CHRISTIANITY SECTION B
Topic 2 Special Days and Pilgrimages
Thinking about the Christian seasons
This short interactive quiz will enable you to become familiar with
the Christian seasons and days. (Entry level)
Links to the festivals of the Christian year.
SUNDAY AS A SPECIAL DAY
Sunday observance The website of the Lord's Day
Observance Society. This group is dedicated to keeping Sunday
as a special
day each week. Look at FAQs for "why Christians ought to keep Sunday."
Facts about Sunday
A quick trip through the main ideas.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Some interesting ideas associated with Christmas.
Christmas
History, traditions and customs of Christmas. Very thorough. Don't be put off by
the childish graphics.
LENT
Lent and its customs
The notes on this site are heavy going but contain some fine details.
Palm Cross How to make a palm cross.
GOOD FRIDAY
Stations of the Cross
A good link which describes the origin, history and practice of the "Stations".
There is also a useful table which gives the biblical origin, where applicable.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross are described. A good site for GCSE. There is a section on
"Why the Stations of the Cross are done."
LENT AND EASTER
Lent and Easter
History, symbols and traditions of Lent and Easter are dealt with by this site.
The Easter Story Detailed teaching
about Easter from a Catholic source. Thorough!
Easter Festival and Customs
This is an incredibly useful site about Easter. Everything you ever wanted to
know. eg How the date of Easter is calculated...why an Easter Bunny etc.
PENTECOST
Learning the story of Pentecost
See how you get on with this short quiz which aims to teach the story from
Acts of the Apostles chapter 2 verses 1-13.
Pentecost An article
from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Well Dressing
This ancient custom found mainly in the English Peak District and surrounding areas
takes place from Whitsuntide (Pentecost) onwards.
Whit Walks
Another custom found mainly in the industrial areas of North West England is the "Whit Walk".
Local churches combine to have a parade. Brass bands accompany the walkers and the church
banners are carried in procession round the town.
Speaking in tongues This phenomenon, which is said to be a sign of the Holy Spirit
is usally found in Pentecostal or charismatic churches. This site has some clear definitions, but is clearly a church that
is sympathetic towards the practice.
Pilgrimage General
Pilgrims' Progress This site
is a general introduction to the topic of pilgrimage, but also has good links
to specific places of interest.
Pilgrimage sites in the UK
Walsingham - The Anglican Shrine
Walsingham - the Roman Catholic
Shrine
Walsingham Norfolk
Walsingham Shrine and Pilgrimage A very
comprehensive site. It provides a virtual pilgrimage.
Saint Cuthbert Pilgrimages
This is a bit unusual but in the North of England, Cuthbert has a significant following and there is much to learn here about pilgrimage.
St Cuthbert's Way The home page of a long distance walk, but there are many useful links.
Life of St Cuthbert A good article taken from the Melrose Historical Society.
Ireland
Knock Southern Ireland Shrine of Our Lady
Lough Derg - St Patrick's Purgatory
Croagh Patrick
Patrick's holy mountain. A good photograph with a note about it.
France
Lourdes - Pilgrims for healing
Lourdes A Roman Catholic
site dedicated to Lourdes. Good photos.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes This site belongs to Catholic Pilgrims .com.
It's more than a brochure though.
Good photographs and a clear description about the place.
Israel
Galilee
A number of photographs of the Sea of Galilee.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem Suggested sites in the city for pilgrims.
Jerusalem Tour Any site with a name like "Jerusalem I love you" produces a reaction of caution, but this is the best Jerusalem site I have found. Sensible amounts of text and stunning photographs. Five Star Rating!
Church of the Holy Sepulchre A detailed website on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Easter Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
Gavin Drake went on an Easter pilgrimage and recorded his thoughts for BBC Stoke and Staffodshire. It is a good article. A shame he took so few photographs.
Rome
Roman catacombs This is a fascinating site. You could get as lost on it as you could in the catacombs themselves. Nevertheless, the pictures are remarkable. It is a must if you are considering Rome as a place of pilgrimage.