Category: Culture Articles

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

The term Epiphany is derived from the Greek term epiphaneia which implies manifestation or appearance. Along with Easter and Christmas, it is one of the major Christian celebrations. This holyday is usually celebrated on January 6, to mark the presentation of the newborn Jesus to the Magi or the three wise men – Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

The celebration of the Epiphany actually originated in the Eastern Church, which also include a celebration of the birth of Christ. By the 4th century, the Roman Church began to celebrate Epiphany on January 6.

The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated by Christians, which commemorates the Revelation of the Divine God to Mankind in the human form or in the person of Jesus. The feast of the Epiphany also celebrates all of Jesus childhood events till the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist.

In Hispanic and the Latin culture, the Epiphany is known as the Three Kings Day. Both Christmas and the Epiphany were commemorated at different times in the past due to the differences in the Eastern orthodox, Western Catholic and Protestant traditions. Though, today the Western Church calendar is followed widely.

The season of Christmas commences with the first Sunday of Advent and concludes with the feast of the Epiphany in traditional Christian churches.

Colors of Epiphany

The colors of Epiphany are same as the colors of Christmas white and gold, which marks hope, celebration and newness. For traditions observing The Epiphany as a single day, the colors are often changed to green or thematic sanctuary colors.

Theological Significance of the Epiphany

The Magi, who brought the gifts to the infant Jesus were the first followers to acknowledge Christ as the King. This worship of Christ by the Magi, first indicated that Jesus came for all the people, of all races, of all nations and the work of God would be for the whole world.

The day is also a day for reflection on Christian brotherhood and fellowship.

Celebration of the Western Christian Churches

The early Western Church decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25, in a contrast to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which commemorated the birth of Christ on January 6.

In France, the feast of the Epiphany includes a kind of a king cake with a trinket or a bean inside. The person finding the trinket, usually becomes the king for that day.

The Roman Catholic Church has the priest in a white vestment, blessing the Epiphany water, gold, frankincense and chalk to commemorate the Feast of the Epiphany. The chalk is used for writing the initials of the three Magi on the doors of the churches and homes. For the Roman Catholics, Christmas has twelve days, beginning on December 25 and ending on January 5, with the Epiphany being celebrated on January 6.

For the Church of England, the Principal Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6.

Celebration of the Eastern Christian Churches

In Eastern Orthodox Churches, Epiphany is the feast of the Revelation of Jesus Christ as the Savior. It also marks the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Orthodox Churches also have the Blessing of the Waters . A cross is cast in a water body and any person who can swim to the cross first and return it to the cleric is delivered a special blessing.

Both the Eastern and Western Churches celebrate the Epiphany, but the difference lies in the fact that the Eastern Church determines the date based on the Julian Calendar.