This calendar is provided as a resource to members of the Haverford community. It covers neither every religious tradition nor every holiday celebrated across traditions. If you notice any inaccuracies or have further questions, please contact Walter Hjelt Sullivan at wsulliva@haverford.edu.
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Vassar College and the Chaplain's Office at Bucknell University for their work in adapting and compiling this religious life calendar.
* Holiday begins or ends at sundown
August 2012
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| August 18*-19 |
Eid al-Fitr |
Muslim |
The Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, celebrates the end of Ramadan. The date of this festival is determined by the rising of the New Moon. |
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September 2012
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| Sept. 17*-18* |
Rosh Hashanah |
Jewish |
This marks the beginning of the Jewish year and the beginning of the High Holy Days or the Days of Awe. |
| Sept. 22 |
Fall Equinox |
Neo-Pagan/ Wiccan |
This is a celebration of the transition from life to death, the harvest and bounty of the earth. |
| Sept. 25*-26* |
Yom Kippur |
Jewish |
The Day of Atonement, the end of the 10 Days of Awe, is devoted to prayer, repentance and fasting. The Sabbath of Sabbaths in the Jewish calendar, it is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year. |
| Sept. 28 |
Durga Puja/Navaratri |
Hindu |
The festival of the Divine Mother celebrates the goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahisasura. |
| Sept. 29 |
Moon Festival |
Chinese Religions |
An important holiday in China and other South/East Asian countries; families reunite for this celebration of the mid-autumn moon and abundance. |
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October 2012
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| Oct. 1*-7* |
Sukkot |
Jewish |
The Feast of the Tabernacles commemorates the dwelling of the Israelites in the wilderness. Jews will build sukkot (booths) and spend time in them over the week. |
| Oct. 8* |
Shemini Atzeret |
Jewish |
The last day of Sukkot, the beginning of the prayers for rain. |
| Oct. 9* |
Simchat Torah |
Jewish |
Simchat Torah, the Rejoicing of the Torah (Law), is the ending of the Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. |
| Oct. 16 |
Durga Puja/Navaratri |
Hindu |
The festival of the Divine Mother celebrates the goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahisasura. |
| Oct. 24-27 |
Hajj |
Muslim |
Hajj, which is pilgrimage to Mecca, is obligatory once in a lifetime for all Muslims who have the financial means to go. |
| Oct. 25 |
Eid al-Adha |
Muslim |
The Festival of the Sacrifice remembers Abraham's devotion in offering his son as a sacrifice. |
| Oct. 25 |
Dussehra |
Hindu |
This festival celebrates Rama's victory over Ravana. |
| Oct. 28 |
Reformation Day |
Protestant Christian |
Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious freedom. |
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November 2012
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| Nov. 1 |
All Saints' Day |
Roman Catholic |
A holy day of obligation (which means Catholics are obliged to go to church) that celebrates the Christian saints. |
| Nov. 1 |
Samhain |
Neo-Pagan/ Wiccan |
Pagans believe that on this night, the boundary between the physical and the spiritual world is thinnest, and access to the knowledge of the dead is possible. |
| Nov. 1-2 |
Día de los Muertos |
Mesoamerican native and Christian |
A festive Mexican holiday when families remember their dead and the continuity of life. |
| Nov. 2 |
All Souls' Day |
Christian |
This day commemorates the faithful departed. |
| Nov. 13 |
Diwali |
Hindu/Sikh/Jain |
The festival of lights celebrates many different sacred stories, depending on the region of the country. |
| Nov. 15 |
Nativity Fast |
Orthodox Christian |
The Nativity Fast or Advent begins forty days before the Nativity Feast (Jesus' birth) and is a time to prepare through fasting and prayer for the upcoming feast. |
| Nov. 24 |
Ashura |
Shi'a Muslim |
The anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad's grandson; it is a day of great mourning. |
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December 2012
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| Dec. 2 |
Advent |
Christian |
The season in which Christians prepare and expectantly wait for the birth of Jesus; Advent in the Western Church begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. |
| Dec. 8 |
Immaculate Conception |
Roman Catholic |
Feast in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary (holy day of obligation). |
| Dec. 8 |
Bodhi Day |
Buddhist |
In the Northern tradition, this day celebrates the Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment. |
| Dec. 9*-16* |
Hanukkah |
Jewish |
The Festival of Lights marks the victory of the Maccabees and rededication of the Temple. It is a celebration of religious freedom and an affirmation of God's saving power. |
| Dec. 21 |
Winter Solstice |
Neo-Pagan/ Wiccan |
The shortest day of the year symbolizes the natural cycle of life and death, and the coming of light into the world again. |
| Dec. 25 |
Christmas/ Holy Nativity |
Christian/ Orthodox Christian |
The celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. |
| Dec. 26-Jan. 1 |
Kwanzaa |
African-American |
An African-American celebration honoring African community values and beliefs. |
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January 2013
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| Jan. 1 |
Feast of Mary, Mother of God |
Roman Catholic |
A holy day of obligation during which Mary the mother of Jesus is celebrated. |
| Jan. 6 |
Holy Epiphany/ Día de los Reyes/Feast of the Theophany |
Christian/ Orthodox Christian |
A celebration of the epiphany (or manifestation) of Jesus' divine nature. Eastern or Orthodox Christian churches commemorate the baptism of Jesus; Western churches commemorate the coming of the Magi or Wise Men. |
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February 2013
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| Feb. 10 |
Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean New Year |
Chinese religions |
The most important holiday of the year in China and many other countries. |
| Feb. 13 |
Ash Wednesday |
Christian |
The beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer and repentance that precedes Easter. |
| Feb. 15 |
Nirvana Day |
Buddhist |
In the Northern or Mahayana tradition, celebrates the death of the Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha, when he reached total Nirvana. |
| Feb. 24* |
Purim |
Jewish |
This joyous celebration commemorates the victory of the Jews over their tyrannical enemy. The Jews changed the day marked for their destruction into a day of victory. |
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March 2013
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| March 18 |
Clean Monday |
Orthodox Christian |
Eastern Orthodox churches begin the season of Lent, marked by fasting, prayer, and charity.
|
| March 20 |
Spring Equinox |
Neo-Pagan/ Wiccan |
This day represents the rebirth of the year and celebrates the change of the seasons and the rebirth of the spirit after death. |
| March 24-31 |
Holy Week/ Easter |
Christian |
The most important Christian holidays, marking the Last Supper, Passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, with a day of holy observance on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. |
| March 27 |
Holi |
Hindu/Indian |
A very popular festival where people throw colored water or powder at one another to celebrate episodes of the life of Krishna. |
| March 25*-April 1* |
Passover |
Jewish |
Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. On the first and second nights Seders (a ritual meal) are conducted, retelling the Exodus story, so that Jews never forget they were once slaves and it was God who helped set them free. Dietary restrictions apply throughout the period. |
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April 2013
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| April 7 |
Yom Ha-Shoah |
Jewish |
Holocaust Memorial Day |
| April 13-15 |
Songkran/ Thingyan/ Pi Mai Lao |
Buddhist |
These days mark the New Year for many countries in Southeast Asia. Cleansing rituals, which represent a cleansing of the soul and a washing away of the old year, are performed. |
| April 20 |
Ramnavami |
Hindu |
Begins a nine-day festival in honor of Ram; the Ramayana, an Indian Epic, is performed. |
| Apr. 28-May 5 |
Orthodox Holy Week/ Easter |
Orthodox Christian |
Eastern Orthodox churches observe Holy Week, including Holy and Great Friday and Easter or Pascha. On Holy Friday adults abstain from food and drink as their health allows. |
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May 2013
| Date |
Holiday |
Religion |
Explanation |
| May 1 |
Beltane |
Neo-Pagan/Wiccan |
Marks the beginning of the third quarter or the second half of the ancient Celtic year and celebrates fertility, fire, and abundance. |
| May 14*-16* |
Shavuot |
Jewish |
The Feast of Weeks; celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. |
| May 17 |
Ascension of Jesus |
Christian |
The celebration of Jesus' Ascension into heaven, forty days after his Resurrection. |
| May 19 |
Pentecost |
Christian |
Pentecost celebrates the coming of the holy spirit to the disciples of Jesus and the founding events of the Christian church. |
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