Pesach (Passover)

Begins at Sundown on April 6, 2012

Jewish 8 day pilgrimage festival celebrating the Exodus from slavery to freedom. Also known as Passover.

"And this day shall become a memorial for you, and you shall observe it as a festival for the L-RD, for your generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your homes ... you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree." - Exodus 12:14-17

http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm

Yom Kippur

October7-8, 2011

Jewish Day of Atonement. The holiest of the Jewish year and is observed with strict fasting and repentance. During the time of the temple ritual, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer atonement for the people. www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/default_cdo/jewish/High-Holidays.htm

All Saints / All Souls Day

November 1 - 2, 2011

Christian day for honoring saints both known and unknown. A saint is a person has lived a life devoted to God and living a life of holiness. Some saints are people who were martyred for their faith. This day in the Roman Catholic Church saints are remembered and celebrated for the lives they lived.

Christian day where those who have died are remembered and prayers of intercession are said for the dead. Visitation to the place of burial is often part of the tradition.

www.catholichomeandgarden.com/all_saints_day_all_souls_day.htm

Saint Francis Day

October 4, 2011

Christian celebration of the appreciation of the natural world and service to people as practiced by Saint Francis of Assisi. Founder of the Franciscan order. On this special day animals are brought into the church for special prayers and blessings.

www.whichday.com/articles/index.php?article=646

Rosh Hashanah

September 28-30, 2011

Jewish New Year. A time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and penitence. The story of Abraham is read, the ram's horn is sounded, and special foods are prepared and shared.

www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm

Eid ul Fitr ('Id al-Fitr)

is an Islamic celebration marking the close of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to Allah for enjoying the month of Ramadan. It involves wearing finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holiday/us/eid-al-fitr

Holy Week - Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday

April 1-8, 2012

In Christianity Holy Week is the week immediately before Easter. It commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the gospels.

http://www.crivoice.org/cyholyweek.html

Day of Hajj

November 5, 2011



Is the Fifth Pillar of Islam and is an Islamic observance of the revelation to Muhammad on Mt. Arafat. The pilgrimage (Hajj) takes place over a week and ends in Mecca.



www.beliefnet.com/religion/islam/hajj/index.html