Religious Calendar
TIO’s calendar will be updated monthly starting September 2022.
JULY 2020
The calendar below, adapted from the Williams College Chaplain’s Office, ACPE’s Religious Holy Days Calendar, and Interfaith Calendar, is an excellent way to keep on top of religious high holy days and festivals as they go by. It is especially useful for those in interfaith vocations who need this information on a day-to-day basis.
TIO is cooperating with another “working” religious calendar project being led by Read the Spirit. It extends what we usually mean by religious calendar to include important civic holidays. It identifies major religious holidays more than a year in advance. Most important, it features stories about what these many religious festival events are all about – what they mean, the important stories, the food associated, and how particular events are celebrated. Your own stories of religious holidays, whatever your tradition, are welcomed at the site. Check it out!
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Sunday, July 5
Dharma Day – Buddhism
Also known as Asala Puja, Dharma Day commemorates the historical Buddha's first discourse following his spiritual awakening.
Monday, July 6
Vassa – Buddhism
Vassa marks the start of a three-month retreat for monks during the rainy season in Asia. Worshippers often donate candles and other necessary supplies to temples.
Thursday, July 9
Martyrdom of the Bab – Bahá’í
Observance of the anniversary of the execution by a firing squad in Tabríz, Persia, of the 30-year-old Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, the Báb, the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith.
Saturday, July 11
St. Benedict Day – Catholic Christianity
Recognizes St. Benedict of Nursia, who lived from 480-547 AD. St. Benedict was the founder of Western Christian monasticism and started twelve communities for monks in his lifetime.
Sunday, July 12
Feast of Kalimát – Bahá’í
The Baha’i calendar has nineteen months, all named after attributes of God. Kalimat is the Arabic for words. A Bahá'í Feast consists of three main components: spiritual devotion, administrative consultation, and fellowship. Usually held at a community center or in a local Bahá'ís home, Feasts are restricted to members of the Bahá'í Faith, mainly because of the consultative aspects of the gathering.
Monday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 15
Ullambana/Obon – Buddhism
Ullambana, a Sanskrit term that means “hanging upside down and suffering,” honors the spirits of past ancestors and strives to relieve aching souls from suffering. Obon, the Japanese transliteration of Ullambana, is only three days and varies from region to region—July in the eastern region and August in the western region.
Wednesday, July 15
Saint Vladimir's Day – Orthodox and Catholic Christianity
Saint Vladimir, celebrated on this day in Orthodox and Catholic traditions, was born an illegitimate prince, who defeated his stepbrothers to become the sole leader of Russia in 980 AD. Known for his barbarism and immorality in his younger years, Vladimir later became interested in the Christian faith and converted himself and the people of Russia. He is the patron saint of Russia.
Thursday, July 23
Haile Selassi I Birthday – Rastafarianism
This day celebrates Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, who was believed to be an incarnation of God, or Jah, for Rastafarians. Thus, Haile Selassi is seen as part of the Holy Trinity.
Friday, July 24
Pioneer Day – Mormon Christianity
Pioneer Day commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon wagon train into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Some Latter Day Saints recognize this holiday by walking the Pioneer trail and reenacting the events of '47. Although Pioneer Day started as a celebration for Mormon pioneers, this day is now a state holiday in Utah that recognizes pioneers from all faiths and cultural backgrounds. Celebrations include fireworks, food, rodeos, intertribal powwows, and more.
Saturday, July 25
St. James the Great Day – Christianity
July 25 is the feast day for St. James the Great, the patron saint of Spain. One of the twelve apostles, James was also known for being a valiant knight and for preaching the gospel in Spain. He was executed by sword in Jerusalem - by order of Agrippa I and thus became the first martyred saint. His body was returned to Spain, where many make pilgrimages to visit.
Wednesday, July 29
Tisha B’av – Judaism
Mourning of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE. Begins at sundown.Waqf al-Arafa (Hajj Day) – Islam
Waqf al-Arafa is the Islamic observance day during Hajj in which pilgrims pray for forgiveness and mercy. Pilgrims stay awake at night to pray on the hill of Arafat, the site where Muhammad delivered his last sermon. Begins at sundown.
Thursday, July 30 - Monday, August 3
Eid Al-Adha – Islam
Commemoration of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience of a command from God. Marks the end of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
Our thanks to the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, the Multifaith Action Society of British Columbia (Canada), BBC’s Religion Website, Peel Schools District Board (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), the Arizona State University Provost’s Office, the NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad, the Anti-Defamation League, Project Interfaith (Omaha, NE), the University of Victoria Faculty of Law (British Columbia, Canada), the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, and www.interfaithcalendar.org
To subscribe to this calendar and sync it with your Google, Outlook, or iCal calendars, visit ucsfspiritcare.org and select the “Resources” menu.