Lion or lamb? So far snow storms across the country have pounded any glimmer of spring out of our minds, but it's around the corner. We promise! This year March is packed full of special religious holidays that your co-workers or clients may be celebrating.
It's nice to be aware of special events, as well as be sensitive to those who may be expressing their religious devotion on certain dates. Here's what this month looks like:
Traditional holidays
8 March:
International Women's Day
21 March: Norouz
This festival of Persians, Kurds and Bahai. Eggs and evergreen plants serve as symbols of life,
continuity, and eternity. On this day Alevi also celebrate the birth of
Ali who was born in Mecca on the first day of spring or Norouz in 598/9
AD. Ali ibn Abi Talib was a cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad.
Christianity
24 March: Palm Sunday
28 March: Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday
Catholic
Christians commemorate the anniversary of the institution of the
Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper and of the washing of the
disciples' feet which is symbolically reenacted in many churches as a
sign of humility.
29 March: Good Friday
Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, when He sacrificed Himself for man's redemption.
30 March: Holy Saturday
A Catholic mass without bells or organ music.
31 March: Easter Sunday
The
most holy of Christian sacred days. The day commemorates the
resurrection of Jesus and the victory of life over death. Customs: the
Easter Vigil is held in the night of Holy Saturday, the Easter candle is
sanctified and lit. The Easter Bunny and Easter eggs are a commercial
aspect of the holiday that has become a children's tradition.
Hinduism
27 March: Holi
Holi
is a colourful spring festival and commemorates the rescue of Prince
Prahlad from a fire pyre where his sister Holi had taken him. A bonfire
is lit to signify the burning of Holika and to thank Lord Vishnu for his good deed. Ashes from the bonfire are marked on worshippers as a sign of inner cleansing.
Judaism
26 March to 2 April: Pesah/Passover
The
feast of unleavened bread is dedicated to the celebration of the
deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. At the Seder, a unique
dinner ceremony, Jews commemorate the "pass over" when God would send
the Angel of Death to kill the firstborn males but would see that the
Israelites had marked their houses with lambs' blood and would command
his angel to "pass over", to kill no one there. (All Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the previous day.)
To learn more about improving your workplace, visit us at Workplace ESL Solutions!
To learn more about improving your workplace, visit us at Workplace ESL Solutions!
