Category: Festivals and Rituals
-
Who Was Saint Basil the Great? Saint Basil the Great (c. 330-379 AD) was one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, revered as a theologian, bishop, monastic reformer, and champion of the poor. He is honoured as one of the three Cappadocian Fathers (along with his brother Gregory of Nyssa and his friend…
-
In Japan, the New Year holiday period known as Shōgatsu (お正月) represents far more than simply flipping the calendar to 1st January. This sacred time, particularly the first three days from 1st to 3rd January (called Sanganichi, 三が日), stands as the most significant holiday in Japanese culture, a period when the entire nation pauses to…
-
The ancient city of Ephesus, once a bustling Roman port on the western coast of what is now Turkey, holds a unique place in Christian history as the city where Mary, the mother of Jesus, is believed to have spent her final years. This tradition, though debated by scholars and theologians for centuries, has made…
-
While much of the world marks the arrival of the new year with quiet reflection or modest gatherings, Scotland erupts into one of the most spirited celebrations on earth. Hogmanay, as the Scots call New Year’s Eve, is far more than just another holiday; it’s a cultural institution that transforms the nation into a beacon…
-
As the Earth completes another orbit around the sun, humanity marks this astronomical milestone with an extraordinary diversity of traditions, rituals, and revelry. From the first light touching New Zealand’s shores to the final sunset over American Samoa, New Year celebrations ripple across time zones in a 26-hour wave of hope, reflection, and joy. Yet…
-
Among the twelve apostles who walked with Jesus, one stands apart in the annals of Christian tradition, not for performing the greatest miracles or leading the largest missionary journeys, but for the depth of his relationship with Christ and the sublime theology he would later write. St. John the Evangelist, born around 6 AD, was…
-
Every 26th December, as the Christmas festivities wind down across Ireland, a different kind of celebration bursts into life in pockets of the Irish countryside. Crowds of people take to the roads dressed in elaborate straw costumes, their faces painted or masked, carrying decorated poles topped with symbolic wrens. To the thunder of drums, whistles,…
-
This paragraph serves as an introduction to your blog post. Begin by discussing the primary theme or topic that you plan to cover, ensuring it captures the reader’s interest from the very first sentence. Share a brief overview that highlights why this topic is important and how it can provide value. Use this space to…
-
This paragraph serves as an introduction to your blog post. Begin by discussing the primary theme or topic that you plan to cover, ensuring it captures the reader’s interest from the very first sentence. Share a brief overview that highlights why this topic is important and how it can provide value. Use this space to…