Christian traditions

Christian traditions span the globe, from Ethiopian Orthodox fasts and Filipino Simbang Gabi to Swedish Lucia, Mexican posadas, Easter in Greece and the harvest services of Britain.

Christian traditions span the globe, from Ethiopian Orthodox fasts and Filipino Simbang Gabi to Swedish Lucia, Mexican posadas, Easter in Greece and the harvest services of Britain. They centre on Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, Pentecost, saints' days and the sacraments of baptism, communion, marriage and burial. Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Pentecostal churches each have their customs, and local cultures have shaped them in distinct ways. Here they are described with respect for the believers who keep them, and for the variety of ways of keeping them.

The church year

The year begins with Advent and builds to Christmas, then Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, followed by Pentecost and the long season of ordinary time. Saints' days mark local patrons, and many towns have a patronal feast with a procession and fair. Orthodox churches keep their own calendar, so Christmas falls on 7 January in several countries. Fasting seasons shape food, and feasts follow.

Around the world

Christians in different countries have made the faith their own: the dawn masses of the Philippines, the carols of Wales, the gospel choirs of the American South, the white-clad pilgrims of Lalibela, the Corpus Christi carpets of flowers in Spain, and the Nativity scenes of Naples. These customs combine faith with local food, music and craft, and are among the most visible traditions of the world.

About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background on Christian (faith). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

🇪🇬 EgyptHermetic Qabalah A Western esoteric tradition blending Kabbalah, astrology, tarot and classical mythSpiritual

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreRemoval of footwear indoors The widespread custom of leaving outdoor shoes at the door for cleanliness and respectEtiquette

🇧🇪 Geraardsbergen, BelgiumKrakelingen and Tonnekensbrand A bread throw and a hilltop bonfire that close the winter in GeraardsbergenFestival

🇧🇴 San Ignacio de Moxos, BoliviaIchapekene Piesta A four-day festival of dance, feathers and procession in San Ignacio de Moxos, BoliviaFestival

🇧🇦 Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina and 1 moreMedjugorje International Youth Festival A six-day August gathering of Catholic youth in Medjugorje, Bosnia and HerzegovinaFestival 🇦🇱 Gjirokastër, Albania and 5 moreDodola and Perperuna A rainmaking ritual kept across Southeast Europe, where children dressed in greenery lead processions to call for summerSpiritual

🇬🇹 Antigua Guatemala, GuatemalaHoly Week in GuatemalaSemana Santa Street processions of floats, purple-robed penitents and sawdust carpets in GuatemalaSpiritual

🇩🇪 Wittenberg, Germany and 1 moreVersus populum A liturgical stance where the priest celebrates Mass facing the congregation from the opposite side of the altar.Spiritual

🇷🇴 Bucharest, Romania and 2 moreCaloian A Romanian rainmaking and fertility ritual centered on the creation, funeral, and rebirth of a clay effigy.Festival

🇩🇪 Germany and 1 moreRäucherkerze A scented incense cone burned in German and Czech homes during the Christmas season to fill rooms with fragrance.Festival

🇵🇱 Poland and 3 morePodłaźniczka A decorated evergreen branch hung over the Christmas Eve table in Poland and SlovakiaFestival

🇸🇾 Syria and 3 moreMystery of Crowning A ritual where crowns are placed on the heads of the bride and groom during marriage in Eastern Christian churches.Rite of passage

🇲🇽 Tlayacapan, MexicoChinelos Masked dancers from Morelos who spoof colonial manners at CarnivalPerformance

🇷🇸 Serbia and 3 moreLazariceлазарице A spring procession of girls in flower wreaths, singing door to door before Palm SundaySpiritual

🇬🇧 United KingdomRacial Justice Sunday A day of prayer and action for racial justice observed by British Christian churches in February.Spiritual

🇦🇲 Armenia and 4 moreBlessing of the Throats A Christian prayer rite touching throats with crossed candles for protection from illnessSpiritual

🇷🇸 Serbia and 5 moreĐurđevdanЂурђевдан A spring festival and feast of Saint George kept across the Balkans and Eastern EuropeFestival · Feasts and festival meals

🇮🇹 Avezzano, ItalyFeast of the Madonna di PietraquariaMadonna di Pietraquaria A three-day spring festival in Avezzano marked by neighborhood bonfires, a street fair, and a mountain-to-city processioFestival 🇸🇰 SlovakiaJasličkári A Slovak Christmas custom of young men acting out the Nativity from house to houseFestival 🇮🇹 Montepulciano, ItalyBravio delle botti An annual uphill wine barrel race between the eight historic districts of MontepulcianoGame

🇧🇪 BelgiumMarches of Entre-Sambre-et-MeuseMarches de l'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse Folk processions with armed escorts in Belgian villages, kept from May to OctoberSpiritual · Tea, coffee and drinking ceremonies

🇫🇷 Cayenne, FranceCarnival of French Guiana A weeks-long carnival of masked balls and parades, from Epiphany to Mardi GrasFestival

🇳🇬 Uyo, NigeriaAkwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival A large annual gathering of carol singers in Nigeria that holds a Guinness World Record for the largest assembly.Festival

🇱🇹 LithuaniaLithuanian cross craftingLietuvos kryždirbystė A Lithuanian folk art of carving wooden crosses that blend Christian faith with ancient Baltic symbols.Craft

🇩🇪 Germany and 5 moreSaint Nicholas Boots out on 6 December: sweets for good children, a switch for the restFestival · Sweets given and shared

🇺🇸 United StatesUnity candle A modern wedding ritual where two flames join to ignite a single central candleRite of passage

🇱🇺 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg and 3 moreOktavMuttergottesoktav A two-week annual Marian pilgrimage and festival in Luxembourg CitySpiritual · Tea-time and snacking customs

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreBridesmaid The companions and attendants who support a bride during a weddingRite of passage 🇮🇸 IcelandIcelandic weddings A blend of church rites and long feasts, where guests sit by family lines and gifts are saved for the morning.Rite of passage · Dinner

🇵🇭 Philippines and 1 moreMass of the Lord's Supper An evening liturgy marking the start of the Easter Triduum and recalling Jesus' final meal with his followers.Spiritual

🇺🇸 United StatesPre-Cana Meetings and courses Catholic couples take before a wedding, often called Pre-CanaRite of passage

🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreArab weddingزفاف or عرس A series of ceremonies marking marriage in Arab culture, blending religious rites with regional customs.Rite of passage · Feasts and festival meals

🇹🇳 La Goulette, TunisiaOur Lady of Trapani procession (Tunis) A Catholic festival in La Goulette honoring the Virgin Mary, once shared by Christians and Muslims.Festival

🇲🇬 Antananarivo, MadagascarSavika Traditional Betsileo zebu wrestling and courtship rite in MadagascarGame

🇷🇺 Russia and 5 moreRussian superstitions Everyday omens, etiquette rules, and household rituals observed across RussiaFolklore

🇨🇱 Tarapacá, ChileFestival of San Lorenzo An annual festival of religious dance and pilgrimage honoring Saint Lawrence in TarapacáSpiritual

🇮🇸 IcelandChristmas in IcelandJól A winter festival of mountain folklore, family feasts and thirteen mischievous visitorsFestival · Dinner 🇪🇹 Ethiopia and 1 moreFilsetaፍልሰታ A fifteen-day fast and feast honouring the Dormition and Assumption of MarySpiritual · Fasting and breaking the fast

🇨🇻 Cape Verde and 1 moreKola San Jon A Cabo Verdean street festival of dance, drumming, and devotion to Saint JohnFestival 🇸🇰 SlovakiaName days in SlovakiaMeniny The Slovak tradition of celebrating personal name days alongside birthdaysSeasonal

🇮🇹 Turin, Italy and 5 moreMary Help of ChristiansSancta Maria Auxilium Christianorum A Christian feast and devotion honouring Mary as a protector, observed on 24 MaySpiritual

🇦🇲 ArmeniaIşlic A tall felt cap worn by Danubian boyars to show their rank and public officeDress

🇪🇸 Córdoba, Spain and 5 moreFiesta de las Cruces A May festival where communities decorate crosses with flowers and crafts to celebrate faith and local heritage.Festival 🇵🇬 Port Moresby, Papua New GuineaRepentance Day An annual public holiday of prayer and national reflection across Papua New GuineaSpiritual

🇮🇹 Gubbio, Italy and 1 moreSaint Ubaldo DayFesta dei Ceri A May procession in Gubbio where three teams carry tall wooden ceri to a hilltop basilicaSpiritual 🇬🇧 United KingdomJack o' Lent An English Lenten custom of abusing and burning a straw figureSeasonal 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreKingdomtide An autumn liturgical season focusing on Christ's reign in heaven and on earthSpiritual

🇵🇹 PortugalMissas do Parto Nine morning Masses in Madeira that follow Mary through the last days of her pregnancySpiritual · Feasts and festival meals

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Zajal: 13th century artist, Public domain, source
Russian superstitions: Сергей Чеботарёв, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Mass of the Lord's Supper: Leonardo da Vinci, Public domain, source
Our Lady of Trapani procession (Tunis): IssamBarhoumi, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Mary Help of Christians: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Fiesta de las Cruces: Michelangelo-36, Public domain, source
Saint Ubaldo Day: Marco Riccardini, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Assumption of Mary: Jebulon, CC0, source
Removal of footwear indoors: Sarang, Public domain, source
Medjugorje International Youth Festival: Piotr Frydecki, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Chinelos: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Christmas in Iceland: Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, source
Kola San Jon: Dvfernandes, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Işlic: Louis Dupré, Public domain, source
Missas do Parto: Porto Bay Events, CC BY 2.0, source
Hermetic Qabalah: Jean-Louis Durant (1654-1718), Public domain, source
Versus populum: Stebunik, CC BY 4.0, source
Caloian: Costică Acsinte Archive, No restrictions, source
Mystery of Crowning: Shakko, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Holy Week in Guatemala: derivative work: Sir James ( talk ) VolcanAguaPascuas.jpg :Infrogmatio, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Räucherkerze: Richard Huber, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand: Jan Coppens at nl.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 1.0, source
Lazarice: Svetlina bov at Bulgarian Wikipedia, Public domain, source
Podłaźniczka: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Carnival of French Guiana: Didwin973, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival: MediaMOF, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Festival of San Lorenzo: Freddy Alexander Bugueño Tolmo, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Đurđevdan: Anonymous Russian icon painter (before 1917) Public domain image (acco, Public domain, source
Marches of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse: Hoebele, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Unity candle: Dvillasmil, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Bridesmaid: Photographer not credited; relative or work for hire of relative., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Savika: Obiniaina RANDRIANADRASANA, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Racial Justice Sunday: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Feast of the Madonna di Pietraquaria: Marica Massaro, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Lithuanian cross crafting: Vilensija, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Saint Nicholas: Chmee2, CC BY 3.0, source
Oktav: Daderot, CC0, source
Ichapekene Piesta: Viaje al corazón de Bolivia, CC BY 2.0, source