The major Protestant holidays are Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost, with Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Ascension Day also widely observed. These holidays commemorate key events in the life of Jesus and the early church.
Definition of Protestantism
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that began in the 16th century, when reformers broke from the Roman Catholic Church over questions of doctrine and church authority.
Overview of Protestant holidays
Each Protestant holiday has its own traditions and observances, and most are tied to the Christian calendar and the life of Jesus. They are typically marked with worship services and time with family.
Major Protestant Holidays
Easter
Easter is the most important Protestant holiday. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christmas
Christmas is a major holiday celebrated by Christians around the world, marking the birth of Jesus. Protestant Christians have several days that fall around Christmas, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
Pentecost
Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples, fifty days after Easter.
Minor Protestant Holidays
Most of the major Christian holidays, including Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost, are shared between Protestants and Catholics and observed on the same or nearby dates. Where the traditions differ most is in the minor observances below and in certain saints’ days and holy days of obligation kept in Catholic practice but not generally in Protestant churches.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day season of reflection and repentance leading up to Easter.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, and is a day of mourning and reflection on the crucifixion of Jesus.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates Jesus’ ascension into heaven, forty days after Easter.
Summary of Protestant holidays
Taken together, these holidays follow the arc of the Christian calendar: from the repentance of Ash Wednesday, through the mourning of Good Friday, to the joy of Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost, and the celebration of Christmas.
Significance of Protestant holidays
These holidays give Protestants a shared way to mark their faith and connect with one another across the year, whatever their local church tradition.