Religious Holy Days March 2022
1st Maha Shivaratri – Hindu
Festival in honor of Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati. Ceremonies involving prayers and hymns take place mostly at night. Special foods are not used.
Shrove Tuesday – Christian
Carnival Day on the eve of Ash Wednesday which begins Lent, a time of fasting and devotions. Pancakes are often served. It is also known as Fat Tuesday in some places.
2nd Ash Wednesday – Christian
Observance to begin the 40-day season of Lent. In this day of fasting and prayer, ashes are marked on worshippers’ forehead as a sign of repentance and penitence as a means of preparing for, and spiritually cleansing ourselves for the Lenten journey towards Easter. Lent begins today.
4th World Day of Prayer – Ecumenical Christian
The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen’s initiative. It is run under the motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action,” and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common Day of Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
6th Cheesefare Sunday – Orthodox Christian
Aside from Cheesefare and Forgiveness Sunday, this day is also called Adam’s Lament. We remember how Adam was banished from Eden and join with Adam and Eve in expressing sorrow over the sins that separate us from God. This prepares us for our Lenten journey towards Easter.
7th Great Lent – Clean Monday – Orthodox Christian
Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important fasting season in the church year in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Byzantine Rite Lutheran Churches and the Eastern Catholic Churches, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Pascha or Easter. Lent Begins.
17th St. Patrick’s Day – Christian
Celebration of Patrick who brought Christianity to Ireland in early days of the faith.
Purim – Judaism
Celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish minority in Persia from genocide. Charity to the poor, sharing food with friends, and vigorous merrymaking mark the observance.
18th Holi – Hindu
Spring festival dedicated to the god of pleasure. It is observed in a colorful and boisterous manner. People shower each other with colored water and smear red and green powder on each other.
20th Ostara – Vernal Equinox – Wicca/Neo Pagan
Welcoming of spring and the goddess-as-maiden.
21st Norooz (New Year) – Persian/Zoroastrian
Celebration of the Zoroastrian New Year.
Naw-Rúz (New Year) * – Baha’i
Observance of the vernal equinox symbolizing spiritual growth and renewal.
24th Saint Oscar Romero – Catholic Christian
Feast Day of Saint Oscar, Archbishop of San Salvador, who was martyred while celebrating the Eucharist at a hospital chapel in San Salvador. Saint Oscar spoke up against socio-economic injustice and the killing of thousands of poor Salvadorans and was killed for speaking truth to corrupt power.
26th Khordad Sal – Zoroastrian
Remembrance of the birth of Prophet Zaranthushtra.
30th Magha Puja Day ** – Buddhism
Celebration of the presentation of teachings by Lord Buddha to and assembly of holy men.
*Holy Days usually begin at sundown on the evening before this date
Adapted from https://www.interfaith-calendar.org/2022.htm