Religious glossary

Also called: Advent wreath

The four weeks of preparation for Christmas in the Western tradition, with a candle lit on the Advent wreath each Sunday.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: All Souls’ Day

On 1–2 November Catholics and Protestants light candles on the graves of loved ones.

Feasts & fasts

The first day of Lent for Catholics, when ashes are placed on the faithful as a sign of repentance.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha

The two great feasts of Islam: at the end of the fast and the Feast of Sacrifice.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Nativity

The feast of the Nativity of Christ on 25 December (or 7 January for those who keep the Old Style).

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

The Catholic feast of the Eucharist, with a street procession carrying the host in a monstrance.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Resurrection

The feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the greatest of the Christian year; Orthodox and Catholic dates sometimes differ.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: fish allowed

A fasting day on which fish (or wine and oil) is exceptionally allowed.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Lent

The period of fasting and prayer (seven weeks for the Orthodox) before Easter.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Festival of Lights, hanukkiah

An eight-day winter festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple; one more candle is lit each night.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Julian calendar

The Old Style is the Julian calendar, 13 days behind the civil one; some communities keep feasts by it (Christmas on 7 January).

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Paștele evreiesc, Pessach

The feast of the Exodus from Egypt; for eight days no leavened bread is eaten, only matzah.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: patron saint, dedication

The saint or feast to which a church is dedicated; on that day the community holds a great celebration.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Whitsun, descent of the Holy Spirit

The feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, 50 days after Easter.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Ramazan

The Muslim month of fasting: no food or drink from dawn to sunset; in the evening families gather for iftar.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: red-letter day

The sign marking great feasts in the Orthodox calendar.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Jewish New Year

The Jewish New Year in autumn, with the sounding of the shofar and apples with honey.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: seventh day

Seventh-day Adventists keep Saturday as a day of rest and worship, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Sabbath

The Jewish day of rest, from Friday sunset to Saturday night.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Krsna slava

The feast of the family patron saint, specific to Serbian Orthodox families; passed down from father to son.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: memorial Saturdays

The Saturdays dedicated to remembering the departed, with memorial services and alms.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Baptism of the Lord

The feast of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan on 6 January, when the Great Blessing of Waters takes place.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Day of Atonement

The holiest day of the Jewish year: a 25-hour fast, prayer and repentance.

Feasts & fasts