Cincy MultiFaith Calendar

Feast of Saint Katharine Drexel (Catholic)
2021-02-03
Katharine Drexel is the second American-born saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church and is considered the patron saint of racial justice and philanthropists. She was an American heiress, philanthropist, religious sister, educator, and foundress of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters for Indians and Colored People (now Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament), a congregation of missionary nuns dedicated to the welfare of American Indians and African Americans.
You can learn more about her here.

Imbolg (Pagan)
2021-02-02
Imbolg falls on February 2nd midway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Imbolg is a Gaelic word that means “in the belly” and refers to the gestation of new lambs. This holiday celebrates the return of light. It is the beginning of spring. It is also known as St. Brigid’s day, Brigid being a Celtic goddess of fire. Symbol: dairy products.
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Jashan-e Sadeh (Zoroastrian)
2021-01-30
Sadeh is a mid-winter celebration observed by preparing a large community bonfire. The bonfire symbolizes the victory of light over forces of cold and darkness.
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Tu B'Shvat (Jewish)
2021-01-28
New Year of the Trees. Originally celebrated as an agricultural festival marking the emergence of spring, today celebrations focus on environmental awareness. Trees are often planted in honor or memory of loved ones.
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Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
2021-01-28
In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.

Bodhi Day- Lunar Calendar (Buddhist)
2021-01-20
Bodhi Day celebrates the day in which Siddhartha Gautama sat underneath the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. This one defining moment would become the central foundation upon which Buddhism has been built upon for the last 2,500 years. It is a day on which followers can renew their dedication to Buddhism; reaffirm themselves to enlightenment, compassion, and kindness to other living creatures; and also understand the relevance of this religion as it applies to the modern world. Some traditions celebrate Bodhi Day on the fixed date of December 8th; for others, Bodhi Day is based on the lunar calendar so the date changes year to year.
http://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/bodhi-day/

Sultan/Sovereignty (Baha'i)
2021-01-18
Wherever they live, Baha’is gather every 19 days for what we call a Feast. This is a members-only event comprising three parts:
1. A spiritual portion that’s the time for prayer and reflection;
2. A business portion for consultation about administrative issues: plans for forming classes, organizing to perform community service, observing holy days, or any ideas or projects community members wish to discuss. It’s also a time when local members can ask their Local Assembly to forward their concerns to the National Assembly;
3. A social portion that can consist of anything from just glasses of water to a full-course dinner.

Jashan-e Vohuman (Zoroastrian)
2021-01-16
This festival (Jashan) is dedicated to the Amesha Spenta Vohimena (the Good Mind) and celebrates the creation of animals. A glass of milk is used to represent Vohuman in prayers.
BAHMAN (1) – Encyclopaedia Iranica (iranicaonline.org)

Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
2021-01-14
The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names in different parts of India and the Hindu world. Names include Magh Bihu, Maghi (preceded by Lohri), Thai Pongal and so on. It also marks the day of Winter Solstice as per the Hindu tradition.
Makara Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas , melas(fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. The Magha Mela is mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharat. Many observers go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe in a ceremony of thanks to the sun. Every twelve years (marking one complete revolution of Jupiter around the Sun) the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with one of the world’s largest mass pilgrimages, with an estimated 40 to 100 million people attending the event. At this event, then they say a prayer to the sun and bathe at the Prayaga confluence of the River Ganga and River Yamuna at the Kumbha Mela.
More information can be found here and here.

Christmas (Christian Orthodox)
2021-01-07
This holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God, the Messiah, and Savior of the world.
This celebration corresponds to December 25th in the Julian calendar, which is thirteen days behind the Gregorian calendar used by other Christian and Catholic communities.
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Three Kings (Hispanic)
2021-01-06
The Feast of Reyes (Fiesta de Reyes or Los Reyes) is celebrated in Spain/Portugal and Latin America on January 6th. The feast celebrates the passage in the Bible in which the Three Wise Men safely arrive to Jerusalem thanks to the guidance of the Star and bring gifts to Jesus. The level of celebration varies from a family gathering to a huge city wide and very anticipated parade depending on the culture/country. For example, both Spain and Puerto Rico celebrate with large parades, and many argue that Reyes is more festive/a larger celebration than Christmas. Despite the differences in the level of “Community Celebration”, all cultures/countries share some traditions around this feast: 1. Family gathering the night before and/or the day of Reyes. 2. Eating the Rosca/Roscon de Reyes, a sweet bread in the shape of a large oval “doughnut” with dried fruit on top. This is a very time consuming sweet to make. Inside the bread there is one (or more than one depending on the size of the Rosca) figurine of “Baby Jesus”. Based on each family’s traditions (mostly guided by the cultural traditions of the country of origin) the person that receives the piece of bread with the figurine will be responsible for hosting the party the next year, bringing tamales for the feast of Candelaria/Candlemas Day (Mexican Tradition), or doing/not doing the dishes, first one to other presents, etc. 3. All kids (and grown up kids) leave their shoes by the window the night before Reyes (Jan 5th) or under the Christmas Tree so the Reyes (Kings) can fill them with gifts during the night. Usually, kids select their favorite shoes, “Church” shoes or the shoes that better represent them (soccer shoes, dance shoes, flip-flops, etc). 4. Kids also leave water outside their home for the camels to drink. (The Three Wise Men travel on camels). It is important also to mention that this feast brings much attention to the idea of the star that guided the Three Wise Men to Jesus and how we should always follow God’s light and path and trust that we will be safe.
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Parkash - Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru) (Sikh)
2021-01-05
Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Gobind Singh with great enthusiasm! The 10th and final Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh is regarded as the spiritual Father. He was a wise sage, a brilliant poet, a keen philosopher, a talented musician, a multi-faceted warrior, and a fearless general. Following the martyrdom of his father, the 9th Master, Guru Gobind Singh forged the distinct ‘Khalsa’ identity of the Sikhs to always stand out as beacons of hope and stand up for equality. He charged the Khalsa to restore justice, fight exploitation, and be stewards of humanity. He also declared the Scriptures, the Adi Granth, to be the Sikh’s Guru from that time on.
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Holiday greetings: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!
Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day.

Epiphany of the Lord (Catholic)
2021-01-03
Celebrated 12 days after Christmas, the Epiphany of the Lord is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings) who visited Jesus.
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The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Catholic)
2021-01-01
Solemnity of Mary
A feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ.
This is a holy day of obligation.

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Maidyarem Gahambar (Zoroastrian)
2020-12-31 - 2021-01-04
Maidyarem (literally: Winter) Gahambar is a seasonal feast celebrated on the winter solstice. 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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Shaheedi-Chhotey Sahibzaadey (Sikh)
2020-12-26
“The younger of the four Sahibzaadey, Baba Zorwar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, were martyred together at the young age of 6 and 9 years old by the Mughals in Sirhind in 1705. They were captured with their grandmother, Mata Gujri, and were immediately imprisoned in the freezing temperatures of December. They rejected all bribes by the Mughals and instead chose to remain steadfast in their faith even if it led to being entombed alive. They did not waiver and choose the easy option of living a lavish life upon conversion. Their lives serve as a reminder that age has no bearing in living a principled life.”
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Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Shaheedi - Chhotey Sahibzaadey (Sikh)
2020-12-26

Zarathosht-no-Diso (Zoroastrian)
2020-12-26
Death anniversay of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is a day of special prayers, with lectures and discussions held on the life and works of the prophet. There is no mourning in the Zoroastrian religion, only remembrance and prayers for Farohars (souls) of the departed.

Christmas (Christian)
2020-12-25
Birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and Savior of the world.
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Holiday Greeting: Merry Christmas

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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