Mary, Mother of God (Holy Name of Jesus) · Eyd-e Maryam, Madar-e Khoda

Culture of origin: Christian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Australia (national) · Canada (federal) · Christianity · France · Germany (nationwide) · United Kingdom (England and Wales) · United States (federal)

On January 1, the eighth day of Christmas, the Catholic Church honours Mary as Theotokos, "God-bearer", the title the Council of Ephesus affirmed in 431. Pope Paul VI made the day a solemnity in 1969 in place of the older feast of the Circumcision, and it is a holy day of obligation in many countries. Anglicans and Lutherans keep the same day as the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus, who was circumcised and named on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). It is also New Year's Day.