST DAY This Humanist holiday is celebrated annually around the world on the June solstice. It is seen as a day for spreading awareness of Humanism as a philosophical, non-supernatural life stance and as a means for effecting change in the world. It is a time for Humanists to gather socially and so to promote the positive values of Humanism, emphasising the importance of reason, science, art and human compassion.

A traditional greeting is: Happy World Humanist Day

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Thursday, 4 July 2019 RATHA YATRA Hindu ‘Chariot journey’ - observed most notably at Puri in the Indian state of Orissa, where processions of thousands of devotees pull huge waggons (rathas) supporting images of Krishna. He is known under the name of ‘Jagannath’, (Lord of the Universe), from which the English term ‘juggernaut’ comes. The festival and others like it are celebrated in Britain with processions through various parts of London on appropriate Sundays.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Ratha Yatra

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Saturday, 13 July, 2019 – Monday, 15 July, 2019 O-BON Japanese Buddhist A three day festival when the spirits of the departed are welcomed back home with herbs and flowers, feasting and dancing. Lamps and fires are often lit to illuminate their arrival and departure. On the second day the community gathers for a slow, ceremonial dance. Buddhist priests visit homes to recite a scriptural passage before the spirits are sent away on the third day.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Obon

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Tuesday, 13 August, 2019 – Thursday, 15 August, 2019 (in Tokyo) O-BON Japanese Buddhist A three day festival when the spirits of the departed are welcomed back home with herbs and flowers, feasting and dancing. Lamps and fires are often lit to illuminate their arrival and departure. On the second day the community gathers for a slow, ceremonial dance. Buddhist priests visit homes to recite a scriptural passage before the spirits are sent away on the third day.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Obon

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Monday, 15/16 July CHOKOR (also CHO KOR DU CHEN) Buddhist Chökhor Düchen, ‘Turning the Wheel of Dharma’, a Tibetan and Nepalese holiday, commemorates the first teaching of the Buddha, whose statue and copies of Buddhist scriptures are processed around the district with music and jollity. The whole community, clerical and lay, male and female, joins in the processions and the picnics. Prayer wheels (chokors), large and small, are turned by hand to spread spiritual blessing.

A traditional greeting is: Om Mani Padme Hum – Om is the jewel of the lotus Thursday, 1 August, 2019 LAMMAS/LUGHNASADH Wiccan / Pagan Lughnasadh / Lammas, is the time of the first harvest, of corn, sown, and give thanks for the abundance of the land. They fertility and celebrate the fruits of Nature. When Christianity festival of Lughnasadh took on a new religious symbolism. The Lammas which means ‘loaf mass’.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Lammas

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when Pagans reap what they have honour the Goddess as Queen of reached the Celtic lands, the old Christianized name for the feast is 84 words

Tuesday, 6 August 2019 THE TRANSFIGURATION Christian As Jesus’ death approached he went up a mountain with three of his disciples, Peter, James and John; here they saw in a vision how his face changed and his clothes became dazzling white; they witnessed him in conversation with Moses and Elijah, and heard a voice saying, ‘This is my own dear Son with whom I am pleased – listen to him’. For many Christians this account confirms the divine nature of Jesus.

A traditional greeting is:

Transfiguration Greetings

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Saturday, 10 August 2019 – Wednesday, 14 August 2019 HAJJ / PILGRIMAGE TO MAKKAH Muslim Hajj is a duty for all Muslims, health and finance permitting. It is an annual religious pilgrimage to the Ka’bah at Makkah (Mecca), undertaken each year by two to three million people. Ritual acts are performed during the first two days of Hajj, followed by the Standing at Arafat and the festival of Eid al-Adha. Pilgrims may then claim the title of al-Hajj, Hajji or Hajjah.

A traditional greeting is: Hajj Mubarak – A blessed Hajj

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Wednesday, August 14 2019 / Thursday, August 15 2019 RAKSHA BANDHAN Hindu In Indian families girls and married women tie an amulet (a rakhi) on the right wrists of their brothers, to safeguard them from evil influences. The brothers in return promise to protect their sisters and offer them gifts and sweets. Some rakhis are traditionally simple, colourful bracelets; others feature precious silk, crafted with gold and silver threads, sequins and semi-precious stones. Handmade rachis, rakhi cards and emailed rakhis are frequent.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Raksha Bandhan

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Friday, August 23 2019 / Saturday, August 24 2019 JANMASHTAMI / KRISHNA JAYANTI Hindu Krishna is the eighth and most popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Many Hindus fast in his honour for 24 hours until midnight, the time of his birth. At homes and temples an image in blue of the new-born Krishna is put in a cradle and special sweets are offered and distributed, while hymns of praise, prayers from the Bhagavata Purana and stories of his pastimes, are repeated.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Janmashtami

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Sunday, Sept/Oct 2019 HARVEST FESTIVAL Christian Special services are held around this time of year to give thanks for the goodness of God’s gifts in providing a harvest of agricultural and nautical produce, along with all the other fruits of contemporary society. Displays of produce are often made, usually distributed afterwards to those in need. Increasingly the emphasis is on a wider interpretation than just the harvests of the fields and seas.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Harvest

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Sunday, 1 September 2019 INSTALLATION OF THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB IN THE HARMANDIR SAHIB Sikh In 1604 CE Guru Arjan, the Sikhs’ fifth Guru, installed in the Golden Temple in Amritsar the Adi Granth, a scripture containing the hymns of the first five Gurus. The Guru prostrated before the collection, and sat at a level below the Granth. Sikhs now regard the Guru Granth Sahib as their living Guru – its 1430 pages and 5864 verses have become the focal point for all Sikh worship.

A traditional greeting is:

Respect to the Guru Granth Sahib

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Monday, 2 September 2019 GANESHA CHATURTHI Hindu Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is a popular god of wisdom and prosperity, worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles and bring good fortune. He is worshipped at the outset of any ritual events such as marriage, journeys, etc. Having cut off his head in error, Shiva brought him back to life at the request of his wife, Parvati, fixing the head of a young elephant on his body.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

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Sunday, 1 September AL HIJRA - ISLAMIC NEW YEAR 1441 Muslim Al Hijra commemorates the Hijra or migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, which led to the establishment of the Muslim community there. Muslim years are dated from this time and are marked AH (Anno Hegirae – the year of the Hijrah) or After the Hijrah. In 2019 CE the Muslim year 1441 AH begins. Stories are told of the Prophet and his Companions.

A traditional greeting is: Happy New Year

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Friday, 20 September, 2019 – Thursday, 26 September, 2019 HIGAN Buddhist Monday, 23 September, 2019 SHUUBUN NO HI Japanese September 23 is the autumnal equinox, the 24-hour period when day and night are the same length.

Higan is a seven day period when Japanese people commemorate their ancestors. On the middle day memorial services take place at Buddhist temples, and people visit their family’s graves, clean the tombs and offer prayers and flowers to comfort the spirits of their ancestors.

A traditional greeting is: Atsusa samusa mo Higan ma de - Heat and cold last until Higan 94 words

Sunday, 29 September 2019 - Monday, 7 October 2019 NAVARATRI Hindu Navaratri means nine nights, and Hindus offer devotion to Durga/Amba, the mother goddess, who is worshipped for the first three days of Navratri, the goddess Laxmi for the next three, and the goddess Saraswati for the last three. Durga triumphs over evil, Saraswati removes ignorance, and Lakshmi brings prosperity. Stick dances and performances of the Ram Lila, in which people re-enact stories from the Ramayana are frequent.

A traditional greeting is:

Shubh Navratri - Happy Navratri

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Monday, 30 September, 2019 – Tuesday, 1 October, 2019 ROSH HASHANAH (Head of the Year) Jewish This New Year’s Day, marks the beginning of ten days of repentance and self examination. Blowing the ram’s horn (shofar) in the synagogue recalls Abraham’s sacrifice of a ram instead of his son, Isaac. Apples dipped in honey are eaten in the hope of celebrating a ‘sweet’ new year.

A traditional greeting is: Leshanah Tovah Tikatev - May you be inscribed for a good year

89 words Thursday, 3 October 2019 - Tuesday, 8 October 2019 DURGA PUJA Hindu Durga Puja is a celebration of the Mother goddess, and of the victory of Durga over the evil buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The festival honours the powerful female force (shakti) in the universe and frequently ends with the immersion of figures of Durga in rivers and in the sea, an act of purification and adoration. It denotes cleansing and rebirth rather than drowning and destruction.

A traditional greeting is: Have a blessed Durga Puja

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Monday, 7 October 2019 / Tuesday, October 8 2019 DUSSEHRA / VIJAYA DASHAMI Hindu The festival of Dussehra commemorates the victory of Rama over Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita. Huge figures of Ravana, his son and his brother are filled with fireworks and set on fire. In the UK some temples do this, although on a smaller scale. Images of Ravana are placed in lakes and rivers to symbolise his defeat.

A traditional greeting is: Ramachandra ji jai – Victory to Rama

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Wednesday, 9 October, 2019 YOM KIPPUR – THE DAY OF ATONEMENT Jewish This holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar involves a total fast lasting 25 hours. Observant Jews refrain from work on this day, keep the fast and attend lengthy synagogue services, asking the Almighty for forgiveness. The Book of Jonah is read and a long blast on the shofar is followed by the Havdalah (separation) ceremony, and finally a shared meal.

A traditional greeting is: G’mar Chatimah Tovah - May you finally be sealed for good 88 words Monday, 14 October, 2019 – Monday, 20 October, 2019 SUKKOT - FEAST OF TABERNACLES OR BOOTHS Jewish Jewish families and many synagogues build temporary shelters called sukkot that are used during this eight day festival to celebrate their freedom. The roof, open to the elements, is covered with branches and leaves and decorated with fruit. Family meals, communal celebrations and offering hospitality are customary. Sections of the Torah and the Prophets are read, along with the book of Ecclesiastes.

A traditional greeting is: - Khag Same'akh - Happy Festival

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Sunday, 20 October 2019 CONFERRING OF GURUSHIP ON THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB BY GURU GOBIND SINGH 1708 CE Sikh The tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, on October 6th, 1708, the day before his death, declared that, instead of having another human Guru, Sikhs would now regard the scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, as their Guru. Today the Granth is installed on a throne (takht) in all Sikh places of worship and honoured as the Guru.

A traditional greeting is: Guru maneyo Granth - The Granth is the Guru

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Tuesday, 22 October 2019 SIMCHAT TORAH Jewish The Torah scrolls from the ark are given to members of the congregation who parade them around the synagogue, with adults and children dancing and singing. Others take over, giving as many as possible the honour of carrying a scroll. This ‘Rejoicing’ in the Torah is an informal and joyous celebration. The reading of the Law finishes with Deuteronomy from one scroll and restarts immediately with Genesis being read from another.

A traditional greeting is: Rejoice – It’s Simchat Torah

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Sunday, 27 October 2019 – Thursday, 31 October 2019 DIVALI / DIWALI /DEEPAVALI Hindu Deepawali / Diwali, the Hindu New Year’s day, is the festival of lights. It is biggest and brightest of Hindu festivals, when traditionally houses are lit with tiny clay oil lamps. Families exchange gifts at this time and share a special meal with relatives and friends. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, knowledge and good fortune, is invited to bless their home and there is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Divali!

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Sunday, 27 October 2019 BANDHI CHHOR DIVAS / DIVALI Sikh Sikhs celebrate Bandhi Chhor Divas / Divali / ‘Prisoner Release Day’, since Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, was released from Gwalior prison on this day in 1619 CE. He negotiated the release of 52 imprisoned Hindu princes by creating a special cloak with long panels to which they could all cling. Sikhs today commemorate Guru Hargobind in a festival marked by gifts of new clothes, presents and sweets - a true ‘Festival of Liberation’.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Bandhi Chhor Divas

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Thursday, 31 October 2019 HALLOWEEN WINTER NIGHTS Heathen Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. The name is a shortening of All Hallows Evening, also known as Hallowe’en or All Hallows’ Eve. Traditional activities include trickor-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting ‘haunted houses’, and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Halloween Saturday, 1 November 2019 ALL SAINTS’ DAY (All Hallows’, originally All Martyrs’)

74 words Christian

This day provides a chance to offer thanks for the work and witness of all Christian saints, recognising that many saintly figures are unknown or not specially celebrated. Churches often stress this day (rather than Hallowe’en, which falls the evening before) by holding events especially designed to call to mind for children the role of these saintly figures from the past.

A traditional greeting is: Happy All Saints’ Day

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Saturday, 2 November 2019 ALL SOULS’ DAY Christian On this day in particular those departed this life are remembered and prayers on their behalf are offered. From earliest times Christians have prayed for the souls of the dead, but in the year 998 AD on this All Souls day in November, ‘the faithful departed’ began to be remembered in the official Church calendar.

A traditional greeting is: Happy All Souls’ Day

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Sunday, 10 November, 2019 REMEMBRANCE DAY National The Sunday nearest to Armistice Day (November 11) is devoted to remembering the dead of the two World wars and subsequent conflicts. Services of remembrance, attended frequently by those who fought there, are held in France and Belgium, and at many war memorials throughout the UK. A major event takes place at the Cenotaph in London, attended by royalty and processions of representatives of the armed forces.

A traditional greeting is: We Will Remember Them

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Tuesday, 12 November 2019 BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK (1469 CE - 550 years ago) Sikh Guru Nanak is fêted as the leader who initiated the Sikh tradition and determined its direction for the future. His creativity and humanity became landmarks for those who follow his example. On his birthday Sikhs gather at the gurdwara for hymn-singing (kirtan), homilies (kathas) and to share in the free meal (langar). The gurdwara is illuminated and street processions take place.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Birthday, Guru Nanak

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Friday, 15 November, 2019 SHICHI-GO-SAN (Seven-Five-Three) Japanese Girls of seven, boys of five and girls of three, auspicious odd numbers, are dressed up in new clothes and taken to a Shinto shrine to pray for their future well-being. Girls are dressed in kimonos while boys wear special jackets and trousers. They participate in a Shinto purification ceremony, pray for a long and happy life, and mark their passage into middle childhood.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Shichi-Go-San

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Wednesday 21 November THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S BIRTHDAY / MILAD UN-NABI Muslim This celebration explores the character of the Prophet, his bravery and wisdom, his teachings, sufferings, and how he forgave even his most bitter enemies. It includes readings from the Qur’an, poetry and songs in his praise, processions and flag waving. Those Muslims who celebrate this festival do so joyfully – some think it unislamic. Muslim parents tell stories of the Prophet's life to their children.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Birthday to the Prophet

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Friday, 23 November LOY KRATONG Buddhist Small lotus shaped baskets (krathongs) made of bread, banana tree bark or rubber plant leaves, that will degrade naturally in water. Incense sticks, candles, betel nuts and small coins are placed into them and they are then launched onto rivers, canals, ponds or the sea – symbols of good luck – if they float!. Captive eels and turtles are frequently released at this time in honour of Mother Ganga, the river goddess.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Loy Kratong

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Sunday, 24 November 2019 MARTYRDOM OF GURU TEGH BAHADUR Sikh The ninth Guru, poet and mystic, was tortured and beheaded for supporting several Hindu Brahmins who refused to convert to Islam. He sacrificed his head for the religious freedom of those of a different religious persuasion. He told the Muslim Emperor: ‘All men - created by God must be free to worship in any manner they like.’ His example led to a new era of freedom and tolerance for all.

A traditional greeting is: Hail, Guru Tegh Bahadur

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Sunday, 1 December 2019 ADVENT SUNDAY Christian Advent means ‘Coming’. It heralds the start of the Christian year, and commences on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It is often celebrated by lighting the first candle in the advent crown – a circular wreath of greenery. A further three candles are lit on subsequent Sundays, culminating with the Christmas candle on the 25th of December. Together these signify the transition from darkness to light, the light of Jesus coming into the world.

A traditional greeting is: Maranatha (Come, O Lord)

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Sunday, 8 December 2019 BODHI DAY Buddhist Buddhists around the world celebrate Gautama’s attainment of Enlightenment (in 596 BCE) on this day while sitting under a Bodhi (or Pipal) tree in Bodh Gaya, in Northern India. Hence many consider this to be the birth place of their tradition. Buddhists mark the day by meditating, studying the Dharma (teaching), chanting sutras (Buddhist texts) and performing kind acts toward other beings.

A traditional greeting is: I turn for Refuge to the Buddha

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Tuesday, 10 December, 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY National In 1948 The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ‘All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms.’ Each year this day serves as a reminder to the citizens of the whole world of the significance of those rights and freedoms.

A Popular greeting is:

Freedom!

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Sunday, 22 December, 2019 WINTER SOLSTICE / YULE Pagan Yule - time of the winter solstice, longest night of the year, the sun is reborn, a promise of the return of new life. Now the days grow longer. Summer and Winter solstices mark the wheel of the year, the end of one phase, the beginning of another. The key aspect of Yule is the spirit of hopefulness that lengthening days bring: how much there is ahead to celebrate and enjoy!

A Popular greeting is:

Happy YULE

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Monday, 23 December, 2019 – Monday, 30 December, 2019 HANUKAH Jewish Hanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem around 162 BCE. Each evening one candle is lit (from right to left) in a hanukkiah, a nine-branched menorah, to celebrate freedom and independence. The lighted candles in the window - for all to see - imply liberty, and the presents given to children daily denote the future they might not have had.

A traditional greeting is:

Hanukah Same'akh - Happy Hanukah

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Tuesday, 24 December 2019 CHRISTMAS EVE Christian Evening carol services, crib services and Midnight Masses, all inaugurate the festival of Christmas.

Santa Claus (from the Dutch Sinter Klaus) is a legendary figure, based on St Nicholas of Myra, whose role is – traditionally - to bring presents to children on Christmas Eve, to help celebrate the birth of Jesus.

A traditional greeting is: Merry Christmas

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Wednesday, 25 December 2019 CHRISTMAS DAY Christian Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the incarnate son of God, now ‘made flesh’ in human form. Gifts are given as reminders of the offerings brought to the infant Jesus at Bethlehem, and Christmas carols, plays and evergreens are associated with this time, while nativity sets are displayed in many churches and in some homes.

A traditional greeting is: Happy Christmas

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Thursday, 26 December 2019 ZARATOSHT NO DISO Zoroastrian Zaratosht no diso is the death anniversary of the Prophet Zarathushtra who died aged 77.

Although an occasion of sadness, there is an eternal optimism at the heart of all Zoroastrian belief.

It is customary to visit the Fire Temple, participate in special remembrance prayers to him and to the Fravashis (the guardian spirits of departed ancestors), and ponder upon the Gathas or Hymns of Zarathushtra, which embody his eternal message to humanity.

A traditional greeting is: Farewell Zarathustra

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Tuesday, 31 December, 2019 OMISOKA Japanese This Japanese festival prepares for the new year by ‘The Great Cleansing’ of Shinto home shrines in honour of the natural spirits and deities (kami). The shrine is a sacred place, a border marker between the secular world and the sacred realm of the kami. Buddhist altars are cleansed too at this time and the bells of Buddhist temples (Joya no Kane) are struck 108 times to warn against the 108 evils to be overcome.

A traditional greeting is: Yoi o-toshi wo - Have a good New Year

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Tuesday, 31 December 2019 HOGMANAY / NEW YEAR’S EVE National A celebration widely observed throughout the UK, but especially in Scotland where bagpipes, haggis and first footing are widespread. Clearing one’s debts, cleaning the house, welcoming guests and strangers, parties and fireworks and a host of other traditions are features of British life at this time. Linking arms to sing Auld Lang Syne is a universal symbol of togetherness as midnight approaches.

A traditional greeting is: A Happy Hogmanay - Happy New Year

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