Who are the missionaries remembered on Missionary Day?

Missionary Day honours two missionaries, Rev. J.H. Lorrain and Rev. F.W. Savidge, who landed in the Lushai Hills on 11 January 1894 and began sustained missionary and educational work among the Mizo people.

How is Missionary Day observed in Mizoram?

Missionary Day is observed with special church services, prayers, community gatherings and programmes that recall the history of Christian missions and their contribution to education and social uplift in Mizoram.

Missionary Day

Q: What is Missionary Day in Mizoram?

Missionary Day in Mizoram is a regional public holiday observed on 11 January every year to commemorate the arrival of the first Christian missionaries, Rev. J.H. Lorrain and Rev. F.W. Savidge, in 1894 and the beginning of organised Christian mission and modern education in the state.

Q: When is Missionary Day celebrated?

Missionary Day is celebrated on 11 January each year in the Indian state of Mizoram.

Q: Is Missionary Day a public holiday?

Yes. Missionary Day is a regional public holiday in Mizoram and many government offices, schools and banks remain closed on this day.

Q: Why is Missionary Day important?

Missionary Day is important because it marks the arrival of Christian missionaries who introduced Christianity, literacy and formal schooling to Mizoram, greatly influencing the state's social and cultural development.

Q: Is Missionary Day celebrated outside Mizoram?

Missionary Day as an official holiday is specific to Mizoram, though churches and communities connected to the state may also hold remembrance services elsewhere.

Q: Does Missionary Day always fall on the same date?

Yes. Missionary Day is always observed on 11 January every year; only the weekday changes from year to year.

2026 Missionary Day

Date	Day	Holiday	States
11 Jan	Sun	Missionary Day	Mizoram

2027 Missionary Day

Date	Day	Holiday	States
11 Jan	Mon	Missionary Day	Mizoram

2028 Missionary Day

Date	Day	Holiday	States
11 Jan	Tue	Missionary Day	Mizoram

Missionary Day is a regional public holiday in Mizoram observed every year on 11 January to commemorate the arrival of the first two Christian missionaries, Rev. J.H. Lorrain and Rev. F.W. Savidge, in 1894.

It marks the beginning of organised Christian mission and modern education among the Mizo people and is widely observed with church services, community gatherings, and official closure of government offices in the state.

Missionary Day overview

Missionary Day in Mizoram commemorates the arrival of Welsh missionaries J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge, who reached the then Lushai Hills (now Mizoram) on 11 January 1894.
The day is recognised as a regional public holiday, during which government offices, banks and many schools remain closed across the state.
Their work introduced Christianity, literacy and formal schooling to the region, laying the foundation for Mizoram’s current status as one of India’s most literate and predominantly Christian states.

History and significance

Missionary Day recalls the day when Lorrain and Savidge, working under the Arthington Aborigines Mission, landed in the Lushai Hills and began evangelistic and educational work among the Mizo people.
Earlier, Rev. William Williams of the Welsh Presbyterian Mission had briefly visited the region in 1891, but Lorrain and Savidge were the first to settle and systematically develop mission and schooling.
They devised a written Mizo language using the Roman script and opened the first school in 1894, which was crucial in rapidly raising literacy and spreading Christianity.

Traditions and observance

Churches across Mizoram hold special services, sermons and prayer meetings reflecting on the legacy of the early missionaries and the spread of Christianity in the state.
Community feasts, fellowships and sometimes cultural programmes are organised at local and denominational levels to honour missionary work.
As an official regional holiday, many people use the day to attend church, participate in social activities and spend time with family and congregation members.

Key facts about Missionary Day

Missionary Day date in Mizoram: 11 January every year.
Holiday type: Regional public holiday in the Indian state of Mizoram.
Purpose: To commemorate the arrival of missionaries J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge in 1894 and the advent of Christianity and modern education.

Missionary Day FAQs

What is Missionary Day in Mizoram?

Missionary Day is a regional public holiday in Mizoram observed on 11 January to commemorate the arrival of the first Christian missionaries, Rev. J.H. Lorrain and Rev. F.W. Savidge, in 1894.

When is Missionary Day celebrated?

Missionary Day is celebrated every year on 11 January in the state of Mizoram, India.

Is Missionary Day a public holiday?

Yes, Missionary Day is a notified regional public holiday in Mizoram, and government offices and many banks remain closed on this day.

Why is Missionary Day important?

The day marks the beginning of organised Christian mission and modern education among the Mizo people, which profoundly shaped Mizoram’s culture, literacy and religious life.

Who were the missionaries commemorated on Missionary Day?

Missionary Day honours J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge, two missionaries associated with the Arthington Aborigines Mission who arrived in the Lushai Hills on 11 January 1894.

How do people in Mizoram observe Missionary Day?

People attend special church services, organise community prayers and fellowships, and reflect on the contributions of missionaries to education, health and social uplift in the state.

Is Missionary Day celebrated outside Mizoram?

Missionary Day as a public holiday is specific to Mizoram, though churches and individuals with ties to the state may mark the occasion elsewhere.

Does Missionary Day always fall on the same date?

Yes, the observance is fixed on 11 January each year, so only the day of the week changes.

Festival Dates