Churches & Religion

Pope Francis walks past decorative flowers as he leaves Sunday after celebrating an Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the the Vatican.

Pope Francis, huge crowd joyously celebrate Easter

April 19, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

VATICAN CITY -- Marking Christianity's most hopeful day, Pope Francis made an Easter Sunday plea for peace and dialogue in Ukraine and Syria, for an end to terrorist attacks against Christians in Nigeria and for more attention to the hungry and neediest close to home. Read story

New Heights Church sound engineer Jonathan Dukes, bottom right, works the board during a Saturday evening service in early April.

Megachurches’ preparation for Easter even more intense than usual

April 19, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

Getting a megachurch ready for Easter Sunday is a little like getting ready for the Super Bowl: What's usually huge will be even huger. Read story

At barricades, insurgents in Ukraine await Easter

April 19, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

DONETSK, Ukraine -- Pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine on Saturday prepared to celebrate Orthodox Easter at barricades outside government offices seized in nearly a dozen cities, despite an international agreement to disarm and free the premises. Read story

Christian pilgrims hold candles at the church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, on Saturday during the ceremony of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem's Old City.

Holy fire ceremony draws thousands in Jerusalem

April 19, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

JERUSALEM -- The dark hall inside Christianity's holiest shrine was illuminated with the flames from thousands of candles on Saturday as worshippers participated in the holy fire ceremony, a momentous spiritual event in Orthodox Easter rites. Read story

The Rev. Arcadio Munoz gives absolution to a parishioner at St. Mary's Church in Dumont, N.J.

Catholics rethink confession

April 18, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- One of loneliest places in church these days is the confession line. The act of confessing one's sins, a requirement for Catholics, has sharply fallen over several decades with evolving views on sin, penance and the stature of the priesthood. Read story

Chicago whitefish shortage leaves many scrambling as Passover approaches

Robert's Fish Market worker Robert Schuffler, 97, watches Luis Fernandez, 58, left, and owner Arturo Venegas, 44, prepare fish at the fish market on West Devon Avenue in Chicago on Friday, April 11, 2014. Chicago-area fish suppliers are dealing with panicked cooks after a shortage of whitefish has left many scrambling to prepare the traditional, if sometimes dreaded, gefilte fish for Passover, which begins Monday evening.

Chicago-area fish suppliers are dealing with panicked cooks after a shortage of whitefish has left many scrambling to prepare the traditional, if sometimes dreaded, menu item for Passover, which begins Monday evening. Read story

Deaf rabbi’s spirit speaks clearly

Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe speaks to members of Temple Adat Elohim at a Nov. 29 service in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- As she has for the past 16 years, Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe lights the candles and recites the L'Kah Dodi during recent Friday night Shabbat services at Temple Adat Elohim. The prayer means "Come, my beloved" in Hebrew, a welcoming expression of joy for this holy moment. Read story

Serving Up Passover Tradition

Chabad Jewish Center hosts a special dinner and Seder Plate Display in advance of Passover (which begins April 14). The Seder Plate is a special ritualized plate that Jews use during Passover - commemoration of liberation from slavery & the flight from Egypt.

Chabad Jewish Center of Clark County hosted a special dinner and display of Seder plates Friday in advance of Passover, which begins April 14. The Seder plate is a special ritualized plate that Jews use during Passover -- an eight-day festival that commemorates the escape of the Israelites from slavery… Read story

Bishops celebrate Mass along Mexico border

Cardinal Sean O'Malley blesses a family after mass Tuesday along the international border wall in Nogales, Ariz.

NOGALES, Ariz. -- Roman Catholic leaders made a rare visit to the border and celebrated Mass on Tuesday in the shadow of the fence separating the U.S. and Mexico, offering Holy Communion through the steel barrier to people on the Mexican side as they sought to bring attention to the… Read story