Religious Observances

Each year since 1957, the president has signed a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon 

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Lag BaOmer.

This day observes the departure of Jesus from earth after his resurrection. It is perhaps the earliest observed celebration in Christianity.

Shavuot is one of the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. Also known as the Feast of Weeks

Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast in the Muslim calendar. It celebrates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael in submission to Allah's command, before he was stopped by Allah.

Celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, All Saints Day is observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Corpus Christi is celebrated on the second Thursday after Whitsun. Corpus Christi means the Body of Christ and refers to the elements of the Eucharist

Marks Islamic New Year and the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622AD.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of the Baptism Day of Kyivan Rus.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Saviour of the Apple Feast Day

The Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah is generally known as the New Year' s Day of the Jewish calendar

The Schwenkfelder Church is a small American Christian body rooted in the 16th-century Protestant Reformation teachings of Caspar Schwenkfeld von Ossig.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Clergy Appreciation Day (or Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day)

Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness.

Pope Boniface IV dedicated the day as a holiday to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs

Pope Boniface IV dedicated the day as a holiday to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs

Dedicated to the remembrance of the departed. All Souls' Day follows All Saints' Day.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of The eve before Saint Martins day

Traditionally, in many parts of Europe, St Martin's Day marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.

A holiday observed by Ethiopian Jews to commemorate their return from exile to Israel.

Totensonntag is a Protestant religious holiday in Germany and Switzerland, commemorating the faithfully departed.

This day marks the start of the period of Advent that ends on Christmas Eve.

Candles are lit across the country in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Buddha's Enlightenment Day commemorates Siddhartha Gautama attaining enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha.

It's Anna's Day, marking the start of making the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve.

Marks the beginning of the Christmas season and honours the memory of St. Lucia, an early Christian martyr.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Las Posadas in Mexico.

Celebrate the harmony and joy of Go Caroling Day on December 20th, uniting communities with festive songs and holiday spirit.

Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve.

Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the world and marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

Observed for eight days in honour of the historic victory of the Maccabbees against religious oppression

The Feast of Saint John the Evangelist's Day and Apostle.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Holy Innocents Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Asarah B'Tevet.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of St. Sylvester's Day.

On January 1 the Greek Orthodox church commemorates Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.

A major Christian celebration, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or three wise men.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of National Religious Freedom Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of World Religion Day.

In the Orthodox tradition, Epiphany is the day that Jesus was baptised