Sacred Calendars

Dr Musharef Hussain, the Chief Imam in the Karimia Institute in Nottingham, describes what is celebrated each year on 'the Night of Repentance' (Lailat-ul-bara'ah). Following the example of the Prophet, this is a night of prayer and fasting when Muslims often visit cemeteries and ask God for forgiveness.

Dr Musharraf Hussain, the Chief Imam in the Karimia Institute in Nottingham, describes what is celebrated each year on the anniversary of the Ascension of the Prophet (the Mí'raj). This recalls a miraculous trip one night when the Prophet was taken from Mecca to Jerusalem, and then was taken on a tour of heaven and hell. This festival is kept with a vigil of prayer and a recollection of the miraculous ascension.

St George is not only patron of England, but of several other countries and regions. He was an early Greek military saint, who was martyred at Lydda (now Lod / Tel Aviv Airport), and devotion to him is far more widespread in the East than in the West.

St Patrick is now almost synonymous with Ireland -- and his feastday on March 17 has become a great festival of 'being Irish' around the world. However, what we can learn about the man is markedly different: a Roman citizen from Britain working in Ireland and at odds with other bishops there about his belief that the end of the world was 'soon to come.' However, the seventh-century creation of the mythical Patrick by the theologian Muirchú is a fascinating example of how memory can shape experie

Christianity, like almost every other religion, celebrates its beliefs over the course of the year -- moreover, each branch of Christianity constructs that year in slightly different ways and attached importance to the year with slightly different emphases. In this video, Dr Andreopoulos gives an overview of how Greek Christians view the liturgical year.

How did the festival of Halloween -- literally the 'Eve of All Hallows Day' -- which is celebrated on 31 October enter the Christian calendar? And how has it gained a new popularity today when its Christian roots are all but forgotten? These are the questions examined in this video.

August 6 is a festival for Christians in both the east and the west recalling the event narrated in the gospels when Jesus's 'face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light' (Matthew 17:1-8 // Mark 9:2-8 // Luke 9:28-36). This is a far more important feast in the Orthodox Churches and so we have an Orthodox theologian, Dr Andreas Andreopoulos, introducing the festival.

25 March is an important Christian feast known as 'the annunciation' [of the angel to Mary that she was to give birth to Jesus]. This became known in England as 'Lady Day' and was, for many centuries, the first day of the new year -- and this notion survives today in the Tax Year beginning on 6 April each year!

Ash Wednesday begins, for Christians, the preparation for their central feast: Easter. Now linked to giving up smoking, its name comes from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead: a reminder of repentance.

This feast falls on 'the twelfth day of Christmas' (January 6) and celebrates the visit of the 'wise men' to Bethlehem for Western Christians; in the east it is called the 'theophany' and celebrated God becoming manifest to believers in Jesus.

For western Christians the nativity scene -- well known from Nativity Plays -- conveys a theology of Christmas. Among Eastern Christians a different image -- the Icon of the Nativity -- is used; and it provides a different theology of the birth of Jesus.

Dr Karen Kilby, a leading Christian theologian, looks at the mystery of the incarnation: the birth of Jesus. This is the event that Christians recall each year when they celebrate Christmas.

Dr Mary Cunningham, an expert on Orthodox Christianity, discusses the significance of Christmas, how Orthodox believers prepare for it, and how they celebrate it.

Dr Alison Milbank discusses the period running up to Christmas -- known to Christians as 'Advent'-- and what this time means to them, and how it is celebrated.

Mr Shujahat Aslam, an Imam, discusses the Muslim practice of the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca -- with Dr Jon Hoover, an expert in Islamic Studies, and its significance in the Muslim year.

Mr Shujahat Aslam, an Imam, discusses the Muslim festival of Id-ul-Adha with Dr Jon Hoover, an expert in Islamic Studies. It describes what happens on the feast and what it means to those who celebrate it.

Agata Bielik-Robson, an expert in Jewish thought, explains how Jews celebrate the High Holy Days that together mark the beginning of the Jewish new year and the significance of the year's most solemn time: Yom Kippur ('the Day of Atonement').

Dr Mary Cunningham, an expert on what Christians believe about Mary, the Mother of God, discusses the festival celebrated each year on 15 August which is called the 'Dormition' in the Eastern Churches and the 'Assumption' in some of the Western Churches.

Mr Shujahat Aslam, an imam, discusses the Muslim festival of Id-ul-Fitr, which concludes Ramadan, with Dr Jon Hoover, an expert in Islamic Studies; it describes what happens on the feast and what it means to those who celebrate it.

Mr Shujahat Aslam, an imam, discusses the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with Dr Jon Hoover, an expert in Islamic Studies. He describes what happens during the time, and what it means to those who celebrate it.

Prof. Thomas O'Loughlin, an expert on early Christianity, discusses the origins of the annual feast of Pentecost (often called 'Whit'). This is the feast which comes 50 days after Easter and is celebrated with a variety of meanings, but all of which are connected with the belief that the Holy Spirit is present in the Church.

Mary Cunningham, an expert in Orthodox theology, discusses the meaning of Easter, which is the greatest of the Christian feasts, and what it means to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. She also relates how Eastern Christians celebrate this festival.

Thomas O’Loughlin, an expert in early Christian theology, discusses the meaning of Easter, which is the greatest of the Christian feasts, its origins, its connections with baptism, and its place in the Christian calendar today.

Agata Bielik-Robson, an expert in Jewish thought, explains how Jews celebrate Pesach (often called ‘Passover’ in English). She talks about its origins and significance for Jewish people today.

Holger Zellentin, an expert in Jewish history, looks at the origins of the Jewish celebration of Pesach (often called ‘Passover’ in English). He talks about how its meaning has been shaped by its history down the centuries.