May 2012 | |
 10 May |
Lag B'OmerThe Omer lasting from Pesach to Shavuot, is a period of 49 days of sadness in the Jewish calendar. On the 33rd day, Lag B'Omer, there is a break in the days of mourning with a festival in memory of the end of a plague in Roman times. This is also the one day in the Omer when weddings are allowed to take place. More information at... |
 13 - 19 May |
Christian Aid WeekMany churches devote this week to fund raising for Christian Aid, often through house to house collections. Christian Aid works in nearly 60 countries helping people, regardless of religion or race, to improve their own lives and tackle the causes of poverty and injustice. More information at... |
17 May |
Ascension DayAscension Day, the 40th day after Easter, commemorates the last earthly appearance of the risen Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus ascended into heaven in the presence of many witnesses. It is one of the four most important dates in the Christian calendar, coming after Christmas and Easter but before Pentecost. More information at... |
 23 May |
Anniversary of the Declaration of the BábThe Báb was the co-founder of the Bahá'í faith. Having first declared his mission in Persia in 1844. he heralded the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh and inaugurated the Bahá'í calendar which is numbered from the year of this declaration. More information at... |
 25 May |
Zartusht-no-disoA commemoration of the death of the prophet Zarathustra when special prayers are recited and the fire temple visited. Services focus on Zarathustra and the Fravashis - spirits of the dead. More information at... |
27 May |
Pentecost / Whit SundayPentecost, also known as Whitsuntide, is often thought of as the 'birthday' of the Church. Christians remember the first disciples of Jesus receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and first proclaiming the Gospel, fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. Called Pentecost after the Jewish festival day when the event took place, the name Whitsuntide comes from the custom of people presenting themselves for baptism on this day, dressed in white. More information at... |
27 - 28 May |
Shavuot / Festival of Weeks / PentecostShavuot, also known as Pentecost or the Festival of Weeks, comes seven weeks after Pesach. The festival celebrates the revelation of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai and the early harvest season in Israel. Synagogues are decorated with flowers, and dairy foods are traditionally eaten. More information at... |
29 May |
Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláhThis day commemorates the death of Bahá'u'lláh in 1892, at Bahji, near Acre, in northern Israel. Bahá'u'lláh's Shrine there is the holiest place on earth for Bahá'ís, and the place which they turn towards in prayer each day. More information at... |
