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India

12 dead in crowd surge at popular Hindu shrine in Kashmir

Deadly crowd surges are fairly common during Indian religious festivals where huge gatherings, sometimes in the millions, cover small areas with few safety or control measures.

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Cuban youth take refuge in Abakua religion

Cuban youth take refuge in Abakua religion in difficult pandemic year

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Moving nativity scene draws visitors to Polish monastery

One of the larger moving nativity scenes in Poland was created at famous Jasna Gora Sancturay, south Poland.

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Archbishop Pizzaballa holds mass in Bethlehem on Christmas eve

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa salutes the crowd upon crossing through Israel's controversial separation barrier into the biblical city of Bethlehem where he leads a mass on Christmas eve

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Culture news

Spain's youngest bishop stripped of powers for marrying erotica author

Xavier Novell may be an example of nominative determinism after having been professionally undone by that particular literary form.

Culture news

What is Romuva? Inside the ancient religion's bid for state approval

Followers of Romuva have been attacked by the Catholic church, Teutonic Knights and the Soviets, but they've just been given a massive break.

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Pilgrims fill reopened Guadalupe basilica in Mexico

Pilgrims fill reopened Guadalupe basilica in Mexico

Design

Notre Dame's controversial 'kitsch' restoration plans approved

Renovations of the treasured cathedral should commence next year and be completed just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Poland

Nativity crib contest takes place in Krakow

Three years ago, the Krakow cribs were recognised by UNESCO as a cultural treasure.

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Famed Manger Square Christmas tree lit up

The West Bank city of Bethlehem marked the start of the festive season Saturday by lighting up its Christmas tree in Manger Square.

Design

Why has Barcelona's Sagrada Familia taken so long to complete?

Land was first purchased for the church over one hundred years ago. COVID-19 delays have taken its completion in 2026 from a certainty to a definite-maybe.

Culture news

Merry Saturnalia! Which Christmas traditions are actually pagan?

Christmas is coming, but do you know which of your favourite things about the holiday were practiced by druids?

Art

Botticelli painting bought for €12,000 in '63 to sell for €35 million

'The Man of Sorrows' is believed to have been produced in the late 15th/early 16th century. After living in a private collection for over 60 years, it's set to make a fortune.

Green News

Pope: Protect the environment as everything 'seems to be collapsing'

Pope Francis told young people on Sunday that it is important to stand tall in the face of climate change.

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Candles and prayers as hundreds celebrate Diwali

Hundreds of Hindus come to the Shri Mariamman temple to celebrate Diwali in Medan, the largest city of Indonesia's Sumatra island. Covid-19 restrictions mean devotees have to take turns worshipping.

Lifestyle

Meet the Turkish winemaker taking risks to restore Assyrian culture

Assyrian winemaker Yuhanna Aktas is bringing the Turkish Mardin province's wine-growing traditions back to life.

Culture news

In pictures: Dogs are worshipped at the Hindu festival 'Kukur Tihar'

Wearing marigold garlands and spoilt with treats, once a year the dogs of Nepal are worshipped on the second day of Tihar.

Haiti

US religious group says 17 missionaries kidnapped in Haiti

A group of 17 U.S. missionaries including children was kidnapped by a gang in Haiti, a religious group said.

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Venezuelans fight Covid with a ritual

Every October 12, known in Venezuela as the Day of Indigenous Resistance, thousands of believers gather on Mount Sorte in northwestern Venezuela. This year, the Covid-19 pandemic, which prevented the meeting from taking place in 2020, is at the heart of the ceremonies.

Design

How Poland’s communist-era churches rebelled against the regime

A remarkable record of individual design and craftsmanship, Poland's Communist-Era Churches pay homage to experimental forms that still wow today.