Religious observances allow the university to reflect on and practice the values that we as a campus community openly espouse, including sensitivity and respect for all cultures and religions. We are a community that embraces our diversity and encourages the celebration of multicultural traditions.
This resource includes dates, descriptions and information about some of the many religious holy days celebrated by faculty, staff and students at St. Cloud State. Also included with many are recommended accommodations to assist with planning classroom activities and other academic and co-curricular events.
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Beltane (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid) - May 1, 2024 |
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Description: The fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Jumping the balefire and dancing the MayPole. |
Future Dates: May 1 (annually) |
Holy Friday / Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox Christian) - May, 3, 2024 |
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Description: Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting. General Practices: Prayer, fasting, confession and church services as well as the wrapping or dying of eggs in preparation for Easter Sunday. Date Details: Orthodox Good Friday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the date. |
Future Dates: April 18, 2025 April 10, 2026 |
Pascha / Easter (Eastern Orthodox Christian) - May 5, 2024 |
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Description: Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ General Practices: Celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs and baskets of breads, meats, eggs, cheeses and other foods. It is a celebration of renewal. Date Details: Easter Sunday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. |
Future Dates: April 20, 2025 April 12, 2026 |
Yom HaShoah - (Jewish) - May 5-6, 2024 |
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Description: Holocaust Remembrance Day; a day to remember the lives and names of Jewish victims and activists of the Holocaust. General Practices: Ceremonies or events to remember Holocaust victims who died during World War II; activities may include lighting memorial candles and reciting the Kaddish, which is a prayer for the departed. |
Future Dates: April 23-24, 2025 April 13-14, 2026 |
Buddha Day / Visakha Puja (Buddhist) - May 15, 2024 |
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Description: This holiday is traditionally known as Buddha’s birthday. It is the major Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. General Practices: Buddhists often decorate their homes and visit their local temples. Observers are encouraged to refrain from slaughtering and to avoid eating meat on this date. |
Future Dates: May 5, 2025 May 1, 2026 |
Ascension of the Bahaullah (Bahai) - May 29, 2024 |
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Description: Commemorates the death of the founder of the Baha’i faith; Baha’llah died on May 29, 1892. General Practices: Devotional programs and reading from the scriptures |
Future Dates: May 29 (annually) |
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