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 Tuesday
April = Namebine Giizis / Mmaal (Aboriginal)
Namebine Giizis is also known as the Sucker Moon in relation to the sucker fish (Ojibwe). Mmal is the season when rivers open and canoes can be launched and travel on the rivers can resume (Other).
April Fools’ Day (International)
A folk day when people seek to play humourous pranks and jokes on each other, possibly related to earlier cultural feasts and festivals.
08 Tuesday
Ramanavami from Mar 31 (Hinduism)
Celebrates the birthday of Rama, seventh incarnation of the God Vishnu. Hindus read the Ramayana, a Hindu epic, which tells the story of Rama, during the previous eight days.
09 Wednesday
Jalal month begins (Baha’i)
Jalal, meaning Glory, is the second month of the Baha’i year.
13 Sunday
Mahavira Jayanti (Jainism)
Celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavira (Great Hero) the 24th Tirthankara (and the last of his time cycle).
14 Sunday
Vaisakhi (Hinduism)
Celebrates the first day of the solar year with an agricultural harvest festival. Important in North India, this holiday is named after the month Vaisakh.
Vaisakhi (Sikhism)
Commemorates the day in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, created the Khalsa Panth (Brotherhood of the Pure). Brothers are named Singh (lion) and sisters are named Kaur (princess).
14 Monday
Songkran to Apr 16 (Buddhism)
A three day festival denoting the new year for Buddhists. Homes are cleaned and water is sprinkled on statues of Buddha and on monks who visit.
15 Tuesday
Full Moon
Lunar Eclipse (Equatorial/southern hemisphere)
Pesah/Passover to Apr 22 (Judaism)
Commemorates the Exodus, the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and is celebrated for 8 days beginning at dusk (before sundown) on the prior day.
17 Thursday
Holy Thursday (Eastern) / Maundy Thursday (Western) (Christianity)
Celebrates the institution of the Lord’s supper by Jesus
18 Friday
Holy Friday (Eastern) / Good Friday (Western)(Christianity)
Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ in submission to death by crucifixion.
20 Sunday
Pascha (Eastern) / Easter (Western) (Christianity)
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from death and the announcement of the angel to the women at Jesus’ tomb that “He is risen.”
21 Sunday
Feast of Ridvan to May 02 (Baha’i)
Remembers the 12 days that Baha’u’llah spent in the garden of Ridvan during his exile in Baghdad and when he proclaimed himself as the one announced by the Bab. On the first, ninth and twelfth days, work is suspended.
Easter Monday (Christianity - Eastern / Western)
The promise of new life is celebrated by Christians in reflection on the resurrection of Jesus after His crucifixion and death.
22 Monday
Earth Day (International)
Celebrates the natural abundance of the Earth to promote care for the planet. Some plant trees and/or seeds to ensure new growth.
24 Thursday
Gathering of Nations Pow Wow to Apr 28 (Aboriginal)
In Albuquerque, New Mexico various tribes and nations participate, share, teach and exchange traditions with each other.
28 Monday
Jamal month begins (Baha’i)
Jamal, meaning Beauty, is the third month of the Baha’i year.
29 Tuesday
New Moon
Annular Eclipse (Southern hemisphere)
30 Wednesday
Ghambar Maidyozarem to May 04 (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrates the creation of the sky and the harvesting of the winter crop.