Calendar of Religious Holidays
May 2012
1
Beltane (Neo-Paganism)
Beltane is the last of three spring festivals celebrated halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. In ancient times, the festival marked the arrival of summer and continues to be recognized as the beginning of the "Light Part" of the year.
1
Palm Sunday (Orthodox Christianity)
2
12th Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Beginning on April 21 and concluding on May 2, Baha'is celebrate the period when the religion's founder, Baha'u'llah, resided in a garden in Baghdad. Baha'u'llah called it the Garden of Ridvan, as Ridvan translates to paradise. It was during his time in the garden that Baha'iuíllah proclaimed that he was the messenger of God for this age.
3
National Day of Prayer (USA) -(Interfaith)
On this day, citizens are asked to come together to pray- especially for their country. The National Day of Prayer was designated by the United States Congress in 1952, but was a floating holiday until Ronald Reagan fixed it on the first Thursday in May.
10 - Sundown
Lag B'Omer
(Judaism)
Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day between the second day of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. There is altogether a span of 49 days between the two holidays; a time that is traditionally a period of mourning the death of Rabbi Akibaís 24,000 students over 2,000 years ago. By contrast, however, Lag BíOmer is a break in the mourning period and is therefore a time for celebration. It is the occasion of the end of the plague that killed Rabbi Akibaís students, as well as the day of passing for Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who made it clear that he wanted his death to be celebrated, rather than mourned.
17
Ascension of Christ (Christianity)
Falling forty days after Easter, this date marks the conclusion of Jesus's time on earth. Acts 1:9-11 states that the disciples witnessed Jesus's ascension into heaven from the Mount of Olives. The day is celebrated with prayer and special church services, and is often marked with music. It is one of the oldest celebrations of the tradition.
23 - Sundown
Declaration of the Bab
(Baha'i)
The Baha'i Faith is considered to have begun on May 23, 1844, which was the day that the individual known asìThe Bab declared his mission. The world's 5 million Baha'is have basic principles that include belief in the oneness of the human race, the unity of religions, equality of the sexes, and universal peace. Bahaíis are followers of Baha'u'llah, who was born in Persia in 1817. But, not unlike the role that John the Baptist played in announcing the coming of Jesus, Baha'u'llah's coming was preceded and announced by Siyyid Ali Muhammad, who referred to himself as the Bab (meaning "the Gate"). The Bab told people that another messenger would be coming after him, and that the power of the revelation of the coming one would far exceed any message previously sent down by God.
10 - Sundown
Lag B'Omer
(Judaism)
Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day between the second day of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. There is altogether a span of 49 days between the two holidays; a time that is traditionally a period of mourning the death of Rabbi Akibaís 24,000 students over 2,000 years ago. By contrast, however, Lag BíOmer is a break in the mourning period and is therefore a time for celebration. It is the occasion of the end of the plague that killed Rabbi Akibaís students, as well as the day of passing for Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who made it clear that he wanted his death to be celebrated, rather than mourned.
(Judaism)
17
Ascension of Christ (Christianity)
Falling forty days after Easter, this date marks the conclusion of Jesus's time on earth. Acts 1:9-11 states that the disciples witnessed Jesus's ascension into heaven from the Mount of Olives. The day is celebrated with prayer and special church services, and is often marked with music. It is one of the oldest celebrations of the tradition.
17
23 - Sundown
Declaration of the Bab
(Baha'i)
The Baha'i Faith is considered to have begun on May 23, 1844, which was the day that the individual known asìThe Bab declared his mission. The world's 5 million Baha'is have basic principles that include belief in the oneness of the human race, the unity of religions, equality of the sexes, and universal peace. Bahaíis are followers of Baha'u'llah, who was born in Persia in 1817. But, not unlike the role that John the Baptist played in announcing the coming of Jesus, Baha'u'llah's coming was preceded and announced by Siyyid Ali Muhammad, who referred to himself as the Bab (meaning "the Gate"). The Bab told people that another messenger would be coming after him, and that the power of the revelation of the coming one would far exceed any message previously sent down by God.
24
All Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox Christianity)
27
Pentecost (Christianity)
On Pentecost, Christians celebrate the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles of Jesus. The word itself comes from the Greek word for "fiftieth," since the feast day takes place the 50th day after Easter. (Don't count the Sundays.) In the early days of the Christian church no courts of law were held during the week of Pentecost, and manual labor was forbidden; those practices gradually diminished. In Italy, it has been customary to drop rose leaves from the ceilings of churches, to signify the descent of the spirit. The French tended to sound trumpets, signifying the sound of the ìmighty windî that is said to have accompanied the Holy Spiritís descent upon the apostles. Pentecost is usually celebrated with a special church service and or special prayers.
24
All Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox Christianity)
27
Pentecost (Christianity)
On Pentecost, Christians celebrate the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles of Jesus. The word itself comes from the Greek word for "fiftieth," since the feast day takes place the 50th day after Easter. (Don't count the Sundays.) In the early days of the Christian church no courts of law were held during the week of Pentecost, and manual labor was forbidden; those practices gradually diminished. In Italy, it has been customary to drop rose leaves from the ceilings of churches, to signify the descent of the spirit. The French tended to sound trumpets, signifying the sound of the ìmighty windî that is said to have accompanied the Holy Spiritís descent upon the apostles. Pentecost is usually celebrated with a special church service and or special prayers.
24
All Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox Christianity)
27
27-28
Shavuot (Judaism)
Also known as the "Feast of Weeks" Shavuot falls seven weeks after Pesach (Passover). The holiday commemorates both the early summer grain harvest (associated with ancient pilgrimage to Jerusalem) and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Readings from the Hebrew Bible include the Book of Ruth and the Psalms of Praise. It is customary to eat dairy foods during Shavuot.
27-28
Shavuot (Judaism)
Also known as the "Feast of Weeks" Shavuot falls seven weeks after Pesach (Passover). The holiday commemorates both the early summer grain harvest (associated with ancient pilgrimage to Jerusalem) and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Readings from the Hebrew Bible include the Book of Ruth and the Psalms of Praise. It is customary to eat dairy foods during Shavuot.
29 - Sundown
Ascension of Baha'u'llah
(Baha'i)
Baha'is believe in the oneness of the human race, the unity of religions, equality of the sexes, and universal peace; they abstain from alcohol, gambling, and gossip. Bahaíis are followers of Bahaíuíllah, who was born in Persia in 1817. This day, which commemorates Baha'u'llah's death and ascension to heaven, is one of nine holy days in the year. Baha'is do not work on their holy days, which for many is considered a sacrifice. Celebrations on such days are generally quiet observances. Baha'u'llah's ascension may be celebrated by a picnic, or a gathering at which prayers are said, or songs are sung from Baha'u'llahís writings.