Cincy MultiFaith Calendar

Yalda (Zoroastrian)
2020-12-21
Yalda is a winter solstice celebration. Friends and family gather on this longest and darkest night of the year to eat and celebrate late into the night, around a fire which burns all night long. Red colored fruits like pomegranates and watermelons consumed. The red color in these fruits is symbolic of the light of the early morning.
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Shaheedi - Vaddey Sahibzaadey (Sikh)
2020-12-21
The word “Sahibzaada” means “son” in Punjabi and these two final events of the year refer to the martyrdom of all four of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons. All four of his sons gave up their lives fighting tyranny and oppression like their father, Guru Gobind Singh, and grandfather, Guru Tegh Bahadur, before them. The elder two sons, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh, died fighting in the Battle of Chamkaur at the age of 18 and 14 years old in 1705. The martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s all four sons is an integral part of the Sikh history and it is commemorated with great energy at the end of the year.
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Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Our Lady of Guadalupe (Catholic)
2020-12-12
A popular Catholic feast that celebrates the belief that a man, Juan Diego, encountered the Virgin Mary, Mexico’s patron saint, in Mexico City on December 9 and 12, 1531.
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Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic)
2020-12-08
Immaculate means without stain. Mary was conceived without original sin or its stain.
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Parkash - Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
2020-11-30
“Guru Nanak came to this world in 1469 in the then-Punjab region and was the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak was a divinely appointed Master. His teachings are not for a particular age. His thoughts and sayings are timeless.In the person of Guru Nanak, we meet with an unparalleled completeness of religious life.Guru Nanak was a philosopher and prophet in one. His soul soared to celestial heights and brought from there armloads of Amrit, the divine food for our souls.Guru was a perfect Yogi and ideal householder. For the whole of his life, he worked for the good of others. He was a gifted, far‐sighted reformer, who advocated on behalf of the socially depressed, attacking the economic and political problems of his day. Through his Langar, no distinction of caste, race, or creed was ever observed. Such is the ideal organization which Guru Nanak designed for human society. He ever dwelt in God, and God
ever dwelt in him. Guru Nanak was for the whole world. He conveyed his message of Love, Service, and Worship to all people of all places. And everywhere, he succeeded in lighting the holy flame in the hearts of the people.”
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Holiday Greeting: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!
Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

First Sunday of Advent (Catholic)
2020-11-29
For Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renweed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world.
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Bandi Chor Divas (Sikh)
2020-11-14
The sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, was imprisoned Gwalior Fort by the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, sometime between 1617 and 1619. He was kept under close surveillance and his devotees were turned away from visiting him. However, Bhai Jetha and Hazrat Miam Mir rallied for Guru Hargobind’s release. There were 52 other political prisoners being held by Emperor Jahangir and Guru Hargobind refused to leave the prison until he could secure their release as well. Emperor Jahangir conceded that how many ever prisoners could hold onto Guru Hargobind’s robe at the emancipation could be released as well. A special robe was stitched with 52 strips on it for each prison to hold onto one. Bandi Chor loosely translates to “the release of the imprisoned” or “the great emancipator” and it holds significant meaning since Guru Hargobind sacrificed personal freedom to defend the innocent. Bandi Chor falls on the same day as Divali, but Sikhs do not celebrate Divali.
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Holiday Greeting: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!
Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara in the evening for a devotional service. Often fireworks and/or candles may be a part of their local celebration.

Diwali (Hindu)
2020-11-14
One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.” Light is a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated. The preparations and observances typically last five days.

All Souls Day (Catholic)
2020-11-02
All Souls Day is a solemn celebration in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all of those who have died and are now in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins and the temporal punishments for the mortal sins that they had confessed, and being made pure before entering into the presence of God in Heaven.
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1984 Anti-Sikh Pogroms (Sikh)
2020-11-01
Over the course of three days, 8,000 – 17,000 Sikhs were killed and about 50,000 were displaced after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed by her two Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Upon public knowledge of her death, Indian citizens (primarily Hindu nationalists) determinedly murdered, raped, burned, and tortured innocent Sikhs in more than 100 cities in 18 states across India. . Government officials in Delhi handed out weapons and even fuel and ordered residents to attack and kill Sikhs. Even police and army personnel stepped aside letting mobs run wild beating and burning Sikhs alive in the streets. The Indian government has yet to recognize these events as state sanctioned killing and genocide. After decades of advocacy and pursuit of justice, one then member of the Indian government, Sajjan Kumar, was sentenced for his role in these crimes against humanity. These recent assaults on the community have shocked and greatly impacted the collective conscience.
More Information:
Publications
India: No Justice for 1984 Anti-Sikh Bloodshed

Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

All Saints Day (Catholic)
2020-11-01
Also called All Hallows’ Day, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven.
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Dussehra (Hindu)
2020-10-25
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is a gazetted holiday in India, which is marked on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Ashwayuja), according to the Hindu calendar

Gurgaddi of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh)
2020-10-20
Commemorating the transfer of Guruship from human form to the Word, Shabad. The installation of Guru Granth Sahib, the ultimate compilation containing the Guru’s wisdom, is celebrated with great joy. The last and eternal Guru for the Sikhs is Guru Granth Sahib. It is respected not like a book, but like a true King. All Sikhs bow before the Guru signifying their humility and asking for the blessings of the Divine Creator to grant them with Divine wisdom through the Guru.
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Holiday Greeting: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!

Navratri (Hindu)
2020-10-17 - 2020-10-26
The festival literally means “nine nights” and is celebrated differently in various parts of India with prayer, elaborate pandals, folk dances, displays of dolls, sharing of sweets and bonfires. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil; for example, it commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura and the restoration of righteousness.

Ayathrem Gahambar (Zoroastrian)
2020-10-12 - 2020-10-16
Ayathrem (literally: bring home the herds) Gahambar celbrates getting ready for winter. It is considered a religious duty to participate in a communal jashan prayer ceremony; as well as, fraternize and share a simple meal with fellow co-religionists from all walks of life, rich and poor.
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St. Francis of Assisi (Catholic)
2020-10-04
Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi who abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian church of San Damiano. His angry father disowned and disinherited him because Francis sold some goods from his father’s warehouse and used the proceeds to rebuild the church, and Francis embraced his new life of poverty. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. It is Francis who originated the practice of commemorating the Birth of Christ with the nativity scene.
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Jashan-e Mihragan (Zoroastrian)
2020-10-02
This autumnal community celebration involve prayers of thanskgiving and blessings of the community.
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St. Vincent de Paul (Catholic)
2020-09-27
“Feast day of the patron saint of charitable societies, St. Vincent de Paul is primarily recognized for his charity and compassion for the poor, though he is also known for his reform of the clergy. He was renowned for his compassion, humility and generosity.”
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Gurgaddi - Guru Angad Dev Ji (Sikh)
2020-09-18
Guru Angad Dev Ji was originally a humble Sikh named Lehna. Upon meeting the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, his life transformed and he never left the Guru’s side serving the community for many years to follow. When the time came, Guru Nanak approached Lehna and said you have now become a part of me, Ang, and henceforth you shall carry on the Guru’s work as Angad. Guru Angad was responsible for establishing the script of the Guru, Gurmukhi, which is commonly known today as the Punjabi script.
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Holiday Greeting: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!
Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Paitishahem Gahambar (Zoroastrian)
2020-09-12 - 2020-09-16
Paitishahem (literally: bringing in the harvest) Gahambar is a harvest seasonal festival. It is considered a religious duty to participate in a communal jashan prayer ceremony; as well as, fraternize and share a simple meal with fellow co-religionists from all walks of life, rich and poor.
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Ashura (Muslim)
2020-08-29
This day marks the migration Prophet Muhammad took from the cities of Mecca to Medina to protect the faith of Islam. This commemorates the Islamic New Year.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
2020-08-22
The festival celebrates the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesh clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stages) with ornate statues. The festival ends on the tenth day with a public procession and immersion of the idols and statues; in Mumbai alone, it is estimated that around 150,000 statues are immersed annually.

Al-Hijra (Muslim)
2020-08-20
Al-Hijra is the Islamic New Year and the first day of the month of Muharram. It marks the Hijra in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra).

Paryushana (Jain)
2020-08-16 - 2020-09-23
Most important annual holy events for Jains. It lasts 8-10 days. Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity, often with fasting and prayer/meditation. The five main vows are emphasized during this time.
Students may be fasting.
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Feast of the Assumption (Catholic)
2020-08-15
The feast day of the Assumption of Mary celebrates the Christian belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary into Heaven following her death.
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Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
2020-08-03
On this day, the bonds between sisters and brothers are celebrated. Sisters of all ages tie an amulet, called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility for the well-being of the sisters.
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Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
2020-07-31
This holiday marks the completion of the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca and is observed by Muslims to commemorate the faith of Abraham. Students will miss school to attend congregational prayers at the mosque and celebrate the holiday with their families/friends.
More Information:
Eid al-Adha 101
Islamic Networks Group
Holiday Greeting: “Eid Mubarak! (Happy Eid)”

Waqf al Arafa (Muslim)
2020-07-29
This is the 9th day of the pilgrimage to Mecca, where pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafa to pray for forgiveness and be thankful for their blessings. Muslims who are not at the pilgrimage will fast from sunrise to sunset this day.
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Students may be fasting this day.

Pioneer Day (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
2020-07-24
Pioneer Day commemorates the day the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Festivities include a parade (Days of ’47), games, concerts, speeches, rodeos, etc.
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Holiday Greeting: Happy Pioneer Day
State holiday in Utah

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (Catholic)
2020-07-14
Informally known as Lily of the Mohawks. First Native American saint in the United States. It is said that after her death, the marks on her face from her smallpox faded away. St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the patroness of ecology and the environment, as well as people in exile and Native Americans.
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