Christianity
2007
Sunday 1 April - Palm Sunday - The sixth and last Sunday of Lent. Marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.
Thursday 5 April- Maundy Thursday - Christians remember Maundy Thursday as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.
Friday 6 April - Good Friday - Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.
Sunday 8 April - Easter (Orthodox) - Orthodox Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - his return from death after the Crucifixion. The most important Christian festival.
Sunday 8 April - Easter Sunday (Western) - Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - his return from death after the Crucifixion. The most important Christian festival. Most years Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on a different date.
Monday 23 April - St George's Day - Saint George is the patron saint of England.
Thursday 17 May - Ascension Day - Ascension Day marks the last earthly appearance of Christ after his resurrection. Christians believe Christ ascended into heaven. It is celebrated 40 days after Easter.
Sunday 20 May - Ascension Day (Catholic Church in England and Wales) -Ascension Day is normally celebrated 40 days after Easter. The Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates it on the following Sunday instead.
Sunday 27 May - Pentecost (Whitsun) - The seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the birth of the Christian Church.
Sunday 3 June - All Saints' Day (Orthodox) - This day honours all saints, known and unknown, of the Christian church. Western churches celebrate All Saints Day on November 1.
Sunday 3 June - Trinity Sunday - The first Sunday after Pentecost. Christians meditate on the nature of God as "Three in one".
Thursday 7 June - Corpus Christi - Roman Catholic festival celebrating the "real presence of Christ in the Eucharist". The festival falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.
Sunday 10 June - Corpus Christi (Catholic Church in England and Wales) - Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. The Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates it on the following Sunday instead.
Monday 6 August - Transfiguration - Orthodox Christian feast commemorating the sudden emanation of radiance from the person of Jesus that occurred on the mountain.
Wednesday 15 August - Dormition of the Theotokos - An Orthodox festival that commemorates the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ's mother. Dormition means "falling asleep".
Wednesday 15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A largely Roman Catholic festival celebrating their belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven.
Saturday 8 September - Nativity of the Theotokos -Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Saturday 8 September - Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Roman Catholics celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Saturday 8 September - Feast of the Birth of Mary - Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches celebrate the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Wednesday 31 October - All Hallows' Eve (Hallowe'en) - The night before All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day). Its origins date back over 2000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It was celebrated as a Christian festival by the 8th Century.
Thursday 1 November - All Saints' Day (Hallowmas, All Hallows') - All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas) is when Anglicans and Roman Catholics honour all saints, known and unknown, of the Christian church. Orthodox churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
Friday 2 November - All Souls' Day - All Souls' Day is an opportunity for Roman Catholic and Anglo-Catholic churches to commemorate the faithful departed. They remember and pray for the souls of people who are in Purgatory. All Souls' Day is celebrated on 3 November if the 2nd is a Sunday.
Friday 30 November - St Andrew's Day - Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia. The flag of Scotland is the Cross of St. Andrew. St Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was originally a fisherman and became the first Apostle.
Sunday 2 December - Advent Sunday - The beginning of the ecclesiastical year on the Sunday closest to November 30. Advent is the season before Christmas - In Western Christendom, four Sundays are included. In Eastern Christendom, the season is longer and begins in the middle of November.
Saturday 8 December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Celebrated by Roman Catholics who remember Mary's conception as being without sin, therefore, immaculate.
Monday 24 December -Christmas Eve - The day before Christmas Day.
Tuesday 25 December - Christmas Day - The day when Western Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
2008
Tuesday 1 January - Circumcision - Marks the day when Jesus was circumcised.
Sunday 6 January - Epiphany - Celebrates the visit of the wise men (the magi) to the infant Jesus. In the East, where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. (Catholics and Episcopalians celebrate this separately: see Baptism of the Lord) Also known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day).
Sunday 6 January - Christmas Day (Armenian Orthodox) - Armenian Christians celebrate Christ's birth at Epiphany, except for Armenians in the Holy Land, who celebrate Christmas on January 19th.
Sunday 6 January - Theophany - Orthodox churches mark the baptism of Jesus on this day.
Monday 7 January - Christmas Day (Orthodox) - Most Orthodox churches use the Julian rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar. As a result, they celebrate Christmas 13 days later than other Christian churches.
Sunday 13 January - Baptism of the Lord - Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Occurs on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics and Episcopalians celebrate this holy day, but Eastern Christianity celebrates Jesus's baptism at Epiphany.
Saturday 2 February - Candlemas - This is often called The Presentation of Christ in the Temple and commemorates the day Mary took Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to present him to God. Coincides with Groundhog Day (USA).
Tuesday 5 February - Shrove Tuesday - Also called Pancake Day and Mardi Gras. The British name of "Pancake Day" comes from the tradition of making pancakes to use up all the food that could not be eaten during Lent.
Wednesday 6 February - Ash Wednesday - The first day of Lent for Western Christian churches. Lent is the season marking the time Jesus spent in the wilderness.
Saturday 1 March - St David's Day - Saint David, or Dewi Sant as he's called in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales.
Sunday 2 March - Mothering Sunday - Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Not the same as Mothers' Day in the USA.
Monday 10 March - Clean Monday - Beginning of Lent (Orthodox) -The start of the "Great Lent" for Orthodox Christians. This day is called Clean Monday, and occurs seven weeks before the Orthodox Easter.
Sunday 16 March - Palm Sunday - The sixth and last Sunday of Lent. Marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.
Monday 17 March-St Patrick's Day -St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.
Thursday 20 March - Maundy Thursday - Christians remember Maundy Thursday as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.
Friday 21 March - Good Friday - Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.
Saturday 22 March - Memorial of Christ's Death - The only religious festival marked by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Sunday 23 March - Easter Sunday (Western) - Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - his return from death after the Crucifixion. The most important Christian festival. Most years Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on a different date.
Tuesday 25 March - Annunciation - Marks the angel Gabriel's message to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the incarnation of Christ. It also celebrates the incarnation itself as the date falls 9 months before Christmas.
Sunday 1 April - Palm Sunday - The sixth and last Sunday of Lent. Marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.
Thursday 5 April- Maundy Thursday - Christians remember Maundy Thursday as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.
Friday 6 April - Good Friday - Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.
Sunday 8 April - Easter (Orthodox) - Orthodox Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - his return from death after the Crucifixion. The most important Christian festival.
Sunday 8 April - Easter Sunday (Western) - Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - his return from death after the Crucifixion. The most important Christian festival. Most years Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on a different date.
Monday 23 April - St George's Day - Saint George is the patron saint of England.
Thursday 17 May - Ascension Day - Ascension Day marks the last earthly appearance of Christ after his resurrection. Christians believe Christ ascended into heaven. It is celebrated 40 days after Easter.
Sunday 20 May - Ascension Day (Catholic Church in England and Wales) -Ascension Day is normally celebrated 40 days after Easter. The Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates it on the following Sunday instead.
Sunday 27 May - Pentecost (Whitsun) - The seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the birth of the Christian Church.
Sunday 3 June - All Saints' Day (Orthodox) - This day honours all saints, known and unknown, of the Christian church. Western churches celebrate All Saints Day on November 1.
Sunday 3 June - Trinity Sunday - The first Sunday after Pentecost. Christians meditate on the nature of God as "Three in one".
Thursday 7 June - Corpus Christi - Roman Catholic festival celebrating the "real presence of Christ in the Eucharist". The festival falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.
Sunday 10 June - Corpus Christi (Catholic Church in England and Wales) - Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. The Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates it on the following Sunday instead.
Monday 6 August - Transfiguration - Orthodox Christian feast commemorating the sudden emanation of radiance from the person of Jesus that occurred on the mountain.
Wednesday 15 August - Dormition of the Theotokos - An Orthodox festival that commemorates the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ's mother. Dormition means "falling asleep".
Wednesday 15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A largely Roman Catholic festival celebrating their belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven.
Saturday 8 September - Nativity of the Theotokos -Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Saturday 8 September - Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Roman Catholics celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Saturday 8 September - Feast of the Birth of Mary - Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches celebrate the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Wednesday 31 October - All Hallows' Eve (Hallowe'en) - The night before All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day). Its origins date back over 2000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It was celebrated as a Christian festival by the 8th Century.
Thursday 1 November - All Saints' Day (Hallowmas, All Hallows') - All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas) is when Anglicans and Roman Catholics honour all saints, known and unknown, of the Christian church. Orthodox churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
Friday 2 November - All Souls' Day - All Souls' Day is an opportunity for Roman Catholic and Anglo-Catholic churches to commemorate the faithful departed. They remember and pray for the souls of people who are in Purgatory. All Souls' Day is celebrated on 3 November if the 2nd is a Sunday.
Friday 30 November - St Andrew's Day - Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia. The flag of Scotland is the Cross of St. Andrew. St Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was originally a fisherman and became the first Apostle.
Sunday 2 December - Advent Sunday - The beginning of the ecclesiastical year on the Sunday closest to November 30. Advent is the season before Christmas - In Western Christendom, four Sundays are included. In Eastern Christendom, the season is longer and begins in the middle of November.
Saturday 8 December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Celebrated by Roman Catholics who remember Mary's conception as being without sin, therefore, immaculate.
Monday 24 December -Christmas Eve - The day before Christmas Day.
Tuesday 25 December - Christmas Day - The day when Western Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
2008
Tuesday 1 January - Circumcision - Marks the day when Jesus was circumcised.
Sunday 6 January - Epiphany - Celebrates the visit of the wise men (the magi) to the infant Jesus. In the East, where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. (Catholics and Episcopalians celebrate this separately: see Baptism of the Lord) Also known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day).
Sunday 6 January - Christmas Day (Armenian Orthodox) - Armenian Christians celebrate Christ's birth at Epiphany, except for Armenians in the Holy Land, who celebrate Christmas on January 19th.
Sunday 6 January - Theophany - Orthodox churches mark the baptism of Jesus on this day.
Monday 7 January - Christmas Day (Orthodox) - Most Orthodox churches use the Julian rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar. As a result, they celebrate Christmas 13 days later than other Christian churches.
Sunday 13 January - Baptism of the Lord - Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Occurs on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics and Episcopalians celebrate this holy day, but Eastern Christianity celebrates Jesus's baptism at Epiphany.
Saturday 2 February - Candlemas - This is often called The Presentation of Christ in the Temple and commemorates the day Mary took Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to present him to God. Coincides with Groundhog Day (USA).
Tuesday 5 February - Shrove Tuesday - Also called Pancake Day and Mardi Gras. The British name of "Pancake Day" comes from the tradition of making pancakes to use up all the food that could not be eaten during Lent.
Wednesday 6 February - Ash Wednesday - The first day of Lent for Western Christian churches. Lent is the season marking the time Jesus spent in the wilderness.
Saturday 1 March - St David's Day - Saint David, or Dewi Sant as he's called in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales.
Sunday 2 March - Mothering Sunday - Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Not the same as Mothers' Day in the USA.
Monday 10 March - Clean Monday - Beginning of Lent (Orthodox) -The start of the "Great Lent" for Orthodox Christians. This day is called Clean Monday, and occurs seven weeks before the Orthodox Easter.
Sunday 16 March - Palm Sunday - The sixth and last Sunday of Lent. Marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.
Monday 17 March-St Patrick's Day -St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.
Thursday 20 March - Maundy Thursday - Christians remember Maundy Thursday as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.
Friday 21 March - Good Friday - Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.
Saturday 22 March - Memorial of Christ's Death - The only religious festival marked by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Sunday 23 March - Easter Sunday (Western) - Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - his return from death after the Crucifixion. The most important Christian festival. Most years Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on a different date.
Tuesday 25 March - Annunciation - Marks the angel Gabriel's message to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the incarnation of Christ. It also celebrates the incarnation itself as the date falls 9 months before Christmas.