What is Advent Sunday and why do churches mark it?

What is Advent Sunday and why do churches mark it?

The fourth Sunday before Christmas is called Advent Sunday. It falls at the start of December, or sometimes as in 2025, at the end of November. In churches of many denominations, Advent marks the coming of the Christmas season. This is the story …

Headlines

Christian ethos in NI schools will be maintained, Education Minister promises after RE ruling

Some schools were concerned that they could not put on the traditional Nativity play after the UK Supreme Court ruling.

RE, Religious Education

Nigerian president declares nationwide security emergency after repeated attacks on Christians

The security forces have so far failed to stem the violence.

Kano city in Nigeria.

Kidnapped Anglican priest dies in captivity in Nigeria

Amid a rash of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, an Anglican priest in Nigeria abducted along with his wife and daughter has died in captivity, leaders of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion announced on Wednesday.

Nigeria
Spotlight

Government neutrality on assisted suicide in question after 'irregular' Lords move

Assisted suicide remains a highly controversial issue.

Houses of Parliament
World
Chongyi Church, Hangzhou, China
WCC strengthens relations with official Chinese churches

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed gratitude for a meeting with Christian organisations in China.

Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Spotlight falls on discrimination against Christians in Turkey as Pope visits

A report by the European Centre for Law and Justice documents the continuing difficulties faced by Turkey’s Christian minority.

Egypt
Workshops attempt to eliminate endemic domestic violence in Egypt

One victim was told domestic violence was her cross to bear.

Pakistan
EU mission to review Pakistan’s human rights record

Rights activists urged the European Union to investigate widespread human rights violations in Pakistan, including persecution of religious minorities, ahead of a review starting Monday by a key EU mission monitoring the country’s eligibility for preferential trade terms.

News
advent, christmas
What is Advent Sunday and why do churches mark it?

The fourth Sunday before Christmas is called Advent Sunday. It falls at the start of December, or sometimes as in 2025, at the end of November. In churches of many denominations, Advent marks the coming of the Christmas season. This is the story …

Scotland, Scottish flag
Who was St Andrew and why is he important?

30 November is St Andrew’s day. He was the brother of St Peter, the first of Jesus’s disciples, and later an Apostle. This is the story …

Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia, The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church
Christianity under siege in the world’s oldest Christian nation

The government of the world’s oldest Christian nation, the first to raise the Cross above the crescent and the hammer and sickle alike, now persecutes its own clergy. The message is chilling: faith itself is a political crime in Armenia.

pastor, priest, Christianity, Bible, Bible study
Baptists seek to reverse decline in minister numbers

Baptist leaders are exploring ways to encourage and increase the recruitment of church ministers, following a decline of nearly a quarter in the last decade.

Diocese of Southwark
Tribunal upholds new safeguarding complaint against David Tudor

A new complaint against disgraced priest David Tudor has been upheld by a Southwark Diocese tribunal. 

Westminster Cathedral
The decades long exodus of Anglican clergy into Catholicism

Women priests and a papal visit in 2010 all helped ease the path to Rome.

pregnancy, pro-life, abortion
Pro-life group: end of two-child benefit cap will save more unborn babies from abortion

The benefits cap may have been a factor in some women's decisions to have an abortion.

Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch suggests too much welfare is unchristian

Being charitable to others was not the same thing as imposing "compulsory taxation in order to pay welfare", she argued.

Shaun OSullivan
Christian street preacher cleared in harassment case

A Christian street preacher who was accused of making Islamophobic comments to a Muslim family has been cleared of harassment charges. 

Nigeria
Nigerian Christians 'under siege' from constant attacks

Mervyn Thomas said the US was right to redesignate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” after an "unprecedented rise in insecurity".

Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique
Mozambique crisis deepens as Christians killed and thousands displaced in new wave of extremist attacks

At least four Christians were killed, including one who was beheaded, in recent attacks across Nampula province.

hope, life, dreams, faith, God, Heaven
Rediscovering childlike faith in a grown-up world

Growing up may have complicated life, but it doesn’t have to suffocate your faith.

Nigeria
Open letter demands Nigerian government do more to end persecution and violence

Nigerians have had enough of the government's failure to stop the endless violence.

Liberty University
Liberty University expands into Europe in response to growing secularism

"In the long term, secularism grows in Europe because we're not investing in teenagers and the next generation with Christian values," said Lucian Mustata, who is working with the university on its digital expansion into the region.

family, parenting, children
Budget: Christians welcome end of two-child benefits limit

Christians have responded positively to the announcement in the Budget on Wednesday that the two-child benefits cap is to be lifted from next April. 

The West Bank
Mounting concerns at Israeli settler attacks on Christians

Britain’s oldest serving MP has criticised the Israeli government for failing to prevent violence and intimidation against Christians in the West Bank.

Norman church in Little Ouseburn, Yorkshire
Government urged to support nation's historic churches

The Church of England is urging the government to step up financial support for historic churches and cathedrals after a new poll by Savanta found that many people use and appreciate them. 

Gaza
Archbishop of York denounces Israel's 'genocidal acts'

Support for Israel is a divisive topic among Christians, and has theological roots.

Benny Hinn
Televangelist Benny Hinn and wife, Suzanne, finalize divorce for a second time

More than a year after she filed for divorce from televangelist Benny Hinn, Suzanne Hinn's marriage to the popular faith-healer is now officially over for a second time in 46 years.