Religious Festivals August 2011

Transcription

1 Religious Festivals August 2011 Christian Festivals Saturday 6th August- Transfiguration The feast commemorating the appearance of Jesus Christ in glory in his earthly life, before his final journey to Jerusalem, as recounted in the first three Gospels (Matt. 17:1-13, Mk 9:2-13; Lk 9:28-36). This feast originated in the eastern Church where it was widespread before AD 1000, and spread to the west (where its general observance dates from 1456 when Pope Callistus III ordered its universal celebration in commemoration of the victory over the Turks at Belgrade, news of which reached Rome on 6 August). Monday 15th August- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary One of several feasts commemorating different moments in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since the late seventh century this day has been kept, in both east and west, as a feast commemorating the end of the earthly life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus By the fourth century, a tradition existed that Mary had been immediately taken, body and soul, into heaven. Despite this long-held tradition it was only in 1950 that Pope Pius XII defined it as doctrine for Roman Catholics. In the east, the feast is known as the Dormition of the Virgin. Some Anglicans and Lutherans observe this day and it features in the Oxford University calendar. In several countries, e.g. Greece, France, Italy, Spain, it is a national holiday. Commonly celebrated on August 15, although The Catholic Church in England and Wales moves this festival to the nearest Sunday if it falls on a Saturday or Monday. Wenesday 24 August- Feast of St Bartholomew One of the twelve Apostles. In the east his feast day is 11 June. Bartholomew is mentioned in Matt. 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:14, Acts 1:13, and as his name is probably a patronymic ('son of Tolmai') he may also have had a personal name and has sometimes been identified with Nathaniel (Jn 1:45-51; 21:2). Early traditions associate him with a missionary journey to India, and martyrdom in Armenia. Hindu Festivals Saturday 13th August- Raksha Bandhan (or Rani-Rakhi day) Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. It is celebrated on the full moon in the month of Sravana (lunar calendar). The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. Traditionally, during the festival sisters tie a rakhi, a bracelet made of interwoven red and gold threads, around their brothers' wrists to celebrate their relationship. Today the festival has developed with others joining in the festivities: Priests tie rakhis around the wrists of congregation members. Rakhis are also often shared between close friends. It is believed that when a woman ties a rakhi around the hand of a man it becomes obligatory for him to honour his religious duty and protect her. Following these customs the rakhi is believed to remove sin from one hand and provide safety to the other. The protection offered by a rakhi is believed to remain for a year. As the rakhi is tied, a prayer is offered asking for happiness and prosperity. Today rakhis are often decorated with multi-coloured silk thread, and often adorned with stones and beads. Once the rakhi has been tied a mantra is chanted. At the end of the ceremony the sister places a sweet in her brother s mouth. Following this the brother gives her a small monetary gift of appreciation. This festival has evolved over the years to encompass the importance of many people in Hindu society, yet foremost it continues to honour and uphold the relationship between a sister and brother. It is a significant festival in the Hindu calendar, followed eight days later by Janamashtami

2 Monday 22nd August- Krishna Jayanti (Janamashtami) The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, one of the key Gods in the Hindu pantheon. Krishna is perceived by most Hindus to be an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, who is regarded as the highest avatar. It is believed that all other deities are manifestations of him. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher and philosopher by Hindus. Krishna's birthday is celebrated eight days after Raksha Bandhan in the month of Sravana and celebrations are spread over two days. The first day is called Krishan ashtami or Gokul ashtami. The second day is known as Kaal ashtami or more popularly Janam ashtami. For the 48 hour period Hindus are likely to forego sleep and instead sing bhajans, which are traditional Hindu songs. It is believed that Krishna was born at midnight and it is at this time that the true festivities commence. Food is prepared from milk and curds said to have been favoured by Krishna. Some Hindus choose to fast for the first day of Janamashtami, choosing only to eat after the midnight celebrations. Dances and songs are used to venerate and remember this supreme God. Plays re-enact scenes from Krishna's early life. In Temples images of Krishna are bathed and placed in cradles, whilst the shankh (conch shell) is played and bells are rung. Holy mantras are also chanted to venerate Krishna. Jewish Festivals Tuesday 9 th August- Tisha B Av Tisha B'av is the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, which usually falls in July or August in the western calendar. It is a solemn occasion because it commemorates a series of tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the years, many of which have coincidentally happened on this day. These include the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar when 100,000 Jews were believed to have perished, and the destruction of the second temple by the Romans in 70 CE. World War I and the beginning of the Holocaust are also associated with this day. Tisha B'av is observed with prayers and fasting. Shaving and the wearing of cosmetics and leather are banned, and people are also expected to refrain from smiles, laughter and idle conversation. All ornaments are removed from synagogues and lights are dimmed. The ark (where the Torah is kept) is draped in black. The Book of Lamentations, written by the prophet Jeremiah after the destruction of the first temple is read at evening services. In Israel it is traditional for mourners to congregate at the Western Wall - the last ruins of the second temple - to recite 'kinot' or laments for the dead. Muslim Festivals Monday 1st August- START of Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months. It begins with the sighting of the new moon, which is why the date is not fixed. As the month is full of blessings and marks the beginning of fasting, accuracy is very important. Muslims must consider which country s first moon sighting marks the start of the month. Since the Muslim calendar is lunar, Ramadan moved forward every month by ten/eleven days.

3 All physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact between dawn and sunset. The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims selfdiscipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. It is common to have one meal (known as the Suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the Iftar), directly after sunset. This meal will commonly consist of dates, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him). Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal. Travellers, those who are sick, elderly, and women who are pregnant or menstruating are excused, but can make up their fasts at another time. Those who cannot fast give charity to compensate for fasting. In addition Muslim will perform Taraweeh prayers, these are long night prayers, which are not obligatory, but highly recommended. Mosques are filled with worshippers who attend these prayers, which usually last for one and a half to two hours. The prayers also give Muslims a chance to meet at the mosque every day, thus improving relationships in the Muslim community. I'tikaf refers to going into seclusion during the last ten nights of Ramadan, to remember Lailat-ul-Qadr the anniversary of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) by praying and reading the Qur'an. Muslims can live in the mosque during this time for serious reflection and worship, alternatively Muslims can spend time at home. Friday 26th August Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Power) The night of power is usually celebrated on the 26th night, 27th day of Ramadan. The night commemorates the night in which the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation Monday 29 th or Tuesday 30 th August Eid-ul-Fitr (1 Shawwal) Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "to break the fast. Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control. The festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. Muslims in most countries rely on news of an official sighting, rather than looking at the sky themselves. On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr men, women and childres will go to the mosque for morning prayers, wearing their best or new clothes. Following prayers a special celebratory meal is eaten at lunchtime with family and friends. This will the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month. Eid is also a time of forgiveness, and making amends with friend and family. It is also a time for giving to charity, Zakat-ul-Fitr, which is given in advance of the Eid day prayers. Eid is a time to get together with friends and family as well as small presents for children. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting Īd mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or Īd sa īd ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings based on local language and traditions. Rastafarian Festivals

4 Monday 17th August- Birthday of Marcus Garvey Rastafarianism has its roots in the philosophy of Marcus Garvey. Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born on the 17th of August 1887, in Jamaica. His teachings of Black self empowerment are credited as being the sources behind the founding of the religion. Although Marcus Garvey never followed Rastafarianism or believed in it, he is considered to be one of the religion's prophets, because it was his ideologies that eventually grew into Rastafarianism. He believed that all Black people should return to their rightful homeland Africa, and was heavily involved in promoting the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) which he founded in In the 1920s Garvey organised the Black nationalist movement in America. A year later he almost had one million followers. The Black nationalist leader became an inspiration to Black people all over the world and although he taught people to be proud of their race, he also offended other Black leaders with his ideas of separatism within races. Garvey's powerful speeches ("Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will!") gained him numerous supporters. Many people believe that what Marcus Garvey said in 1920, ("Look to Africa, when a Black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is at hand"), came true in 1930, when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned the new Emperor of Ethiopia, and became known as Emperor Haile Selassie. It is after the crowning of Selassie that the Rastafarian movement officially began. Pagan Festivals Monday 1st August - Lughnasadh (Lammas) Lughnasadh (pronouced loo'nass'ah) comes at the beginning of August. It is one of the Pagan festivals of Celtic origin which split the year into four. Celts held the festival of the Irish god Lugh at this time and later, the Anglo-Saxons marked the festival of hlaefmass - loaf mass or Lammas - at this time. For these agricultural communities this was the first day of the harvest, when the fields would be glowing with corn and reaping would begin. The harvest period would continue until Samhain when the last stores for the winter months would be put away. Although farming is not an important part of modern life, Lughnasadh is still seen as a harvest festival by Pagans and symbols connected with the reaping of corn predominate in its rites. ******************************************************************************************************** Shinto Festivals Friday 13th August-Monday 16th August-O-Bon A Japanese festival when the spirits of the departed are welcomed back home with feasting dancing. Fires are often lit to illuminate their arrival and departure. Celebrations in rural areas may take place a month earlier. Source: Shaps calendar of religious festivals for more information see: ******************************************************************************************************** Zoroastrian Festivals Friday 19th August- Noruz Shenshai Calendar(also known as Jamshedi or Jamshidi Noruz) Jamshedi (Greater) Noruz is the Zoroastrian New Year celebration in the Shenshai calendar Many fires are lit and there is feasting and celebrations. In modern times fireworks have also become part of the festivities.

5 Wednesday 24th August- Khordad Sal (Shenshai Calendar) Khordad Sal is celebrated as the birthday of Zoroaster.This is known as the 'Greater Noruz' and happens six days after Noruz, although the date is as much Zoroaster's birth date as the 25 December is the birth date of Jesus in Christianity. This festival is considered one of the most important in the Zoroastrian calendar. Zoroastrians gather in Fire temples for prayers and then celebrate with feasting