Interfaith Calendar
Religious observances allow the university to reflect on and practice the values that we as a campus community openly espouse, including sensitivity and respect for all cultures and religions. We are a community that embraces our diversity and encourages the celebration of multicultural traditions.
This resource includes dates, descriptions and information about some of the many religious holy days celebrated by faculty, staff and students at St. Cloud State. Also included with many are recommended accommodations to assist with planning classroom activities and other academic and co-curricular events.
April 2025
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Pesach / Passover (Jewish) - April 12-20, 2025 |
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Description: Pesach is a week-long observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II (one of three pilgrimage festivals). General Practices: Family gatherings, ritualized meals called Seders, reading of the Haggadah, lighting of Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on the last night of Passover. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday. |
Future Dates: April 1-9, 2026 April 21-29, 2027 |
Palm Sunday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 13, 2025 |
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Description: A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as crowds lined his path with palm fronds. General Practices: Prayer, distribution of palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. |
Future Dates: March 29, 2026 March 21, 2027 |
Vaisakhi (Sikh) - April 13, 2025 |
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Description: Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year festival and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born. Vaisakhi is also a long-established harvest festival. General Practices: There are often parades, dancing and singing throughout the day. These celebrations involve music, singing and chanting of scriptures and hymns. |
Future Dates: April 13 or April 14 (annually) April 14, 2026 April 14, 2027 |
Palm Sunday (Eastern Orthodox Christianity) - April 13, 2025 |
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Description: A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as crowds lined his path with palm fronds. General Practices: Prayer, distribution of palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. |
Future Dates: April 5, 2026 April 25, 2027 |
Maundy Thursday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 17, 2025 |
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Description: Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. General Practices: Prayer, Communion (Eucharist), meals, and foot-washing ceremonies among some Christian denominations. |
Future Dates: Date Details: Always falls on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. April 2, 2026 March 25, 2027 |
Good Friday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 18, 2025 |
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Description: Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting. General Practices: Prayer, fasting and noon or afternoon services in some Christian denominations. |
Future Dates: Date Details: Always falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday. April 3, 2026 March 26, 2027 |
Holy Friday / Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox Christian) - April 18, 2025 |
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Description: Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting. General Practices: Prayer, fasting, confession and church services as well as the wrapping or dying of eggs in preparation for Easter Sunday. Date Details: Orthodox Good Friday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the date. |
Future Dates: April 10, 2026 April 30, 2027 |
Easter (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant) - April 20, 2025 |
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Description: Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. General Practices: Celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs, baskets and chocolate bunnies. It is a celebration of renewal. Date Details: Easter Sunday is determined by the Gregorian calendar (Gregorian calendar regulates ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches). |
Future Dates: April 5, 2026 March 28, 2027 |
Pascha / Easter (Eastern Orthodox Christian) - April 20, 2025 |
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Description: Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ General Practices: Celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs and baskets of breads, meats, eggs, cheeses and other foods. It is a celebration of renewal. Date Details: Easter Sunday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. |
Future Dates: April 12, 2026 May 2, 2027 |
Yom HaShoah - (Jewish) - April 23-24, 2025 |
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Description: Holocaust Remembrance Day; a day to remember the lives and names of Jewish victims and activists of the Holocaust. General Practices: Ceremonies or events to remember Holocaust victims who died during World War II; activities may include lighting memorial candles and reciting the Kaddish, which is a prayer for the departed. |
Future Dates: April 13-14, 2026 May 3-4, 2027 |