Sadducean Unitarianism - Holidays

Day of Rest and Reflection (Sávvato)

• Date: Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• Purpose: To provide a regular day for rest, reflection, and community bonding.
• Activities: Quiet contemplation, calm, reflective activities such as nature walks, family gatherings, community meals, and a weekly religious meeting to celebrate the day with music, poetry, reading from or discussing the Pentateuch, philosophical texts, self-improvement and social science texts.

Festival of Civic Engagement and Ethical Governance (Politeia kai Ethos)

• Date: Third Monday in February, Coincides with President’s Day
• Purpose: To celebrate and reflect on the importance of ethical governance and civic responsibility.
• Activities: Community forums discussing ethical leadership, workshops on civic engagement, and volunteer activities that benefit local communities.
• Traditions: Honoring individuals who have shown exemplary civic responsibility, reading and reflecting on texts about ethical leadership from the Pentateuch and Greek philosophy, and engaging in discussions about the role of ethics in governance.

Festival of Labor and Craftsmanship (Ergon kai Technē)

• Date: First Monday in September, Coincides with Labor Day
• Purpose: To honor the dignity of labor, craftsmanship, and the contributions of workers to society.
• Activities: Exhibitions showcasing various crafts and skills, workshops on ethical practices in different professions, and community projects that highlight the importance of hard work and integrity.
• Traditions: Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of local artisans and workers, discussing the ethical dimensions of labor from both the Pentateuch and Greek philosophy, and holding communal meals where stories of craftsmanship and labor are shared.

Festival of Community Unity (Koinonia kai Homonoia)

• Date: Third Monday in January, coincides with MLK day.
• Purpose: To celebrate community unity, individual equality, and justice for all.
• Activities: Community service projects, workshops on conflict resolution and ethical living, and public forums for discussing issues of justice and individual equality.
• Traditions: Reflecting on the principles of justice and individual equality, honoring individuals who have contributed to the promotion of unity and justice, and participating in community-building activities that strengthen communal bonds.

Festival of Reflection and Renewal (Anamnesis kai Anakainisis)

• Date: Last Monday in May, Coincides with Memorial Day
• Purpose: To honor those who have dedicated their lives to peace and ethical living, and to reflect on personal and communal renewal.
• Activities: Memorial services for peacemakers and ethical leaders, discussions on the importance of peace and ethical living, and community gatherings for reflection and renewal.
• Traditions: Lighting candles or lamps to symbolize remembrance and enlightenment, reading texts about peace and ethics from the Pentateuch and Greek philosophy, and engaging in activities that promote personal and communal renewal.

Festival of Independence and Personal Responsibility (Eleutheria kai Prosopeia)

• Date: July 4, Coincides with the Fourth of July
• Purpose: To celebrate personal autonomy, independence, and the responsibility that comes with freedom.
• Activities: Debates and discussions on the nature of freedom and responsibility, workshops on ethical decision-making, and community celebrations that emphasize independence and self-reliance.
• Traditions: Reading passages from the Pentateuch and classical Greek texts about freedom and responsibility, engaging in activities that promote personal growth and autonomy, and holding communal meals where stories of independence and ethical living are shared.

Festival of Harvest and Gratitude (Therismos kai Eucharistia)

• Date: Second Monday in October, Coincides with Thanksgiving
• Purpose: To celebrate the harvest and express gratitude for the abundance and blessings of life.
• Activities: Harvest festivals, communal meals featuring locally grown foods, and workshops on sustainable and ethical living practices.
• Traditions: Reflecting on the principles of gratitude and stewardship from the Pentateuch and Greek philosophy, recognizing those who have contributed to the community’s well-being, and participating in activities that promote a connection to the land and appreciation for the fruits of labor.

Feast of Liberation (Pascha)

• Date: Fourteenth day of the first month (variable).
• Purpose: To celebrate liberation and renewal.
• Activities: A communal meal, discussions on themes of freedom and responsibility, and sharing stories of liberation and renewal.

Feast of Unleavened Bread (Azymos)

• Date: Following Pascha, for seven days.
• Purpose: To improve self-discipline.
• Activities: Eating unleavened bread and engaging in activities that focus on self-discipline. Reflecting on personal growth.

Feast of Weeks (Pentēkostē)

• Date: Fifty days after Pascha.
• Purpose: To celebrate the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
• Activities: Educational workshops, lectures, and communal meals, and celebrating educational achievements within the community.

Feast of Trumpets (Enkomion Salpiggos)

• Date: First day of the seventh month.
• Purpose: To mark the beginning of a period of reflection and self-examination.
• Activities: Sounding trumpets, holding community gatherings focused on self-improvement and ethical living, reflecting on personal and communal goals, and making resolutions for the coming year.

Day of Reconciliation (Exilaskomai)

• Date: Tenth day of the seventh month.
• Purpose: A day of introspection, repentance, and renewal.
• Activities: Fasting, charity, commitments to volunteering and communal reflection on ethical behavior and personal growth. Community service projects, legal and ethical workshops, and public forums where community members can discuss and address local issues. Honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional fairness and integrity in their actions, and reflecting on the principles of justice in both personal and communal contexts.

Autumn Festival (Skenoma)

• Date: Fifteenth day of the seventh month, for eight days.
• Purpose: To celebrate the harvest.
• Activities: Building temporary shelters, community meals, and celebrating the bounty of the harvest. Reflecting on the importance of shelter, community, and gratitude for the abundance of the earth.

Eighth Day of Assembly (Ogdoua Hemeran)

• Date: The day following Skenoma.
• Purpose: To conclude the festival period with a solemn assembly.
• Activities: A communal gathering for reflection and celebration. Sharing insights and experiences from the festival period and setting intentions for the future.

Sabbatical Year (Sabbaton)

• Date: Every seventh year.
• Purpose: To allow the land and community to rest and regenerate.
• Activities: Forgiving debts, and focusing on community well-being. Engaging in community-building activities and renewing commitments to ethical living.

Year of Jubilee (Iobelaios)

• Date: Every fiftieth year.
• Purpose: To celebrate community renewal.
• Activities: Returning property and holding communal celebrations.
• Traditions: Reflecting on the importance of communal harmony.

Festival of Spring and Enlightenment (Eiar kai Photismos)

• Date: Coincides with Easter Sunday.
• Purpose: For philosophical discussions, fun, and personal development.
• Activities: Start the day with a group breakfast where each table delves into philosophical discussions. Follow this with an egg hunt for all ages, representing the pursuit of wisdom, joy, and discovery, encouraging both young and old to engage with and appreciate the world’s beauty. Next, an egg decorating activity takes place, with eggs painted to to reflect new beginnings and renewal. Someone will dress up as a bunny interacting mainly with children to impart lessons on ethical behavior and personal accountability. Homes and community centers will be adorned with springtime decorations like flowers, and motifs of rabbits and eggs, representing new life, and nature’s bloom. Then a jog with participants dressed as bunnies, symbolizing a fresh start. Followed by a talk focusing on health, vitality, and personal responsibility. Then a festive meal features traditional dishes with eggs and other symbols of renewal, fostering a time for communal bonding and personal reflection. Throughout the festival, members contemplate their personal development over the past year. The day concludes with a bonfire, featuring storytelling and philosophical discussions.

Festival of Shadows and Light (Skiai kai Phos)

• Date: Coincides with Halloween, October 31
• Purpose: To explore the dual themes of shadow and light, reflecting on the balance between the known and the unknown, and celebrating the mystical aspects of human experience.
• Activities: Community members create and perform shadow plays using hand-made puppets or their own silhouettes. The plays explore themes of moral choices, the nature of good and evil, and the wisdom found in facing ones fears. Participants craft lanterns that symbolize bringing light into darkness which signifies the collective journey towards enlightenment and the dispelling of ignorance. People wear outfits inspired by historical figures. This activity connects members with historical figures who exemplified the virtues of wisdom, courage, and ethical living.

Festival of Light and Reason (Phos kai Logos)

• Date: Coincides with Christmas, December 25
• Purpose: To celebrate the illumination of the mind through reason and rational thought.
• Activities: Lighting candles or lamps as symbols of enlightenment, engaging in discussions about the role of reason in daily life, and exchanging stories centered on rational problem-solving. Community members embellish “Trees of Knowledge” within their homes and communal spaces. A traditional meal serves as an opportunity for diners to discuss the contributions of notable figures to the realm of knowledge, fostering thoughtful conversation and reflection. Additionally, gift exchanges emphasize intellectual growth and personal development, including items such as books, educational games, puzzles, or subscriptions to lectures and museums, underscoring the community’s commitment to continuous learning and wisdom sharing. Special workshops are also organized, where community members both learn and impart skills that promote intellectual engagement, like writing, bookbinding, or creating educational tools.