Vatican to unveil nativity scene celebrating the 800th anniversary of the crèche
Vatican CityRNS A life-size crèche representing the nativity will be unveiled at St Peter’s Square on Saturday, celebrating the 800th anniversary of a Catholic tradition long since adopted by Christians across denominations. The crèche has enjoyed great popularity in Italy and beyond ever since St Francis of Assisi created the first one in 1223 in […]
Vatican unveils Nativity scene and lights up tree for Christmas
Vatican CityRNS Let there be light. The 30-metre-tall spruce placed just off-centre in Saint Peter’s Square was lit during a small and socially distanced ceremony on Friday as prelates invoked a spirit of peace and encounter after a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, a light will also illuminate the Holy Family in […]
ESSAY: HOW ST FRANCIS CREATED THE NATIVITY SCENE, WITH A MIRACULOUS EVENT IN 1223
In an article first published on The Conversation, VANESSA CORCORAN, adjunct professor of history at Georgetown University, looks at the history of the Nativity scene – and St Francis’ role in it…
Church in Vietnam ordered to take down nativity scene
St Joseph’s Cathedral in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi has also faced challenges over ownership of the land next to the church which led to protests in 2008. PICTURE: World Watch Monitor. One of the highlights at this time of year for the citizens of communist Vietnam is to go to see often highly elaborate temporary ‘constructions’ […]