LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS 0BNOTES: 1. The Ontario Public Service allows up to two days paid leave under the Special & Compassionate Leave provision for OPS regular employees, and for OPSEU and PEGO Fixed Term employees with access to this leave. 2. The AMAPCEO collective agreement provides Fixed Term employees with up to two days unpaid leave for religious holiday accommodation purposes. 3. Leaders and representatives of each religion shown on the list below have identified holy days in for their respective religions. Concerns regarding dates identified must be discussed with Religious leaders and or representatives. 4. When the religious holy days fall on a Saturday or Sunday, accommodation is necessary only if these dates are scheduled work days. * Dates same every year RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS Anglican However, depending on the congregation, some members observe Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day and All Saints Day, but would not likely require a full day off (half day, perhaps, to attend AM or PM service). Antiochian Orthodox Christian Theophany *January 6, Apostolic Church in Canada Armenian Note: Remaining Religious Observances follow Gregorian calendar Annunciation March 25, Good Friday Easter Sunday May 1, Pentecost June 19, Christmas *December 25, No religious holidays requiring absence from work beyond Statutory Holidays. Christmas *January 6, Maundy Thursday March 24, Good Friday March 25, Easter March 27, Martyr s Day *April 24, Associated Gospel No religious holidays requiring absence from work beyond Statutory Holidays. Baptist No religious holidays requiring absence from work beyond Statutory Holidays. 1Baha i Naw-Ruz (New Year) March 20, The First Day of Ridvan April 20, The Ninth Day of Ridvan April 28, The Twelfth Day of Ridvan May 1, TBC 1
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Declaration of the Bab May 23, Ascension of Bahá u lláh May 28, Martyrdom of the Bab July 9, The Birth of the Bab November 1, The Birth of Bahá u lláh November 2, Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Christmas January 7, Epiphany January 19, Annunciation April 7, Good Friday April 29, Easter May 1, St. Ephrasinia June 5, Ascension June 9, Dormition August 28, Buddhist (Mahayana) Cham Shan Temple, Thornhill Buddhist (Mahayana) Zen Buddhist Temple, Toronto Note: In the Western world, some festivals may be celebrated on the Sunday nearest the actual date. Buddhist (Riwoche Tibet) St. Nicholas December 19, Buddha s Enlightenment (Mahayana) January 17, Lunar New Year(World Peace Prayer Service)/Chinese New Year February 8, Buddha s Parinirvana/Buddha s Great Renunciation March 23, Buddha s Birthday (Wesak) April 14, Ullambana (Ancestor s Day) August 17, Buddha s Enlightenment (Mahayana) January 17, Lunar New Year(World Peace Prayer Service)/Chinese New Year February 8, Buddha s Parinirvana March 23, Buddha s Birthday (Wesak) May 14, Ullambana (Ancestor s Day) August 17, Tibetan s New Year (Losar) February 9, Day of Offering (1 st full moon day of Tibetan New Year) TBC Tibetan s Buddha s Birth (Wesak) May 21, 2
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Tibetan s Buddha s Enlightenment (Saka Dawa) Tibetan s Buddha s Death (Pari Nirvana) His Holiness the Dalai Lama s Birthday* *July 6, Choe-kor Due-chen (1st Turning of the Wheel of Dharma) August 6, Lhabab Duche November 23, Buddhist (Theravada) Temple Day (Canada) January 1, Shaka Day (New Year s Day) April 14, Buddha s Birth, Enlightenment and Demise Anniversary (Full Moon Day) May 21, Dhamma Cakka Day, Rainy (Vas) Retreat (Full Moon Day) July 19, Conclusion of the Rainy (Vas) Retreat (Full Moon Day) October 15, Buddhist (Tibetan/Tengye Ling) Tibetan s New Year (Losar) February 9, Tibetan Uprising Day *March 10, Buddha s Enlightenment (Saka Dawa) Wesak May 21, His Holiness The Dalai Lama s Birthday * *July 6, Universal Prayer Day July 19, Shakyamuni Buddha s First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma August 6, Buddha s Descent from the Celestial Realm November 20, Festival of Lights December 23, Catholic: Maronite World Day of Peace January 1, The Epiphany January 6, Saint Maron February 9, Saint Joseph March 19, Saints Peter & Paul June 29, The Assumption of the Virgin August 15, The Holy Cross September 14, All Saints November 1, The Immaculate Conception December 8, 3
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Day December 25, Catholic: Polish Catholic Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary* *August 15, All Saints Day* *November 1, Catholic: Roman Catholic No religious holidays requiring absence from work beyond Statutory Holidays Catholic: Ukrainian Catholic Christmas (Nativity) January 7, Christadelphian Christian and Missionary Alliance Christian Assembly of Taiwan Christian Reformed Church of North America Church of United Brethren in Christ Churches of Christ (includes Disciples of Christ and Christian Church) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church of the Nazarene Epiphany (Theophany) January 19, Annunciation April 7, Good Friday April 29, Easter (Resurrection) May 1, Ascension (40 days after Easter, always on a Thursday) June 9, Pentecost June 19, St. Peter and Paul July 12, Dormition July 28, Good Friday March 25, Easter Sunday March 27, Thanksgiving Day October 10, Christmas Day December 25, Church of Scientology Birthday of Founder, L. Ron Hubbard* *March 13, Community of Christ (formerly Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints) 4
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Egyptian (Coptic) Orthodox Christmas January 7, Baptism of Christ January 20, Good Friday April 29, Easter Eve April 30, Easter May 1, St. Mark s Feast (Patron Saint) May 8, Entry of our Lord into Egypt June 1, Ascension June 9. Pentecost June 19, Apostles Feast July 12, Assumption of Holy Virgin Mary August 22, Coptic New Year September 11, Estonian Lutheran Good Friday March 25, St. John Baptist June 24, Christmas Eve December 24, Ethiopian Orthodox Ethiopian Christmas January 7, Evangelical Baptist Evangelical Fellowship Evangelical Lutheran Epiphany January 20, Feast of Cana of Galilee January 21, Good Friday April 29, Easter May 1, Ethiopian New Year September 11, Founding of the True Cross September 27, However churches elect members to attend Fellowship Convention Day (first Wednesday in November) and Ontario Fellowship Day (first Tuesday in May) members, if elected to attend, may request time off. However, depending on the congregation, some members observe Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, Reformation Day and All Saints Day. These would not likely require a full day off but may involve an AM or PM worship service. 5
Grace Communion International (formerly the Worldwide Church of God) Greek Orthodox Note: Date given follow Gregorian calendar; some members may choose to follow Julian Calendar Hebrew Note: 1. Each 7th day of the week (Saturday) is a Sabbath day. 2. Each day commences on the evening of the preceding day. * The second Passover is only kept if the first Passover could not be observed. LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Epiphany Day *January 6, Annunciation *March 25, Orthodox Good Friday April 29, Orthodox Easter May 1, Renewal Monday May 2, Ascension Day (6 th Thursday after Easter) June 9, Pentecost June 19, Monday of the Holy Spirit June 20, Transfiguration of our Saviour *August 6, Dormition of the Virgin Mary *August 15, Holy Cross Day *September 14, Christmas *December 25, New Moon of Sebat January 10, New Moon of Adar February 8, New Moon of Adar Sheni March 9, The New Year (New Moon of Nisan) April 7, 1 st day of Passover April 21, 7 th day of Passover April 27, New Moon of Zif May 6, *Second Passover (if applicable) * The second Passover is only kept if the first Passover could not be observed. May 20, New Moon of Sivan June 5, Feast of Weeks June 9, New Moon of Hodesh Riiveeyee July 4, 6
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS New Moon of Hodesh Hamishi August 3, New Moon of Elul September 1, Blowing of Trumpets (New Moon of Ethanim) October 1, Day of Atonement October 10, 1 st day of Feast of Tabernacles October 15, Hindu Note: Specific dates may vary year to year based on the solar or lunar calendars. Dates can also vary depending on the time differential between Canada and India. 8 th day of Feast of Tabernacles October 22, New Moon of Bul October 30, New Moon of Hisleu November 29, New Moon of Tebeth December 29, Lohri (Punjab) January 13, Makarasankranti and Thai Pongal January 14, Vasant Panchmi or Saraswati Puja (N. India) February 12, Maha Shivratri (Lord Shiva) March 7, Holi March 23, Rama Navami April 15, Hanuman Jayanti April 21, Guru Purnima July 19, Raksha Bandhan (N. India) August 17, Shri Krishna Janam-Ashtmi August 24, Vinaayak Chaturthi for Lord Ganesha September 4, Durga Puja (Mahastami) October 9, Vitaya Dasami/Dussera October 10, Karva Chouth October 18, Diwali/Lakshmi Puja October 29, Islam: Ahmadiyya Jumatul Wida (The last Friday in the month of Ramadan) July 1, Eid-ul-Fitr (Conclusion of the month of Fasting-Ramadan) July 6, 7
UNoteU: Muslim holidays based on Lunar Calendar and observances may vary by a day before or after from dates given, depending on the community. Every Friday 12:15 2 pm-congregation Prayers Islam: Dawoodi Bohora UNoteU: Muslim holidays based on Lunar Calendar and observances may vary by a day before or after from dates given, depending on the community. Islam: Ismaili UNoteU: Muslim holidays based on Lunar Calendar and observances may vary by a day before or after from dates given, depending on the community. Every Friday 12:15 2 pm-congregation Prayers Islam: Shi- ah UNoteU: Muslim holidays based on Lunar Calendar and observances may vary by a day before or after from dates given, depending on the community. 0B3BEvery Friday 12:15 2 pm-congregation Prayers LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Eid-ul-Adhia (Festival of Sacrifices-Next Day of Pilgrimage (Hajj) September 12, Jalsa Salana Canada (Annual Convention) October 7, 8 & 9, Mawlid un-nabi December 22, 2015 Mi raj al-naby May 3, Nisf Sha ban May 21, First of Ramadan June 5, Lailat-ul-Qadr June 27, Jum atul-wida (Akhar Juma) July 1, Eid-ul-Fitr (1st day after Ramadan) July 4, Day of Hajj (Day at Arafat) September 10, Eid-ul-Adha September 11, First of Muharram (New Year s Day) October 2, Ashura October 11, Idd-e-Navroz (Persian New Year) *March 21, Laylat-all-Qadr (Night of First Revelation 23 rd day of Ramadan) June 27, Id-al-Fitr (Mark the end of the month of Ramadan) July 6, Imamat Day (Commemorating ascension to the Office of the Imamat by present Imam) *July 11, Id-al-Adha (Making sacrifice of Prophet Abraham) September 11, Idd-e-Milad (Commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH) December 11, Salgirah (Observe the birth of the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims) *December 13, Mawlid Iman Zamana May 22, Laylatul Qadr (3 days) June 25, 27, 29, Martyrdom of Iman Ali June 27, Jumatul-Wida July 1, Eid-ul-Fitr (1 st day after Ramadan) July 6, 8
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Islam: Sunni UNoteU: Muslim holidays based on Lunar Calendar and observances may vary by a day before or after from dates given, depending on the community. 1B4BEvery Friday 12:15 2 pm-congregation Prayers Please note that the dates provided are tentative and will be confirmed as per Saudi s decision Jain Society of Toronto 2Based on Lunar Calendar for Toronto Day of Hajj (Day at Arafat) September 11, Eid-ul-Adha September 12, Eid-e-Ghadir September 20, First of Muharram (New Year s Day) October 3, Ashura October 12, Arbaeen (40 th Day after Imam Hussain s Martydom) November 20, Mawlid un-nabi December 17, Fasting Begins 1 st day of Ramadan June 6, Eid-ul-Fitr (one day at the end of Ramadan date subject to moon sighting) July 6, Eid-ul-Adha September 11, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Akshaya Tritiya Guru Purnima Paryushan Parva Begins Samvantsari Paryushan Ends/ Dashlaxana Parva Begins Anant Chaturdasi Kshmavani (Day of Forgiveness) Daslakshana Ends Mahavir Nirvan-Diwali New Years Day and Day of Enlightenment of Lord Gautamswami Gnan Panchami (Day of Knowledge) Dev Diwali Maun Jiyaras (Agiyaras) No response to consultation request. 9
Jehovah s Witnesses LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Note: Members participate in the Annual District International Assembly (3-4 days) and two Annual Circuit Assemblies. Dates are scheduled locally; while not religious holidays they would require accommodation. Jewish: Conservative UNoteU: Sabbath Starts Friday Sundown. All holy days start sundown the night preceding the holiday Jewish: Orthodox UNoteU: Sabbath Starts Friday Sundown. All holy days start sundown the night preceding the holiday Jewish: Reform Note: Sabbath Starts Friday Sundown. All holy days start sundown the night preceding the holiday Memorial of Christ s Death (follows the Jewish Calendar-Nisan 14 th ) April 17, 1992 March 23, Pesach/Passover (1 st, 2 nd, 7 th, 8 th Days) April 23, 24, 29 & 30, Shavuot/Pentecost (2 days) June 12 & 13, Rosh Hashanah / New Year (2 days) October 3 & 4, Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (1 day) October 12, Sukkot (Tabernacles 1 st, 2 nd, 8 th, 9 th Days) October 17, 18, 24 & 25, Purim March 24, Pesach/Passover (1 st, 2 nd, 7 th, 8 th Days) April 23, 24, 29 & 30, Yom ha-shoah May 5, Shavuot/Pentecost (2 days) June 12 & 13, Tisha B Av August 14, Rosh Hashanah / New Year (2 days) October 3 & 4, Yom Kippur /Day of Atonement (1 day) October 12, Sukkot (1 st, 2 nd Days) October 17 & 18, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (2 days) October 24 & 25, Hanukkah December 25 31, Pesach/Passover (1st, 2nd, 7th Days) April 22, 23 & 29, Shavuot/Pentecost June 11 13, Rosh Hashanah / New Year (2 days) October 3 & 4, Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (1 day) October 12, Succot October 17, Simchat Torah October 24, Lutheran Macedonian Orthodox New Year January 1, 10
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Christmas January 7, Theophany Baptism of our Lord January 19, Good Friday April 29, Easter Sunday May 1, Easter Monday May 2, Pentecost Holy Trinity June 23, Macedonian Day Ilinden August 2, St. Clement of Oris Patron Day December 8, Mennonite Ash Wednesday Evening February 10, Methodist Churches (e.g. Free Methodist, Evangelical) Missionary Church Native Peoples/Aboriginal Peoples Each band may have unique spiritual observances, which, while not "Religious Holiday", may require accommodation up to the maximum two days paid leave. New Dawn Moravian Church New Apostolic Pentecostal People s Church Presbyterian Quakers Maundy Thursday Evening March 24, Good Friday March 25, Easter Sunday March 27, Christmas Eve December 24, Christmas December 25, Spring Change of Season Ceremonies March 21, First Nation s Day/Summer Change of Season Ceremonies June 21, Fall Change of Season Ceremonies September 21, Winter Change of Season Ceremonies December 21, 11
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Reformed Church of Canada Romanian St. George Orthodox Epiphany * *January 6, St. John The Baptist * *January 7, The Three Holy Hierarchs: Basil, Gregory and John * *January 30, Presentation of our Lord in the Temple * *February 2, Annunciation * *March 25, St. George* *April 23, Orthodox Good Friday April 29, Orthodox Easter May 1, Orthodox Easter Monday and Tuesday May 2 & 3, St. Constantine and his Mother Helen * *May 21, Ascension Day June 9, Pentecost June 19, Nativity of St. John the Baptist * *June 24, St. Peter and Paul * *June 29, Prophet Elijah * *July 20, Transfiguration * *August 6, Dormition * *August 15, Nativity of the Birth Giver of God * *September 8, Holy Cross Day * *September 14, Ven. Mother Parascheva of Jassy * *October 14, Great Martir Demetrios October 26, Arch Angels Michael and Gabriel * *November 8, Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple * *November 21, Holy Apostle Andrew * *November 30, St. Nicholas * *December 6, Christmas * (3 days) *December 25, 26 & 27, 12
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS Russian Orthodox Church Dates as per Julian (Old) Calendar Salvation Army Serbian Orthodox Slava St. Patron Day, one day per year; a religious observance between priest and parishioners. Most common are: St. John the Baptist Jan 20; St. George May 6, St. Michael Archangel Nov. 21; St. Nicholas Dec 19 Christmas Eve * *January 6, Christmas * *January 7, Epiphany Day * *January 19, Meeting of Our Lord * *February 15, Annunciation * *April 7, Palm Sunday April 24, Orthodox Good Friday April 29, Orthodox Easter May 1, Orthodox Easter Monday May 2, Ascension Day June 9, Pentecost June 19, St. Apostles or Peter and Paul Day * *July 12, Transfiguration * *August 19, Dormition * *August 28, Nativity of the Mother of God * *September 21, Holy Cross Day * *September 27, Protection of the Holy Virgin * *October 14, Arch Angel Michael * (St. Michael Day) *November 21, Entry of the Holy Virgin into the Temple * *December 4, St. Nicholas * *December 19, Christmas Eve January 6, Christmas January 7, Serbian New Year s Eve January 13, Epiphany January 19, St. Sava January 27, Good Friday April 29, 13
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Easter Sunday (Pascha) May 1, Easter Monday May 2, Pentecost June 19, Seventh Day Adventists Sikh Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh January 5, Maghi January 14, Hola Mohalla March 24, Vaisakhi April 14, 1 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev June 16, Parkash Installation of Holy Scriptures as Guru Granth Sahib September 1, Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) October 30, Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev November 14, Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur November 24, Martyrdom Sahibzada Ajit Singh & Jujhar Singh December 21, Martyrdom Sahibzada Fatch Singh & Zorawar Singh December 26, Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas Eve * *January 6, Christmas * *January 7, New Year (Julian) Feast of Epiphany/Eve Epiphany Day Palm Sunday Annunciation Mother of God (St. Mary) Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Pentecost TBC No response to consultation request 14
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Unitarian United Church Wesleyan Wiccan UNoteU: Evening observances commence at sundown. Solstice observances commence at sunrise Zoroastrian UNoteU: Nowruz occurs on one day between the 19 th and 22 nd, traditionally it is listed as the 21 st but it can be celebrated on one of the other days instead. UNoteU: Dates will change as Zoroastrians follow a 365- day calendar without leap year day. (F) (S) Fasli Seasonal Shenshahi Royal Transfiguration of the Lord No response to consultation request Dormition Mother of God Imbolc (Sunset to Sunset) * *February 1 2, Lady Day March 19, Beltane (Sunset to Sunset) * *April 30 May 1, Litha June 20, Lammas (Sunset to Sunset) * *August 2, Harvestide September 22, Samhain (Sunset to Sunset) * *October 31 November 1, Yule December 21, Jashn-E-Sadeh (F) January 30, Nowruz (F) March 20, Birthday of Prophet Ashu Zarthusht (F) March 25, Fravardingan (F) April 7, Death Anniversary of Prophet Ashu Zarthusht (S) May 24, Norooz (New Year) (S) August 17, Birthday of Prophet Ashu Zarathushtra (S) August 22, Farvardigan (S) September 4, Mehregan (F) October 1, Death Anniversary of Prophet Ashu Zarathushtra (F) December 25, The List of Religious Holy Days is developed for the purpose of internal administration of the Ontario Public Service Religious Holidays Policy for Ontario Public Service employees. It is not a public document. The events and dates shown on the List reflect the exact information received from representatives of each faith regarding Holy Days that, in their view, will require their followers absence from work for religious observance purposes. The OPS does not make any representation as to the validity or accuracy of the information provided. Concerns expressed about events and dates are referred to source faith representatives for clarification, and where applicable, amendments will occur. Non-OPS users may, of their own volition, request copies of the List for their leave administration purposes. List updates will not be issued automatically. The OPS will not serve as the arbiter of administrative issues or concerns that such users may experience with respect to any differences between charts in their possession and the current chart posted on the internal MyOPS (intranet) site. 15
LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS Prepared by Benefits Policy/Total Compensation Services Branch Employee Relations Division, Treasury Board Secretariat Updated: January 8, 16