The holy calendar
Holy Days
The most sacred observance
Victory Day
December 25
Victory Day is the most sacred holiday in Rolloism. It commemorates the end of the First Great War, when Daeus and his corrupted army were defeated.
The true historical date on which the First Great War ended is unknown. December 25 does not claim to be the actual anniversary. The date was selected by Malk and revealed by him to the First Prophet as the day on which the victory should be remembered.
- Date
- December 25
- Duration
- Begins exactly at 12:00 AM on December 25 and continues until 12:00 AM one week later.
Observance
- Spending time with family
- Prayer to Rollo
- Feasting, particularly on shrimp and fish
- Competitive physical activity and fighting sports
The fighting tradition refers to competition such as boxing, wrestling, AFL, martial contests, and similar physical sports. It commemorates struggle and victory rather than uncontrolled violence.
A lesser holy day
Azaraoi
October 25
Azaraoi is a lesser holy day celebrating life and family.
Its observance is deliberately simple. There is no requirement for an elaborate ceremony.
Azaraoi requires spending time with family, prayer to Rollo, and the eating of shrimp.
- Date
- October 25
- Language
- Hassirian, the language of Hasr
- English translation
- None has been established.
Observance
- Spending time with family
- Prayer to Rollo
- Eating shrimp
Prayer is obligatory on Azaraoi.
A solemn day
Jaqarna
June 25
Jaqarna is a solemn day concerned with Daeus, corruption, temptation, and spiritual vigilance. It is absolutely not a celebration of Daeus.
The purpose of the day is remembrance of the danger represented by Daeus and reflection upon resistance to corruption.
Worshipping or celebrating Daeus is considered among the gravest possible violations of Rolloism, and it is associated with eternity in the Chasm.
- Date
- June 25
- Duration
- One day only
Observance
- Prayer
- Reading the Basahi
- Silence
Prayer is obligatory on Jaqarna.
The largest celebration
Oiama
December 31
Oiama is the largest celebration in the Rolloist calendar.
It is associated with the New Year and with Rolloist cosmology concerning the cycle and Turning of existence, including the Great Before and the recurring passage of universes.
- Pronunciation
- Oy-ama
- Date
- December 31
- Duration
- Begins at exactly 12:00 AM on December 31 and ends at 12:00 AM on January 1.
Observance
- Prayer
- A massive feast
- Spending time in nature
- Singing songs
- Physical fighting between willing participants
Prayer is obligatory on Oiama. The fighting is between willing participants and continues until one participant yields. The yielding of either participant ends the fight.
Figures without holy days
Not every important figure in Rolloist history receives a dedicated holiday.
The First Prophet
There is no holy day dedicated to the First Prophet. He was sent to spread the message and is not himself the object of religious celebration.
Malk
There is no holy day dedicated specifically to Malk. His role as Rollo's messenger is essential, but he is not given a personal annual celebration.
Namaya
There is no holy day honoring Namaya. She is remembered as a traitor because she eventually succumbed to Daeus' corruption, freed him following his imprisonment, and betrayed the purpose for which Rollo had originally given her the gift of witchcraft.
Speak to those willing to hear, not by sword, threat, or force.
The calendar
The established observances, in the order of their coming through the year.
- June 25Jaqarna — Solemn prayer, Basahi reading, and silence.
- October 25Azaraoi — Life, family, prayer, and shrimp.
- December 25Victory Day — The most sacred observance; victory in the First Great War; family, prayer, seafood, and competitive sport.
- December 31Oiama — The largest celebration; New Year, the cosmic Turning, prayer, feasting, nature, fighting, and song.
No further holy days have been established, and none are added to fill gaps in the calendar. Where revelation is silent, we do not invent.