Religion Holiday
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Day of Extremadura
The Day of Extremadura evolved from a religious feast honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe (September 8) into an official regional holiday in 1985, symbolizing both the deep Catholic traditions of the land and its modern political and cultural identity.
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Jeûne genevois
Jeûne genevois is a public holiday observed only in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It is a day of fasting and spiritual reflection, rooted in Protestant tradition, and is unique among Swiss holidays for its local and historical significance.
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Hari Raya Haji (Singapore)
Hari Raya Haji in Singapore is a public holiday that marks both the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s act of faith. It is celebrated with prayers, korban rituals, charity, and family gatherings, emphasizing compassion and community.
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Our Lady of the Well-Appeared
Our Lady of the Well-Appeared is a miraculous Marian devotion born in 17th-century Ampuero, later declared patroness of Cantabria by Pope Pius X in 1903. Her feast blends deep Catholic devotion with rich Cantabrian cultural traditions.
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Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows represents Mary’s deep suffering alongside Christ, especially during his Passion. Her feast is a major Catholic celebration and a national holiday in Slovakia, where she is honored as the country’s Patroness.
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Day after Federal Fast
The Day after Federal Fast is a public holiday celebrated exclusively in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, and its history is closely linked to the evolution of the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance, and Prayer, a Swiss national observance rooted in religious and historical traditions.
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Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar. It marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance or the Days of Awe, a period of introspection and preparation for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
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Binara Full Moon Poya Day
Binara Full Moon Poya commemorates the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Order, when the Buddha ordained his foster mother Mahāpajāpati Gotami and 500 women. This completed the Fourfold Sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen). The event marked a historic step in recognizing women’s spiritual capacity, a legacy still honored in Sri Lanka today.
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First Day of Sukkot
In Israel, the First Day of Sukkot is observed as a holy day with sukkah meals, synagogue prayers, and the waving of the Four Species, marking the beginning of a week of joy, gratitude and community celebrations. It blends the ancient biblical tradition of desert remembrance and harvest thanksgiving with modern Israeli culture.
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Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and a time of intense prayer and fasting. It marks the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance, which begin with Rosh Hashanah.
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Frances Xavier Cabrini Day
Frances Xavier Cabrini Day is a state holiday in Colorado, established to honor the life and legacy of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
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Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah celebrates the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle with singing, dancing and parading Torah scrolls. In Israel, together with Shemini Atzeret, it is marked by a spirit of joy, unity and love for the Torah.