Religious Holidays and CalendarsReligious Holidays and Calendars

A comprehensive encyclopedia of the holidays and calendars, not only of the major religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, but also such minority religions as Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, Theosophy, Scientology, and Neopaganism. In the main list, alphabetical by name, the holidays are described in one to a few paragraphs, then indexed by month and by religion. Substantial essays survey the character and history of eastern and western lunar calendars, solar calendars, and reforms in the conventional western calendar since the mid-18th century. Does not list all the Catholic or Orthodox saint's days. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.