Spain (La Rioja) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

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Catholic : St Bernabas went to live with the Christians in Jerusalem after selling his estate and giving the money to the apostles. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his unexpected conversion, it was Barnabas who convinced the apostles to trust their old enemy. He and Paul then did missionary work together. At Iconium, the capital of Lycaonia, they narrowly escaped stoning at the hands of the mob whom the rulers had stirred up against them. A miraculous cure wrought by St Paul upon a cripple at Lystra led the pagan inhabitants to conclude that the gods were come amongst them. They hailed St Paul as Hermes or Mercury because he was the chief speaker, and St Barnabas as Zeus or Jupiter and were with difficulty restrained from offering sacrifices to them. But, with the proverbial fickleness of the mob, they soon rushed to the other extreme and stoned St Paul, severely wounding him (shagtown.com) Logroño only

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Culture : One of three witnesses of the Transfiguration of Christ in Mt. Tabor, but also a witness to Jesus' agony.

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Catholic : St Matthew, Apostle, author of first gospel. Patron saint of tax collectors Logroño only

Secular holiday : To commemorate the arrival of Columbus in Americas in 1492. It is also celebrated as the day of the Armed Forces in Spain.

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Catholic : The day now honors all saints of the church, even those not known by name. The first All Saints' Day occurred on May 13, 609 (C.E.) when Pope Boniface IV accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the Emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated it as the Church of Santa Maria Rotonda in honor of the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. During Pope Gregory III's reign (731-741), the festival was expanded to include all saints and a chapel in St. Peter's church was dedicated accordingly. Pope Gregory IV officially designated the day in 837. (World Book Encyclopedia)

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Secular holiday : Commemorates the 1978 referendum when the Spanish people voted to approve the constitution.

Catholic : Dogma that Mary was from the first moment of conception, totally free from the stain of original sin. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

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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 Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

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