Religious Observances

Randolph College is cognizant of our community’s increasing diversity and strives to respect all spiritual beliefs and practices.

We request that students, faculty, and staff also be mindful of the expansive range of religious observances.

  • Faculty should consider how holy days may impact student class attendance or their ability to complete assignments when due.
  • Administrative and academic departments, as well as student organizations, should also be aware of holy days when scheduling department-wide or college-wide events and programming.

Religious Accommodations

Students who seek religious accommodations for class assignments, attendance, or athletic practice/competition should contact faculty or coaches well in advance with such requests.

  • Religious Accomodations Request Form PDF | DOCX

Religious Holidays Calendar

Below is a list of holy days observed by many in our community.  Please contact us with suggestions for this list.

2024-2025: Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug

August ^

Aug. 15 – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Aug. 19 – Raksha Bandan (Hinduism)
Aug. 26 – Krishna Janmashtami(Sir Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami) (Hinduism/Krishnaism)

September ^

Sept. 7 – Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism)
Sept. 15 – Mawlid An-Nabi (Islam)
Sept. 21-29 – Mabon (Wicca/Paganism)

October ^

Oct. 3-4 – Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)
Oct. 12 – Yom Kippur (Judaism)
Oct. 17-23 – Sukkot (Judaism)
Oct. 23-25 – Shemini Atzeret (Judaism)
Oct. 24-25 – Simchat Torah (Judaism)
Oct. 3-12 – Navratri (Hinduism)
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Samhain (Wicca/Paganism)

November ^

Oct. 31- Nov. 4 – Diwali (Dipavali) (Hinduism)
Nov. 1 – All Saints Day (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Nov. 2 – All Souls Day (Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Nov. 2 – Birth of Baha’u’llah (BaHá’í)
Nov. 15 – Guru Nank’s Birthday (Sikhism)

December ^

Dec. 8 – Immaculate Conception of Mary (Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Dec. 25-Jan. 2 – Hanukkah (Judaism)
Dec. 21-Jan. 1 – Yule (Wicca/Paganism)
Dec. 25 – Christmas (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Dec.26-Jan.1 – Kwanzaa (African Heritage)

January ^

Jan. 6 – Epiphany (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Jan. 7 – Bodhi Day (Buddhism)
Jan. 27 – Laylat Al-Isra’waal-Mi’raj (Mi’raj al-Nabiy) (Islam)
Jan. 29 – Chinese New Year (Confucianism/Daoism/Buddhism)

February ^

Feb. 1 – Imbolc (Wicca/Paganism)
Feb. 2 – Vasant Panchami Saraswati Puja (Hinduism)
Feb. 12-13 – Tu B’Shevat (Judaism)
Feb. 15 – Nirvana Day (Buddhism)
Feb. 24-25 – Laylat al-Bara’ah (Islam)
Feb. 26 – Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism)
Feb. 28-Mar. 30 – Ramadan (Islam)

March ^

Mar. 5 – Ash Wednesday (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Mar. 5-April 17 – Lent (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Mar. 15 – Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti (Hinduism)
Mar. 3- April 19 – Great Lent (Christianity-Orthodox)
Mar. 20 – Ostara (Wicca/Paganism)
Mar. 13-14 – Purim (Feast of Lots) (Judaism)
Mar. 14 – Holi (Hinduism)
Mar. 29-30 – Eid al-Fitr (‘Id al-Fitr) (Islam)

April ^

Apr. 6 – Rama Navami (Hinduism)
Apr. 12-20 – Passover (Pesach) (Judaism)
Apr. 13 – Palm Sunday (Christianity-Protestant,Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Apr. 17 – Holy Thursday /Maundy Thursday (Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Apr. 18 – Good Friday (Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Apr. 20 – Easter Sunday (Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)
Apr. 20 – Orthodox Easter Sunday (Christianity-Orthodox)
Apr. 23-24 – Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) (Judaism)

May ^

May 1 – Beltane (Wicca/Paganism)
May 12 – Vesak (Buddha Day) (Buddhism)

June ^

June 1- 3 – Shavuot (Judaism)
June 6-7 – Eid al-Adha (‘Id Al Adha) (Islam)
June 8 – Pentecost (Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)
June 20 – Litha (Wicca/Paganism)

July ^

July 10 – Dharma Day (Buddhism)

August ^

Aug. 1 – Lammas / Lughnasa (Wicca/Paganism)
Aug. 2-3 – Tisha B’Av (Judaism)