April 15, 2024
Weekly global religious, spiritual and nonreligious observance information
The President's Committee on Religion, Spirituality and Nonreligious Diversity presents the global observance information for April 15-21.
Ridvan — April 19-30. Tradition: Baha'i. Commemorates the 12 days that Baha'u'llah spent in the Garden of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Baghdad, during which time he proclaimed himself as the one announced by Bab. Work is suspended for the first, ninth and 12th days.
Mahavir Jayanti — Sunday, April 21. Tradition: Jainism. Celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavira. Born with the name Vardhamana in ca. 599 BCE, he was later given the titles of honor, Mahavira "Great Hero" and Jina "Conqueror" or "Victor," a title applied also to the other Tirthankaras.
Great Lent — March 18 through May 4. Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox. In Orthodox churches, the Great Fast is a period of ascetic discipline, prayer and repentance in preparation for Holy Week and Easter, or Pascha.
The President's Committee on Religious, Spiritual and Nonreligious Diversity welcomes those of all global religious, spiritual and nonreligious commitments. Further, we welcome any suggestions, questions or other comments. Please contact the committee’s chair, David Yetter, at dyetter@k-state.edu.