Religion

People arrange a carpet of flowers to mark the Corpus Christi feast in the town of La Orotava, on the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, on June 26, 2014

Explainer The Feast of Corpus Christi: date and traditions explained

Muslims pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine

Explainer When is Hajj 2023? The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca explained

The day on which celebrations for Eid-l-adha falls is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj

Explainer When is Eid Ul-Adha 2023? What day is Islamic festival

Penitents carry crosses during the "Romeria a la Trinidad" pilgrimage in the village of Lumbier on June 12, 2022. - The pilgrimage of Lumbier is a penitential celebration that takes place every year on Sunday of the Holy Trinity

Explainer Everything you need to know about Trinity Sunday

A Samaritan priest kisses the Torah scroll as worshippers gather to pray on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, at dawn on June 24, 2018 during celebrations of Shavuot

Explainer 5 ways Shavuot is observed - and the meaning behind the Jewish holiday

Syrian Orthodox Archbishop of Jerusalem, Swerios Malki Murad leads a procession for at the Chapel of the Ascension on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem on May 13, 2010.

The story behind Ascension Day and why it’s important in Christianity

In 2022, Iran executed at least 582 people, up from 333 in 2021 - Credit: Getty

Two men executed in Iran for blasphemy amid unrest - laws explained

The largest increase in the latest census’ question on religion for “Any Other Religion” was Shamanism (NationalWorld / Kim Mogg)

Explainer The rise in spirituality from TikTok trend WitchTok to meaning

Thai Muslims release hundred of balloons after a morning prayer marking the start of the Islamic feast of Eid al-fitr

Explainer How to wish someone a Happy Eid and date of Muslim celebration in 2023

There are seven deadly sins and seven heavenly virtues.

Explainer Experts explain meaning of seven deadly sins and current relevance

Palestinian Muslim worshippers pray on June 11, 2018 outside the Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosques compound in Jerusalem's Old City on the occasion of Laylat al-Qadr

Explainer Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power, duas and surahs explained

The Dalai Lama has reigned as the spiritual leader of Tibet since he was a young child. (Credit: Getty Images)

Explainer Who is the Dalai Lama? Life and past controversies explained

Where do the chocolate Easter egg and Easter bunny traditions come from? (image: Adobe)

Why do we eat Easter eggs? History of chocolate product explained

Cardinal Vincent Nichols conducts Maundy Thursday Mass at Westminster Cathedral on April 13, 2017 in London, England. Maundy Thursday marks the start of the Christian three-day celebration of Easter.

Explainer The significance of Maundy Thursday in Christianity

Thousands of Israelis attend the Annual Cohanim prayer, or Priest's blessing, for the Pesach (Passover) holiday, on April 9, 2012 at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's old city.

Explainer What is Passover? Jewish holiday explained and when it is

These are the reasons behind the customs we carry out and the food we enjoy over the Easter weekend.

Why do we celebrate Easter? Reason for traditions like chocolate eggs

Easter is celebrated over a week later between the Eastern and Western Christianity

When Greek Easter falls in 2023 - and the traditions explained

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday and Black Friday, is part of the Christian holy week

The date of Good Friday in 2023 - and why it changes every year

This year Easter Sunday falls on 9 April

Explainer Why Easter date changes every year and history of Christian holiday

Easter Sunday in 2023 falls a week earlier than this year’s celebrations

Explainer When Easter falls in 2023 and dates of bank holidays

Palm Sunday falls on the Sunday before Easter

Palm Sunday 2023: origins and how it links to Easter - explained

Jasvinder Sanghera founded Karma Nirvana after her parents tried to force her to marry at the age of 14. Credit: Bevan Cockerill Photography / Kim Mogg / NationalWorld.

‘My family has disowned me for 43 years as I didn’t marry a stranger’

People, among them local Russians and recently arrived Ukrainian refugees, celebrate Orthodox Easter Sunday mass at the Russian Orthodox St. George Monastery, on April 24, 2022 in Goetschendorf, Germany.

The story of Lent and when the Christian observance officially ends

Muslims around the world have begun to observe the month of Ramadan - but will the customs be affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis?

How Muslims will be affected by the cost of living during Ramadan

Abstaining from wine for Lent proved to be a worthwhile challenge (Image: Adobe)

I’m not religious, but giving up wine has shown me the value of Lent Ben Lowry

The time of year when people across the UK chuck pancakes around their kitchens is almost upon us (image: Adobe)

Explainer Pancake Day’s connection to Easter explained - how to make sweet treat

A group of trainee cooks from the London School of National Cookery watch an expert toss a pancake on Shrove Tuesday in 1933 (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Explainer The origins of Shrove Tuesday - and how the world celebrates

Ash Wednesday is a Christian Holy Day and marks the first day of Lent

Explainer Ash Wednesday 2023: what is Holy Day and who observes it?

Church of England pledges £100 million to “address past wrongs” after its investment fund was found to have historic links to slavery. Credit: Getty Images

Church of England made £724m from slave trade companies, report finds

Pope Benedict XVI’s coffin will be interred today (image: AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI final resting place: where it is and visiting hours

Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis leads a Feast of the Epiphany service at Greek Orthodox Church of St Michael the Archangel on January 9, 2022 in Margate, England.

Explainer Epiphany 2023: Christian celebration explained

Saying goodbye to Christmas is never easy, but tradition says we have to do so this week (image: Getty Images)

When you should take your Christmas tree down, according to tradition

The Islamic Holy Month is expected to begin on Wednesday 22 March 2023

Explainer Ramadan 2023 - key dates and traditions explained

Pope Benedict XVI wears the Papal Tiara (AFP via Getty Images)

History behind the papal tiara as Pope Benedict XVI laid to rest

Hanukkah is Jewish festival for family and friends to celebrate (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Explainer When is Hanukkah 2022? Jewish festival explained

(Photos: Getty Images)

The meaning behind IR Iran national football team’s name explained

The date of Yom Kippur 2022, why people fast and greetings

Shania Twain shared why a dinner with Oprah Winfrey turned ‘sour'

Shania Twain recounts why dinner with Oprah Winfrey went ‘sour’

Goddess Durga is celebrated in the Hindu festival Navratri

Navratri 2022: the Hindu festival explained

Men make adjustments on an umbrella equiped with lights before the start of a religious procession on the occasion of 'Dussehra' festival in Allahabad on September 21, 2022

This year’s date of Indian festival Dussehra - and how it’s celebrated

Hindu devotees arrive to pay their respect on the occasion of the 'Janmashtami' festival marking the birth of Hindu God Lord Krishna

The Hindu festival Krishna Janmashtami in 2022 - traditions explained

James Lovelock: Gaia hypothesis creator dies on 103rd birthday

Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair following knee treatment in June 2022 (Pic: AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis: who is the Pontiff, how old is he and will he retire?

Lag Baomer can be celebrated with bonfires (Pic:Getty)

Lag Ba’omer: when is Jewish festival 2022 and how is it celebrated?

A view of a giant Vesak day display featuring a seated Buddha during the annual Buddhist festival of Vesak in Colombo

Vesak Day 2022: The dates and history of the Buddhist festival

Israeli youths dressed in memorabilia depicting the Israeli flag watch fireworks over the centre of Jerusalem

Yom HaAtzmaut: the Israeli Independence Day and its celebrations

The ninth month in the Islamic calendar is Ramadan which holds several significant dates

The important dates in Ramadan including the Night of Power and more

Muslim men pray at Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden on February 18, 2011 in London, England.

Key Ramadan timings for Muslims across the UK

Ramadan is due to start in April 2022, with the exact date of the Islamic holy month determined by the sighting of a crescent moon.

Ramadan moon sighting explained and when holy month is likely to begin

From apartheid to how boring he felt fishing was - these are some of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s most memorable quotes (image: AFP/Getty Images)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu quotes: Christian leader’s best lines

Flowers left for Sabina Nessa at the scene of the crime in Cator Park, Kidbrooke. Credit: Lynn Rusk

Muslim women fearful after Sabina Nessa’s murder