Spring 2024:  A Time of Sacred Observation for Many Faith Traditions; A Time for Needed Prayer

Contributed by Vicki Nelson, Temple Rodef Shalom, Falls Church; Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean

Spring 2024 is marked by religious observations for people of many different faith traditions.  We are a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom and we celebrate that the First Amendment to the US Constitution ensures that everyone has the right to practice their own religion – or no religion at all.

But this spring, we also mourn for all who are so horribly impacted by war and violence – in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine.  And we witness with concern deep divisions and distrust even in our local communities.

So, as we observe the sacred days of our various faith traditions, may we be joined in a prayer for peace.  May we acknowledge the sacred value of each life and the rights of all people to safety and well-being.  And when we feel powerless and overwhelmed by events in the world and here at home, may we redouble our efforts to love our neighbors and treat one another with the dignity, compassion, and respect we all deserve.

The following is a summary of some of the rich and varied holy days being observed in the coming months. We hope you will read each brief piece, knowing that education is the road to understanding.

Spring 2024 Religious Observations:

Lent (Christian).  February 13:

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is the forty weekdays leading up to Easter.  It is a time dedicated to repentance, reflection, and deepening of one’s relationship with God in preparation for Easter.

Ramadan (Islam).  Begins March 10:

Ramadan occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.  It lasts twenty-nine or thirty days, depending on when the new crescent moon is visible.  This period of fasting and spiritual growth is one of the five Pillars of Islam.  It is the prevailing belief among Muslims that it was in the last nights of Ramadan that the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In addition to daily fasting, Muslims participate in daily prayer, reflection, study of the Quran, and community.

Naw-Ruz (Baha’i).  March 19-20:

Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year, coincides with the spring equinox and is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the “new day.” For Baha’is it marks the end of the annual nineteen-day fast and is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.

Purim (Jewish). March 23-24:

Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday, celebrated in costume with noisemakers and merriment. The full story can be found in the Book of Esther, the 24^th and final book in the Hebrew Scriptures. The story, which is purely fantastical and not based on any historical event, is about a king ruling in Persia.  The king is fooled by his royal vizier, who wants to take revenge on a Jew who refuses to bow down to him. The king signs an order that all the Jews in the kingdom are to be killed. The heroine, Queen Esther the king’s wife, learns of the plot, uses her position to turn the tables and the villain is killed and the Jews are spared. Jews use this occasion to exchange gifts of food and drink, give charity to the poor, eat a celebratory meal, and participate in a public reading of the Book of Esther.

Holi (Hindu).  March 25:

This Hindu holiday occurs on the full moon of the month of Phalguna on the Hindu calendar.  It is also known as the Festival of Love, Spring and Colors.  It is a celebration of the divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna, and good over evil.  The evening and day celebration is known for its bonfires and for the joyous throwing of colored powder and powder solutions by Hindus and non-Hindus, alike. The arrival of spring is celebrated, and people have the opportunity to repair broken relationships.

Easter (Christian).  March 31 (Note — Eastern Orthodox Easter is May 5):

On the Christian Liturgical calendar, this day is “The Resurrection of our Lord.”  It is one of the central holy days of Christianity.  Christians believe that on this day, Jesus Christ, who was crucified on “Good Friday” was resurrected from the dead, thus conquering death and sin.  It is the joyful conclusion to the Lenten season of prayer, fasting and reflection. 

Eid al-Fitr (Islam).  April 9-10:

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting season of Ramadan.  It is typically celebrated by a large community-wide prayer service, at which charitable donations are collected, followed by meals and conversation with family and friends.

Baisakhi (Sikh).  April 13:

Baisakhi is the highest celebration for Sikhs. It is a time of rededication and renewal of faith. Many people take part in a special baptism to become Khalsa (or pure ones) at this blessed time of year.

Festival of Ridvan (Baha’i).  April 21 – May 3:

This annual Baha’i festival commemorates the twelve days when Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger for this age.  The first day, the ninth day, and the twelfth day are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended.

Passover (Jewish). April 22-30:

Passover is a major Jewish holiday that occurs in the spring and is one of three pilgrimage holidays. Celebrated for seven or eight days depending on which denomination of Judaism you participate in; it marks the Israelites’ escape from Egypt and their slavery under Pharoah. This is another Jewish holiday dealing with the theme of freedom.  The story, told around the Seder table on the first two nights of the holiday, comes from the Book of Exodus. The celebration is marked by the commandment in Exodus 12:15 that you shall eat unleavened bread, which we know as matzah, for the duration of the holiday.

Vesak (Buddhist).  May 23:

The biggest and most important holiday celebrated by all Buddhist schools is called Vesak (Vesakha), or Enlightenment Day. All Buddhist schools agree it’s the Buddha’s birthday.  On Vesak Day Buddhist temples are decorated with flags and flowers, and devotees assemble in temples for ceremonial rituals.  To honor the day, Buddhists aspire to practice love, peace and harmony by participating in volunteer and civic activities that benefit all humanity.

This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.