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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Ramadan - (Muslim) - March 22-April 20, 2023 |
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Description: Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer, and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur’an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur’an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind. General Practices: Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar. Date Details: Dates are determined by the lunar calendar. Lunar calendars can vary based on region and practice. The observed date marks the beginning of a 30 day observation. Recommended Accommodations: If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. |
Future Dates: March 10-April 8, 2024 February 28-March 29, 2025 |
Palm Sunday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 2, 2023 |
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Description: A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as crowds lined his path with palm fronds. General Practices: Prayer, distribution of palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. |
Future Dates: March 24, 2024 April 13, 2025 |
Pesach / Passover (Jewish) - April 5-13, 2023 |
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Description: Pesach is a week-long observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II (one of three pilgrimage festivals). General Practices: Family gatherings, ritualized meals called Seders, reading of the Haggadah, lighting of Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on the last night of Passover. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday. |
Future Dates: April 22-30, 2024 April 12-20, 2025 |
Maundy Thursday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 6, 2023 |
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Description: Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. General Practices: Prayer, Communion (Eucharist), meals, and foot-washing ceremonies among some Christian denominations. |
Future Dates: Date Details: Always falls on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. March 28, 2024 April 17, 2025 |
Good Friday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 7, 2023 |
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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 and noon or afternoon services in some Christian denominations. |
Future Dates: Date Details: Always falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday. March 29, 2024 April 18, 2025 |
Palm Sunday (Eastern Orthodox Christianity) - April 9, 2023 |
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Description: A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as crowds lined his path with palm fronds. General Practices: Prayer, distribution of palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. |
Future Dates: April 28, 2024 April 13, 2025 |
Easter (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 9, 2023 |
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Description: Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. General Practices: Celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs, baskets and chocolate bunnies. It is a celebration of renewal. Date Details: Easter Sunday is determined by the Gregorian calendar (Gregorian calendar regulates ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches). |
Future Dates: March 31, 2024 April 20, 2025 |
Vaisakhi (Sikh) - April 14, 2023 |
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Description: Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year festival and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born. Vaisakhi is also a long-established harvest festival. General Practices: There are often parades, dancing and singing throughout the day. These celebrations involve music, singing and chanting of scriptures and hymns. |
Future Dates: April 13 or April 14 (annually) April 13, 2024 April 13, 2025 |
Holy Friday / Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox Christian) - April 14, 2023 |
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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: May 3, 2024 April 18, 2025 |
Pascha / Easter (Eastern Orthodox Christian) - April 16, 2023 |
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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: May 5, 2024 April 20, 2025 |
Yom HaShoah - (Jewish) - April 17-18, 2023 |
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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: May 5-6, 2024 April 23-24, 2025 |
Eid al-Fitr (Muslim) - April 21-22, 2023 |
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Description: Eid al-Fitr means "break the fast", and is the last day of Ramadan, marking the end of a month of fasting. General Practices: Muslims often pray, exchange gifts, give money to children, feast and celebrate with friends and family. Date Details: Dates are determined by the lunar calendar. Lunar calendars can vary based on region and practice. Eid al Fitr is a three day celebration and begins at sundown. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Employees will likely ask to take a vacation day on this day, and that request should be granted if at all possible. |
Future Dates: April 9-10, 2024 March 30-31, 2025 |
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