Feast of the Ass

The Feast of the Ass is an annual holiday with Christian roots dedicated to donkeys. These animals are repeatedly mentioned in biblical stories and have helped people throughout history. It is on January 14th.

History

One of the clearest examples of a donkey in biblical stories is the one that carried Jesus and his family to Egypt after his birth. Additionally, Jesus Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. If we carefully study the biblical stories, we will find that this animal is present in many scenes.

The Feast of the Ass was most popular in France. However, in the 15th century, the priests of the Catholic Church saw negative features in it, and the popularity of this day fell sharply. This holiday, like April Fools’ Day, fell out of favor with the church.

Interesting facts

• The donkey is a very hardy animal. It can carry a load of 2/3 of its weight for more than half a day without stopping to replenish food and water. If the load is too big, the donkey will not budge. So if the animal rests, pay attention to it!
• Donkeys have a very well-developed brain and are quite smart, so expressions like “stupid donkey” do not correspond to reality.
• Donkeys are real centenarians. On average, they live up to 45-50 years.

How to celebrate

If there is an opportunity to ride a donkey, then The Feast of the Ass is a great day to take advantage of it. Take your family or friends to the zoo to see these cute animals.

Read the Bible on this holiday and get acquainted with the most interesting stories in which the image of a donkey appears. Tell your friends and acquaintances about this holiday and share the information you’ve learned.

Create a social media post telling users about The Feast of the Ass. Let more people know about this little-known holiday.

When is Feast of the Ass in 2025?

Feast of the Ass is observed on January 14 each year.

Observations