January 3, 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 Jan. 1-7.
Doctrine of Faith — Monday, Jan. 1, to Tuesday, Dec. 31. Tradition: Native American/Indigenous Church.
Ghambar Maidyarem — Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023-Thursday, Jan. 4. Tradition: Zoroastrianism. Celebrates the creation of animals. Zoroastrians are encouraged to remember their practice of the equitable sharing of food during this observance.
Epiphany — Saturday, Jan. 6. Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic. Signifying the end of the 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus as the occasion of the manifestation of the Christ to the gentiles. The day is especially important in Latino/a cultures.
Theophany — Saturday, Jan. 6. Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox (new calendar). Commemorates the baptism of Jesus and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity.
Christmas — Sunday, Jan. 7. Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox (old calendar). Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Some local Orthodox Churches — Russia, Serbia, Georgia, Jerusalem and the OCA Diocese of Alaska — keep feasts with fixed dates according to the Julian Calendar, now 13 days after the corresponding date on the civil calendar.
Kwanza — Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023-Monday, Jan 1. Tradition: African-American. A seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality. "Kwanzaa" means "first fruits (of the harvest)" in Swahili.
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 interim chair, David Yetter, at dyetter@k-state.edu.