The reform was adopted initially by the Catholic countries of Europe and their overseas possessions. It is notable that whilst the reform introduced minor changes, the calendar continued to be fundamentally based on the same geocentric theory as its predecessor. In addition, the reform also altered the lunar cycle used by the Church to calculate the date for Easter, because astronomical new moons were occurring four days before the calculated dates. To reinstate the association, the reform advanced the date by 10 days: Thursday 4 October 1582 was followed by Friday 15 October 1582. This date was important to the Christian churches because it is fundamental to the calculation of the date of Easter. Second, in the years since the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, the excess leap days introduced by the Julian algorithm had caused the calendar to drift such that the (Northern) spring equinox was occurring well before its nominal 21 March date. The Gregorian reform shortened the average (calendar) year by 0.0075 days to stop the drift of the calendar with respect to the equinoxes. First, the Julian calendar assumed incorrectly that the average solar year is exactly 365.25 days long, an overestimate of a little under one day per century, and thus has a leap year every four years without exception. There were two reasons to establish the Gregorian calendar. For example, the years 1700, 1800, and 1900 are not leap years, but the year 2000 is. The principal change was to space leap years differently so as to make the average calendar year 365.2425 days long, more closely approximating the 365.2422-day 'tropical' or 'solar' year that is determined by the Earth's revolution around the Sun.Įvery year that is exactly divisible by four is a leap year, except for years that are exactly divisible by 100, but these centurial years are leap years if they are exactly divisible by 400. It was introduced on February 24 with a papal bull, and went into effect in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. 2023 in various calendars Gregorian calendar It’s expected to begin sometime between Friday, April 21 and Sunday, April 23.Not to be confused with Georgian calendar. When is Eid al-Fitr?īecause the timing of the holiday is dependent on when the new moon is seen, Eid al-Fitr begins at a different time for different countries. Encyclopedia Britannica reports that in some communities women wear white and people prepare special baked goods, visit the graves of deceased relatives and go to mosque during Eid al-Fitr. While Eid al-Fitr celebrations may vary depending on location, festivities often include special prayers, family gatherings and gifts. What is Eid al-Fitr?Īccording to, Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, or "the Feast of Fast-Breaking." Eid al-Fitr begins on the day after Ramadan ends and lasts for three days. However, there are many variations throughout the Middle East and North Africa. One of the most common dishes specific to Ramadan is tharid, an Arabian meat and vegetable stew often served with crispy bread. Although the menu varies by country, iftar usually begins with water and dates. This meal is often celebrated with friends and family. How to break the fastĭuring Ramadan, Muslims break their fast after the evening prayer with a meal called iftar. Laylat al-Qadr it typically observed at night with reflection, prayer and good deeds. Laylat al-Qadr is known as the “Night of Power” and is said to be when the Angel Jibril revealed the Qur'an’s first verses to the Prophet Muhammad. It’s expected to occur Tuesday, April 18, this year. The holiest night of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, which occurs during the last 10 days of the month. Groups who are exempt from fasting include those who are sick or ill, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, menstruating women and people who are travelling. Only adults who are in good health should fast during the holy month, BBC states. Avoiding negative thoughts and bad behavior is also an important part of Ramadan. However, married couples can engage at night after the fast has been broken. People observing Ramadan are also supposed to abstain from sexual activities. During the holy month, Muslims observing the daily fast begin with a meal before dawn called the suhur, then end each day with an evening meal after sundown called the iftar. According to USA Today, it is celebrated during the month when Muslims believe God gave the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad and told him he was in charge of carrying God’s message.įasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and a fundamental part of Ramadan, reports. Ramadan is a holy month for fasting, time with loved ones and prayer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |