Chaplaincy Services Holy Days, Celebrations and Observances of August 2022 - Children's National Hospital
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Children’s National Hospital
Chaplaincy
Services
Holy Days, Celebrations and
Observances of August 2022
August already; and yet there will still be August 1 Lammas Wicca/Pagan
long gold and green afternoons and warm Apples are beginning to ripen in the trees, our summer
vegetables have been picked, corn is tall and green,
evenings. Times of celebration. The Holy is waiting for us to come gather the bounty of the crop
found in many forms and many places, seen fields. Now is the time to begin reaping what we have
sown, and gathering up the first harvests of grain,
in faces similar to our own and very different, wheat, oats, and more.
expressed through traditions familiar and This holiday can be celebrated either as a way to
honor the god Lugh, or as a celebration of the harvest.
Grain has held a place of importance in civilization
back nearly to the beginning of time. Grain became
associated with the cycle of death and rebirth. The
Sumerian god Tammuz was slain and his lover Ishtar
grieved so heartily that nature stopped producing.
Ishtar mourned Tammuz, and followed him to the
Underworld to bring him back, similar to the story of
Demeter and Persephone.
In Greek legend, the grain god was Adonis. Two
goddesses, Aphrodite and Persephone, battled for his
love. To end the fighting, Zeus ordered Adonis to spend
strange. But Holy is Holy. In these long days six months with Persephone in the Underworld, and
the rest with Aphrodite.
pushing toward the darker half of our year
In early Ireland, it was a bad idea to harvest your grain
let us stay aware of the good and the Holy.
any time before Lammas; it meant that the previous
Let us look for it and name it and love it. Let it
lead us toward peace and understanding.
Chaplain Kathleen
year’s harvest had run out early, and that was a and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright (Mark
serious failing in agricultural communities. However, 9:2–13; Matthew 17:1–13; Luke 9:28–36). The festival
on August 1, the first sheaves of grain were cut by the celebrates the revelation of the eternal glory of the
farmer, and by nightfall his wife had made the first Second Person of the Trinity, which was normally
loaves of bread of the season. veiled during Christ’s life on earth. According to
The word Lammas derives from the Old English phrase tradition, the event took place on Mount Tabor.
hlaf-maesse, which translates to loaf mass. In early It is not known when the festival was first celebrated,
Christian times, the first loaves of the season were
blessed by the Church.
In some Wiccan and modern Pagan traditions,
Lammas is also a day of honoring Lugh, the Celtic
craftsman god. He is a god of many skills, and was
honored in various aspects by societies both in the
British Isles and in Europe. Lughnasadh (pronounced
Loo-NAS-ah) is still celebrated in many parts of the
world today.
In our modern world, it’s often easy to forget the
trials and tribulations our ancestors had to endure.
For us, if we need a loaf of bread, we simply drive
over to the local grocery store and buy a few bags
of prepackaged bread. If we run out, it’s no big deal,
we just go and get more. When our ancestors lived,
hundreds and thousands of years ago, the harvesting
but it was kept in Jerusalem as early as the 7th century
and in most parts of the Byzantine Empire by the 9th
century. It was gradually introduced into the Western
Church, and its observance was fixed as August 6 by
Pope Calixtus III in 1457 as a thank offering for the
victory over the Turks at Belgrade on that day in 1456.
In 2002 Pope John Paul II updated the meditations of
the rosary with five “luminous mysteries,” of which the
Transfiguration is one.
and processing of grain was crucial. If crops were left In the Orthodox Church it has always been a major
in the fields too long, or the bread not baked in time, festival. In some churches it is celebrated on other
families could starve. Taking care of one’s crops meant dates. The Armenian Apostolic Church keeps it on the
the difference between life and death. fourteenth Sunday after Easter, and some Lutherans
on the Sunday after Epiphany.
By celebrating Lammas as a harvest holiday, we honor
our ancestors and the hard work they must have had August 6 (sundown) Tisha B’av Jewish
to do in order to survive. This is a good time to give
Tisha B’Av is a solemn fast day marking the destruction
thanks for the abundance we have in our lives, and
of the First Temple (586 BCE) and Second Temple (67
to be grateful for the food on our tables. Lammas is a
CE) in Jerusalem as well as numerous other calamities
time of transformation, of rebirth and new beginnings.
that befell the Jewish people, such as the Crusades
August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration Christian and the Holocaust.
Feast of the Transfiguration, Christian The holiday begins at sunset on the eighth of the
commemoration of the occasion upon which Jesus Hebrew month of Av and concludes at nightfall the
Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and following day. To observe this day of mourning, Jews
John, up on a mountain, where Moses and Elijah abstain from food, water and sources of joy. They
appeared and Jesus was transfigured, his face customarily recite traditional dirges called kinot
and chant the biblical Book of Lamentations, where
the prophet Jeremiah laments the destruction of
Jerusalem and the exile of its inhabitants.
Jews also study the prophecy of Zechariah, who
foresaw a future when fast days like Tisha B’Av would
transform into days of celebration. In many ways,
his prophecy is the underlying theme of the holiday.
Despite a world ripe with brokenness and pain, a
better future is possible. More importantly, every
Jewish person has a role to play in building that future.
August 7 (sundown) Ashura Islam
Photo: Shiite child in Turkey on Ashura
Islamic community at the death of the Prophet. Ali
was murdered in CE 661 and his chief opponent
Muawiya became caliph. Caliph Muawiya was later
succeeded by his son Yazid, but Ali’s son Hussein
refused to accept his legitimacy and fighting between
the two resulted. Hussein and his followers were
massacred in battle at Karbala.
Both Ali’s and Hussein’s deaths gave rise to the Shia
cult of martyrdom and to their sense of betrayal and
struggle against injustice, oppression and tyranny.
The day of Ashura is marked by Muslims as a
whole, but for Shia Muslims it is a major religious Today, Shias comprise about 15% of the total
commemoration of the martyrdom at Karbala of worldwide Muslim population.
Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
August 11 Raksha Bandhan Hindu
It is marked by Muslims with a voluntary day of fasting
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between
which commemorates the day Noah left the Ark, and
brothers and sisters. As the concept of love and duty
the day that Moses was saved from the Egyptians by
between siblings is universal, this festival is popular with
God.
many cultures in India and transcends its Hindu origin.
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a solemn day of mourning
To mark their relationship, on the morning of Raksha
the martyrdom of Hussein in 680 CE at Karbala in
Bandhan, the sister and brother will gather together
modern-day Iraq.
with their family. Often in front of a lamp, the sister
It is marked with mourning rituals and passion plays ties a rakhi (thread) on her brother’s right wrist. This
re-enacting the martyrdom. symbolises their emotional bond and the renews the
Shia men and women dressed in black also parade vow of the brother to protect his sister.
through the streets slapping their chests and chanting. Rakhis can also be used to celebrate other
The killing of Hussein was an event that led to the split relationships between friends and neighbors.
in Islam into two main sects - Sunnis and Shias. Rakhis are often made from silk with gold and silver
In early Islamic history the Shia were a political faction threads and can be decorated with sequins, and semi-
(known as the “party of Ali”) that supported Ali, son- precious stones.
in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the fourth The word Raksha means ‘protection’, whilst Bandhan
caliph (temporal and spiritual ruler) of the Muslim means ‘to tie’.
community.
In Indian history, Rakhis have been used to strengthen
The great schism between Sunnis and Shias occurred kingdoms and forge alliances. One of the oldest tales
when Imam Ali did not succeed as leader of the associated with Rakhis is when Alexander the Great
was undertaking his invasion of the India subcontinent
in 326 BCE. Encountering the powerful King Porus, it Torah: love your neighbor as yourself, and honor your
is said that Alexander’s wife had approached Porus parents and elders or community. For children, love is
and tied a Rakhi on his hand to ensure the safety of her understood through actions (hugs, kisses), and helping
husband. or good deeds. You can share the love on Tu B’Av in
August 11 (sundown) Tu B’av Jewish lots of different ways, including: sending love to friends
who live far away, bringing soup to a sick neighbor, or
doing a service project together to show love for your
community.
For many centuries, the holiday of Tu B’Av was
overlooked. It has re-emerged in modern times,
however, and there are a variety of ways to celebrate
it. For some, it presents an ideal day to wed. For others,
it’s a time for community festivals, with singing and
dancing.
Your family can commemorate Tu B’Av with PJ Library
books like Good Night, Laila Tov, fun activities, or a
The 15th of Av is a most mysterious day. A search of simple “I love you.” In fact, you could even learn to say “I
the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) reveals love you” in Hebrew.
no observances or customs for this date, except for
the instruction that the tachanun (confession of sins)
and similar portions should be omitted from the daily
prayers (as is the case with all festive dates), and that
one should increase one’s study of Torah, since the
nights are beginning to grow longer, and “the night
was created for study.”
The Talmud tells us that many years ago the
“daughters of Jerusalem would go dance in the
vineyards” on the 15th of Av, and “whoever did not
have a wife would go there” to find himself a bride. And
the Talmud considers this the greatest festival of the
year, with Yom Kippur (!) a close second! August 13 Ullambana Buddhist
In Hebrew, the word for love is Ahava. The root of Ullambana (Yu-lan) may sometimes appears as
Ahava –means to give. Love involves giving - giving Lambana, or Avalamba, which in Sanskrit means
one’s time, attention, admiration, respect to others. hanging down, depending, support; it is interpreted as
In fact, a famous rabbi, Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, “to hang upside down”, or “to be in suspense”, referring
is frequently quoted as defining love from the Jewish to the extreme suffering in purgatory. The word
point-of-view as “giving without expecting to take.” pen is regarded as a Chinese word, not part of the
Other Jewish definitions of love come from the transliteration, meaning a vessel filled with offerings
of food. As a transliteration of the Sanskrit word,
Ullambana means “deliverance from suffering,” and
specifically refers to the salvation of anguished souls in
Hell. This concept originates from the Buddhist legend
of “ Maudgalyayana (Moginlin or Mogganalla) saving
His Mother from Hades.” Hence, the Ullambana festival
reinforces the important concept of filial piety which is
very deep-rooted in Asian culture.
According to Buddhist legend, Maudgalyayana, who
was one of the ten great disciples of the Buddha,
discovered through his meditative powers that his
mother, who had committed severe bad karma of essentially the same. Besides offering prayers to the
killing, had been reborn in the realms of pain and souls of deceased ancestors and welfare of their
suffering. When he learnt that her spirit was being parents, people carry offerings such as food, medicine
subjected to hunger and misery, he decided to go to and clothes for monks and nuns in monasteries. This
the netherworld to relieve her of her suffering. celebration is an act of thanksgiving to the sangha
Once he went there, Maudgalyayana found his community for their blessings and prayers.
mother starving and in a pitiful state. He offered her
August 13 - 15 Obon Buddhist
food, but when she tried to eat it, the food turned
to smoldering pieces of charcoal. Maudgalyayana The Obon festival is one of Japan’s largest and most
was distressed and sought advice and help from his significant religious events. This is a Buddhist custom
master, the Buddha. Buddha told him that his mother’s honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors, which is why it
offenses were deep-rooted and that he alone would is also known as the festival of the dead or the festival
not be able to ease her sufferings. of souls.
The Buddha advised Maudgalyayana to make It would be unusual for a Buddhist festival not to have
offerings of five fruits, incense, oil, lamps, candles, beds a monk-based legend and Obon doesn’t disappoint.
and bedding to the assembled members of the Order In this case, the festival is based on a legend about a
and pray along with them for the liberation of his Buddhist monk called Mogallana. The story goes that
mother’s soul. Mogallana could see into the afterlife, and saved his
deceased mother from going to hell by giving offerings
The Buddha also told Maudgalyayana that by
to Buddhist monks. Having gained redemption for his
making such an offering, not only his mother but his
mother, he danced in celebration, joined by others in
forefathers, kith and kin would also escape suffering
a large circle. This dance is known as the Bon Odori
and attain eternal bliss and salvation.
dance.
The day on which Maudgalyayana performed the act
of compassionate filial conduct and brought salvation
to his forefathers was celebrated as Ullambana. It is
observed on the 15th day of the seventh Buddhist
lunar month. This day is marked as the Buddhaˇs
Joyful day or Sangha Day.
On this day, Buddhists offer prayers both to their
departed forefathers and to their living parents and
elders.
It is generally believed that one who performs a good
deed accumulates spiritual merit. It is considered an The Buddhist custom is that the spirits of ancestors
even more pious act when the merit earned is shared come out on Obon to visit their families, so they are
with departed souls, which will help them to be reborn welcomed with the Bon Odori dance and traditional
in good realms and alleviate their suffering. meals are prepared for the spirits. The spirits are then
guided home, sometimes with paper lanterns to light
Ullambana is celebrated by Buddhists the world
their way.
over. Though there are slight variations in certain
customs and beliefs, the fundamental rituals remain And although Ancestor festivals are common
throughout Asia, Obon has clear parallels to Pchum
Ben, the Hungry Ghosts festival in Cambodia which
takes place in September or early October.
August 14/15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary/ Dormition of the Theotokos
There are homilies on the Assumption going back to
the sixth century. In following centuries, the Eastern
Churches held steadily to the doctrine, but some
authors in the West were hesitant. However by
the 13th century there was universal agreement. After the dogmatization of the doctrine of the Divine
The feast was celebrated under various names— Motherhood of the Virgin Mary in the third Ecumenical
Commemoration, Dormition, Passing, Assumption— Council of Ephesus 431 CE, the commemoration of
from at least the fifth or sixth century. Today it is the falling asleep of the Theotokos became more
celebrated as a solemnity. popular amongst Christians in the vast majority of the
Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s Christian world.
assumption into heaven. Nevertheless, Revelation 12 In the late sixth century, in the year 588 CE,
speaks of a woman who is caught up in the battle the Emperor Maurice officially adopted the
between good and evil. Many see this woman as commemoration of the Feast of the Dormition of
God’s people. Since Mary best embodies the people of the Theotokos into the liturgical calendar in the
both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, her assumption entire Byzantine Empire, and commanded that it be
can be seen as an exemplification of the woman’s celebrated on August 15.
victory. According to the Orthodox Tradition, the Virgin Mary
Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul speaks of lived after Pentecost in the house of the Apostle John
Christ’s resurrection as the first fruits of those who in Jerusalem. As the Mother of the Lord, she became
have fallen asleep. the source of encouragement and help for the
Since Mary is closely associated with all the mysteries Apostles and all Christians.
of Jesus’ life, it is not surprising that the Holy Spirit Three days before her death, the Archangel Gabriel
has led the Church to believe in Mary’s share in his appeared to the Virgin Mary and revealed to her the
date of her departure into eternal life. On the day of
her repose, even though the apostles were scattered
throughout the world, they were miraculously
transported to be at her side. Exceptionally, the
Apostle Thomas did not arrive on time to bid his final
farewell to the Theotokos.
While the Apostles were singing hymns in honor of
the Mother of God, they saw a vision showing Christ,
accompanied by Angels and Saints, coming to escort
the soul of His Most Holy Mother into heaven. With
songs of praises, the Apostles carried the body of the
most pure Theotokos to the grave in Gethsemane to
glorification. So close was she to Jesus on earth, she be buried near her parents.
must be with him body and soul in heaven.
At Gethsemane, the disciples gathered and remained
The Dormition of the Theotokos is one of the Great around her tomb and kept a vigil for three days.
Feasts of the Orthodox Church. The word “Dormition” On the Third day, the Apostle Thomas arrived and
is a derivative from the Latin word “dormitio”, which asked to view for the last time the Most Holy Mother
means “falling asleep.” of God. When the Apostles opened the grave of the
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is Theotokos, her body was not there. The Apostles
the commemoration of the falling asleep, burial, realized then that she was taken into heaven in the
resurrection, and translation of the Theotokos into body to be reunited with her soul.
heaven in the body.
August 18 Krishna Janmashtami Hindu
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is
one of the oldest Marian feasts in the church. The This is one of the most important Hindu festivals,
roots of the feast go back to Jerusalem, where the Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanti) is the birthday of Lord
apostles and the Christians of Jerusalem honored Krishna, the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu who
and kept alive the memory of the falling asleep of the gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita - the
Theotokos. Consequently, quickly, her empty tomb, in guiding principles for every Hindu.
Gethsemane, became a destination for pilgrims from Across India, there will be ceremonies and prayers at
Jerusalem and the surrounding neighborhoods. temples dedicated to Krishna. The day before may
consist of fasting and prayer up to midnight, the time all the bhajans and hymns which devotees sing on
at which it was said that Krishna was born. Janmashtami!
Krishna was born in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. In this
August 24 paryushana Parva Jain
region, a common tradition is the performance of
Krishna Lila, a folk drama consisting of scenes from Paryushana is the most important Jain religious
Krishna’s life. observance of the year. For both Shvetambaras, who
observe the festival over a period of eight days, and
Digambaras, for whom Paryushana Parva lasts ten
days, this is a time of intensive study, reflection, and
purification. It takes place in the middle of the four-
month rainy season in India, a time when the monks
and nuns cease moving about from place to place
and stay with a community. Paryushan means, literally,
“abiding” or “coming together.” The monks and nuns
who have to maintain fixed residence during the rainy
season abide with the laity and are available to them
for instruction and guidance. It is also a time when
the laity take on various temporary vows of study
and fasting, a spiritual intensity similar to temporary
Many customs have developed in the different parts
monasticism. In this respect, it bears comparison with
of India, all based on stories from Krishna’s life. For
periods of rigorous religious practice in other traditions,
instance, it is said that as a boy, Krishna loved butter
such as the Christian observance of Lent. Paryushana
and milk so much that they had to be kept out of his
concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness
reach. This story is reflected in many climbing games
for the transgressions of the previous year.
for children.
In the United States, Jains often combine the two
In Tamil Nadu, oiled poles with pots of money tied to
observances, with the eight days of the Shvetambara
the top are set up. Boys dressed as Krishna then try to
tradition followed by the ten of the Digambara
climb these poles to get the money while onlookers
tradition. It is customary for religious leaders, such
squirt water at them.
as o stay at one of the Jain centers in order to be
In Maharashtra, where the festival is known as available to the laity during the period of Paryushana.
Govinda, pots containing buttermilk are suspended Arrangements are made with such leaders
high over streets. Teams of boys then form human well in advance to assure members of their
pyramids competing against each other to see who presence. There are not enough to cover all
can break the most pots. the centers, however. Some centers may host
Many colorful legends tell of Krishna’s life and he is a visiting renunciants from India who have not yet
prominent figure in Hindu writings. undertaken all the vows of full mendicancy and
can therefore travel in vehicles and live in America,
As a child, he is noted for his pranks such as the
with all the compromises to the monastic lifethat
aforementioned butter stealing and images of him as
this entails. Other centers may have the presence
a child often show him dancing joyously and holding a
of samans or samanis, monks and nuns in a
ball of butter in his hands.
new order created especially to attend to Jain
As an adult, he is most commonly depicted as communities outside India.
a dancer or a lover, often playing the flute and
Even if there are no religious leaders in residence,
surrounded by adoring women. In one story, it is said
the laity meet every evening during Paryushana,
that defeated the many-headed serpent Kaliya by
shifting their focus of life to the soul for these
dancing it into submission.
days. The most important part of Paryushana is
Though we all have nicknames, Lord Krishna has a daily meditation and prayer, which provides an
whopping 108 names! Some of his names include opportunity for looking within and looking toward
Govind, Mohan, Hari, Vasudeva, Shyam, Ghanshyam, the teachings of the tirthankaras for guidance.
and to name a few more! These names reflect in Beginning on the fourth day of Paryushana, it is
customary for Murtipujak Shvetambaras to read is with all living beings, My enmity is totally
from the Kalpa Sutra. In India, the book of scripture non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony, and
would be carried ceremonially through the streets, prosperity for all.
water sprinkled in its path along the way, purifying
August 31 Ganesh Chaturthi Hindu
This remains one of the most widely celebrated
festivals in the country, partly because Ganesh
is one of the most popular deities for worship.
His blessings are often invoked at religious
ceremonies as he is the one who can remove all
obstacles to success. Ganesh is known as the
giver of fortune and one who can help to avoid
natural calamities. Ganesh is also the patron god
of traveling.
Ganesh is depicted with an elephant’s head on a
human body and in the Hindu tradition, he is the
the entire town.
son of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati.
Jains often take time off from work during this
In certain parts of India, such as Andhra Pradesh
period and eat a much simpler diet. They add to
and Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated for ten
their normal vegetarian restrictions by avoiding
days and is a very public occasion. Elsewhere it
such foods as potatoes, onions, and garlic—the
may be celebrated in homes, where hymns are
eating of which entail killing the plant instead of
sung and offerings made to Ganesh. Sweets are
just taking its fruit. Many Jains also fast during
a common offering as Hindu legend has it that
Paryushana, some for the entire period. At the
Ganesh liked them.
end of Paryushana, those who have fasted for the
eight or ten days break their fast with a special On the day of the festival, clay idols of Ganesh are
meal during which they do not touch food, but placed in homes or outdoor in decorated tents for
are fed by friends and loved ones in honor of their people to view and pay their homage. Priests will
achievement. then invokes life into the idols while mantras are
chanted, in a ritual known as ‘pranapratishhtha’.
For Shvetambaras, the final day of Paryushana is
Samvastsari Pratikraman, the Annual Confession. Many of the Ganesh idols will be placed outside
The act of confessing any infringement of the five under Bodhi Trees (Sacred Fig). The Bodhi tree is
great vows to one’s teacher is part of the life of a revered as a great source of remedies and is used
devout Jain throughout the year. But on this day to treat up to 50 different ailments.
it becomes the focus of the entire community.
The ritual of asking forgiveness from the teacher
is widened in scope to include family and friends
and, finally, all living beings. The culmination of
confession is receiving forgiveness from all living
beings and also granting forgiveness to all beings.
This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the
rite of universal friendship. Most Jain centers in
the U.S. now conduct at least part of the ritual of
forgiveness in English for the benefit of the youth.
The St. Louis and San Diego Jain communities,
for instance, have published English-language
Pratikraman booklets. The spirit of the day is
contained in this verse, recited by heart:
I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all
living beings grant me forgiveness; My friendship
iChaplain Chaplaincy Staff
Contact a chaplain or access
spiritual/religious resources Rev. Kathleen Ennis-Durstine
Room 4201 | x3321
Many resources for Staff and for families
Rev. Eliezer Oliveira
and patients can be found at the sites listed
Habla Español | Room WP1058 | x5050
above as well as on our GetWell Network.
Rev. Matthew Schlageter
Room WP1052 | x6736
Rev. Lavender Kelley
Room WP1052 | x4638
Rev. Bryan Baker
Room WP1052| x2626
We hope you will join our Grace Notes Community!
Grace Notes is a daily (weekday) email inspirational message sent only to a subscription list. If you would
like to participate please email Kathleen Ennis Durstine and ask to be added. Below is a recent example of
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Resources for this Newsletter: Pictures from Envato Elements and Shutterstock; officeholidays.com, pluralism.org, antiochan.org,
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