Christmas

Christmas

Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Christmas festivities often combine the commemoration of Jesus' birth. Traditions include the display of Nativity scenes, Holly and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa.




http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/holidays/christmas.htm

Easter

Easter is a celebration of Jesus Christ's return to life after his resurrection, and is held on the first Sunday after the full moon following the first day of Spring. It is the most important holiday for Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians. Easter is the main act that emphasizes Christ's ministry on earth- "to defeat death by dying and to purify and exalt humanity by voluntarily assuming and overcoming human frailty." Easter can also be a non-religious holiday; it is also a celebration of feasting.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, which is also the sixth and last Sunday in Lent. Palm Sunday is also known as the first day of "Holy Week," and is the celebration of Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem the week before he was crucified. It is called "Palm Sunday" because when Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was greeted with waving palm branches, and his path was also covered with palm branches. At some churches, Palm Sunday is also known as "Passion Sunday."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and falls between February 4th and March 11th, 6 1/2 weeks before Easter. Early penitents were sprinkled with ashes, wore sackcloth, and were required to remain apart from the rest of the community until they were reconciled on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter.The most obvious mark of celebrating Ash Wednesday is the blessing and application of ashes to the foreheads of those who participat. By the 11th century this custom had largely disappeared and was replaced with the distribution of ashes during the services and their application to the foreheads of all members of a congregation. Traditionally this is accompanied by “Remember you are dust and will return to dust,” but today “Turn from sin and live the gospel” is often used.

http://www.unicorne.org/orthodoxy/jan2003/ashwednesday.htm

Lent

Lent is an Eastern Orthodox holiday which always begins on a Monday between February 15 and March 21. The beginning date, Clean Monday, is set at seven weeks before Easter. Lent is a period of self-denial and is observed with strict abstinence from meat, dairy products, wine, and olive oil. Orthodox Christians also make a sacrifice during this period such as giving up a favorite food or other pleasure.

http://www.kencollins.com/holy-04.htm