November
Allerheiligen All Saint's Day
1. November November 1
Allerseelen All Soul's Day
2. November November 2
In medieval English, All Saints Day was known as All Hallows. All Hallows Eve (Oct. 31) came to be called “Halloween.” Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate All Saints Day on a different date, on the first Sunday after Whitsunday.
Allerheiligen is a public holiday in Catholic parts of Germany Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Austria.
Allerseelen is the day when Catholics remember their dead by visiting the cemeteries to pray and place wreaths, flowers, and candles on the graves. This is often done on 1 November as Allerseelen is not a public holiday. In the Catholic areas of Germany these two holy days are devoted to all of the saints (known and unknown) and to all of the “faithful departed,” respectively. The tradition for these days is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives.
Sources and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/all-saints
http://german.about.com/library/blbraeuche_nov.htm
http://www.germany.travel/en/ms/german-originality/made-in-germany/hefezopf-all-saints-day-striezel-a-traditional-gift.html
1. November November 1
Allerseelen All Soul's Day
2. November November 2
In medieval English, All Saints Day was known as All Hallows. All Hallows Eve (Oct. 31) came to be called “Halloween.” Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate All Saints Day on a different date, on the first Sunday after Whitsunday.
Allerheiligen is a public holiday in Catholic parts of Germany Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Austria.
Allerseelen is the day when Catholics remember their dead by visiting the cemeteries to pray and place wreaths, flowers, and candles on the graves. This is often done on 1 November as Allerseelen is not a public holiday. In the Catholic areas of Germany these two holy days are devoted to all of the saints (known and unknown) and to all of the “faithful departed,” respectively. The tradition for these days is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives.
Sources and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/all-saints
http://german.about.com/library/blbraeuche_nov.htm
http://www.germany.travel/en/ms/german-originality/made-in-germany/hefezopf-all-saints-day-striezel-a-traditional-gift.html
Volkstrauertag National Day of Mourning
2. Sonntag vor Advent 2nd Sunday before Advent
In Germany, this is a national day of mourning to commemorate the dead of both world wars, and the victims of the Nazis. It is similar to Veteran's Day or Memorial Day in the US.
The National Day of Mourning is an occasion to remember all victims of war and tyranny. Volkstrauertag is a “silent day” - this means that in some regions of Germany music or dance events are prohibited.
Sources and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/volkstrauertag
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/__pr/P__Wash/2013/11/26-Remembrance.html?archive=1978778
2. Sonntag vor Advent 2nd Sunday before Advent
In Germany, this is a national day of mourning to commemorate the dead of both world wars, and the victims of the Nazis. It is similar to Veteran's Day or Memorial Day in the US.
The National Day of Mourning is an occasion to remember all victims of war and tyranny. Volkstrauertag is a “silent day” - this means that in some regions of Germany music or dance events are prohibited.
Sources and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/volkstrauertag
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/__pr/P__Wash/2013/11/26-Remembrance.html?archive=1978778
Buß- und Bettag Day of Prayer and Repentance
3. Mittwoch 3rd Wednesday
The Day of Prayer and Repentance is a Protestant holiday and a public holiday in the state of Saxony (Sachsen) on the last Wednesday before November 23.Some Protestant Christians spend most of the Day of Prayer and Repentance in prayer or engage in quiet reflection or deep thoughts. For other people in the German state of Saxony, the day is an opportunity to spend time with family or friends.
Source and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/repentance-day
http://publicholiday.org/calendar/day-of-prayer-and-repentance/
3. Mittwoch 3rd Wednesday
The Day of Prayer and Repentance is a Protestant holiday and a public holiday in the state of Saxony (Sachsen) on the last Wednesday before November 23.Some Protestant Christians spend most of the Day of Prayer and Repentance in prayer or engage in quiet reflection or deep thoughts. For other people in the German state of Saxony, the day is an opportunity to spend time with family or friends.
Source and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/repentance-day
http://publicholiday.org/calendar/day-of-prayer-and-repentance/
Totensonntag Sunday of the Dead
Laeste Sonntag vor Advent Last Sunday before Advent
Protestants remember their dead on this day. In Protestant areas of Germany, Totensonontag or Ewigkeitssontag is a similar observance for the dearly departed as Allerheiligen. This Protestant version of All Soul's Day is observed in November on the Sunday prior to the first Advent Sunday.
It is a “silent day” - this means that in some regions of Germany music or dance events are prohibited.
Many Germans visit the graves of loves ones who have passed away. Services are held in many Lutheran churches.
Source and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/totensonntag
Laeste Sonntag vor Advent Last Sunday before Advent
Protestants remember their dead on this day. In Protestant areas of Germany, Totensonontag or Ewigkeitssontag is a similar observance for the dearly departed as Allerheiligen. This Protestant version of All Soul's Day is observed in November on the Sunday prior to the first Advent Sunday.
It is a “silent day” - this means that in some regions of Germany music or dance events are prohibited.
Many Germans visit the graves of loves ones who have passed away. Services are held in many Lutheran churches.
Source and more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/totensonntag
Martinstag St. Martin's Day
11. November November 11
St. Martin's Day (Martinstag) on November 11 is a religious observance in Germany that is particularly popular with children. It is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours and celebrates modesty and altruism - both values commonly associated with the Saint.
Click here for more about St. Martin.
11. November November 11
St. Martin's Day (Martinstag) on November 11 is a religious observance in Germany that is particularly popular with children. It is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours and celebrates modesty and altruism - both values commonly associated with the Saint.
Click here for more about St. Martin.
1. Advent 1st Advent
Advent is the period preceding the Christmas season. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. It ends on Christmas Day.
On the first Sunday of Advent a candle is lit. On the 2nd Sunday two candles are lit. With the 3rd and 4th Sunday following tradition.
Sources and more information:
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/09__Advent__Christmas/Advent.html
http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/advent/
http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html
Advent is the period preceding the Christmas season. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. It ends on Christmas Day.
On the first Sunday of Advent a candle is lit. On the 2nd Sunday two candles are lit. With the 3rd and 4th Sunday following tradition.
Sources and more information:
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/09__Advent__Christmas/Advent.html
http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/advent/
http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html
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