Religions Around The World

In the early morning hours, monks can be seen walking on their alms round in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Showing humility and detachment from worldly goods, the monk walks slowly and only stops if he is called. Standing quietly, with his bowl open, the local Buddhists give him rice, or flowers, or an envelope containing money.  In return, the monks bless the local Buddhists and wish them a long and fruitful life.
Christians Celebrate Good Friday
Enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in St. Mary's Church in Secunderabad, India. Only 2.3% of India's population is Christian. 
Ancient interior mosaic in the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Istanbul, Turkey is a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church.
Dome of the Rock located in the Old City of Jerusalem
The site's great significance for Muslims derives from traditions connecting it to the creation of the world and to the belief that the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey to heaven started from the rock at the center of the structure.
Holi Festival in Mathura, India
Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the end of winter. Also known as the “festival of colors”,  Holi is primarily observed in South Asia but has spread across the world in celebration of love and the changing of the seasons.
Jewish father and daughter pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
Known in Hebrew as the Western Wall, it is one of the holiest sites in the world. The description, "place of weeping", originated from the Jewish practice of mourning the destruction of the Temple and praying for its rebuilding at the site of the Western Wall.
People praying in Mengjia Longshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan
The temple is dedicated to both Taoism and Buddhism.
People praying in the Grand Mosque in Ulu Cami
This is the most important mosque in Bursa, Turkey and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture built in 1399.
Savior Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius
Located in Suzdal, Russia, this is a church rite of sanctification of apples and grapes in honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in Kyoto, Japan
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. Fushimi Inari is the most important Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Ladles at the purification fountain in the Hakone Shrine
Located in Hakone, Japan, this shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine.  At the purification fountain, ritual washings are performed by individuals when they visit a shrine. This ritual symbolizes the inner purity necessary for a truly human and spiritual life.
Hanging Gardens of Haifa are garden terraces around the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel
They are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Báb is where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been buried; it is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Bahá'ís.
Pilgrims praying at the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality and Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, India, the Golden Temple is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. It is a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily.
Entrance gateway of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Kowloon
Located in Hong Kong, China, the temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong. The Taoist temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get" via a practice called kau cim.
Christian women worship at a church in Bois Neus, Haiti.
Haiti's population is 94.8 percent Christian, primarily Catholic. This makes them one of the most heavily Christian countries in the world.

World Religions News

The Simple “Doomscrolling Replacement Kit” That Helps Me Unplug

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” ~Anne Lamott

You know that familiar routine: an exhausting day at work, a long commute, children, errands, messages, dinner, and notifications.

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OCP hires Dr. Richard W. Robbins to expand choral programming

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) is pleased to announce that Dr. Richard W. Robbins has joined OCP in the newly created role of Choral Editor and Market Development Manager. Robbins’ addition to the team marks a new phase in the company’s commitment to expand its choral offerings. The OCP Choral website launched in 2024, making it easy for choirs to find OCP’s high quality sacred choral music repertoire, featuring hundreds of titles suited to ensembles of all sizes and abilities. Exciting composer partnerships have since produced a range of new series in a variety of styles and genres. Robbins will assist in the promotion and development of more OCP Choral series and composer partnerships, producing repertoire for a broad choral audience in and outside the Church.

Richard W. Robbins is the Director and James Erb Choral Chair of the Richmond Symphony Chorus. A conductor, scholar, and educator, he has led professional, collegiate, church, school, community, and early music ensembles. His background includes service as a tenured professor of choral music and as an award-winning high school choir director, and his work includes conference appearances, all-state and festival choirs, and international conducting residencies. He holds doctoral and master’s degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Richard to the OCP team,” said Angela Westhoff-Johnson, OCP Director of Product Development. “His work is widely praised in the choral community, and he brings a wealth of experience across church, academic, and professional music environments. He will be instrumental as OCP continues to grow our choral repertoire and resources.”

Robbins’ diverse background equips him with a deep understanding of the evolving needs of today’s choirs. In his new role, he will lead efforts to strengthen OCP’s engagement with directors, educators, and ensembles across a wide spectrum of choral settings.

“I’m delighted to be joining OCP,” Robbins said. “I have been struck by the beauty and craft of so much of OCP’s choral music, and I’m excited to help introduce more choirs to the new series being developed through OCP Choral.”

Robbins’ appointment reflects OCP’s ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership in sacred and choral music publishing.

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About OCP
OCP is a not-for-profit publisher of sacred music and liturgical resources based in Lake Oswego, Oregon. In operation for more than 100 years, OCP produces music and worship programs used in Catholic churches and faith communities across the United States and worldwide. Learn more at ocp.org.

Contact:
Paul Gilberto
OCP
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.

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