Day |
Occasion |
Faith |
Description |
Change |
1st |
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus |
Orthodox Christian |
The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus has been celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, at least at local levels, since the end of the fifteenth century. The celebration has been held on different dates, usually in January, because 1 January, eight days after Christmas, commemorates the naming of the child Jesus; as recounted in the Gospel read on that day, "at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." |
Yes |
|
Gantan-sai |
Shinto |
Japanese celebration of the New Year. Traditionally, the Shintos visit the shrines, mostly at midnight and pray for the renewal of their heart, prosperity and health in the year to come. It is also common to visit close friends and family to express good wishes. During this time people wear their finest clothes as well. |
No |
|
Feast of St. Basil |
Orthodox Christrian |
According to some sources, Saint Basil died on January 1, and the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates his feast day together with that of the Feast of the Circumcision on that day. The main attraction of the St. Basil's Feast, in typical Greek fashion, is the table. It is believed that the more abundant the table, the more abundant with good luck the family will be |
No |
4th |
End of Gahambar Maidyarem |
Zoroastrian |
Gahambars Maidyarem is a seasonal festivals when Zoroastrians assemble to eat and share food communally. They are joyous occasions at which rich and poor met together, new friendships are formed, and old disputes resolved. The last day is usually observed as the feast day. |
Yes |
5th |
Twelfth Night |
Christian |
Twelfth Night is a festival in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany. |
No |
|
Guru Gobindh Singh birthday |
Sikh |
Guru Gobind Singh was the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs who initiated the Sikhs as the Khalsa (the pure ones) and is known as the Father of the Khalsa. The 'Khalsa' brotherhood initiated adopted the five 'K's: Kangha #wooden comb#, Kara #steel bracelets#, Kirpan #sword#, Kaccha #pair of shorts#, and Kesh #long hair#. |
Yes |
6th |
Epiphany |
Christian |
In the Western church, this day celebrates the journey of the three Wise Men to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the infant Jesus. In the Eastern Church it is associated with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. On this day as well, the Armenians celebrate Christmas. |
No |
|
Dia de los Reyes |
Christian |
Most of the Hispanic world & culture celebrates El Dia De Reyes, the Epiphany, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus. |
No |
|
Feast of the Epiphany |
Orthodox Christian |
Epiphany, also Theophany, Little Christmas, or Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. |
No |
8th |
Feast of the Holy Family |
Catholic Christian |
The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families |
Yes |
|
Baptism of the Lord Jesus |
Christian |
The Baptism of the Christ (or the Baptism of Christ) is the feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It is celebrated in the Catholic Church as well as the Anglican and Lutheran Churches on the first Sunday following The Epiphany of Our Lord |
Yes |
9th |
Nativity of Christ |
Armenian Christian |
Historically, all Christian Churches up until the fourth century celebrated the Festival of Christ's Nativity on 6 January. Armenians continue to celebrate Christmas on January 6th. |
No |
13th |
Maghi |
Sikh |
Maghi is celebrated on the first day of Magh as per the Punjabi calendar and is celebrated in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana. It is a cultural, seasonal and a religious festival marking the agricultural new year, increase in daylight and holding of sports festivals. |
Yes |
17th |
Blessing of the Animals |
Hispanic Catholic Christian |
In Mexico, there is a feast for St. Anthony around bonfires and devotees dress up their animals for an official blessing. Traditional accounts say that the 3rd century saint known as Anthony of Egypt was the first monk to live in the wilderness. For centuries, Mexicans have brought everything from pigs, cattle, and livestock to cats, dogs, and other household pets to church for a St. Anthony’s blessing. |
No |
18th |
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
Christian |
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019 theme finds its origins in Deuteronomy. “Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue” (cf. Deuteronomy 16:20) was chosen for its powerful message of promoting truth, equality and unity. |
No |
19th |
Timkat |
Ethiopian Orthodox Christian |
The Eastern Orthodox Church associates Theophany with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. |
Yes |
22nd |
Lunar New Year |
China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia |
Lunar New Year is the beginning of a year whose months are coordinated by the cycles of the moon. The whole year may account to a purely lunar calendar or a lunisolar calendar. |
Yes |
25th |
Conversion of St. Paul |
Christian |
The conversion of Paul the Apostle, was, according to the New Testament, an event in the life of Paul the Apostle that led him to cease persecuting early Christians and to become a follower of Jesus. It is normally dated to AD 33–36. |
No |
30th |
Mahayana New Year |
Buddhist |
In Mahayana countries the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later. |
Yes |