February 12, 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 Feb. 12-18.
Darwin Day — Monday, Feb. 12. Tradition: World Pantheist Movement, various secularist groups. Commemorates the birth of Charles Darwin and his evolutionary theory of biological diversity.
Vasant Panchami (Sri Pancami) — Tuesday, Feb. 13. Tradition: Hinduism. One of many festivals to honor the advent of spring, this day is celebrated particularly in North India, where it is associated with Saraswati, the goddess of learning; however, it also retains connection with the goddess Lakshmi.
Ash Wednesday — Wednesday, Feb. 14. Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic. A special day of repentance observed by Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period — excluding Sundays — of prayer, repentance and self-denial preceding Easter. The name derives from the practice of marking of the faithful with ashes to signify penitence.
Lent — Wednesday, Feb. 14, to Saturday, March 30. Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic. Forty-day period — excluding Sundays — of prayer, repentance and self-denial preceding Easter.
Nirvana Day — Thursday, Feb. 15. Tradition: Buddhism. In the northern tradition, it commemorates the parinirvana of the Buddha. In cultures of Southeast Asia, the buddha's parinirvana is remembered during Wesak. The dates and names of Buddhist celebrations vary significantly among cultures and communities.
Martyrdom of Giordano Bruno — Saturday, Feb. 17. Tradition: World Pantheist Movement. Commemoration of religious freedom.
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.