Ascension Day
17 May 2012
Christian
Ascension Day marks the last earthly appearance of Christ after his resurrection. Christians believe Christ ascended into heaven. It is celebrated 40 days after Easter.
Yom Yerushalayim
20 May 2012
Jewish
Jerusalem Day
Declaration of the Bab
23 May 2012
Bahai
The Bab was the Forerunner of Baha'u'llah, founder of the Baha'i faith. His mission was to prepare the world for the coming of Baha'u'llah and he declared it in the evening of May 22 1844.
Birthday of Guru Amar Das (Nanakshahi calendar)
23 May 2012
Sikh
Guru Amar Das (1479-1574) was the third of the Sikh Gurus.
St Bede the Venerable
25 May 2012
Christian
St Bede was an Anglo-Saxon saint and scholar from Jarrow.
Pentecost - Whitsun
27 May 2012
Christian
The seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the birth of the Christian Church.
Shavuot (1st day)
27 May 2012
Jewish
Shavuot is a two-day festival that marks the time when the first harvest was taken to the Temple. Also known as the Festival of Weeks. Work is not permitted for the duration of the festival.
Ascension of Baha'u'llah
29 May 2012
Bahai
Anniversary of Baha'u'llah's death in 1892 near Akka, Israel.
Trinity Sunday
3 June 2012
Christian
The first Sunday after Pentecost. Christians meditate on the nature of God as "Three in one".
Corpus Christi
7 June 2012
Christian
Roman Catholic festival celebrating the "real presence of Christ in the Eucharist". The festival falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.
Corpus Christi (Catholic Church in England and Wales)
10June 2012
Christian
Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. The Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates it on the following Sunday instead.