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Good Friday is the day on which Jesus died on the cross. He was crucified at 9 a.m. in the morning, and died six hours later, at 3pm. It is the most solemn day in the Christian year, and is widely marked by the removal of all decorations from churches. In Lutheran churches, the day...

Thousands of Russian Orthodox Christians have been urging Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to reinstate a very popular priest in the capital, the Revd Alexei Uminsky, who has refused to recite an official prayer for Russia’s victory over Ukraine. An open letter, which attracted more than 11,000 signatures, including the heads of local charities, says: “The...

Luke’s account of the crucifixion (Luke 23:32-43) emphasises the mocking of the crowd, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself’ (35,37,39). In their view a Messiah does not hang on a cross and suffer. In considering the two men who were crucified with Jesus, we are also confronted with the issue of...

There is less television being devoted to religion and ethics than there used to be. A lot less. The latest statistics from Ofcom, the industry regulator reveal a dramatic reduction in television programmes about ‘religion and ethics’ broadcast by the public-service broadcasting networks (PSBs): BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Comparing 2022 with 2011,...

In the Nicene Creed we say ‘We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.’ In the gospel accounts of the resurrection there is a lot of looking and seeing. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome went early to the tomb. They saw the stone...

The Mothers’ Union has launched ‘Make A Mother’s Day’, its annual Mothering Sunday fundraising campaign. It hopes to raise funds to support the MU’s global community projects, which “transform lives every day.” The MU says: “We know how important mothers, caregivers and grandmothers are, and how much they do to help their children, families and...

Easter Eve is the last day of Lent. It is the day between Good Friday and Easter Day, and represents the one full day that Jesus was dead. It is a day of quiet reflection and anticipation for Christians worldwide. In various church traditions it is known as Easter Eve, Holy Saturday, the Great Sabbath,...

 ‘And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well…  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’  (from Matthew 5) I love a good courtroom drama. Some of us will remember the television series...

It was: 750 years ago, on 7th March 1274 that St Thomas Aquinas, Italian Dominican friar, Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian, died. 500 years ago, on 19th March 1524 that Florentine explorer Giovanni de Varrazano became the first European to reach the Atlantic coast of North America. He reached North Carolina, continued northwards to New...

This Easter marks the 150th birthday of this much-loved hymn, sung each year by millions of Christians worldwide.  It all began on a little pump organ in the living room of a college professor in Pennsylvania, back in 1874. Robert Lowry was professor of literature at Bucknell University, and pastor of a nearby church. He...

More than 365 million Christians worldwide now face persecution and discrimination for their faith. Entire Christian communities face extinction in some parts of the world. Those in sub-Saharan Africa are especially at risk, because of increasingly authoritarian regimes and violence. So warns the latest global study of persecution. The World Watch List 2024 is compiled...

And his ladder to Paradise Is there something down at, say, B&Q, which reminds your friends of you?   John Climacus (d 649) had a thing about ladders.  He was a monk in Palestine who was only seen out at the weekends (at church, not B&Q); during the week he prayed and wrote in solitude. He...