Christianfeast day:
Abel(Coptic Church), Caterina Volpicelli, Feast of the Holy Innocentsor Childermas; in Spain and Latin American countries the festival is celebrated with pranks (inocentadas), similar toApril Fools' Day(Catholic Church,Church of England,Lutheran Church), and its related observances:Els Enfarinats(Ibi, Spain), Simon the Athonite, December 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Several Christian traditions honor saints and martyrs on December 28, ranging from ancient Coptic commemorations to playful Childermas celebrations in Spain and Latin America.
December 28 marks a diverse array of feast days in Christian churches around the world. In the Coptic Church, Abel is remembered for his steadfast faith. Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran communities honor the Feast of the Holy Innocents or Childermas, a day when children’s martyrdom is commemorated. In Spain and Latin America, El Día de los Santos Inocentes is celebrated with light-hearted pranks known as inocentadas. The Eastern Orthodox Church also observes Simon the Athonite and other liturgical commemorations on this date. These varied practices reflect both solemn remembrance and joyful tradition within Christianity.
feast day
Abel
Coptic Church
Caterina Volpicelli
Feast of the Holy Innocents
April Fools' Day
Catholic Church
Church of England
Lutheran Church
Els Enfarinats
Ibi, Spain
Simon the Athonite
December 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
The fourth of theTwelve Days of Christmas(Western Christianity)
The fourth day in the Twelve Days of Christmas, a festive Christian tradition spanning December 25 to January 5.
Falling on December 28, the fourth day of the Twelve Days of Christmas continues the celebration of Christ’s birth in Western Christian communities. While less formal than the liturgical days of Christmas, families may exchange small gifts or enjoy seasonal music and treats. Some cultures associate each day with specific saints or customs, integrating local traditions into the extended holiday period. This observance encourages reflection on the Christmas season’s joy and the communal bonds strengthened through shared festivities.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Western Christianity
Abel(Coptic Church)
A feast day in the Coptic Orthodox Church honoring Saint Abel on December 28.
Saint Abel, commemorated on December 28 in the Coptic Orthodox Church, is celebrated for his devout faith and commitment to Christian teachings. Worshippers attend special liturgies featuring readings from the Gospels and hymns praising the saint’s virtues. Traditions include the distribution of blessed bread and prayers for the intercession of Saint Abel. This observance highlights the rich tapestry of Coptic Christianity and its veneration of early saints.
Abel
Coptic Church
Caterina Volpicelli
Feast day celebrating Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, founder of the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart.
Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, commemorated on December 28, was an Italian mystic who founded the Servants of the Sacred Heart in the 19th century. The feast day is observed with Masses, prayers, and reflections on her teachings of devotion and charity. Members of her congregation often hold community service activities to honor her legacy. This day invites the faithful to embrace compassion and spiritual dedication.
Caterina Volpicelli
Feast of the Holy Innocentsor Childermas; in Spain and Latin American countries the festival is celebrated with pranks (inocentadas), similar toApril Fools' Day(Catholic Church,Church of England,Lutheran Church), and its related observances:
Els Enfarinats(Ibi, Spain)
Commemorates the biblical massacre of children in Bethlehem, marked by solemn remembrance and playful pranks in some cultures.
Known as Childermas or the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 honors the young lives lost in King Herod’s orders. Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran congregations hold solemn services with readings and prayers. In Spain and parts of Latin America, the day blends solemnity with humor through inocentadas—harmless pranks reminiscent of April Fools’ Day. The town of Ibi in Spain famously stages Els Enfarinats, a mock battle involving flour and eggs, symbolizing community and charity. This observance balances reflection on tragedy with cultural festivity.
Feast of the Holy Innocents
April Fools' Day
Catholic Church
Church of England
Lutheran Church
Els Enfarinats
Ibi, Spain
Simon the Athonite
Feast day of Saint Simon the Athonite, commemorated on December 28 in Orthodox Christian traditions.
Saint Simon the Athonite, one of the early monastic founders on Mount Athos, is honored on December 28 by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Monasteries celebrate with Divine Liturgy, chanting, and readings about his life of asceticism and spiritual devotion. Pilgrims often visit Athos to venerate his relics and participate in prayer services. This feast highlights the enduring legacy of hesychast spirituality and monastic discipline.
Simon the Athonite
December 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Various saints and events commemorated on December 28 in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.
The Eastern Orthodox Church observes multiple commemorations on December 28, including saints and significant events in church history. Liturgies feature hymns and readings specific to each saint, reflecting on themes of martyrdom, faith, and monasticism. Parishes and monasteries worldwide join in prayerful remembrance, fostering spiritual unity across diverse Orthodox communities. This day showcases the richness of Orthodox liturgical tradition and its continuous veneration of holy figures.
December 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)