Holy Days and Holidays - Hendricks Chapel

*Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.

January 2025

1 Mary, Mother of God Christian: Catholic day of prayer and thanksgiving to Mary, mother of Jesus

1 Gantan-sai Shinto: New Year festival, also known as Shogatsu

2 Chanukah Jewish: Chanukah ends.

6 Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Sikh: Celebration of the birth of the final human guru of the Sikh faith

6 Epiphany Christian: Festival celebrating the revelation of God in Jesus and the visit of the sages to the Christ child.

7 Feast of the Nativity Orthodox Christian (O.C.): Traditional celebration of Christmas for Eastern Orthodox Christians

10 Fast of Tevet Jewish: Day of mourning and repentance marking the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. In recent years, it also is a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust.

12 Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christian: Commemoration of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus

14 Maghi Sikh: Commemoration of the 40 martyrs (Chalis Mukte) who died fighting the Mughal army with Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 CE

14 Makar Sankranti Hindu: Festival honoring the Sun, the main source of energy to our planet

18 Bodhi Day Buddhist: Celebration of the beginning of the path to enlightenment of the Buddha.

18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Christian: Seven days of ecumenical prayer

February 2025

1 Imbolc Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Midpoint between solstice and equinox. Celebration of new beginnings and the first signs of spring stirring.

2 Candlemas Christian: Celebration of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. New beginnings are recognized.

2 Vasant Panchami* Hindu: Festival honoring Saraswati, goddess of learning, wisdom, music and art.

3 Setsebun-sai Shinto: Celebration of the approach of spring as an invitation to good fortune.

3 Four Chaplains Interfaith Sunday Interfaith: Commemoration of the event in World War II when four Chaplains of Jewish and Christian traditions (Catholic and Protestant) gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.

13 Feb Tu BiShvat Jewish: Celebration of the New Year of the Trees (begins at sundown evening prior)

14 Lailat al Bara’ah* Islam: Optional night of prayer (begins at sundown).

14 St. Valentine’s Day Christian: Festival of love loosely connected to Christian saint

15 Nirvana Day* Buddhist – Jain: Commemoration of passing into Nirvana of the Buddha

26 Maha Shivaratri* Hindu: Festival in honor of Lord Shiva

27 Lailat al Miraj* Islam: The day that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey, in 622 CE, to Heaven to meet with God and to meet with his fellow Prophets like Abraham and Moses.

29 Chinese New Year Chinese Traditional: Beginning of the Chinese celebration of a new year for people of all religions

29 Lunar New Year: Celebration of the first new moon of the lunar calendar

25-29 Ayyám-i-Há Bahá’í: Intercalary Days is a period dedicated to socializing, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and needy, and preparing for the upcoming month of fasting.

March 2025

1-29 Ramadan* Islam: Ramadan begins. Holy month of daily fasting (from dawn to sunset) and nightly prayers (begins at sundown evening prior)

1 Bahá’í Fast Bahá’í: Abstain from food and drinks between sunrise and sunset

2 Forgiveness Sunday Orthodox Christian: Day of preparation for Lent, also known as Cheesefare Sunday

3 Clean Monday Orthodox Christian: First day of Lent

3 Orthodox First Day of Lent Orthodox Christian: Start of the 40-day fast before Pascha (Easter)

4 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Christian: Day of preparation for Lent, observed by feasting and carnival activities

5 Ash Wednesday Christian: First of 40 days of Western Christian penitential observance of Lent

9 Orthodox Sunday Orthodox Christian: First Sunday of Lent. Restoration of icons to the church is celebrated.

12 Magha Puja Day* Buddhist: Commemoration of the presentation of Buddha to the world

13 Ta’anit Esther Jewish: Fast of Esther: Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)

13 Purim Jewish: Holiday marking deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot against Jewish people in ancient Persia as related in Book of Esther (begins at sundown evening prior).

14 Hola Mohalla Sikh: Begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar and follows the Hindu festival of colors, Holi

14 Holi* Hindu: Colorful festival of spring

17 St. Patrick’s Day Christian: Celebration of St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland

19 St. Joseph’s Day Christian: Celebration of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus

20 Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Destiny)* Islam: Commemoration of the Holy Night in Ramadan when the Qur’an was revealed (begins at sundown). It can fall on any of the last 10 odd nights of Ramadan.

20 Ostara Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Celebration for the return of life after the cold of winter

21 Naw Ruz Bahá’í: New Year

25 Feast of the Annunciation Christian: Commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary

26 27th Night of Ramadan Islam

Mar. 9-Apr. 7 Chaitra Navaratri Hindu: Nine-day festival that signifies the victory of good over evil.

30 Eid al Fitr* Islam: Celebration showing gratitude for a successful completion of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan (begins at sundown evening prior). The day begins with a distribution of charity to the needy the night before, followed by morning prayer services the next day and gatherings with family, friends and relatives.

April 2025

6 Ramanavami* Hindu: Celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, seventh incarnation of Vishnu

10 Mahavir Jayanti* Jain: Birth of founder Mahavira 540 BCE.

12 Lazarus Saturday Orthodox Christian: Feast commemorating the raising of Lazarus by Jesus Christ

13 Palm Sunday Christian: Beginning of Western Christian Holy Week, also known as Palm Sunday of the Passion.

14 Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Sikh: Honors the day in 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh Ji affirmed the direct connection between Sikhs and the Divine

20 First Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Celebrates the day Bahá’u’lláh arrived at the Garden of Ridván.

12-20 Passover Jewish: Eight-day commemoration of freedom of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. (Begins with First Night Seder sundown 4/11. Second Seder sundown 4/12. Holiday concludes with two final days, sundown 4/19 – nightfall 4/20).

12 Hanuman Jayanti* Hindu: Festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Sri Hanuman

17 Maundy Thursday Christian: Remembrance of Christ’s last supper, first day of the Sacred Triduum

18 Holy Friday Orthodox Christian: Anniversary of the death of Christ, as commemorated by Orthodox Christians

18 Good Friday Christian: Remembrance of the crucifixion and death of Christ, second day of the Sacred Triduum

19 Holy Saturday Christian: Day of vigil culminating in observance of the resurrection of Christ, third day of the Sacred Triduum

20 Easter Sunday Christian: Feast of the resurrection of Christ

20 Pascha (Easter) Orthodox Christian: Celebration of the resurrection of Christ, beginning at midnight

23 Yom HaShoah Jewish: Holocaust Remembrance Day (begins at sundown evening prior)

28 Ninth Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Celebrates the day Bahá’u’lláh declared the Mission and Purpose of the Bahá’í Faith.

29 Yom HaZikaron Jewish: Israel’s Memorial Day (begins at sundown evening prior)

30 12th Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Commemorate the day Bahá’u’lláh departed from the Garden of Ridván and continued His exile

May 2025

1 Beltane Wiccan/Neo-pagan: Midpoint between equinox and solstice, embracing Earth’s peak fertility and the joyful elevated energy of early summer

2 Yom Ha’atzmaut Jewish: Israel’s Independence Day (begins at sundown evening prior)

5 Buddha’s Birthday Buddhist: Celebrates the Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Vesak

9 Ascension of the Lord Christian: Festival marking the bodily ascension of Jesus into Heaven.

15 Lag B’Omer Jewish: Celebrates the 33rd day of the Omer, a 49-day period between Pesach and Shavuot (begins at sundown evening prior)

22 Declaration of the Báb Bahá’í: Celebration of the day when the Báb announced He was “the bearer of a Divine Revelation which would prepare humanity for the advent of the Promised One of all religions.”

26 Pentecost Orthodox Christian: Celebration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon followers of Christ

27 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í: Commemoration of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í faith

June 2025

1-3 Shavuot Jewish: Festival of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai (begins at sundown evening prior)

5 Day of Arafat* Islam: Day of assembly on the plain of Arafah in Hajj. Optional day of fasting for nonpilgrims

6 Eid al Adha* Islam: Celebration honoring the spiritual sacrifice of his son by prophet Abraham

8 Pentecost Christian: Celebration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon followers of Christ

15 Trinity Sunday Christian: Honors the belief in one God with a threefold nature

19 Juneteenth: Commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, when those enslaved in Texas were notified of their liberty.

20 Litha Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Summer solstice, summer is at its height and the sun shines the longest. Celebration of the life-giving power of the sun.

26 Al-Hijra New Year* Islam: The first day of the Islamic New Year or the Hijri New Year. The epoch of the Islamic era was set as the year of emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, known as Hijrah, which equates to 622 CE.

July 2025

5 Day of Ashura* Islam: Commemoration of Prophet Moses delivering his people from Pharaoh (a day of optional fasting accompanied with a day of fasting before and/or after) and of trials endured by leaders among Prophet Muhammad’s family.

9 Martyrdom of the Báb Bahá’í: The Báb, forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, was publicly executed for announcing the nearing arrival of the Promised One and the prophesied dawn of a new day

13 Fast of Tammuz Jewish: Fast commemorating breaching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)

August 2025

1 Lughnasadh Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Midpoint between solstice and equinox, marking the start of the harvest season. Celebration of the abundance and thriving natural world. A time to pause and celebrate all the effort put into where we are now, while also acknowledging there is more work ahead.

3 Tisha B’Av Jewish: Day of fasting and mourning for tragedies across Jewish history, most particularly the destruction and loss of the first and second Temple and Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. (begins sundown the evening before)

9 Tu B’Av Jewish: Jewish holiday of love (begins sundown the evening before)

9 Raksha Bandhan* Hindu: Festival honoring family ties between brothers and sisters

13-15 Obon* Buddhist/Shinto: Japanese Buddhist festival to honor ancestors

15 Assumption of Mary Christian: Celebration of assumption of Mary into heaven. Holy day of obligation for Catholics.

16-17 Krishna Janmashtami Hindu: Festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. He exhorted the epic poem “Gita” to Arjun.

21 Paryushana Parva Jain: Eight-day Jain festival of devotion

27 Ganesh Chaturthi* Hindu: Festival honoring Lord Ganesh

September 2025

5 Mawlid al-Nabi* Islam: The day that commemorates the birth of the last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad c.570 CE (begins at sundown evening prior)

13 Leil S’lichot Jewish: Prayers for forgiveness in preparation for High Holy Days (after nightfall)

14 Feast of the Holy Cross Orthodox Christian: Eastern Orthodox feast of the Holy Cross

21 Birth of Confucius: Observed in religious traditions emanating from China

22 Mabon Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Autumn equinox, time for celebrating abundance, wealth, and generosity. A time to revisit goals and accomplishments and begin preparing for winter

22 Navaratri* Hindu: Nine-night festival worshiping different forms of the Goddess Shakti.

23 Rosh Hashanah Jewish: New Year and beginning of High Holy Days (begins on evening prior)

24 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah Jewish: Rosh Hashanah ends at sundown

25 Fast of Gedaliah Jewish: Day of fasting marking the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor of Judea, following the Babylonian conquest (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)

October 2025

2 Yom Kippur Jewish: Day of Atonement, observed with fasting (begins at sundown evening prior)

2 Dussehra Hindu: Celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over demon Ravan, also known as Vijayadashami

6-13 Sukkot Jewish: Festival of Booths (begins at sundown)

13 Indigenous Peoples Day: Interfaith celebration of the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples of Western hemisphere

14 Shemini Atzeret Jewish: Festival connected to the eighth day of Sukkot (begins at sundown evening prior)

15 Simchat Torah Jewish: Day of rejoicing to celebrate the yearly completion of reading the whole Torah (begins at sundown evening prior)

20 Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth Sahib Sikh: Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib. Recognition of Sikh sacred writings as the final, eternal guru.

20 Diwali (Deepavali)* Hindu — Jain — Sikh: The main day of the five-day festival of lights, a celebration of light over darkness, new beginnings and triumph of goodness.

21 Jain New Year Jain: Celebration of the New Year

22 Birth of the Báb Bahá’í: Celebrates the birth of one of the founders of the Bahá’í faith

31 Samhain Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Midpoint between equinox and solstice, a time for inner reflection, honoring ancestors, as well as observing nature’s descent into the dark winter season.

31 All Hallows Eve Christian: Celebration derived from Celtic Samhain, beginning two-day remembrance of the Dead

November 2025

1 All Saints Day Christian: Celebration of lives of the saints; holy day of obligation for Catholics

2 All Souls Day Christian: Celebration of lives of the saints

3 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í: Commemoration of the birth of Bahá’u’láh (translated ‘Glory of God’), the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í faith

5 Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Sikh: Birth of the founder and first guru of the Sikh faith

12 Bandi Chhor Diwas Sikh: Celebration of the release of Guru Hargobind from wrongful imprisonment

23 Christ the King Christian: Festival celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in honor of Jesus Christ as Lord over all creation

24 Day of the Covenant Bahá’í: The day when Bahá’ís celebrate the appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.

28 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Bahá’í: Commemoration of the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who died on Nov. 28, 1921

December 2025

1 Advent Season Begins Christian

1-7 Chalica Unitarian: Chalica is a week-long celebration of our Unitarian Universalist Principles. Chalica begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days. Each day, a chalice is lit and the day is spent reflecting on the meaning of that day’s principle and doing a good deed that honors that principle.

6 Saint Nicholas Day Christian: Feast day honoring the first-century Christian bishop known for generosity, miracles and intercessions.

6 Saint Nicholas Day Orthodox Christian (O.C.): Feast day honoring the first-century Christian bishop known for generosity, miracles and intercessions.

6 Immaculate Conception of Mary Christian: Catholic day of celebrating the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. Holy day of obligation.

8 Bodhi Day Buddhist: Celebration of the beginning of the path to enlightenment of the Buddha.

12 Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe Christian: Catholic celebration of Mary as patron saint of The Americas.

15-22 Chanukah Jewish: The Jewish festival of dedication (begins at sundown)

16-24 Posadas Navideñas Christian: Mexican Catholic reenactment of journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem

21 Pan Am 103 Memorial Interfaith: Syracuse University service and vigil honoring and remembering the victims of Pan Am Flight 103.

21 Yule Pagan: Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. An observance of the return of the Sun, making daylight hours longer from this day until June.

23 Human Light: Secular celebration of humanist vision of peace and goodwill among all

24 Christmas Eve Christian: Eve of traditional Western date observing the birth of Christ in a 12-day festival lasting until Epiphany

25 Christmas Christian: Traditional Western date observing the birth of Christ in a 12-day festival lasting until Epiphany

26 Zarathosht Diso* Zoroastrian: Death of founding prophet Zarathushtra

26-Jan. 1 Kwanzaa: Weeklong celebration of African American life and cultural heritage

30 Fast of Tevet Jewish: Day of mourning and repentance marking the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. In recent years, it also is a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust.

30 Feast of the Holy Family Christian: Catholic celebration of the love between the family of Jesus

31 Watch Night Christian: Ritual service of preparation for the year to come

January 2026

1 Kwanzaa ends.