Each week, RNS brings together a vibrant mix of photographs that highlight diverse religious practices from across the globe.
This week, we shine a spotlight on Christians’ prayers and the sacred journeys undertaken by followers of various faiths.
Rituals and Devotion
On December 16, 2024, in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba, devotees of Saint Lazarus, the protector of the sick, took part in heartfelt rituals during his annual feast.
Their devotion was on full display as they crawled towards his shrine, a dramatic act of self-discipline and reverence. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Over in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, crowds flocked to the iconic Sensoji Buddhist temple on December 18, 2024, immersing themselves in the rich traditions of the past. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
In response to a heart-wrenching shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, a candlelight vigil drew mourners to the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison on December 17, 2024, a poignant display of solidarity and remembrance. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
President Joe Biden was captured sharing a sweet moment with his grandson, Beau, during a festive Hanukkah celebration on December 16, 2024, held in the East Room of the White House alongside Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, First Lady Jill Biden, and Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Gathering in Prayer
In Bethlehem, on December 17, 2024, Christians gathered at the Church of the Nativity, a revered site thought to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Their prayers resonated with hope and anticipation for the Christmas season. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Meanwhile, in Konya, Turkey, on December 17, 2024, the Mevlevi order conducted their Sema prayer ceremonies.
Dervishes swirled gracefully in a mesmerizing display of spiritual devotion at a local stadium. (Photo by David I. Klein)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man paused on December 14, 2024, to pray along the scenic shores of the Sea of Galilee in Northern Israel, finding solace in a moment of connection with the divine. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
On December 18, 2024, near Damascus, Syrians gathered at the shrine of al-Sayydah Zeinab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed, to offer their prayers and seek blessings. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Cultural Spirituality
In El Alto, Bolivia, a ritual unfolded on December 17, 2024, as an Aymara Indigenous spiritual leader honored Pachamama, or Mother Earth.
By pouring alcohol onto coals, he performed a sacred tribute while overlooking the bustling city of La Paz. (AP Photo/Gaston Brito)
Lastly, on December 15, 2024, Pope Francis visited Corsica and celebrated Mass in Ajaccio’s Place d’Austerlitz, with the grand statue of Napoleon looming in the background, intertwining the sacred with the historical. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
These snapshots reflect a tapestry of faith, showing how different cultures express their spirituality through prayer and tradition.
Source: Religionnews
