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Al Hijra is commemorated on the first day of the Muharram and is the Islamic New Year. Muharram is the month in which the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina took place in 622 CE. There are a few rituals associated with the Islamic New Year, compared to the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

There are no religious observances prescribed for Al-Hijra. It is a time for reflection on the year to come. In the recent times, some Muslims even exchange greeting cards to commemorate this holiday.

The Islamic Calendar

The Islamic Calendar consists 12 lunar months. Each month consists 29.5 days on an average and the year ultimately has 354 days. Each of the months, start with the viewing of the crescent moon or the Hilal with the bare eye. The calendars are printed depending on the astronomical calculations made for the viewing of the moon earlier. The leap years in the Lunar calendar are those years which when divided by the numeral 30, produces a remainder of the numbers 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24, 26 and 29.

In Saudi Arabia and Egypt, noting the time of the sunset and the moonset on the 29th day of every month marks the start of the month. The moon setting before the sun will mean the next day is the 30th of the month and the sun setting before the moon will mean the following day is the first day of the following month.

For the Muslims, Al Hijrah was the focal point for considering their chronology. Al Hijra commemorates the epic journey between two cities, which are 300 miles apart. In a deeper sense, Al Hijra marked the beginning of an era, a culture and a history for the entire mankind. Islam made a progress due to the fact that Muslims considered all the aspects and dimensions of Al Hijra to be sacred.

Difference with the Solar Calendar

The Islamic calendar has an average of 354.3670 days, whereas the Solar calendar has an average of 365.2422 days. Thus, the Hijra calendar gains ground in comparison to the Solar calendar at the rate of about 11 days per year.

The Islamic months do not match up with any particular season. Moreover, a lunar month stretches from 29 to 30 days only, while the solar month will have days stretching from 28 to 31 days.

The years of the Islamic Calendar or the Hijra, are calculated from 1 Muharram, 622 CE. The Suffix AH follows them, implying After Hijira .

Mawlid an Nabi or Milad al-Nabi is a special day for the believers of Muslim faith. This day is marked by the celebration of the birthday of the final prophet of Islam, prophet Muhammad. The Muslims celebrate Milad al -Nabi on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, the fifth month of the Islamic Calendar.

The Holy Day Of Celebration

The celebration of this holy day centers round the life and preaching of Prophet Muhammad. Both Shia and Sunni Muslims celebrate Mawlid an Nabi with great devotion. They decorate their homes, hold processions and prepare luscious food and distribute them. Learned people of Islam narrate life stories of Prophet Muhammad and the children recite poems. A special part of the remembrance is about the forgiveness of Muhammad even to his bitter enemies. The believers of Islam sing songs and chant special prayers. The Muslims give charity to poor like other holidays.

The Origin Of Mawlid an Nabi

The holiday of Milad al- Nabi was first celebrated in the 13th century and marked the end of a month of celebration. The holiday, the actual day of Muhhamad s birthday then included a sermon, honoring of religious dignitaries and recitation of litanies. The day was celebrated with pomp and grandeur with huge mass commemoration, special gift giving and a sumptuous feast. Later celebration gradually became more subdued. It is said that Prophet Muhammad had advised his followers not to celebrate his birthday with such lavishness. Believing this directive, many conservative sects like the Wahhabiyah consider the celebration of Mawlid an Nabi as idolatrous.

Life Of Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad entered this world in about A.D 570 and passed away in A.D 632. He established Islam as an official religion and replaced tribal loyalty with egalitarianism. He received a vision of the angel Gabriel at a crucial point in his life and was called into service as a prophet. He again received a second vision of Gabriel and was told to magnify thy Lord .

Muhammad began to preach publicly in Mecca and many people started to follow him. But many people were opposed to him and pose threat to his life so he fled to Yathrib in A.D 622. This 200 miles journey from Mecca to Yathrib is known as Hegira. The Muslim Calendar starts with Hegira.

Mawlid an Nabi In The Western Calendar

Milad al- Nabi falls on the 12th of the fifth month, Rabi-ul-Awwal in the Islamic Calendar. But this date varies in the Gregorian Calendar from year to year because the Islamic Calendar is a lunar calendar while the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. Milad al- Nabi will fall on 5th April in 2007.

Therefore, Mawlid an Nabi is a day of joyous celebration for the followers of Islam.

The Feast of the Nativity combines both the incarnation and re-creation of Christ in the world. Christians eagerly await the arrival of this great feast in commemoration of the birth of the ‘Sun of Righteousness’- Jesus, in December. There are many customs and traditions attached to this festival. Popular sentiments suggest that it has shadowed Epiphany – the greater feast of Resurrection.

The date of birth of Christ was the object of speculation from the early 3rd century, various churchmen suggesting different dates. However, until the 4th century, the celebration of the centenary of Christ’s birth was not so widespread. It was the Romans who spread the celebration of the feast of Nativity associated with the birth of Christ spread throughout the world.

The Church of Jerusalem celebrates Nativity on 6th January and in the Armenian Church January 6 is still observed as Christmas Day.

The Origin of This Holyday

You would imagine how does Feast of Nativity actually fit into the life of the Orthodox Christian Church? The Church of Rome is often credited for the origins of the feast of the birth of Christ. You must be thinking what was the basis of this feast and why was particularly December 25th chosen as the day for its celebration?

The genesis of the Feast of the Nativity in winter is ambiguous from historical facts available regarding the birth of Christ, but can be explained from curious astronomical phenomenon.

You know that late in December we reach the shortest day of the year. This point onwards the hours of daylight gradually increase. This evident phenomenon had great religious implication in the pagan Roman world. It became the feast of Sol Invictus (the Unconquerable Sun). Rome started celebrating this holyday during the last two weeks of December as Saturnalia.

There could be no better time for Christians to celebrate the coming of the true unconquered “Sun”. Thus, the feast of Christmas was born as the f te for dawning of the Sun of Righteousness on the world.

You would find the earliest mention of observing the Nativity of Christ on December 25 is in a calendar tabulating the practice in Rome in the year 336. Some scholars consider this date perhaps to counteract the pagan feast of the nativity of the invincible Sun. Christ has been represented as the ‘Sun of Righteousness’.

Celebrations on the Feast

The Orthodox Christians begin the Feast of the Nativity with a grand episode of preparations. It is then preceded by a fast, corresponding to Lent and lasts for forty days, beginning on 15th November.

It is a great event, which creates a lot of anticipation. Many rituals and practices are attached to this festival. The season begins with decoration of individual homes and whole cities are beautified for Christmas

Special commemorations are held on the Sundays just before December 25 to emphasize the link between the New and the Old Covenant. The fore feast of the Nativity is celebrated on 20th December. The daily liturgical texts are aimed at the feast itself. On Christmas Eve, services comprise the Great Vespers, the Great or Royal Hours, and the Liturgy of Saint Basil.

The service on Christmas Day venerates the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The days after Christmas are associated with the Theotokos and Joseph. On December 26 the Synaxis of the Mother of God, and on the first Sunday after the Feast of Navity people commemorate “Joseph the Betrothed . This celebration of Nativity season concludes on December 31, but the spirit of the celebration continues.

Feast of the Nativity encloses both virtues of the Roman festival of the Sun and other pagan feasts. Thus, Feast of the Nativity is popularly observed with joy and merry especially by orthodox christens throughout the world.

Lailat al Miraj is an auspicious festival for followers of Islam. This occasion is also called Shab-e-Miraj or Mira Kandili in Turkish. On this day Prophet Mohammad made his journey from Mecca to Al-Haram As-Sharif (Temple Mount), where he saw heaven (Jannah), met with the prophets and eventually with God. The believers of Islam celebrate this occasion as the day of enlightenment of their Prophet. The events on this day tend to bring the Islamic community together.

The festival

You would certainly be interested to know about the festival. This occasion is celebrated by telling the beautiful stories of Prophet Mohammad. How he was visited by two archangels while sleeping, the way they purified his heart and enlightened him with knowledge and devotion. Narrating his journey from Mecca to Jerusalem in a strange winged creature called Buraq in a single night, which raised him to heaven.

Lailat al Miraj literally means the night of Ascent . It marks the night on which Prophet Mohammad attained a very high spiritual level. His ascent occurred on the 27th day of Rajab (seventh month of the Hijra or Muslim lunar calendar).

His ascent was not related to physical body, but a vision of that great level. Here, Prophet Mohammad met Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and some other Prophets. The reason behind this Ascent was to substantiate the status that Prophet of Islam had achieved. It is also said that even Angel Gabriel, accompanied Holy Prophet, in his maiden endeavor and asked him to continue his ascent. Soon, he reached very close to the Throne of God and achieved highest closeness to him.

How Followers of Islam celebrate this carnival

This day is marked by the decoration of Ascent (Miraj), mosques and houses, with colorful pennants and buntings. As evening approaches, devotees amass in mosques and offer prayers to the almighty, praising The Lord (Allah) and the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) and sing devotional hymns. In the night, people light up oil-lamps, candles, electric lights, etc. This gives a magnificent look to the houses, mosque and Ascent. Contrastingly unlike eids – revolving around the family – Lailat al Miraj is a community festival where all the members of the community participate as a whole. This brings unity and integrity in the community.

Celebrations on this day tend to focus on children and the young. Children gather in mosque where they are told the stories of the Miraj.

Public spiritual meetings are held at night after which Isha prayer (a prayer offered before sleeping at night) is held in larger mosques and the details about the Ascent are discussed. The satsangs is brought to a close with distribution of the sweets (holy sacrament/prasad), at the end.

This is a holy night when the devotees take the opportunity to perform admirable deeds, such as donating money, distributing food among the poor and so on. Devotees spent the entire night of Lailat al Miraj in the remembrance of Prophet Mohammad.

Lailat al Baraah is the night of seeking pardon and repentance from Allah for the committed sins. This Islamic festival marks the night when Allah places each person according to his or her deeds. God grants forgiveness to people who repent their sins.

Lailat al Baraah is also called Night of Absolution because it consists of two absolutions. An absolution for the miserable sinners from the Allah Almighty and another absolution is from disenchantment for the Friends of Allah.

In Persian and Urdu as well, Laylatul Baraa ah is called Shabbe Baraat . It is the 15th night of Shabaan. In Hadith Shareef this Mubarak night is known as “Nisf Shabaan” meaning the 15th night of Shabaan. This is the night of salvation from Azaab and Calamity. God accepts the repentances for sins.

This is the night for the Muslims to seek pardon for the transgressions and to settle the mind as not to commit sins in the future. People must keep away from deeds that are against the Shari ah so that there will be hope of acceptance of their Du a and Istighfaar.

The Celebration Of The Auspicious Night Of Lailat Al Baraah

• On this propitious night of Lailat al Baraah the Muslims perform fresh Ghusal and Wudhu and perform the two Rakaat of Tahhiyatul Wudhu. After the Suratul Fatiha on every Rakaat Ayatul Kursi is read once and Surah Ahad thrice.

• Immediately after sunset if one recites “La Hawla walaa Quwwata illa Billahil-aliyil Azeem” forty times with recital of Durood Shareef before and after thrice it is mentioned that Almighty Allah will absolve you from forty years of sin and you will be served by forty Hoors in Jannatul Firdous.

• The narration says that the Arwaah or the departed souls of the Muslims visit the houses of their friends and relatives on the night of Lailat al Baraah and declare people of the house! You stay in our houses and enjoy the wealth that we have left behind. You use our children and take work from them, please perform our Esaale Sawaab. Verily our deeds have become complete, while your record of deeds is still spread. On this night, people perform the Essale Sawab and Khatam Shareef and the Arwaah depart blessing the people.

• People must visit the cemetery in this night to pray for the people buried there. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is said to have visited the cemetery on this night and lamented and prayed for the departed.

• According to Hadith Sharif the Muslims should spend the night of Shabaan awake and should fast for the next day. It is said that the people who fast for three days during Shabaan, all their past sins are absolved.

• The night should be spent by performing Nawaafil, reciting Quran Shareef and with profuse recital of abundant Durood Shareef, Istighfaar and Kalima Tayyibah.

Thus the night of Lailat al Baraah is the Night Of Absolution and time of rejoice in Allah Almighty s forgiveness.

Feast of the Theophany is one of the oldest holy days celebrated by churches throughout the world. This has been celebrated since the second century by orthodox Christians and predates the celebrations of Christmas by over 100 years .It carries a great significance in Christianity for its deep theological implication.

You seem to be feeling very inquisitive to learn what this feast is all about? Well, the word theophany actually is a Greek word meaning showing forth of God or the the manifestation of God . Orthodox Christians celebrate Feast of Theophany as the day of
Jesus Christ’s Baptism and the revelation of God as Trinity (Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; Mt.3: 13-17). This holyday has been named Theophany, as on this day, with the baptism of Christ the Holy Trinity emerged clearly before the mankind for the first time.

Now, you might be engrossed in Trinitarian theology. Well, it is the cornerstone of the Christian faith which rightly defines the True God. He sent his only son for the sake of the restitution of all creations back to its Creator. Therefore, for the early Church, Theophany was the foundational expression of the truth of the Gospel.

Baptism of Jesus

When Jesus was thirty, he went to meet John the Baptist from Galilee to Jordan to get baptized on the banks of the river Jordan, where John tried to deny baptizing him. According to him Jesus should have baptized him instead of him baptizing Jesus. Jesus answered that, it was fitting him for fulfilling all righteousness.

While Jesus was in the water, Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. Then the holy Father s who appeared as a dove, prophesized from heaven that the Son of God has appeared in the flesh and standing physically in the Jordan.

Celebrations on this holyday

The Christmas Season concludes with the feast of the Theophany, which begins on December 25 and ends on January 6. The services for the feast of Theophany are laid down precisely as those of the Nativity. If you learn historically, that Christmas services were recognized later.

The Feast of Theophany is the day when God and the Savior of the world – Jesus blessed all the waters of the world with his occurrence in the Jordan River. The Churches commemorate the great moment by blessing streams, rivers or lakes nearby each community.

On the eve of the feast, The Royal Hours are read out and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is served with Vespers. A Vigil is made up of Great Compline and Matins.

For many centuries this event has been piously celebrated with the great blessing of water being performed on this day. The local priests bless the homes of the faithful with holy water.

People present in services on the Feast of the Theophany bring a container in which they take home some of the holy water from the services. The holy water is kept in the home for use throughout the year.

This is especially popular with eastern European tradition to have their home blessed by the parish priest, which is followed by the Feast of the Theophany with the holy water that was blessed during the services on that day.

The Orthodox Theophany hymn suggests that when Jesus was baptized in Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made evident. The Feast of the Theophany is considered as one of the most important events in the history of salvation.

Hossanah!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the lord
(John 12:13)

The meaning of Palm Sunday, also known as The Triumphal Entry , is celebrated to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey following his miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. People of Jerusalem greeted him waving palm branches as a symbol of victory and shouting praises to him in jubilation. On this day we worship Jesus Christ in the same manner, acknowledging Him as our King and Lord.

Palm Sunday is one of the Great feasts of the Orthodox Church and its celebration takes place on the Sunday before Easter or Pascha. It always falls on one of the dates between March 15 & April 18. This year in 2007, Palm Sunday is on April 1.

The Miracle of Resurrection

Lazarus was Jesus friend. When he fell ill, Jesus was called. But before Jesus could reach Lazarus died. With tears in his eyes for his friend, Jesus Christ went to his tomb and brought him to life. This event revealed Jesus as The resurrection and life of all the mankind.

The feast of Palm Sunday commemorates the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus recorded in all four of the Gospels (Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19).

The feast is celebrated, but this day also marks Jesus last week on Earth, which eventually follows crucifixion of Jesus Christ. So the day is celebrated with the realisation of the sad days that are soon to come.

On this Sunday a basket of woven palms crosses is placed in front of the icon of the Lord and a prayer for the blessing of the Palm (Ainoi) is read. The palms are then distributed among the followers who keep them in their home icon corner. In the Orthodox and Jacobite Churches, the palm leaves are burnt as part of the rituals during Christmas.

In some parts of the country where Palm is not available due to climatic conditions, boughs of yew, willow or leaves of other native trees like Olive is also used. The custom of using pussy willows instead of Palm fronds can be seen in countries like Russia and Ukraine, however the meaning of Palm Sunday stays the same..

Importance of Red Egg

At the end of the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, the presentation of red eggs is a tradition. The red egg represents Christ in the tomb and the breaking of the eggs is symbolic of the resurrection. Slavic People and Greek families bring baskets containing bread, cheese, meat, eggs, butter and other foods to be blessed after the Divine Liturgy. According to the tradition, a candle is also lit to symbolising the Light of Christ. Fasting is also modified and fish is permitted due to the triumphant joyous mood of Palm Sunday.

The most significant religious festival according to the orthodox Christian Church is the celebration of Easter or Pascha (Passover). According to the history of Easter, it is believed that Jesus was resurrected on the third day following his death by crucifixion between 27 AD and 33 AD. Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

Easter is known as the Feast of Resurrection. The celebration starts before midnight with the church in darkness and lamentations. At midnight the priest takes a flame from the vigil light and passes it on to the others and leads them out of the church. They again enter the lighted church singing Christ has risen . Here they break fast with Divine Liturgy and return home. Later on in the day they gather again for prayer.

Exploring the history of Easter it is interesting to know that for some orthodox Christians, the term Easter has pagan connotations relating to the pagan goddess Eostre for whom vernal equinox is named. In reality, Easter is derived from the Latin lunar month Eosturmonath when Pascha is celebrated. Only Speakers of Germanic languages use the term Easter while the followers of Christianity use the cognate forms of Pascha.

Easter is a movable celebration where there is no fixed date. For Orthodox Christians, the date of celebration is in accordance with the Julian calendar and based on the lunar calendar. At the 1st council of Nicea in 325 it was specified that Easter be celebrated on the same Sunday for the whole of Christianity. According to ecclesiastical rules, Easter falls on the 1st Sunday after the 1st ecclesiastical full moon (the day of the ecclesiastical spring equinox).

In most languages other than Germanic, Easter is derived from the word Pesach or Jewish Passover and is related to it symbolically as well as for its position in the calendar. The Last Supper by Jesus and his followers before crucifixion is regarded as Passover Seder. Also Christ s death was at the time of the slaughter of the Passover lambs.

The history of Easter is deep-rooted, however, nowadays the celebration of Easter goes beyond religion to predominantly include feasting and enjoyment. There are sales of cards, chocolate Easter eggs, marshmallow bunnies and other confectionery in huge numbers.

In North America, Easter is a secular event where people decorate Easter eggs and hide them to hunt them on Easter Sunday. Children believe that the Easter bunny delivers eggs and treats in a basket for them in the morning. However, some people attend Mass and partake of the Pascha feast in the afternoon.

In Scandinavian countries the tradition is to solve murder mysteries on Easter. Tradition also includes painting eggs. Children dress as witches collecting willows according to the old orthodox tradition of blessing houses with willow branches and the Scandinavian Easter witch tradition.

In central Europe, males whip females with handmade whips according to tradition on Easter Monday. The whipped female offers a painted egg to the male as a sign of appreciation! In Hungary, Easter Monday is called Ducking Monday and perfume is sprinkled when eggs are exchanged. Easter is celebrated in diverse ways in the Christian world.

The meaning of Palm Sunday can best be understood through the events leading up to it. Palm Sunday is the Sunday, which comes before Easter. It is the feast referred in the church calendar of the Roman Catholics and the Protestant Christians. The Palm Sunday is also regarded as the First day of the Holy week, commemorating Jesus coming to Jerusalem. On this day, Jesus came back to Jerusalem riding on a horse. Watching Him riding on a horse His followers shouted Hossana or save us now , and scattered palm in His path to welcome the Messiah , the saver.

You can understand the meaning of Palm Sunday by referring to all four canonical Gospels that are Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. It was the time for the Jewish priests to celebrate the Passover. Jesus too joined the feast in Jerusalem. The Palm Day is of a great significance to His followers. They stood on the roads and were holding palm branches in hands in order to welcome Jesus. For them, His return to Jerusalem was cause enough to celebrate.

According to the New Testament, before entering in Jerusalem, Jesus was staying at Bethany. He too had dinner with Lazarus and His two sisters Mary and Martha. According to the Gospels, John and the Synoptic Jesus also sent two of His disciples to Bethany in order to search for a colt, which was later found to be wandering in Bethany. Jesus later rode the colt and reached Bethany. The local people welcomed Him singing the Psalm 118, which goes on like this: Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh .

The Roman Catholic Church call this Sunday the Second Sunday of the Passion. In this Passion Week Liturgy, people enter the church with blessed Palms in hands, and later enacts Jesus entering in Jerusalem. These Palms are burned in some churches in order to store ashes for the upcoming Ash Wednesday .

Symbolism

In the Jewish tradition, the Palm branches are symbols of triumph and victory. Hence, the act of spreading Palms in His path and carpeting the way with the branches are quite symbolical and expresses their veneration towards Jesus. The song that the Jewish people sang was the Benediction song of the Passover meal. It thus presents the figure if Jesus as the symbolic Passover Sacrifice.

The Traditions and Meaning of Palm Sunday

• It is customary for the patrons to receive Palm leaves on Palm Sunday.
• In Elx, Spain, which is the biggest Palm forest, you can find people tying the palm leaves up to protect them from sunlight and later braid them in different shapes.
• On Palm Sundays the Spanish people wear new clothes and shoes.
• In churches, Palm crosses are distributed and processions are held.

Celebrations

In the Christian countries, Palm Sunday is also regarded as the Holy Sunday. The Holy week begins with the Palm Sunday and culminates in the Easter Sunday. On this day children are given crosses made of single Palm leaves. Many churches hold processions, and people sing songs praising Jesus. In Israel, Christians carry palm leaves from Bethpage, and take on a procession from Jericho to Jerusalem, in order to re-explore the path taken by Jesus.

Thus, the Palm Sunday begins with cherish able memory of Jesus return to Jerusalem, but ends with a melancholic note with the thought of His ultimate crucifixion.

The Christians observe Holy Friday, better known as Good Friday on the Friday before the Easter Sunday. This Holy day of the holy week is marked to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is believed by the mainstream Christian Churches that Christ willingly endured the pains and took the Cross and the death to take our sins on this holy day. Hence, it is also known as Holy Friday in Latin America.

Good Friday possibly is a version of God s Friday . While in Israel it is known as Big Friday, in Eastern Orthodox Church the day is observed as Great Friday and in Denmark it is better known as The Long Day.

Good Friday was observed only as the day of fasting and penance before. However, as per the Liturgy in orthodox Christians, the morning prayers of the Holy Friday usually start from Thursday Night. The service includes the reading of the twelve sections from the Gospels accounting the passion of Christ. Eucharist or Holy Communion service is not celebrated on this day but, at Vespers (the evening prayers), the re-enactment of the burial procession of Jesus is performed. Some Christians carry the cross in a procession around the church with lighted candles.

Roman Catholic Church however observes a three hours service from noon 12 to 3 PM of sermons, hymns and prayers.

To remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for the Christians, they observe fast and penance on Good Friday. Many Christians abstain from alcohols and luxury. On this day all around the world the Schools, colleges and Government offices remain closed and in most countries the Law declares a holiday. And in today s world Christians and even non-Christians pray and share the sorrow of losing Christ on this Friday.

And whether you call it a Holy Friday or a Good Friday or by any other name, the day not only stands for the day of pain that Christ willingly took for his subjects, it also stands for the day of Victory over the wrongs and sins of the people which Jesus redeemed the world off with his sacrifice.