Most religious holidays are particularly popular in Austria mainly because they mean people have the day off from work. Very few people, however, are familiar with all the Christian religious holidays in Austria, as there are significantly more of them. Interest in the meaning and background of the various holidays has also waned in modern times—this is likely due to the fact that fewer and fewer people are willing to have a faith imposed on them that does not align with their own beliefs. While hundreds of years ago it was practically mandatory to be a Christian in Austria, today people have the freedom to choose whether they want to belong to a religious community at all, and if so, which one. However, even if you do not belong to any religious community, in most cases you can still enjoy having the day off from work in Austria. The most important religious holidays in Austria are:
Epiphany, celebrated annually on January 6
Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, based on Matthew 2:12. Three “kings” from the East (“Land of the Morning”) visit the Christ Child and reveal Jesus’ divinity to the world. On this occasion, children dress up as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar and go from house to house as carolers to bless the homes and collect donations. The children write the letters C+M+B on the front doors, often misinterpreted as “Caspar-Melchior-Balthasar,” but in reality the abbreviation stands for “Christus mansionem benedicat”—“May Christ bless this house.”
Easter
In Christianity, Easter is the annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who, according to the New Testament, as the Son of God, conquered death. Since, according to the Bible, the events of salvation took place during Passover week, the date of this movable Jewish festival also determines the date of Easter: Easter always falls on the Sunday after the first full moon of spring, which in the Gregorian calendar means no earlier than March 22 and no later than April 25.
Ascension Day = Easter Sunday + 39 days
In the Christian faith, the Ascension of Christ refers to the return of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to his Father in heaven. The Ascension is celebrated on the 40th day of the Easter season, that is, 39 days after Easter Sunday. For this reason, the feast always falls on a Thursday. The earliest possible date is April 30; the latest possible date is June 3.
Pentecost Monday = Easter Sunday + 50 days
Pentecost is a Christian holiday. Believers celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit. It is observed on the fiftieth day after Easter. In the New Testament, the Book of Acts recounts that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and disciples as they were gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. In Christian tradition, this date is also understood as the founding of the Church. Pentecost is first mentioned as a Christian holiday in the year 130.
Corpus Christi = Easter Sunday + 60 days
The Feast of Corpus Christi is a solemnity in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church that celebrates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Corpus Christi is observed on the Thursday following the Feast of the Holy Trinity (the 60th day after Easter Sunday) and thus falls no earlier than May 21 and no later than June 24. The fact that the feast is observed on a Thursday is closely linked to Holy Thursday and the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ himself at the Last Supper.
The Assumption of Mary, celebrated annually on August 15
The Assumption of Mary is the oldest Marian feast in Catholic Christianity and commemorates the Assumption of the Mother of Jesus. In 431, the Council of Ephesus recognized Mary as the “Mother of God.” According to legend, Jesus’ disciples opened Mary’s tomb and found not only flowers and herbs inside, but no sign of Mary’s body. In rural Catholic regions, this feast day is also associated with various customs.
All Saints' Day, celebrated annually on November 1
Every year, All Saints' Day becomes a celebration for the Christian family, during which we come together to remember exemplary people who have already passed away—especially those who are not counted among the saints.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated annually on December 8
A feast day honoring the Virgin Mary. The official name, in typical flowery Catholic terminology, is “Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God.” It commemorates the conception of Mary in her mother, Anne; according to Catholic legend, Mary was conceived without original sin by her mother, Anne, and remained sinless throughout her life.
Christmas Day & St. Stephen's Day, annually on December 25 and 26
Christmas is by far the most popular Christian holiday and, along with Easter and Pentecost, is one of the major feasts in the Catholic liturgical year. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ—although the actual date of his birth has not been recorded. Today, Christians and non-Christians alike usually celebrate Christmas as a family holiday involving the exchange of gifts; this custom was promoted by Martin Luther beginning in 1535 as an alternative to the previous tradition of gift-giving on St. Nicholas Day, in order to direct children’s interest toward Christ rather than the veneration of saints. As a church holiday, December 25 has been documented in Rome only since 336. How this date came to be is a matter of debate. One theory suggests it was influenced by the Roman cult of the sun.
There are other holidays that are significant to the Catholic Church but have fallen somewhat into obscurity, such as St. Barbara’s Day, which is celebrated annually on December 4; St. Martin’s Day, celebrated annually on November 11; and the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, celebrated on February 2. However, these are not legally recognized holidays; rather, they are celebrated solely within the Catholic faith and church community.
Accessories for Christian Traditions
The fact that the priest wears a special vestment in church, that people make an Easter candle at Easter, or that Holy Communion is received from golden chalices is something known to anyone who belongs to the Catholic faith and has attended a Catholic Mass at least once. High-quality church supplies —such as church chains, vestments, or liturgical items like chalices—are now also available online, not only for members of the Church but also for private customers. The company W. Friedrich offers excellent quality at affordable prices and a wide range of products, including about 3,000 different items of church supplies.
