In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we provide the following Multifaith Holy Days & Festivals realizing that it is not exhaustive.
Should you wish your faith’s days to be included, please contact the Chaplain for consideration.
Phone: 416.675.6622 ext.4427
Email: chaplain@humber.ca
01 Wednesday
Wiihoon (Aboriginal)
Wiihoon is the season of Sockeye salmon with big heads and noses. The important late summer salmon runs begin.
Kamal (Baha’i)
Kamal, meaning Perfection, is the eighth month of the Baha’i year.
Lugnasad / Lammas (Wicca)
Celebrates the grain harvest, the Harvest of First Fruits, which many traditions celebrate as the funeral of Lugh, the sun God, whose strength is visibly waning by late summer.
02 Thursday
Full Moon
Raksha Bandhan (Hinduism)
Raksha Bandhan, meaning “Tying on Protection,” is a festival in which married and unmarried girls and women tie amulets on the wrists of their brothers for protection against evil.
06 Monday
Civic Holiday (Canada)
Most Canadian Territories and Provinces celebrates some aspect of their culture & history.
Transfiguration Day (Christianity-Eastern)
Commemorates the appearance of Jesus in a transfigured state during his earthly life to three of his disciples as narrated in the Gospels.
08 Wednesday
Fravardeghan / Muktad to Aug 17 (Zoroastrianism)
Memorializes ancestors in preparation for Nowruz (New Year) observed by those who follow the Shensai calendar.
10 Friday
Janmashtami (Hinduism)
Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna and his survival of an early life threat.
14 Tuesday
Laylat-al-Qadr (Islam)
Commemorates the revealing of the Qu’ran to the prophet Muhammad in 610 CE.
Obon (Shinto)
The Festival / Feast of Souls (also called Lonesome Souls) commemorates departed ancestors through lighting lanterns, circular folk dances, plus the laying out of food and burning of money for the souls. Some also celebrate the day before and the day after. Tokyo commemorates this day in July.
15 Wednesday
Paryushana Parva to Sep 22 (Jainism)
The holiest period of the Year for the Shvetambara sect, celebrated for 8 days and a time of dedication to Jain ideals through fasting, worship of the Jina and public reading of the life-story of Lord Mahavira from the Kalpastura.
Assumption of Mary (Christianity-Eastern)
Refers to Mary’s death and ascent to heaven celebrated by Catholics.
17 Friday
New Moon
18 Saturday
Nowruz (Zoroastrianism)
New Year in the Shensai calendar.
19 Sunday
Eid-al-Fitr to Aug 21 (Islam)
The Breaking of the Fast is a 3-day feast to end Ramadan. Note: Some may celebrate starting Aug 18.
20 Monday
Asma (Baha’i)
Asma, meaning Names, is the ninth month of the Baha’i year.
22 Wednesday
Dharma Day (Buddhism)
Commemorates Buddha’s first discourse, “The Wheel of Truth,” following his enlightenment in Sarnath in northern India. Buddhist scriptures are read to show gratitude.
24 Friday
Birth of Zarathustra (Zoroastrianism)
Denotes the birth of Zoroaster, the founder and prophet of the Persian-based faith by the Shensai calendar.
31 Friday
Full Moon