April Holy Days
Religious Holy Days April 2022
2nd Hindi New Year – Hindu
3rd Ramadan begins** – Islam
9th month on Islamic calendar, devoted to the commemoration of Muhammad’s reception of the divine revelation recorded in the Qur’an. The event begins when authorities in Saudi Arabia sight the new moon of the 9th month. It is the holiest period of the Islamic Year. It is observed with strict fasting from sunrise to sunset.
10th Ramanavami – Hindu
Celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, hero of the religious epic poem, The Ramayana. The day involves telling of stories and going to the temple.
Palm Sunday – Christian
Celebration of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The day begins Holy Week. It is observed by worship celebrations and parades using palm branches.
14th Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh
Start of the New Years. Greetings that wish good life in coming days are exchanged. In Sikh the day commemorates the founding of the Khalsa, a distinctive Sikh brotherhood.
Lent Ends – Christian
As Lent ends, Christians observe what is known as the Paschal (or Easter) Triduum, a three-day observance of the mystery of salvation. These three days are Mundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday until sunset.
Maundy Thursday – Christian
Mundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday until sunset. commemorates Jesus’s Last Supper with his disciples, instituting the Holy Eucharist.
15th Good Friday – Christian
Remembrance of the day Jesus died on the cross. A day of fasting, prayer and self-denial is observed.
16th Theravadin New Year 3 days ** – Buddhism
Three-day celebration of the new year in Theravada Buddhism (Pāli, literally “School of the Elders”), which is the most commonly accepted name of Buddhism’s oldest extant school. The school’s adherents, termed theravādins, have preserved their version of the Gautama Buddha’s teaching in the Pāli Canon.
Hanuman Jayanti – Hindu
Celebration of Hanuman who was an embodiment of Lord Rama. Devotion and selfless work are encouraged.
Lazarus Saturday – Orthodox Christian
Celebration of the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus, celebrated on the eve of Palm Sunday, revealing that Jesus in “the resurrection and life” of all humankind.
Pesach Begins – Judaism
Eight-day pilgrimage festival celebrating the Exodus from slavery to freedom. Also known as Passover. Story telling, scripture reading are observed, as well as a Seder Meal with family and friends to recall the last meal the Israelites ate before their hurried exodus from slavery in Egypt.
17th Easter (Western) – Christian
The most holy of Christian sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting, and parades.
Palm Sunday – Orthodox Christian
Celebration of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The day begins Holy Week. It is observed by worship celebrations and parades using palm branches.
21st First Day of Ridvan * – Baha’i
Beginning of the commemoration of the twelve-day period in 1863 when Baha’u’llah declared that he was God’s messenger for this age. Work is to be suspended on days 1, 9, and 12 of the festival.
22nd Holy Friday – Orthodox Christian
Remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and related events.
23rd Pesach ends – Judaism
24th Easter (Pascha) – Orthodox Christian
This year it is celebrated one week after the Western Easter as the calendars in the Western and Eastern worlds are slightly different. The most holy of Christian sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special prayers, feasting, and parades.
28th Yom HaShoah – Judaism
Jewish Holocaust Day. The day has been established to remember the six million Jews killed by the Nazis in 1933-45. It is observed by many non-Jews as well.
29th Ninth Day of Ridvan * – Baha’i
See above.
*Holy Days usually begin at sundown on the evening before this date
Adapted from https://www.interfaith-calendar.org/2022.htm