Banks are closed
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Tuesday december 24, 2024
Banks only :
Christmas Day
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Wednesday december 25, 2024
Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Years Day on Christmas Day.
St Stephen's Day
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Thursday december 26, 2024
Catholic or protestant : Remembrance of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Banks are closed
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Tuesday december 31, 2024
Banks only :
New Year's Day
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Wednesday january 1, 2025
Secular holiday : The world's most widely celebrated holiday, New Years was set on January 1 by Julius Caesar because that was the date the Roman consuls took over their duties. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday
Epiphany
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Monday january 6, 2025
Catholic or protestant : The term comes from ancient Greek and means appearance . Celebrated on the 6th January, this feast corresponds to the presentation of Child Jesus to the Magi. This is the day of Jesus' first miracle, the Wedding in Cana , and the day of his own baptism Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday
Sant' Agata -
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Wednesday february 5, 2025
Secular holiday : Separation from Cardinal Alberoni's protectorate in 1740
Valentine's Day
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Friday february 14, 2025
cards/flowers : Introduced by Pope Gelasus in 498, perhaps in response to a local Roman tradition of lovers writing their names on an urn in February