Calendar of Religious Dates 2015-2016
There are certain dates and religious observances that must be adhered to by the individual. Arrangements must be made for participation in special services.
The Islamic (Muslim) year begins with Muharram. All Islamic dates are subject to sighting of the moon; an event may be one day earlier or later than the date listed.
According to the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, the day begins after evening vespers at sunset and concludes with vespers on the following day. For this reason, the observance of all Eastern Orthodox holy days begins at sunset on the evening before the holy day.
Jewish holidays begin at sundown of the first date listed and end at nightfall of the last date listed. A religious institution has the option of celebrating Scout Sunday/Scout Sabbath at its discretion. For example, the United Methodist Church always celebrates Scout Sunday on the second Sunday in February.
Note:
* Usually begins at sundown the day before this date.
** Local customs may vary this date.
January 2015
1
Mary, Mother of God, Catholic Christian
Feast of St. Basil, Orthodox Christian
Gantan-sai (New Year), Shinto
5
Twelfth Night, Christian
6
Epiphany, Christian
13
Maghi, Sikh
18
World Religion Day, Baha’i
February
4
Tu B’shvat, Jewish
8
Scout Sunday
14
Scout Sabbath
15
Nirvana Day, Buddhist, Jain
18
Ash Wednesday (Lent begins), Christian
March
5
Purim, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
17
St. Patrick’s Day, Christian
25
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian
28
Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zarathushtra),
Zoroastrian
29
Palm Sunday, Christian
April
3
Good Friday, Christian
4–11
Pesach (Passover), Jewish (No activities on 4, 5, 10, 11)
5
Easter, Christian
14
Baisakhi New Year, Sikh
May
4
Visakha Puja—Buddha Day, Buddhist
7
Lag B’Omer, Jewish
12
Ascension of Christ, Christian
24
Pentecost, Christian
24–25
Shavuot, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
29
Ascension of Baha’u’llah, Baha’i
31
Trinity Sunday, Christian
June
4
Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian
18
Ramadan Begins, Islam
19
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian
July
9
Martyrdom of the B’ab, Baha’i
18–21
Eid al Fitr, Islam
24
Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian
26
Tish’a B’av, Jewish
August
15
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian
Dormition of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
September
5
Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu
14–15
Rosh Hashanah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
23
Yom Kippur, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
27
Meskel, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
28–Oct. 4
Sukkot, Jewish
(No Scouting activities on first, second, eighth, or ninth days)
29
ArchAngel Michael and All Angels, Christian
October
4
St. Francis Day, Catholic Christian
6
Simhat Torah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
13–21
Navaratri, Hindu
20
Birth of the B’ab, Baha’i
25
Reformation Day, Protestant Christian
31
All Hallows’ Eve, Christian
November
1
All Saint’s Day, Christian
2
All Soul’s Day, Catholic Christian
11
Diwali, Hindu, Jain, Sikh
12
Birth of Baha’u’llah, Baha’i
26
Day of the Covenant, Baha’i
Thanksgiving, Interfaith
29
Advent begins, Christian
December
8
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu), Buddhist
Immaculate Conception, Catholic Christian
12
Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic Christian
7–14
Hanukkah, Jewish
23
Mawlid an Nabi, Islam
25
Christmas, Christian
26
Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian
26–Jan. 1
Kwanzaa, Interfaith
January 2016
1
Mary, Mother of God, Catholic Christian
Feast of St. Basil, Orthodox Christian
Gantan-sai (New Year), Shinto
5
Twelfth Night, Christian
6
Epiphany, Christian
13
Maghi, Sikh
19
World Religion Day, Baha’i
28
Tu B’shvat, Jewish
February
7
Scout Sunday
Transfiguration Sunday, Christian
13
Scout Sabbath
15
Nirvana Day, Buddhist, Jain
26
Ash Wednesday (Lent begins), Christian
March
10
Purim, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
17
St. Patrick’s Day, Christian
25
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian
28
Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zarathushtra) Zoroastrian
April
5
Palm Sunday, Christian
9–15
Pesach (Passover), Jewish
10
Good Friday, Christian
12
Easter, Christian
Lag B’Omer, Jewish
14
Baisakhi New Year, Sikh
24
Ramadan Begins, Islam
May
7
Visakha Puja—Buddha Day, Buddhist
21
Ascension of Christ, Christian
24
Eid al Fitr, Islam
29
Ascension of Baha’u’llah, Baha’i
29–30
Shavuot, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
31
Pentecost, Christian
June
7
Trinity Sunday, Christian
11
Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian
19
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian
July
9
Martyrdom of the B’ab, Baha’i
24
Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian
30
Tish’a B’av, Jewish
August
12
Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu
15
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian
Dormition of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
September
19–20
Rosh Hashanah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
27
Meskel, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
28
Yom Kippur, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
29
ArchAngel Michael and All Angels, Christian
October
3–9
Sukkot, Jewish (No Scouting activities on first, second, eight, or ninth days)
4
St. Francis Day, Catholic Christian
11
Simhat Torah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities)
17–24
Navaratri, Hindu
20
Birth of the B’ab, Baha’i
25
Reformation Day, Protestant Christian
29
Mawlid an Nabi, Islam
31
All Hallows’ Eve, Christian
November
1
All Saint’s Day, Christian
2
All Soul’s Day, Catholic Christian
12
Birth of Baha’u’llah, Baha’i
14
Diwali, Hindu, Jain, Sikh
26
Day of the Covenant, Baha’i
Thanksgiving, Interfaith
29
Advent begins, Christian
December
8
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu), Buddhist
Immaculate Conception, Catholic Christian
11–18
Hanukkah, Jewish
12
Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic Christian
25
Christmas, Christian
26
Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian
26–Jan. 1
Kwanzaa, Interfaith