Japanese worshippers have prayed for the safety of themselves and their families by walking barefoot with Buddhist monks over smouldering coals at an annual festival near Mt. Takaosan. The fire-walking today was more tense than usual because participants were required to wear masks and maintain social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The festival was … Read more
Thousands of Muslim worshippers pray together and mingle in crowds at four-day Islamic festival in Bangladesh after country is spared a devastating wave of coronavirus deaths Crowds were mingling at close quarters at the four-day Islamic gathering on the banks of the Kirtankhola river Some worshippers took up positions days beforehand but it was not … Read more
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Worshippers rushed to defend the Church of St Mary of Zion (pictured) in the holy city of Axom, where the Ark is said to be secured.
Chichester Cathedral clergy will SPRINKLE ash on worshippers’ foreheads instead of rubbing it on during Lent service to cut Covid risk The change is being made at Chichester Cathedral’s Ash Wednesday service Clergy will sprinkle ash with their hands from a distance over worshippers’ heads It is just one of many restrictions to have an … Read more
Masked worshippers watch on as the Archbishop of Canterbury leads Christmas Day service to a socially-distanced congregation before he talks of ‘year of anxiety’ in festive message Justin Welby is expected to refer to a ‘year of anxiety’ in his Christmas message The Archbishop of Canterbury arrived at Canterbury Cathedral for a service He wore … Read more
Police are called to Luton mosque after huge row erupts involving up to 300 worshippers inside building Six police cars arrived at Jalalabad Jame Masjid Mosque in Luton on Friday Footage of police breaking up altercation emerged on social media on Monday Allegedly started following dispute involving secretary Syedul Islam Khan Arrived to worship as … Read more
Pope Francis today removed his mask and reached out to touch the faithful, both young and old, at a ‘limited’ public audience at the Vatican. The 83-year-old, who resumed his Wednesday General Audience’s last week, told the packed San Damaso courtyard that the coronavirus would be defeated by God’s love. The pontiff removed his mask … Read more
Churches will be allowed to reopen for individual prayers from mid-June, though singing and mass gatherings will remain banned to stop the spread of coronavirus. Places of worships were expected closed until July 4, alongside hairdressers, cinemas and pubs. However, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told today’s Downing Street briefing that the plan was to allow … Read more
Worshippers at a Jewish temple dating back more than 2,700 years likely smoked cannabis during cultic ceremonies, ancient Israeli limestone reveals. Analysis of material on two Iron Age altars, discovered at the entrance to a shrine in Israel, were found to contain cannabis, as well as frankincense. Renowned as one of the gifts brought by … Read more