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Like every other religion, Christianity has its holidays with unique traditions and meanings. The major holidays revolve around the life and death of Jesus Christ, who is revered as the son of God.
Easter and Christmas are some of the more popular and well-known Christian Holidays.
In communities with a large Christian population, the major holidays are usually designated as holidays. Lesser holidays, however, are commemorated on individual Saint’s Day. Some communities may hold an elaborate celebration for their particular patron Saint.
The Christian calendar can be divided into festivals and seasons, where some happen on the same date every year, and others move around within a range of dates.
Christian holidays can be categorized as a feast day and a fast day. It all depends on the focus that the particular holiday holds.
Feast days are holidays with elaborate celebrations where Christians celebrate joyful events like the birth of Christ. On the other hand, fast days are holidays focused on repentance and self-reflection.
1. What Are the Major Christian Holidays
There are many holidays in Christianity, some better known than others. Let’s explore the major Christian holidays, their celebration, and their significance.
1.1. Ash Wednesday
1.1.1. When Is It Celebrated?
The first day of abstinence that lasts for 40 days, Lent is called Ash Wednesday. Its celebration begins 40 days before Easter and is the first day of fasting and abstinence.
1.1.2. How Is It Celebrated?
Different Christian Communities observe the first day of Lent in different ways. There is a tradition in some Churches where they use the ash of the previous year’s palm to mark a cross on the forehead of the believers.
For example, Easter Orthodoxy begins its observations on the Monday of that week. Catholics have a higher Church attendance today, while Protestants often observe less.
While Ash Wednesday is not mentioned in the Bible, there are records related to the customs of putting ashes as a sign of repentance in the Bible.
1.2. Lent
Lent is a six-week tradition of fasting, and Christians abstain from certain food and luxuries, starting from Ash Wednesday leading up to Easter, excluding Sundays. While many Christians observe Lent, it is mainly associated with Catholicism.
1.2.1 Significance of Lent
Self-denial is the main concept behind Lent. It is performed to remind Christians of the Biblical narrative where Jesus Christ spent 40 days and nights in the desert fasting and resisting temptations.
To recognize its significance, some people adopt a strict diet. Some only eat one meal daily, whereas others avoid certain foods like dairy, eggs, and meat. Some even go on to survive on meals that consist of only bread and water.
1.3. Palm Sunday
1.3.1. When Is It Celebrated?
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter and during Lent. This is the day the Holy Week begins, also known as Passion Sunday.
It is named so because of how Jesus Christ was greeted in Jerusalem. In the Bible, it is revealed that when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, the people of Jerusalem threw palm leaves on the road in front of him as a sign of admiration and praise.
1.3.2. How Is It Celebrated?
As such, some Christian churches observe it by spreading palm branches outside of the sanctuary. The palm branches are often kept for burning, and the ashes are used on the following year’s Ash Wednesday. The reading of the Passion Gospels is also traditionally part of the celebration of the Palm Sunday.
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and is believed to be when Jesus Christ was crucified and died in the Bible. Also known as Black Friday, Holy Friday, and Great Friday, the date differs as both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches disagree on Easter.
As Good Friday is considered the day Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sinful nature of humans, it is typically associated with sorrow and mourning. It is a day of gratitude and appreciation for Christ’s death for our sins.
1.4.2. How Is It Celebrated?
The main ways people observe Good Friday is by fasting, congregations, and liturgies in churches in remembrance of the nature of the holiday. Some people also do not consume any meat while observing the Holy Friday.
Traditionally, the principal holiday in Christianity is Easter. In many traditions, the biggest Christian holiday in April, Easter, is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon, right after the spring equinox. Thus it is also known as Easter Sunday.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, however, Easter is celebrated two weeks after the first full moon of spring.
Easter is the most crucial and vital holiday in Christianity as this day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being crucified. It is a day to take your time and reflect on salvation, redemption, and the second coming of Jesus Christ.
1.5.2. How Is It Celebrated?
The major theme for Easter traditions is the Easter egg, which is decorated eggs for Easter. The practice originates from the prohibition of eggs during Lent and the restrictions ending on Easter, and it also symbolizes a new life.
In Eastern Orthodox traditions, chicken eggs are dyed red to symbolize Christ’s blood from his crucifixion and are blessed by priests. In many countries, however, chocolate eggs are eaten.
The Protestant denominations included Eastern Bunny, as the rabbit was associated with springtime and new life in early European traditions.
Another prominent feature in the Easter tradition is the Easter lamb, as it symbolizes new life and springtime, and Jesus is the lamb of God. Thus, eating lamb at Easter is a tradition among many Christians.
1.6. Ascension day
The ascension of Jesus in heaven 40 days following his resurrection on Easter is celebrated as Ascension Day or the Feast of the Ascension. As it is celebrated based on Easter, Ascension Day dates vary, but it is mainly celebrated on a Thursday. It is, thus, also known as Holy Thursday.
Ascension Day was historically celebrated as a feast day, with the feast centered around the eating of birds. Here, the bird is said to signify Christ’s flight to heaven. While some consume symbolic foods such as decorated bread, fish, or lamb on this day, other groups choose to fast.
Another tradition that is used to symbolize Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven is flying kites. Many observe this occasion by attending mass, singing hymns, and reflecting on Christ’s ascension to heaven and its importance. Many Protestants do not put as much value on Ascension Day as the Catholic Churches.
1.7. All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day, popularly known as “All Hallows’ Day” or “Hallowmas”, is a day of showing respect to all the saints of the Church, the known and unknown, who have ascended to heaven. Most Protestant and Catholic churches observe it on November 1, while Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
Among many Protestants, All Saints’ Day is used to remember both the saints and the faithful who have departed to heaven.
While Catholic Churches use All Saints’ Day as an opportunity to remember and respect the Saints.
The following day, November 2, called All Souls’ Day, is reserved for paying respect to all the faithful who have departed to heaven.
The day before, October 31, known as All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween, is celebrated by holding a traditional vigil.
Generally, All Saints’ Day is observed by attending church liturgies, reciting hymns, praying, lighting candles on the graves of the dead, and feasting or fasting.
1.8. Advent
1.8.1. When Is It Celebrated?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday that falls right before Christmas. The date of celebration is between November 27 – December 3. However, culturally, its observation begins on December 1.
Advent marks the onset of the Christian year. The word has its roots in Latin and comes from the word “adventus”. It is also known as Advent Sunday, which is celebrated on a Sunday.
The main theme of this holiday is to prepare and contemplate the birth of Jesus Christ.
1.8.2. How Is It Celebrated?
Some Churches celebrate Advent by lighting 1 of 5 candles and lighting the last one on Christmas to represent Jesus Christ.
The eastern Churches begin a 40-day fast on November 15 and continue their celebration of Christmas on January 7. This fast is not as strict as Lent, and the importance is placed on preparing for Christmas and the coming of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is the most popular Christian holiday in the way that it is celebrated by people of other religions, too. It is celebrated annually on December 25 by the Western Churches and January 7 by the Eastern Churches.
Christmas is a famous holiday that is celebrated in the western countries. It has also been declared a public holiday in many Western and Commonwealth countries.
1.9.1. Significance of Christmas Day
A holiday observed to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ makes Christmas a joyous occasion and a feast day. Based on the Bible, Christmas is the day baby Jesus was born. The story of his birth, Nativity, is often recited or performed around Christmas.
1.9.2. How Is It Celebrated?
Being a global cultural phenomenon, the customs and traditions differ from place to place and among the branches of Christianity.
The main theme of the celebration revolves around spending time with friends, attending family gatherings, and attending Christmas services in the church.
The most popular Christmas tradition is erecting Christmas trees, adorning them with ornaments and light, and exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Christmas trees are seen in both private households and public places. There is also a feast with celebratory foods eaten on this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which order do the Christian holidays appear on the Gregorian calendar?
The chronological order in which the major holidays of Christianity appear on the Gregorian calendar is:
Ash Wednesday
Lent
Palm Sunday
Good Friday
Easter
Ascension D
All Saints’ Day
Advent
Christmas
What is Holy Week?
The week between Palm Sunday and Easter is called the Holy Week. This week is dedicated to the Passion of Jesus Christ. In the 4th century, St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia called this week “Holy Week.”
What is the most popular Christian holiday?
Christmas is the most popular Christian holiday, as it is celebrated by people all across the globe regardless of their religion. Most commonly it is celebrated on 25th December.
Why are there any pagan roots in any Christian celebration?
When the Christian Church tried to convert people from their religion to Christianity, they were often met with resistance. Because of this pushback, they allowed these people to celebrate some pagan traditions and holidays to satisfy their demands and convert them to Christianity.
Isn’t Thanksgiving a major Christian holiday?
While a popular holiday, Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated by most Christians. Its celebration is limited to a few countries and is popular in America and Canada.
What is the Church calendar?
Many churches organize this calendar to schedule their religious holidays throughout the year.
Concluding the Major Christian Holidays
While all holy days hold significance in the Christian faith, certain holidays are significant in Christianity and are celebrated or observed by most Christian communities and churches.
Even among these holidays, Easter is considered more significant, and many other holidays revolve around it. However, Christmas is the most popular one and is celebrated all across the globe, even by people of different faiths.
The main theme of these religious holidays is to either celebrate the birth of Jesus or repent and perform spiritual reflection to appreciate the sacrifices made by Jesus. They are celebrated as a feast day or by worship services in the Christian churches.
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