Spring Holidays

Spring brings new life and many ways to celebrate!

Spring Holidays and Traditions: Easter, Passover & Ramadan

Spring brings many traditions, both religious and non-religious. Whatever you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a wonderful beginning to your spring, with renewed hope and energy! The longer days, the brighter sunshine, and the blooming plants renew our spirits and are an encouragement to enjoy better weather for a time.                                                                                                        

Easter: The history of Easter originated from persons who practice a polytheistic religion, one based on the belief of more than one god, who celebrated the Spring equinox. Easter eggs originated as a symbol that is traced back to Ancient Babylonians, who believed that the egg fell from heaven into the river and hatched the Goddess of Fertility “Astarte. The Easter Bunny originated from the polytheistic festival of Eostre which was associated with the rabbit and hare. The White Lily is also symbolic of Easter as it is associated with purity and resurrection. For Christians, it is observed following a period of fasting, praying, and good works and follows the celebration of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and the death of Jesus Christ. Easter is celebrated as the day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead and this year is celebrated on March 31st, 2024.

Passover: Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays. In Judaism, Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites’ departure from ancient Egypt, which appears in the Hebrew Bible’s books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, among other texts. Jews observe the weeklong festival with several important rituals, including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder, the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread, and the retelling of the exodus tale. Passover is celebrated this year from sundown April 22nd, 2024 until sundown April 30th, 2024.

Ramadan: Ramadan is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims practice fasting, reflection and prayer. The holiday commemorates the first revelation of Muhammed. Ramadan celebrates the date in 610 CE when, according to Islamic tradition, the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. During the month, Muslims the world over are called upon to renew their spiritual commitment through daily fasting, prayer, and acts of charity. Although the fasting elements are perhaps the most noticeable parts of observation, Ramadan is much more than abstaining from food and drink. It is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-discipline and self-sacrifice. Ramadan is celebrated this year from Sunday, March 10th, 2024 until Monday, April 8th, 2024.