Saints' Days and Other Christian Festivals Flashcards
What is another name for Pentecost?
Whitsun
Who led out the other disciples to start preaching when inspired by the Holy Spirit?
They were led by St. Peter and preached in tongues they had never previously learned.
Which church celebrates Christmas 2 weeks later and for what reason?
The Orthodox Church follows the Gregorian calendar where the due date falls 2 weeks later.
What festival is regarded as the Birthday of the Church?
Pentecost/Whitsun
Why is Father Christmas also known as Santa Claus?
Claus’ is itself a version of ‘Klaus’, the Germanic equivalent of ‘Nick’ (i.e. the other half of ‘Nicholas’).
On what day does Lent begin?
Ash Wednesday
What is the reason for the name Ash Wednesday?
The ‘ash’ reference is to the Old Testament tradition by which a penitent ~ i.e. someone seeking to ‘say sorry’ and mend their ways with respect to God ~ would dress in sackcloth (which made them bodily uncomfortable) and ashes (which presumably felt gritty on the skin and were a convenient public ‘badge of dirtiness’).
What does Mardi Gras mean?
Fat Tuesday in French.
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday (known as Shrove Tuesday). Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.
When is Epiphany?
6th January
What is the Epiphany?
Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day, is a special date in the Christmas story as it’s when people celebrate how a star led the Magi - also known as the Three Kings or the Wise Men - to visit the baby Jesus after he had been born.
What is the Christian origin of the Carnival?
Rich foods (including meat, in earlier historical times) were given up by believers during Lent ~ so the Carnival (‘Flesh, farewell’) was the last chance to enjoy them before settling down to be somewhat deliberately frugal and miserable for weeks on end. Synonymous with Mardi Gras.
Why is Good Friday called Good?
Because Christians believe that only out of the torture and evil of that day, could the greatest eventual good be accomplished.
What is the opposite of Harvest Festival, ie: when you ask god for blessings on the future harvest at the apparent beginning of the farming year?
Rogation Sunday. (often in May…or 5th Sunday after Easter)
On what day is Michaelmas?
Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated on the 29th of September every year.
What traditionally happens on Michaelmas?
It used to be said that harvest had to be completed by Michaelmas, almost like the marking of the end of the productive season and the beginning of the new cycle of farming. It was the time at which new servants were hired or land was exchanged and debts were paid. This is how it came to be for Michaelmas to be the time for electing magistrates and also the beginning of legal and university terms.
By what name is Lady Day also known?
The Feast of the Annunciation
What is the date of Lady Day?
25th March.
What is celebrated on Lady Day?
The visit of Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
What is Lent a remembrance of?
The 40 days Jesus spent in the Wilderness
When is St. Patrick’s Day?
17th March.
What plant is usually worn on St. Patrick’s day?
Shamrock
In which month is Father’s Day celebrated?
June
Mothering Sunday is almost always in which month?
March. (3rd Sunday in Lent)
