Welcome to TIO’s Religious Calendar

June - July

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June 2024

Wednesday, June 5

• Núr – Bahá’í
  The beginning of the fifth month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “light.”

Sunday, June 9

• St. Columba of Iona – Celtic Christian
  Commemorates the sixth-century Irish monk and missionary Saint Columba of Iona, also known as St. Columcille.

• Race Unity Day
  The Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly created this holiday, but it's not a religious event or a Bahá'í holy day. The purpose of the holiday is to recognize and appreciate each other's diversity and come together to make the world a better place.

Saturday, June 15

• Waqf al Arafa - Hajj - Islam
  The Day of ‘Arafah (Yawm Al-‘Arafah), also called the Day of the Standing (Yawm Al-Waqf), is one of the holiest day of the Islamic Hijri lunar year. It falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic Calendar. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and is followed by the holiday of Eid al-Adha. This day is the most important for Muslim pilgrims undertaking the Hajj journey; believers implore Allah for boundless forgiveness and mercy on the plain of ‘Arafāt, adjacent to the holy city of Mecca.

Sunday, June 16

• Eid al-Adhá – Islam
  This three-day festival of sacrifice begins at sundown and is the concluding act of pilgrimage for Muslims; adherents offer sheep, goats, and camels, whose meat is then distributed to the poor.

• Martyrdom of Gurū Arjan Dev Ji – Sikhism [Nanakshahi tradition]
  The first Sikh martyr and the fifth gurū, Arjan (1563 – 1606 C.E.) built the Harimandir (Temple of God) in the town of Amritsar with door facing all four directions, in order to emphasize that the Sikh way was open to all regardless of their socio-economic status.  He also compiled the Sikh scriptures known as the Gurū Granth Sahib.  

• Feast of the Sacred Heart – Christianity [Roman Catholic]
  A devotional feast during which Catholic Christians reflect on God’s compassionate love, symbolized by Christ’s heart.

Wednesday, June 19

• Enlightenment of Kwan Yin Bodhisattva – Buddhism [Mahāyāna Pure Land tradition]
  A celebration of the enlightenment of the bodhisattva of compassion—an enlightened being who vows to attain final, supreme enlightenment in order to save all sentient beings from suffering.  In the Pure Land tradition, this bodhisattva frequently accompanies Amida Buddha in icons and other depictions.

• New Church Day – Swedenborgian Christianity (Church of the New Jerusalem)
  Annual commemoration of the visionary document The True Christian Religion, written by Emanuel Swedenborg in 1770 C.E.

Friday, June 21

• Summer Feast (Solstice) – Native American spirituality
  A day to honor the coming and going of the seasons, celebrated with songs, prayers, and story-telling.

• Litha [Midsummer’s Eve] – Wicca
  A celebration of the consummation of the sacred marriage, in which the male divine energy is poured out in the service of life.

• First Nations Day
  A day Canada recognizes and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Sunday, June 23

• Rahmat – Bahá’í
  The beginning of the sixth month of the Bahá’í year, Rahmat means “mercy.”

Monday, June 24

• Birthday of St. John the Baptist – Christianity (Eastern churches)
  Celebrates the prophet who foretold of the coming of the Messiah in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, whom he later baptized in the Jordan River.

Thursday, June 27

• Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  Recalling the assassination of the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum while they were incarcerated in Carthage, Illinois, in 1844 C.E.

Saturday, June 29

• Ghambar Maidyoshem begins – Zoroastrianism [through July 4]
  A celebration of the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crops, and the harvesting of grain. 

• Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul – Christianity (Western churches)
  Celebrates the two apostles who preached the Christian gospel in Rome.  In Eastern churches this festival begins at sundown on June 24th.

July 2024

Wednesday, July 3

• Dharma Day (Asalha Puja Day) – Buddhism
  This day commemorates the historical Buddha’s first sermon, called “Turning of the wheel of Dharma (Dhamma),” following his own enlightenment.  The following day marks the beginning of the three-month Vassa or “Rains Retreat” for Theravadin Buddhist monks and nuns.  This period is a time for training in Dharma studies, meditation practice, and giving religious services to the people.

• Jashn-e Tirgan – Zoroastrianism
  The festival of water. It is celebrated by splashing water, dancing, reciting poetry, and serving traditional foods such as spinach soup and sholezard. The custom of tying rainbow-colored bands on wrists, which are worn for ten days and then thrown into a stream, is also a way to rejoice for children. Tirgan is the fourth ancient Iranian Festival of seasons, alongside Norouz (Spring), Yalda (Winter) and Mehregan (Autumn).

Friday, July 5

• Birthday of Gurū Hargobind Sahib Ji – Sikhism
  Celebrating a renowned martial artist who was named the 6th of the 11 Sikh Gurūs (1595 – 1644 C.E.).

Saturday, July 6

• Birthday of the XIVth Dalai Lama – Tibetan Buddhism
  Celebrating the 84th birthday of His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, born in 1935 C.E. in northeastern Tibet.  The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan government in exile and is revered as the fourteenth in a succession of manifestations of Avalokiteśvara, the enlightened being (bodhisattva) who embodies compassion in Buddhist practice.

Sunday, July 7

• Hijra - Islamic New Year
  Al-Hijra is the Islamic New Year. It occurs on the first day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

• Birthday of Gurū Har Krishan Sahib Ji — Buddhism
  Guru Har Krishan Ji became famous for his wisdom. At only 5 years old, he could translate and interpret the teachings of past Gurus with ease. He was also known to open the minds and hearts of people near him. CEIE recognizes the importance of religious festivals as they cultivate culture, community, and identity.

Tuesday, July 9

• Martyrdom of the Báb – Bahá’í
  Anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb, the forerunner of Báhá’u’lláh, in Persia in 1850 C.E.  The Báb and 20,000 of his followers were killed because of their religious convictions throughout the mid-1800’s.  Work is suspended on this day.

Thursday, July 11

• Feast Day of St. Benedict – Catholic Christianity  
  Celebrating the life of St. Benedict of Nursia (480 – 547 C.E.), the founder of Western Christian monasticism whose Rule is still widely read and practiced even now.

Friday, July 12

• Anniversary of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö – Buddhism [Tibetan tradition]
  A celebration of the Tibetan lama (ca. 1893 – 1959) whose mastery of several lineages and insights have had a profound effect on numerous currently teaching lamas.

Saturday, July 13

• Kalimát – Bahá’í
  The beginning of the seventh month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “words.”

Sunday, July 14

• Feast Day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha – Catholic Christianity and Native American spirituality
  Celebrating the life and ministry of Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 – April 17, 1680), a Mohawk-Algonquin woman who is the first Native American to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.  She was so recognized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, over three hundred years after her death.

Monday, July 15

• St. Vladmir the Great Day – Christianity
  The Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, and Eastern Orthodoxy celebrate the feast of St. Vladimir the Great. He was born about 958 and died on July 15, 1015.

Wedneday, July 17

• Chaturmas – Hinduism and Jainism
  This day marks the beginning of a four-month period (ending in November) during which time devotees observe some form of vow.  Penance, fasting, and other religious observances mark this period.  It is considered an inauspicious time for weddings or thread ceremonies.

• Day of Ashura
  This marks the tragic 'Battle of Karbala' in which the 7th-century revolutionary leader Husayn ibn Ali was killed. Millions of Muslims across the world observe the day of Ashura to remember Husayn's sacrifice and dignified stance on social justice

Sunday, July 21

• Gurū Purnima – Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism
  This day celebrates the ancient Hindu sage Krishna Dvaipayana, also known as Veda Vyāsa, who is credited as the compiler of the sacred Vedas, the author of the Eighteen Puranas (supplementary texts), and credited with writing the Sanskrit epic Mahābhārata.  The term “gurū” refers to a teacher or remover of darkness.  Jains and Buddhists also mark this day as an opportunity to thank their teachers.

• Asalha Puja Day (Dhamma Day)
  Asalha Puja Day (Asanha Puja, Asarnha Bucha, Dhamma Day) occurs on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, which is usually in July. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon after his enlightenment and the founding of the Sangha - four noble truths. The day is observed by donating offerings to the temples, monks and listening to Buddha’s sermons. One important activity is chanting the scriptures telling of this event in the original Pali language.

Monday, July 22

• Feast of St. Mary Magdalene – Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran Christian churches
  Also known as the Penitent, Mary Magdalene is celebrated as one of Jesus’ earliest and most faithful disciples, after being healed by him.  She is also recognized as a witness to Jesus’ death and the first recorded witness of his resurrection on Easter.

• Khordad Sal – Zoroastrianism
  The birth anniversary of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), according to the Qadimi calendar.

Tuesday, July 23

• Birthday of Gurū Har Krishan Sahib Ji – Sikhism
  Marking the birth of the 8th and youngest of the 11 Sikh Gurūs (1656 – 1664 C.E.) in the Nanakshahi calendar.

• Birthday of Emperor Haile Salassi I – Rastafari
  Celebrating the birth of Ras [prince or chief] Tafari Makonnen (1892 – 1975 C.E.), who ruled as Emperor of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1974 (officially from 1930 to 1974), and who is professed by faithful Rasta believers as God incarnate.

Wednesday, July 24

• Pioneer Day – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  Celebrated annually as the anniversary of the entry of LDS pioneers into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, in Utah in 1847 C.E., after a historic trek across 1,300 miles of wilderness.

Thursday, July 25

• St. James the Great Day - Christian
  Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus' first disciples. James was fishing with his father and John the Apostle when Jesus came to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and called for the fisherman, who were unable to catch any fish that day, to dip their nets in the water once again.

Saturday, July 27

• Day of Ashura
  This marks the tragic 'Battle of Karbala' in which the 7th-century revolutionary leader Husayn ibn Ali was killed. Millions of Muslims across the world observe the day of Ashura to remember Husayn's sacrifice and dignified stance on social justice.

Tuesday, July 30

• Oharai-taisai – Shinto
  A purification ceremony to cleanse believers from offenses committed during the first half of the year.  A large ring of woven grasses and reeds is placed at the entrance to Shinto shrines, and people walk through the ring as a symbol of inner purification.

Header Photo: Pexels