| January 2009 |
| 1 January |
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The Circumcision or Naming of Jesus
The Christian Church celebrates the circumcision or naming of Jesus at eight days old in accordance with Jewish custom, as recorded in Luke 2:21.
 Ealing Grid for Learning: Circumcision and Naming of Jesus.
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| 5 January |
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Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, formed the order of the Khalsa on Vaisakhi (Baisakhi), and instituted the Five Ks. Important anniversaries associated with the lives of the Gurus are referred to as Gurpurbs, and are marked with an akhand path, an unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib.
BBC Religion and Ethics - Gurpurbs.
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| 6 January |
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Epiphany
The twelfth day of Christmas, celebrates the visit of the wise men, or magi, to the baby Jesus. It is particularly important in the Orthodox church, where the baptism of Jesus and his first miracle at Cana are remembered.
Topmarks Education - Epiphany.
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| 6 - 7 January |
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Christmas Eve and Day - Eastern Orthodox and Armenian
Many Eastern Orthodox and Armenian churches still use the Julian rather
than the Gregorian calendar. This means that they celebrate Christmas and other
fixed festivals thirteen days after the Western churches, so the 6th and 7th
January in the Orthodox calendar equates to 24th and 25th December in the
Western calendar.
BBC Religion and Ethics - Eastern Orthodox Church: Calendar and Christmas.
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| 7 January |
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Ashura
Ashura is a day of mourning for some Muslims, particularly the Shi'ite communities, because of the martyrdom of Husain, the second son of Ali and Fatimah, the Prophet's daughter. The festival is celebrated by the Shi'ite communities in Iraq, Iran and the sub-continent of India.
Ashura.com.
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| 11 January |
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Vasanta Panchami / Saraswati Puja
Widely celebrated in India, and by Hindus around the world, this festival is usually linked with Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning. Yellow is a predominant colour in the celebrations, to indicate the onset of spring and because of its associations with Saraswati.
Ealing Grid for Learning: Vasant Panchami.
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| 14 January |
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Makar Sankrant / Lohri
Makar Sankrant / Lohri is a day for almsgiving and putting right disagreements and quarrels. The festival is called Lohri in Panjab, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu and celebrated with special food (Tamils eat a rice dish - pongal). Panjabi families (including some Sikhs) celebrate Lohri following the birth of a son.
SCFI - Lohri.
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| 16 January |
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Shinran Memorial Day
The day is celebrated by some Buddhists in the Mahayana tradition. Shinran Shonin (1173 - 1263 CE) founded Jodo Shin-shu, one of the schools of Pure Land Buddhism.
Shinran Shonin - Buddhist Reformer.
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| 18 - 25 January |
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has become ever more widely celebrated with the growing commitment to ecumenism among churches. Special services and other events are held. The 2009 theme is 'Reconcile Your People'.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
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| 25 January |
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Honen Memorial Day
Honen is one of the outstanding figures in the history of Japanese Buddhism, and the founder of Jodo-shu, one of the schools of Pure Land Buddhism.
Ealing Grid for Learning: Honen Memorial Day.
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| 27 January |
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Holocaust Memorial Day
A recently introduced remembrance day for all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during World War 2 (1939-45). It aims to help ensure that no such atrocity happens again, by keeping fresh the memory of all who suffered and died at that time.
Holocaust Memorial Day.
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