Nativity of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox Christianity)
Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Western Christianity)
The Nativity of the Theotokos is one of the 12 "Great Feasts" of the Orthodox church, commemorating the birth of Mary, the mother of Christ. The status of Mary is one of the great theological debates between East and West. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary's parents conceived her without sin (the "immaculate conception" of Mary), while Eastern churches believe that Mary inherited original sin but was cleansed of it at the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel announced that she would bear the Son of God.
Recommended Reading: Mary has been a hot topic lately, with one of the more promising titles being Jon Sweeney's bridge-building and ecumenical book Strange Heaven: The Virgin Mary as Woman, Mother, Disciple and Advocate (Paraclete, Aug.). A Protestant exploring Catholic tradition, Sweeney points to the history of Marian devotion and offers contemporary applications. Readers interested in Eastern Orthodoxy will enjoy Alfredo Tradigo's beautiful visual guide, Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church (J. Paul Getty Trust, Sept.). And one of the newest installments in the SkyLight Illuminations series on sacred texts is the accessible commentary The Philokalia: The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts, edited by Allyne Levoit Smith (SkyLight Paths, July).
| September 23 to October 2 |
High Holy Days (Judaism)
The most sacred days of the Jewish calendar begin with Rosh Hashanah, the New Year that starts at sundown on September 22 and is generally observed for two days (Reform Jews observe one day). The period ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on October 2. The days in between are commonly referred to as the Days of Awe. During the High Holy Days, Jews seek to reconcile themselves with God and atone for their sins through confession.
Recommended Reading:Readers wanting a follow-up volume to Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins's Yom Kippur Readings will be pleased by its new companion, Rosh Hashanah Readings: Inspiration, Information, Contemplation. The book is filled with short readings from many Jewish luminaries, both ancient and modern (Jewish Lights, Aug.). For children, there's the picture book Rosh Hashanah by Ann Heinrichs with illustrations by Roberta Collier-Morales (Child's World).
| September 24 to October 24 |
Ramadan (Islam)
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast each day from daybreak until sundown, often arising before dawn to have a meal. After this is consumed, no food or drink will pass their lips until after sundown, when they break the fast with a ritual snack of dates and water before consuming their regular evening meal. The Ramadan fast is one of the "five pillars" of Islam, designed to turn hearts toward Allah and away from earthly concerns. At the close of the month, the fast is broken by Eid al-Fitr (occurring on October 24 this year), which is a major holiday in Islam. In America, many Muslims take Eid al-Fitr as a holiday from school and work, and the day is the occasion of much feasting and gift giving.
Recommended Reading:Facts on File presents The Encyclopedia of Islam, a one-volume reference work on all aspects of the religion, edited by Juan Campo and J. Gordon Melton (Nov. 30). For beginners, there's C.T.R. Hewer's Understanding Islam: An Introduction (Fortress, July).
| October 21 |
Divali (Hinduism)
Although it is celebrated differently in various regions of India, this five-day Hindu festival generally honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. To prepare for the day, Hindus clean and whitewash their homes, and then illuminate their homes, businesses, roofs and gardens with electric bulbs or earthen lamps. Divali is called the "festival of lights" in Hinduism.
Recommended Reading: Sanjay Patel's The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow deals with Lakshmi and the many other gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon (Plume, Oct. 31).
