University of St Andrews and Quarter Days. Martinmas, on 11 November, was originally the feast of Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop and hermit. Candlemas originally fell on 2 February, the day of the feast of the Purification, or the Presentation of Christ. Martinmas semester runs from early September until mid-December, with examinations taking place just before the Christmas break. There follows an inter-semester period when Martinmas semester business is concluded and preparations are made for the new Candlemas semester, which starts in January and concludes with examinations at the end of May. Graduation is celebrated at the end of June. In a
Aldersgate Day of the church union which created The United Methodist Church) or the Sunday following that date, but in 2004 the United Methodist General Conference moved Heritage Day to coincide with Aldersgate Day. In Britain, Wesley's Aldersgate experience is celebrated on the Sunday preceding 24 May if that day is not a Sunday. Shirley Murray's hymn "How small a spark has lit a living fire!" celebrates Welsey's Aldersgate experience and was written in 1988 for the 250th anniversary of the event. Aldersgate Day Aldersgate Day is a commemorative day celebrated by Methodist Christians on 24 May or the nearest Sunday. It