National Holidays
Imperial Decree XCVII - On National Holidays sets out the Empire of Lehmark's National Celebrations, Festivals and Public Holidays, which make up the National Calendar.
While Lehmark has Civil Holidays such as Independence Day and the Emperor's Birthday, many Festivals and Celebrations found in the National Calendar are holidays and celebrations created by Imperial Decree XCVI - On Sol Invictus. Sol Invictus is intended to be a 'Lehmarkian Cultural Aspect', which was created by the Emperor and Autocrat, with the support of the Imperial Government, with the express purpose of creating Public Holidays and Celebrations for the Empire with some unique quirks of celebration.
Official National Calendar
1 January – New Years Day – Public Holiday
14 March – Familia Prandium – Public Holiday
12–18 April annually – Sol Messis
14, 17 and 18 April are Public Holidays.
19 April – Independence Day – Public Holiday.
20 April – Constitution Day
25 April – Salop Day – Provincial Public Holiday
13 June – Lucerna Lumen – Public Holiday
20/21 June – Coctum Panem
29 July – Saint George Day – Provincial Public Holiday
14 August - National Education Day.
20 August – The Imperial Cat's Birthday
31 August – Emperor and Autocrat's Birthday – Public Holiday.
1 September - Plymouth Day - Provincial Public Holiday
20 September – Arbor Plantationis Ceremonia
20 – 26 December – Dies Natalis Solis Invicti
25 and 26 December are Public Holidays.
31 December – New Years Eve
Celebrations and Festivals Explained
Familia Prandum
Is a Public Holiday and an annual feast which takes place on 14 March. Familia Prandium means ‘family meal’ and on this day families gather to share their love through food.
In the evening – light 1 Candle, to remember any lost family members, allow it to burn out. Reciting the Tantum Invocatio is preferred but optional.
Sol Messis
The Sol Messis, is a harvest festival held 12–18 April annually, on this day we celebrate the harvest and fresh crops through baking and light. The Festival takes place in the following manner:
12 April – Bake a loaf of wheat bread.
13 April – Drink a wheat beer, those not of age or don’t wish to, drink apple juice.
14 April – On this day we rest. Public holiday.
15 April – Bake a tray of cookies.
16 April – Bake a tray of brownies.
17 April – Perform the Caeremonia Solis Invictus (optional) and have a picnic. Public holiday.
18 April – In the evening light 1 Small Candle, for 1 minute, remember all you have and be thankful for it. Public holiday.
Lucerna Lumen
Is a Ceremony and Public Holiday. On 13 June annually, a Lantern is lit as a gift to Sol Invictus, the Tantum Invocatio is recited (optional).
Coctum Panem
This event takes place annually on the Winter Solstice. Coctum Panem means ‘baked bread’ on this day the Caeremonia Solis Invictus is performed and an oven baked Cobb Loaf is made, which is then shared with friends and family at a family gathering.
Arbor Plantationis Ceremonia
Arbor Plantationis Ceremonia, is the Tree Planting Ceremony. On this day, we plant a tree or plant in our gardens at home, or a pot plant inside. This occurs annually on September 20 and is a Public Holiday.
Dies Natalis Solis Invicti
Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, Birth of the Invincible Sun, is the most important ceremony of Sol Invictus, occurring between 20 – 26 December annually, this ceremony has four aspects:
Light a Small Candle for 4 hours each day starting 20 December and finishing 24 December, recite the Tantum Invocatio (optional).
On 25 December – Public holiday.
Light a Large Candle for 24 hours on 25 December and recite the Tantum Invocatio.
Donate to a charitable organisation (optional) and visit your loved ones. Public holiday.
Evening – light 1 Small Candle, for 1 minute, remember all you have and be thankful for it.
On 26 December, we rest this day. Public holiday.
Provincial Day Celebrations
Each Lehmarkian Province, excluding the Capital Province, has a unique way to Celebrate the Annexation of their Province, it involves something unique to the Province or the person who annexed it and sharing that with the Provincial Community on Discord.
Saint George Day
On 29 July annually there is a Provincial Public Holiday to Celebrate the Founding of the Province of Saint George.
Saint Georgians celebrate Saint George Day by learning one new word in French and sharing in the Provincial Discord Channel.
Salop Day
On 25 April annually there is a Provincial Public Holiday to Celebrate the Founding of the Province of Salop.
Salopians celebrate by learning one new Science fact and sharing with their friends and in the Provincial Discord Channel.
Plymouth Day
On 1 September annually there is a Provincial Public Holiday to Celebrate the Founding of the Province of Plymouth.
Plymouthese celebrate by giving a small gift to a loved one, someone they care about or donating to a charity.