Interfaith Calendar
We celebrate a variety of religious holidays, holy days, traditions and festivals at St. Thomas.
Fall 2023 (September-November)
Judaism
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashana is the first of the season of High Holy days; it is a time of prayer, reflection, and services. For some Jews it is observed for two full days beginning in the evening. Others observe one day.
The dates change each year.
Judaism
The Jewish day of atonement. This holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with 25 hours of fasting and worship.
The dates change each year.
Islam
This day is a celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad.
The dates change each year.
Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism
The Festival of Lights commemorates the triump of the Good over the Evil and Light over Darkness.
The date changes each year.
Winter 2023-2024 (December-February)
Christian (Roman Catholic)
This feast day celebrates the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin. This is a Holy Day of obligation for Catholics.
The date remains the same each year.
Judaism
Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration duringg which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and ”rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.
The dates change each year.
Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a holiday day with an obligation for Catholics to attend Mass.
The date remains the same each year.
Christian
Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.
The date remains the same each year.
(SalAllaho Aleihei Wa Aleihei Wassallam)
Also known as The Night of Ascension, this is the night when the Blessed Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, went on a journey from His home in Makkah to the Heavens and to meet with Allah and returned to His home. The event is also known as Isra wal Miraj or Laila tul Isra. In Islamic Calendar it occurs on the night between Rajab 26 and 27. Most Muslims stay up all night to pray and they fast during the day.
Common Greetings include Miraj Sharif Mubarak
2024 dates: Feb 07 or 08
Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent, 40 days of preparation for Easter. Many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline.
The date changes each year.
This is also called as the Night of destiny & deliverance from hell fire. This is the night of seeking forgiveness, and repentance. It is the night when Allah relieves people from the hell fire. It is also called the night of destiny. The book of last year's deeds is closed and the decisions for the coming year, such as birth, death, provision of sustenance etc., are made. This is the night of the acceptance of prayers. Most Muslims stay up all night on the Eve of the event and fast during the day.
2024 dates: Feb 25, 2024
Spring 2024 (March-May)
Islam
Observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, extensive praying, reflection and community. Common Ramadan greetings are “Ramadan Kareem” (generous Ramadan), “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan), “Happy Ramadan,” and “Have a Blessed Ramadan!”
The dates change each year.
Christian (Eastern Orthodox)
In the Christian (Eastern) Orhodox Church, Great Lent marks the forty days leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the 40 days before Holy Week, which is hte week when Christian Orthodox followers remember Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection). The first day of Great Lent is called Clean Monday.
The date changes each year.
Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)
The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.
The services that take place during the Triduum are:
- Mass of the Lord’s Summer (often referred to as Holy Thursday)
- Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
- Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord (Saturday evening, often referred to as Easter Vigil)
- Sunday morning is Easter morning for both Protestants and Catholics.
The dates change every year.
This is the night when Quran was sent down. Angels come down and cover the entire earth. Prayers are accepted and sins are forgiven during this night. Most Muslims stay up all night and fast during the day.
2024 dates: April 06, 2024
Islam
This period marks the successful end of the month of Ramadan. Muslims go for the mandatory congregational prayers in the morning. Large-scale celebrations are held across all the sects of Islam. It’s a public holiday in all Muslim countries.
These dates change every year.
Judaism
Passover honors the deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt. The first two days and last two days are observed as full holidays. There are dietary restrictions against leavened products (such as bread, pastries, pasta, certain legumes and more) during all eight days of the holiday.
The dates change every year.
Christian
Orthodox Easter is the conclusion of Orthodox’s Great Lent, a strict 40-day period of fasting. Great Lent ends on Lazarus Saturday, which is when Orthodox Christians believe Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead. Orthodox Easter, like other Easter celebrations, honors the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.
The date changes every year.
Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)
The Feast of the Ascension is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, which commemorates the Ascension of Christ into Heaven.
The date changes every year.
Summer 2024 (June-August)
Hajj, Muslim Pilgrimage to the City of Makkah, starts on the 7th day of Islamic month Dul Hajj. The event marks Muslim solidarity and unity and is a commemoration of the willingness of Prophet Abrahim to sacrifice his son Ishma’il in the obedience of Allah.
2024 dates: starts on June 13 or 14, 2024
Islam
Known as the Islamic festival of sacrifice, this takes place the day after Arafat, the most important day in Hajj ritual. This three-day festival recalls Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.
2023 dates: June 28-29
2024 dates: June 16-17
The dates change each year.
The day of the martyrdom of the Grandson of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him and 72 immediate family members. These are the days for the remembrance of the sacrifices that were made to uphold Truth and virtue.
Christian (Roman Catholic)
The Feast of the Assumption is a holy day that marks the occasion of the Virgin Mary’s bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life.
The date remains the same every year.