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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.

The day of Pentecost is a celebrated holy day under Roman Catholic traditions. This day speaks of the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles fifty days later than the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has made his way to the Heaven but is still with us. You will know that God has given us a gift in the form of Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit or also called the Holy Ghost is sent by God to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. And this very gift has provided them not only strength but also to do away with solitude.

The Apostles believed that this was only the beginning, as they had to introduce this wonderful gift to many others. Yes, we can all have Him into ours by way of the waters of baptism. And this is how the Holy Spirit has its divine influence into our lives.

Influence of the Holy Spirit

It is believed that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. In fact, we are baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit, together with the Father and the Son. You can feel His presence, as He is there to guide, support, love, and soothe us.

Always remember that the Holy Spirit for all intents and purposes is our best friend. We must develop a strong bond with Him. Because this is how we can derive the inner strength to help us battle through the hardships of our lives. So let Him dwell in you.

Significance of the day of Pentecost on the Christian scene

The day of Pentecost is linked to Christianity’s central image of God as Trinity. Christians see God in three ways. You will find, God as the Creator in nature and then as the Son, in the tale of the life – death and resurrection of Christ and last but not the least as Spirit. God as Spirit is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is with us right through our present and future. Furthermore, Spirit is God’s living presence in churches without which they become lifeless. The fact of the matter is that everything in life as a whole without its Spirit comes to an end.

Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. And did you know that it is symbolically related to the Jewish festival of Shavuot. However, in UK and other English-speaking parts, the day of Pentecost is known as “Whitsunday” i.e. the Old English for “White Sunday”. In Italy, Whitsunday is called Pascha rosatum and not just that the Polish call it the Green Holiday. And speaking of traditions and holidays, Pentecost is celebrated in most parts of the world in true colors and spirit.

Pentecost is an important day of celebration for Christians this day becomes even more special with the influence of the Holy Spirit as he is our guiding star in the journey of life.

The fiftieth day after Pascha or Easter Sunday is celebrated as Pentecost with a feast. This is in memory of the coming down of the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel through the apostles of Christ. The story of Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday in English speaking regions.

The Blessed Trinity consists of the Divine persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who had been sent as a guiding light to his believers by God. As the story of Pentecost goes, when Jesus returned to heaven after his Resurrection, his disciples felt sad, lonely and helpless. God then sent The Holy Spirit to Christ s Apostles on the 50th day after this Ascension (also called Passover or Easter). The apostles then spread the message of love, support and guidance to the people on earth.

According to the orthodox Christian church, The Feast of Pentecost consists of a celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostum. On this day, a Vespers service takes place with kneeling prayers during which bread and wine are consecrated as Christ s body and blood.

The orthodox Christian church calculates the date of the Passover using the Julian calendar with the help of the Nicene formula adopted at the 1st Ecumenical Council in 325 AD. According to the Julian calendar, the celebration of Resurrection falls on Sunday as per the Scriptures. The orthodox Pentecost falls on the fiftieth day of the orthodox Passover.

There are 3 signs of the advent of the Holy Spirit. First was the sound of the blowing wind. Second the tongues of fire, which descended on the disciples to symbolize the delegation of power from Jesus to the Holy Spirit to guide the believers. The Third is the miracle of hearing the apostles spreading the message of the gospel to each listener in his native language.

According to the story of Pentecost, the wonder of the Pentecost was experienced by a large crowd. The Holy Spirit was the translator of the preaching so that everyone understood the message of love in his or her own language. This spread the gospel to one and all. Apostle Peter explained that these divine events were predicted by Joel and the exaltation of Jesus was prophesied by David. About 3000 of those who accepted the messages were baptized.

Pentecost is celebrated in different countries according to specific traditions. In Italy rose petals are scattered from the ceilings of the churches in memory of the fiery tongues. Here Whitsunday is called Pascha rosatum. In France, trumpets are blown to represent the sound of the blowing wind during the advent of the Holy Spirit.

In England, horse races are held during celebration. In Poland, people decorate their houses with greenery and Pentecost is called the Green Holiday. The orthodox churches of the east regard the week prior to Pentecost as an ecclesiastical feast and sing songs and psalms. The Jewish holiday of Shavout is also related to the story of Pentecost.

Samhain is a word for a month in the Celtic calendar; the Samhain festivals marked the end of the summer season and end of the harvest. In Irish language, Samhain is the word for November and the Scottish Gaelic spelling is Samhainn or samhuinn meaning for the feast. As per the Gaulish testimony, Samhain was the principle festival of medieval Ireland, which was celebrated at the royal court of Tara with a great assembly.

Today, celebrating Samhain has survived in some traditions like the secular Halloween, Catholic All Soul’s Day. In the Celtic nations and Scottish Diasporas, Samhain remains as several folk practices and is one of the sabbat feasts of the Wiccan year wheel. The festival of Samhain celebrates the harvest and the dead.

Samhain Festivals and Folklore

Many festivals today carry the legacy of celebrating Samhainn with the harvest and the dead. The Scots and the Irish celebrate the File na Marbh, the “festival of the dead” on Samhain.

Samhain eve is one of the chief festivals of the Celtic calendar, which represents the final harvest and is considered to fall on or around the 31st of October. In Irish, this eve is known as Oche Shamhna and in Scots Gaelic as Oidhche Shamhna. Halloween in the Gaelic language of modern Scotland and Ireland is still known as “Oche/Oidhche Shamhna”. In some places it is a custom to set a place for the dead on the samhain feast and the tales of the ancestors are told.

Celebrating Samhain by the Neopagans is done in various forms. In some culture, dead are honored elaborately, some celebrates like the Ancient Celts or like the living Celtic cultures and some observe it as a holiday with rituals picked from different sources, Celtic tradition being one of them.

The date of the first frost, when the last of the harvest is in is the time when Celtic Reconstructionist Pagans celebrate Samhain. They base their celebration on rituals from the traditional Celtic culture and of the beliefs of old polytheistic Celts. They believe that Samhain is the time when the distance between the “spirit world” and the “human world” fades.

The modern day Wiccans observe Samhain as one of the eight annual holidays, the “sabbats” of the Wiccan wheel. It is a festival of darkness and death, which is balanced, by the spring festival of Beltane, the festival of life and fertility.

Folklore Of Samhain

There are numerous folklores revolving round the holy festival of Samhain. Many characters in Celtic Irish legend undertook their adventures at the Samhuinn night feast. One such Tale is if the Barrle of Mag Tuired, which rook place on Samhain. This tale tells the story of the battle between Dagda’s people and the Fomorians. The deities Morrigan and Dagda met before the battle and had sex. Thus Morrigan gives victory to Dagda’s people.

Is Samhain The Celtic New Year?

The Gaulish calendar divides the year into two halves. The “dark half” begins with the month of Samonios (the October/ November lination) and the “light half” begins with the month of Giamonios (the April/ May lunation). The Celtic New Year is considered to begin with the dark half, so the beginning of Samonios can be considered as the New Year’s Day. The New Year is celebrated during the “three nights of Samanios” when the fullmoon is nearest the midpoint between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.

Samhain is literally “summer’s end”, the point of entrance into the dark phase of the year. Though there are debates among scholars regarding whether Samhain is the Celtic New Year or not, but the living Celtic cultures and contemporary Celtic calendars consider Samhain as the New Year.

The Samhain Celebrations

Samhain was a pre-Christian festival of an agricultural and cattle based economy. These holidays are the time to take stock of grain supplies and cattle.

Bonfire plays a large part in the festivities. The early villagers is said to shed the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. Then the villagers extinguished all other fires and lit their hearth with flames from the bonfire to strengthen the bond of the families of the village. Sometimes bonfires would be built side by side and people walked between the fires to purify themselves.

Divination with apple and nuts is a common folkloric practice used to determine ones spouse name or location of ones future home.

Thus celebrating Samhain, the ancient celebration of harvest and dead is still a time of strong bonding and rejoice.

The Bodhi Day is an important day in the Buddhist religion. It signifies the day when Lord Buddha achieved “Moksha” or “Bodhi” (Release From The Bodily Imprisonment). It was the day, when He attained “Enlightenment.”

From Gautam To Buddha, The Enlightened One

In the 6th century B.C, Prince Gautama Sidhhartha (Lord Buddha) left His family in search of other greater achievements, which would be superior from material gains like having a family and other worldly aspects.

Prince Buddha started preparing for His meditation under the “Bodhi” tree (Ficus Religiosa). He vowed to remain there, until He achieved His goal of complete freedom from this corporeal frame. At the eighth day of His meditation, Buddha attained Enlightenment with the knowledge of four noble truth and eight- fold path upon which Buddhism is founded. Attaining Enlightenment signifies prophetic qualities, which took Buddha to supreme position of a seer.

It is said in Buddhist mythology that Buddha faced a lot of trouble while meditating. There is a reference that “Mara”, the queen of illusion tried to distract Buddha. There are other references, which say that Buddha did not face any obstacle in His path, and concentrated deeper and deeper to free His soul.

What is the Bodhi Day?

The “Bodhi Day” is also known as “Rohatsu”. Rohatsu is the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. The observation of the “Bodhi” day continues for seven days that is from 1st December to 8th December. According to the ancient mythology, the Zen Buddhists first marked Buddha to attain Enlightenment. During Rohatsu, the Buddhists go through an intense meditation program, known as “sesshin”.

The Bodhi day is quite different from the birthday of Lord Buddha, which is known as the “Wesak Day”. The Bodhi day is particularly popular between the “Mahayana” sect of Buddhism. The day reminds the “Zen” and the “Sin” Buddhists of a significant fact that if one tries, he can free his soul from this corporeal chain through hard ascetic practices.

The Observations Of The Bodhi Day Among The Budhhists

The Japanese Buddhists celebrate the day by putting stress on the four lessons taught by Buddha. The four lessons are:

• All beings are subject to suffering since suffering is universal.
• The cause of all suffering is ignorance. Ignoring the self is greater ignorance.
• Ignorance can be overcome through proper understanding.
• One should always be guided by wisdom, ethics and mental discipline.

Buddhists believe that, after meditating for seven days and seven nights, Lord Buddha achieved “Nirvana”. Now He Became “Buddha”- the “Awakened Soul”.

He later preached His disciples that through a pure mind, the true nature of reality can be realized. Men should try to cast off all selfish cravings, laziness, and self-doubts and attain a higher state of existence. He also stated that the true beauty is the beauty of self less love.

Thus, Bodhi Day signifies, the ultimate reality of existence, which resides in the superiority of soul, freed from the earthly bondages.

“Nirvana Day” is a festive day for Mahayana Buddhists who observe the death of the Gautama Buddha on this day. Some Buddhists celebrate this day on 15th February as Parinirvana . On this day, Buddha spoke the last words of his life to his followers before expiring at the age of eighty. Buddhists believe that it is a holyday for introspecting into one’s own future death, or reflect on friends or relations who have passed away lately.

Talking about nirvana you need to know what does it stand for?

What is Nirvana?

Though, it is not an easy task to simplify nirvana. Yet you can call it basically an idyllic spiritual condition where the heart douses hatred, passion, and delusion. According to Buddhist philosophy it is the greatest spiritual plane one can attain. At this phase of life, light of knowledge dispels the darkness of ignorance, existence is visible without substance and peace follows as life draws to an end, which seems to cure the long sickness the body was suffering.

Nirvana is the ultimate aim of Buddhism and understood as the end of rebirth. This stage of life is the point where you sacrifice all your desires and become free from all kinds of sufferings. Buddhists devote their whole life for attaining perfect peace of Nirvana.

There are two general categories in which you can divide Nirvana. The primary, which is a “residual” or partial Nirvana is an experience of Nirvana, which occurs while a person is still alive. Here the ‘residue’ is the body, which is the final bond of existence of the residual, Nirvana does not engrave. The secondary is the “non-residual” Nirvana, also known as “parinirvana” or “perfect nirvana”. This is the Nirvana where one awakes fully as his body perishes. Nirvana is attained when the body is free from all bondages.

Buddha’s attainment of Nirvana.

Buddha had ascended through all the nine stages of meditational attainment, and then the great prophet reversed the process, and returned to the first trance. Again he emerged from that, and once more he ascended step by step to the fourth trance. After emerging from the practice of that, he achieved everlasting peace on Nirvana day.

Celebrations on this holyday

Celebrations on Nirvana Day vary from place to place throughout the world. In the monasteries this day is treated as a social occasion. Buddhists celebrate this holyday mostly by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries. Though, in some monasteries Buddhists read passages from the Paranibbana Sutta , which portrays the conclusive days of Buddha, where as others devote this occasion for those who have recently passed away.

People prepare food and few of them bring presents such as household goods, money, or clothes. Mahayana Buddhists feel indebted to the great Seer who showed them the path of salvation on Nirvana Day. However, from a broader view, Nirvana Day is the day to discover a way towards gaining the perfect peace and win over death.

The Muharram is celebrated during the first month of the Islamic calendar, which is considered the most sacred month of the year. The Shia Muslims consider this month as the month of sorrow and mourning, because the Battle of Karbala was fought during this time.

The 10th day of Muharram is known as the Asurah. Husayun Ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his family was murdered in the Battle of Karbala in AD 680. The Sunni Muslims not only fast on this sanctified day, but carries it till the ninth and tenth or the tenth and eleventh day. Their fast continues till the evening.

Since the Muharram falls on the first month of the year, therefore it is a time for happiness. But the Shias think that it is “haram” to express happiness during this time. The word Muharram is actually derived from the word Haram, which actually means forbidden. The Shias also do not fast as they think that it is a sign of happiness. But only on the tenth day, which is known as the Asurah, the Shias observe voluntary fasting.

The famous quoted lines of Prophet Mohammed from the Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, number 25, says, that the prayer during midnight is the best after the obligatory (five daily) prayers. The book also says that the voluntary fasting during the month of Muharram is the best fast.

Muharram also means respect. The Quran was considered the final word after the death of Prophet Mohammed. Since the prophet did not announce any successor, therefore after much dispute, Ali Bakr, a good follower of the Prophet was considered the successor.

But his reign, faced deluge of protest from the mass and he and his family was executed. Since he was murdered on the tenth day of the month of Muharram, it was and is still now considered as the day of sorrow and pain. Actually these circumstances divided the Muslim society into the Shias and the Sunnis. The Shias believe that Ali, Hassan and Hussain are the rightful successors of the Prophet and mourn their death during Muharram.

The Rituals

The first ten days are observed with sadness. The women forbid all adornments and scenes of the battle of Karbala are carried in Shia Mosque. As soon as the moon appears, people recite plaintive verses over sweetened cold drinks, which signify that Hussain and his family had to suffer terrible thirst. During the nine days, paper replica of the martyr’s tomb is made. On the tenth day, decorated taziyas and tombs adorned in precious stones are led through the city streets. People also torture themselves by whip lashing their bodies with chains and walking on burning coal.

The popular belief is that if the a few rituals are properly followed on the day of Ashurah, then it leads to great rewards. The rituals are to give alms to the poor, to cut the nails, to recite Surah Ikhlas about 1000 times, to observe fast on this particular day, to be in the company of religious Ulema and many more.

In Islamic history the day is considered to be an auspicious day, as it is believed that Allah created heaven and earth and that on this day he gives his infinite blessings to all. But, inspite of these auspicious days, the Muharram is considered as a month of moaning, as Hussain and his family was murdered.

The term “flag day” has two significant definitions. The first definition states that a day is decided so as to fly a flag in a certain area and the other definition signifies that a day is determined to specially honor an event involving a day, like its adoption or creation. The national law or decree can decide where and how the flags can be flown. The flag days are usually codified in the national statutes.

The flag of the United States was born on a year just after the independence of the nation. There is a special significance for differentiating the Flag Day from the Independence Day.

The declaration of America to become a country of its own was not the only reason why the flag was created. On June 14th, it was the first day that the flag of America was hoisted with recognition. In 1977, the fist flag was hoisted, since continental congress did not want to use The British Union Jack. The first flag of the country, the grand union was hoisted on a flagpole.

What does the US Flag stand for?

The colors of the flag denote the struggle for freedom. The stars represent the colonies. The red color, which is separated, signifies the separation of America from the rule of Great Britain. The pointed stars represent the colonies under united governing body. The designing and colors spread over the flag, manifest loyalty, honor and essence of patriotism that kindled in the hearts of those who fought for freedom. Therefore, the Flag Day recognizes the work of those who created such an amazing piece of work that displays patriotism and independence.

Hence on every June 14th, it is every citizen’s prime responsibility to show gratitude and feel the true essence of the significance of the united colors of the national flag. The Flag Day is popularly known as the National Flag Day.

How it all started?

Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916, according to which June 14 was recognized as the Flag Day. After the resolution of the Continental Congress in 1977, the day was recognized as the Flag Day. The Flag Day was not celebrated as a holiday then, but the state of Pennsylvania was the first to celebrate this day as a holiday. On the Flag Day, a long parade is held in the City of Troy.

George Balch, a New York City kindergarten teacher first conceived the idea of observing the Flag Day. He arranged activities and ceremonies for the children in the school on June 14, 1889. Next the State Board of education adopted the idea and Flag Day celebration followed one or two years later. In 1891, the Betsy Ross house held a celebration and in 1892, the New York Society of the Sons observed the day.

After this, the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America requested the mayor of Philadelphia to hoist the flag on the Flag Day and observe the significance. After two days, the Board of Managers Pennsylvania Society of the sons of Revolution voted the day as the Flag Day. Since that day Flag Day is observed on June 14th. Later, the Flag Day became a national holiday. President Truman also signed an act and designated June 14 as the National Flag day.

Imbolc meaning “in the belly” is one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar. It is celebrated either at the beginning of February or at the first local signs of Spring. Several Christians term the day as “the feast of the Purification of the Virgin” or “Candlemas”. This festival is basically dedicated to the goddess Brigid, subsequently in the Christian period it was adopted as St Brigid’s Day.

In the recent times, you would see the modern Pagans celebrating Imbolc rituals on 1st or 2nd February. Though some Neopagans share this celebration to the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It actually falls later in the first week of the month. Now, as the Celtic year was based on both solar and lunar cycles, the holiday is most likely to be celebrated on the full moon day.

Wiccans perform Imbolc rituals as one of four “fire festivals”, which formulate half of the eight holidays (or “sabbats”), of the wheel of the year. They define Imbolc as a cross-quarter day or midway between the winter solstice (called Yule) and the spring equinox (called Ostara).

The significant aspect of this festival is fire and purification. Brigid (also referred as Brighid, Br de, Brigit, Br d) is recognized as the Celtic Goddess of poetry, smithcraft and healing for whom the day is sacred. The lighting of candles signifies the return of warmth and the growing power of the Sun in the coming months.

A brief study of the origin of Imbolc Rituals

You can have an idea of how Imbolc used to be celebrated in Ireland, from ancient Celtic manuscripts collected in the 19th and early 20th century. It elaborately describes the festival, and folklore in rural Ireland and Scotland. These materials can also be compared with studies of similar customs in Scandinavia along with the customs maintained till the present date in the Celtic nations and Scottish Diasporas.

Imbolc Rituals performed during the festival

Rituals performed on this day include hearth fires, divination, special foods, or simply watching for omens (performed either seriously or as children’s game). A lot of candles are lit up and an outdoor bonfire is also enjoyed, if the weather lets it. Imbolc is principally a festival of the hearth and home. This celebration marks the early signs of spring and lengthening of days.

You find an exciting folk tradition called the Brigid’s Bed that still persists both in Christian and Pagan homes on Imbolc day (St. Brigid’s Day). The girls and young, unmarried women of the household or village craft a “corn dolly” that represents Brigid or the Brideog (also known as “young Brigid” or “little Brigid”). They adorn it with ornaments like shells or stones and tie beautiful ribbons on it. A bed is prepared for the Brideog to lie down.

On 31st January, which is on the St. Brigid’s Eve, the girls and young women get together in a house to keep on whole night with the Brideog. Later on all the young men of the community visit this house, but should take permission to enter the abode. Once they are in the room they have to treat them and the corn dolly with respect.

It is believed that Brigid walks on the earth on the eve of Imbolc. Each member of the household usually keeps a piece of clothing or strip of cloth outside before going to bed, for Brigid to bless. In the morning, the head of the household smothers the fire and scrape the ashes smooth. Then they look for a mark on the ashes as a sign of Brigid’s appearance on that night or morning.

Imbolc is a festival of honoring the Goddess Brighid. People celebrate this day by welcoming the spring and lengthening of days.

Veterans Day is a legal and federal holiday in United States to honor the war veterans. This day is celebrated on November 11 in honor of the people who has served in the armed forces of the US.

The Origin Of Veterans Day

Veterans’ Day is observed on November 11, the same day as Armistice Day. President Woodrow Wilson first designated November 11 in 1919 as Armistice Day celebrating the anniversary of the signing the armistice in 1918 that ended World War I. On November 11, 1918 the Allied powers signed a cease-fire treaty with Germany at Rethondes, which marked the end of World War I.

The Congress passed legislation in 1938, which designated Armistice Day as a federal holiday.

How Armistice Day Became Veteran’s Day

In 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas observed Veterans’ Day instead of Armistice Day. Subsequently a legislation to officially change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Ed Rees of Emporia, Kansas. In 1954, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans’ Day to honor the veterans who died in the war.

The official designation is “Veterans Day”, without an apostrophe but is frequently misprinted as Veteran’s Day or Veterans Day in ads or calendars.

Veterans Day is packed with stories of bravery and tragedies of the war.

How Veterans Day Is Observed

Special services take place at the tombs of known and unknown soldiers in the US to commemorate this special day. Parades are performed, prominent people address the mass, and people take flowers to the cemetery on Veterans Day.

With US, Great Britain and France also celebrated Veterans Day till World War II, which gave a jolt to world peace again. After World War II Veterans Day became the day to pay tribute to the veterans of both the wars. In 1954, after the Korean War, Veterans Day was officially designated to honor all the soldiers of US war.

Veterans Day is called Remembrance Day in Canada. In Great Britain the war veterans are honored on the nearest Sunday of November 11.

Veterans Day is the day to celebrate peace in the world.