Office of Religious Life

Campus Involvement Fair
September 4, 2008 - 4:00 p.m
Come out and see all the exciting programs and opportunities that Religious Life has to offer this school year. Be sure to sign up for organizations you are interested becoming a part of to learn more about them.  (Location: Academic Quad)

Rosh Hashanah
September 30, 2008
Rosh Hashanah is commonly referred to as the Jewish New Year (literally translated as "head of the year"). The day falls on the first of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, Tishrei, the first month being Nisan. Specific times and locations for the service and dinner are TBA.

Sukkot
October 14-18, 2008
Sukkot is a Biblical pilgrimage festival that occurs in autumn on the 15th day of the month of Tishri. In Judaism it is one of the three major holidays known collectively as the Shalosh Regalim, when historically the Jewish populace traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem. There will be a time for building and decorating the Sukkot as well as a service.  Event times TBA.  (Location: Academic Quad)

Candlelight Lessons and Carols
December 14, 2008 - 7:00 p.m
Christmas at Denison with student choirs, including the Hilltoppers and Ladies Night Out ensembles.  This seasonal service is a Denison tradition not to be missed!  (Location: Swasey Chapel)

Ash Wednesday Service
February 25, 2009 - 12:15 p.m
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance that marks the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter. The day gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned.  (Location: Swasey Chapel)

Purim
March 10, 2009
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman's plot to annihilate them. It is characterized by the public recitation of the Book of Esther, giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, and a celebratory meal; other customs include drinking wine, wearing of masks and costumes, and public celebration.  (Location: TBA)

Passover Begins
April 9, 2009
Passover is a Jewish and Samaritan holy day and festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan in accordance with the Hebrew Bible. The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt took place in the spring and so Passover is celebrated in the spring for seven or eight days.

Community-Wide Seder
April 10, 2009
The Passover Seder Meal is a Jewish ritual feast held on the first and second nights of the Jewish holiday of Passover. In Israel, the Seder is held only on the first night. Watch for announcements. All members of the Denison community are welcome. RSVP to hillel@denison.edu.  (Location: TBA)

Good Friday Cross Walk
April 10, 2009 - 11:00 a.m
Walk and pray the way of the cross through Granville. Good Friday is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Golgatha.  (Location: St. Edward's Catholic Church to Swasey Chapel)

Easter Night Paschal Vigil
April 11, 2009 - 10:00 p.m
The Easter Vigil is a service held in many Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. It is held in the hours of darkness on the evening of Holy Saturday since the Christian tradition considers days of observance to begin at sunset of the previous day. All are welcome to attend.  (Location: Swasey Chapel)

Easter Sunday
April 12, 2009
Christians celebrate Easter Sunday day in observance of Jesus Christ rising from the dead three days after his crucifixion. See separate listing of local worship services on this website.

May Day Celebration
May 1, 2009 - 2:00 p.m
A "rites of Spring" event featuring a Maypole dance on the academic quad.  Hosted by Denison Religious Understanding.  (Location: Academic Quad)

Diwali, Hindu Festival of Lights
Diwali is a major Indian and Nepalese festive holiday, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. Information to be announced.

Id-Ul-Fitr
Id-Ul-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Las Posadas
This Latin American celebration of Christmas enacts a story of Mary and Joseph and their search for shelter. Join fellow students in the search and the party afterwards! Watch for announcements.