Today, Christianity is recognized as one of the world’s most widely practiced religions, with roughly 2.5 billion adherents around the globe. With such a widespread presence across numerous cultures, there are many unique customs and traditions expressed within the faith. Regardless of the cultural and geographical differences, Christianity celebrates key theological events, anniversaries, and days of special importance on a universal basis, allowing believers from around the world to come together and rejoice.
Notable days include Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, and the Adoration of the Magi. All of these are celebrated, in some form or another, all around the world. Christmas is celebrated, with much pomp and pageantry, as the day said to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. Easter is celebrated as a day of resurrection and Pentecost is marked as the day the Holy Spirit descended and unveiled the gifts of the Spirit.
The Adoration of the Magi is also celebrated, marking the visit of the three wise men, said to have come from afar, bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. Through their offering, these three men spoke of the true meaning of Christmas, that of showing love and kindness to others and of sacrificial giving of self. Finally, All Saints’ Day is celebrated and observed in almost every corner of the world. This day is dedicated to the memory of saints, martyrs and those who have passed on but continue to live in the hearts of many.
There are, of course, a multitude of other Christian festivities and traditions, the celebration of which is dependant upon culture, locality and ritualistic practice. But what is at the heart of all of them? The answer lies in the very essence of Christianity, which is to love and worship God, as well as to care for and look after our fellow human beings. Genuine Christian devotion and celebration devolve into acts of generosity and kindness towards others, echoing the loving sacrifice of Christ himself.
No matter how one chooses to celebrate this special day, it should always be done in a spirit of joy, lightheartedness and solemnity; the glory of these important occasions must be remembered and shared amongst the entire Christian community. On these days, families gather together to partake in festivities, reflecting on times past and times yet to come. Delicious foods, stories and music are shared, as are memories of all who have gone before us.
On this day, in this moment, the Christian world unites to remember and share in its history. This rich and powerful tradition brings together people from all walks of life, in all corners of the globe, to celebrate the very essence of the faith and to give thanks for all the many blessings that have been bestowed.
Veneration of the Cross
It’s Good Friday, a day of intense veneration within the Christian faith. The Veneration of the Cross is one of the oldest traditions within Christianity and is celebrated worldwide. Combined with its observance on Good Friday, this ceremony is a profound and deeply symbolic statement of faith. The cross reminds Christians of the immense suffering of Jesus Christ, and serves to remind them to put their faith in Him. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder to share His message of love and compassion with their fellow human beings.
In the Catholic faith, for example, the Veneration of the Cross is a solemn procession taking place in churches around the world. It is typically conducted at two different times of day. During the ceremony, the priest will carry a large, ornamental cross and lead the faithful in prayer and song. The faithful then come forth to reverently touch and kiss the cross, expressing their reverence and proclaiming faith in the power of God’s sacrifice on their behalf.
In recent years, even non-Christians have begun to observe this tradition. Over the years, many non-Christians have come to recognize the power of the cross, and the love and sacrifice that it symbolizes. In light of this, it’s not surprising to find individuals of all faiths taking part in the Veneration of the Cross.
Holy Communion
In celebration of Christianity and its unique customs, every believer should take part in Holy Communion. It’s an important ritual, wherein a person eats either bread or wine, or both, in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Holy Eucharist, as it is also known, represents the Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples on Maundy Thursday.
With bread being a symbol of Christ’s body and wine symbolizing His blood, the Holy Communion serves to remind all adherents of the great sacrifice made by Jesus, who gave His body as food and His blood as drink, in order to atone for the sins of humanity.
Holy Communion is practiced all over the world by Christians of various denominations. Whether the host is bread or wafers, it is blessed by the presiding priest or pastor and is eaten by all members of the congregation, signifying their participation in the covenant that Jesus made with His disciples, with each other and with God.
Aside from signifying a great act of love and sacrifice, the Holy Communion serves to remind of the great responsibility that comes with being a part of the Church. This act of love is a stepping stone towards fulfilling one’s mission in this life, and a reminder of the importance of placing one’s faith above all else.
Consecration of the Cure of Souls
In his First Letter to Timothy 4:14, the Apostle Paul states “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.” This laying on of hands is an act known as Consecration of the Cure of Souls and is an integral part of the Christian faith.
In its traditional ritualistic form, the ordained person will kneel before the ordaining bishop, then the bishop places his hands on the head of the ordained, or “lays on of hands”. This symbolizes the passing of spiritual authority from the bishop to the disciple. At this point, the bishop will then offer a prayer that the ordained may live a holy and consecrated life, and that the Holy Spirit will be with them.
In recent times, this tradition has been adapted to suit different Christian denominations. However, the general principle of the act remains the same. It is a symbol of the respect and reverence that is due to the Christian faith, as well as a sign of the believer’s commitment to serve the church and to spread the word of God. Despite the wide variety of interpretations, it is a custom that is observed in almost every part of the world.
Holy Baptism
Holy Baptism is one of the seven Christian sacraments and is considered to be a sacred ceremony. It is often celebrated in water, such as in a lake, river or lake, and typically involves a priest, a godparent and the newly baptised. During the course of the baptism, the priest blesses the water and recites passages from the Bible. He also anoints the person to be baptised with oil, and the godparent will also offer a wedding prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is a public proclamation of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and serves to unify the believer with their local Christian community. It is often seen as a new birth and a way of expressing one’s determination to start afresh and serve God faithfully. It symbolizes washing away of sins, cleansing of the spirit and a complete re-birth into the life of a Christian.
Moreover, it is a symbol of the Holy Trinity and of being part of the larger communion of believers. This indicates that although one may be a single individual in many ways, they are also part of a unified whole, the Body of Christ. It is also a powerful reminder of the love of God and His eternal mercy, that no matter one’s sins, He has mercy and forgiveness for them.
Commemoration and Remembrance of Saints
Commemoration and Remembrance of Saints is an important ritual, carried out by many Christian denominations all around the world. It is a celebration of the lives and deeds of certain holy figures and serves to bring believers closer to God. It is a way of honouring those who have gone before us and offering prayers so that their souls might find peace in eternity. Through this act of veneration, all Christians are reminded of their spiritual obligation to imitate the lives of the saints in their own day-to-day lives.
The Feast of All Saints is likely the best known day of remembrance. It is typically celebrated on the first of November each year and is marked by Catholics around the world. During this time, churches are adorned with evergreen boughs to symbolize life and everlasting growth, as well as with artwork depicting scenes and portraits of saints. Parades and other festivities may also be organised in their honour.
However, such remembrances do not have to be restricted to special occasions. Christians can choose to commemorate their favourite saints whenever and however they wish. Whether it is through placing a portrait in one’s home or workplace, wearing a t-shirt or carrying a medal, saints can be remembered and venerated by believers at any time.
