The World's Classic Religions

There are many religions around the world most of which stem from just twelve classic religions.

Shown below is a list of the twelve classic religions, followed by some religious facts and figures, then a list of major world religious holidays and a list of the most well known Christian saint's feast days.

BAHA'ISM

Baha'ism follows the teachings of the religion's founders Baha'ULlah, Abdul' I Baha, & Siyyid' Ali Muhammed Shiraza.

Baha'ism has no denominations

The holy books of Baha'ism are the Kitabi Aqdas and the Kitabi Iqban.

Followers of Baha'ism worship in a Temple.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism follows the teachings of Gautama Buddha.

Buddhism consists of the Mahayana, Prajna, Tantric, Theravada, Vajrayana, & Zen denominations.

The holy scriptures of Buddhism are the Scriptures of Buddha.

Followers of Buddhism worship in a Temple.

CHRISTIANITY

Christianity follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Christianity consists of the Anglican, Baptist, Calvin, Catholic, Coptic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Pentecostal, Presbytarian, Protestant, Quaker & Western Orthodox denominations.

The holy book of Christianity is the Bible.

Followers of Christianity worship in a Basilica, Cathedral, Chapel or Church.

CONFUCIANISM

Confucianism follows the teachings of Confucius.

Confucianism has no denominations.

The holy scriptures of Confucianism are the Scriptures of Confucius.

Followers of Confucianism worship in a Temple.

HINDUISM

Hinduism is not born of the teachings of any prophet or set of dogmas.

Hinduism consists of the Shavi, Shakti, Smarti & Vaishnav denominations.

The holy book of Hinduism is the Vedas.

Followers of Hinduism worship in a Temple.

ISLAMISM

Islamism follows the teachings of Mohammed.

Islamism consists of the Ahmadi, Alawi, Ibadi, Salafi, Shi'a, Sufi, Sunni & Wahabi denominations.

The holy book of Islamism is the Quran.

Followers of Islamism worship in a Mosque.

JAINISM

Jainism follows the teachings of the 24 TIRTHANKARAS, who are;

1 - Rishabha / Adinatha - Bull. 2 - Ajitanatha - Elephant. 3 - Sambhavanatha - Horse. 4 - Abhinandananatha - Monkey. 5 - Sumatinatha - Goose. 6 - Padmaprabha - Padma. 7 - Suparshvanatha - Swastika. 8 - Chandraprabha - Crescent Moon. 9 - Pushpadanta - Crocodile or Makara. 10 - Shitalanatha - Shrivatsa. 11 - Shreyanasanatha - Rhinoceros. 12 - Vasupujya - Buffalo. 13 - Vimalanatha - Boar. 14 - Anantanatha - Porcupine according to the Digambara / Falcon according to the Śvētāmbara. 15 - Dharmanatha - Vajra. 16 - Shantinatha - Antelope / Deer. 17 - Kunthunatha - Goat. 18 - Aranatha - Fish. 19 - Māllīnātha - Kalasha. 20 - Munisuvrata - Tortoise. 21 - Naminatha - Blue Lotus. 22 - Neminatha - Shankha. 23 - Parshvanatha - Snake. 24 - Mahavira - Lion.

Jainism consists of the Digambar & Svetambar denominations.

The holy book of Jainism is the Kalpasutra.

Followers of Jainism worship in a Temple.

JUDAISM

Judaism follows the teachings of Abraham.

Judaism consists of the Hasidic, Haskalah, Sephardic & Orthodox denominations.

The holy book of Judaism is the Torah.

Followers of Judaism worship in a Synagogue.

SHINTOISM

Shintoism follows the Kami elements of nature.

Shintoism has no denominations.

The holy book of Shintoism is the Kojiki.

Followers of Shintoism worship in a Shrine.

SIKHISM

Sikhism follows the teachings of the eleven Gurus or Prophet Masters of Nanak, Anghad, Amar Das, Ram Das, Arjan, Har Gobind, Har Rah, Har Krishnan, Tegh Bahadur, Gobind Singh & Granth Sahib.

Sikhism consists of the Namdhari & Udasi denominations.

The holy books of Sikhism are the Adi Granth & Dasam Granth.

Followers of Sikhism worship in a Temple.

TAOISM

Taoism follows the teachings of it's founder Lao Tzu.

Taoism has no denominations.

The holy book of Taoism is the Tao Te Ching.

Followers of Taoism worship in a Temple.

ZOROASTRIANISM

Zoroastrianism follows the teachings of Zoroaster.

Zoroastrianism consists of the Parsi & Irani denominations.

The holy book of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta.

Followers of Zoroastrianism worship in an Atash Behram.

SYNCRETIC RELIGIONS

A Syncretic religion is a faith which combines the teachings of one or more of the above classic religions. The Syncretic religions found around the world with the most followers are;

Druze, which consists of both Islamic and Judaism beliefs, and has around 2 million followers worldwide.

Gnosticism, which consists of both Christian and Zoroastrian beliefs, and has around 8 million followers worldwide.

Rastafarianism, which consists of both Christian and Judaism beliefs, and has around 1 million followers worldwide.

Santeria, which consists of both Yoruba and Catholic beliefs, and has around 75 million followers worldwide.

Vodou, which consists of both Vodun and Christian beliefs, and has around 20 million followers worldwide.

Yazdanism, which consists of both Islamic and Zoroastrian beliefs, and has around 15 million followers worldwide.

RELIGIOUS POPULATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

The world's classic religious populations are;

2.2 billion Christians.

1.8 billion Muslims.

1 billion Hindus.

376 million Buddhists.

23 million Sikhs.

14 million Jews.

7 million Baha' is.

4.2 million Jains.

4 million Shintos.

2.6 million Zoroastrians.

394 million Confucists.

173 million Taoists.

NATIONS WITH STATE RELIGIONS

Thirty countries and one autonomous region around the world have official state religions, that is a religion endorsed by the state, although most of them are tolerant of other religious groups, they are;

BUDDHISM - THEREVEDA - Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand.

BUDDHISM - VAJRAYANA - Bhutan.

BUDDHISM - MAHAYANA / TIBETAN BUDDHISM - Autonomous Region of Tibet.

CHRISTIANITY - CATHOLICISM - Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco.

CHRISTIANITY - ANGLICAN PROTESTANTISM - The Church of England.

CHRISTIANITY - LUTHERAN PROTESTANTISM - The Church of Denmark, The Church of Iceland.

EASTERN ORTHODOXY - Greece, Finland, Russia.

ISLAM - SHIA - Iran.

ISLAM - SUNNI - Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Comoros, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates.

JUDAISM - Israel.

THEOCRATIC NATIONS

Ten countries and one autonomous region around the world are theocracies, that is a country whose official government policies are governed by divine guidance pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religion. In these countries God is considered as the country's head of state. They are;

BUDDHISM - MAHAYANA - Autonomous Region of Tibet.

CHRISTIANITY - CATHOLOCISM - Vatican State.

ISLAM - IBADI - Oman.

ISLAM - NON DENOMINATIONAL - Iraq.

ISLAM - SHI'A - Iran.

ISLAM - SUNNI - Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.

ISLAM - WAHABI - Afghanistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.

NATIONS WITH SHARIA LAW

There are twenty eight Islamic countries around the world which combine their common and civil law systems with the Islamic Sharia law system.

The twenty countries which combine civil law with sharia law are - Afghanistan. Algeria. Bahrain. Comoros. Djibouti. Egypt. Eritrea. Indonesia. Iran. Jordan. Maldives. Morocco. Oman. Qatar. Saudi Arabia. Somalia. Sudan. Syria. Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

The eight countries which combine common law with sharia law are - Bangladesh. Brunei. Gambia. Malaysia. Mauritania. Mauritius. The northern states of Nigeria and Pakistan.

NATIONS WITH APOSTATE LAWS

Apostasy is the renunciation of one's religion. There are twenty two countries, all of which are Islamic, which make apostasy in Islam illegal, with punishments ranging from flogging, prison sentences, losing one's children, losing one's inheritance, losing one's citizenship or by way of the death penalty. These countries are;

Afghanistan - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Algeria - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Bahrain - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Brunei - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Egypt - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Indonesia - Where it is punishable by a prison term under blasphemy charges.

Iran - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Iraq - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Jordan - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Kuwait - Where it is punishable by the loss of one's children or inheritance.

Libya - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Malaysia - Where it is punishable by flogging.

Maldives - Where it is punishable by loss of citizenship.

Mauritania - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Morocco - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Oman - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Pakistan - Where it is punishable by a prison term under blasphemy charges.

Qatar - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Saudi Arabia - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

Syria - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

United Arab Emirates - Where it is punishable by a prison term.

Yemen - Where it is punishable by the death penalty.

SECULAR NATIONS

There are fifty three countries around the world which consider themselves secular, that is they do not have a state religion, although the country could well have a particular predominant religion. They are;

Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Cyprus, China, East Timor, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Korea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovenia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.

NON RELIGIOUS NATIONS

Fifteen per cent of the world's population - 1.1 billion people - proclaim to be non religious. The world's top five countries which between them make up the highest number of people in the world who consider themselves to be non believers are;

CHINA - With 82% of it's population.

JAPAN - With 71 % of it's population.

VIETNAM - With 44% of it's population

RUSSIAN FEDERATION - With 59% of it's population.

GERMANY - With 62% of it's population.

The world's top five countries with the highest percentage of their population who consider themselves to be non believers are:

SWEDEN - With 88% of the population.

DENMARK - With 83% of the population.

CHINA - With 82% of the population.

ESTONIA - With 78% of it's population.

NORWAY - With 78% of it's population.

MAJOR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD

ALL SAINTS DAY

All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows Day, is a Christian holiday which honours all Christian saints known and unknown, and is celebrated on November the 1st in most Catholic countries of Europe, Asia and South America.

For a list of national patron saints days visit our page - Patron saints of countries.

ASSUMPTION

This Christian holiday, which remembers the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven, is celebrated on August the 15th in most Catholic and Eastern Orthodox countries around the world.

BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY

This is an ever changing holiday held on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month in the Buddhist countries of India, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Vietnam except Japan, where his birthday is always celebrated on either the 8th of April or the 8th of May where it is not a public holiday.

Buddha's birthday in 2017 will be celebrated on the 3rd of May in South Korea, May the 10th in China and south east Asia and on June the 9th in Tibet.

(C)HANUKKAH

The Jewish Festival of Lights, which celebrates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, is celebrated on the Hebrew calendar date of 25th of Kislev / December.

This holiday will be held in 2017 between the dates of December the 12th and December 20th.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day - December 25th.

Christmas Day is Christianity's holiest day of the year and their largest festival which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Day is observed on December 25th in Albania, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzogovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, the entire American continent including north, south and central America, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malta, Malaysia, Moldova, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Although Bulgaria and Greece are Christian Orthodox countries they also celebrate Christmas Day on December the 25th.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (December the 25th to January the 6th) are observed in many Christian countries around the world, although the entire period is not considered as a public holiday.

COPTIC CHRISTMAS DAY

The Coptic Christmas Day, which is determined by countries which use the Coptic or Amharic calendar, is celebrated on the 7th of January, most generally in Egypt, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

CORPUS CHRISTI

This changing Christian holiday, which remembers the most holy body and blood of Christ, is celebrated as a public holiday in Catholic countries and is held on the first Thursday after Holy Trinity Sunday.

Corpus Christi 2017 will be held on June the 15th.

DIWALI

This changing Hindu holiday, which is also known as the Festival of Lights, which celebrates light over darkness, which spiritually means good over evil, hope over despair and knowledge over ignorance, is celebrated between mid October and mid November.

Diwali is celebrated as a public holiday in Fiji, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Suriname.

In 2017 Diwali will begin on October the 19th.

EASTER

This changing Christian holiday, which occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the 20th of March, also known as the Spring Equinox, remembers both the crucifixtion (Good Friday) and the resurrection (Easter Sunday) of Jesus Christ.

In 2017 Easter will be celebrated on;

Good Friday - April 14th.

Easter Sunday - April 16th.

Easter Bank Holiday Monday - April 17th.

EID AL- ADHA

This changing Islamic holiday, which remembers the trials and triumphs of Prophet Abraham, will be celebrated during 2017 on the 31st of August.

EID AL FITR

This Islamic feast day, which is also known as the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast, will be celebrated in 2017 on the 26th of June.

EPIPHANY

Epiphany is a Christian holy day which is celebrated on the 6th of January. Epiphany is also known as Twelth Day, Twelth Night and Old Christmas Day, celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being. Western Christians also commemorate the visit of the Magi (the three wise men) to the Baby Jesus on this day.

In Eastern Orthodox countries Epiphany is known as Theophany and is the day when they commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, seen as his manifestation into the world as the Son of God. This day is celebrated as Christmas Day in Armenia and as a public holiday in Austria, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Puerto Rico, Spain and Sweden.

In Ethiopia and Eritrea Epiphany is known as Timkat and they commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, seen as his manifestation into the world as the Son of God. This day is celebrated on the 19th of January.

ISLAMIC HAJ

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, known as the Haj, will be held between May the 27th and June the 25th during 2017.

MAWLID AL NABI

The Islamic festivity which celebrates the Birth of the Prophet Mohammed is celebrated in all Islamic countries with the exception of Taliban controlled areas of Afghanistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The date is held on different days of the year due to the use of their Islamic lunar calendar.

Sunni Muslims celebrate this day on the 12th day of Rabi' al Awwal. In 2017 this will be held on November 30th.

Shia' Muslims celebrate this day on the 17th day of Rabi' al Awwal. In 2017 this will be held on December 5th.

ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS EVE

The Christian Orthodox Christmas Eve is celebrated on the 6th of January with celebrations lasting until January 19th.

ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS DAY

The Christian Orthodox Christmas Day is celebrated on the 7th of January in countries which observe the Julian Calendar, where it is also known as the Feast of the Nativity.

The countries which celebrate the Feast of the Nativity or Orthodox Christmas Day on this date are Belarus, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Bulgaria and Greece are both Christian Orthodox countries but their Christmas Day is celebrated on December the 25th.

Armenia is also a Christian Orthodox country but Christmas Day there is celebrated on the 6th of January.

PASSOVER

The Jewish Passover, which remembers the Jewish people's liberation from slavery, is celebrated during the Hebrew calendar dates of the 15th of Nissan (April) to the 22nd of Nissan (April).

In 2017 Passover will be held between the hours of sundown on April the 10th until nightfall on April the 18th.

RAMADAM

The Islamic holy month of Ramadam, where adherents of the religion have a month of fasting during the hours of daylight, will be held between May the 27th and June the 25th in 2017.

ST NICHOLAS' DAY

Saint Nicholas of Myra, better known as Santa Claus or Father Christmas, has his feast day on December the 6th. The day is marked by present giving in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Greece and Germany but is not considered as a public holiday.

ST STEPHEN'S DAY

St Stephen’s Day, which is also known as the Feast of Stephen, honours the death by stoning in the year 34 of the world’s first Christian martyr. Stephen's feast is celebrated on three different dates.

In Catholic countries such as the Republic of Ireland and Italy, St Stephen’s Day is celebrated on December the 26th, although it is only a regional holiday in France and Spain. It is also celebrated on this day in many non - Catholic countries such as Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia.

In Christian Orthodox countries St Stephen’s Day is celebrated on December the 27th and in countries which use the Gregorian calendar such as Bulgaria and Greece. It is also celebrated on January the 9th in countries which use the Julian calendar such as Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

In the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa the 26th of December is known as Boxing Day and is celebrated as a traditional public holiday which has absolutely no religious affiliations.

SUKKOT

This Jewish holiday, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles, is celebrated between the Hebrew calendar dates of the 15th and the 21st of Tishrei and will be celebrated in 2017 between sunset on the 4th of October until sunset on the 11th of October.

VAISAKHI

This important Sikh holiday which remembers the ordination of Khalsa, the founding of the Sikh community and the birth of the religion's founder Guru Nanek, is celebrated in mid April and is celebrated by way of colourful street processions. Festivities are held mostly across northern India and particularly in the region of Punjab.

Vaisakhi will be celebrated in 2017 on April the 14th.

WHITSUN

Also known as Whit Sunday, is the Christian calendar's third major celebration after Christmas and Easter and is held on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Whit celebrates the Festival of the Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's disciples.

This holiday will be celebrated in 2017 on June the 4th.

YOM KIPPUR

The Jewish calendar's holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, which is also known as the Day of Atonement and Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated on or around the Hebrew calendar date of the 10th of Tishrei and is signified by way of a twenty five hour day of fasting.

In 2017 Yom Kippur will begin at sunset on September 29th.

FEAST DAYS OF THE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES & APOSTLES

Shown below are the dates of the Christian religion's major saints, these are the men known as Jesus' disciples and apostles.

The four disciples of Jesus, the men who are best known for writing the New Testament's gospels, have all been venerated as saints and all have feast days remembered in their honour, they are;

Mathew the Apostle - Feast Days September 21st, October 22nd & November 6th.

Mark the Evangelist - Feast Day April 25th.

Luke the Evangelist - Feast Day October 18th.

John the Evangelist / John of Patmos - Feast Days May 6th, September 26th & December 27th.

The twelve apostles of Jesus, those who were his most fervent followers and who spent their days preaching the Bible on his behalf, have also been venerated as saints and all them have their own feast days remembered in their honour, they are;

Andrew - Feast Day November 30th.

Bartholomew - Feast Day June 11th & August 24th.

James, also known as James the Greater - Feast Days April 30th, July 25th & December 30th.

James, also known as James the Minor / James the Less - Feast Days May 1st, May 3rd & October 9th.

John, also known as John of Patmos - Feast Days May 8th, September 26th & December 27th.

Judas Iscariot was later replaced by Mathias whose Feast Days are held on May 14th & August 9th.

Mathew, also known as Levi - Feast Days September 21st, October 22nd & November 6th.

Philip - Feast Days May 3rd & November 14th.

Simon, better known as St Peter the " Holder of the keys of Heaven" and for being the world's first Pope - Feast Day June 29th.

Simon, also known as Simon the Zealot - Feast Days May 10th, July 1st, October 28th & November 5th.

Thaddaeus, also known as Jude, who is considered to be the brother of Jesus - Feast Day October 28th.

Thomas, better known as "Doubting Thomas" - Feast Days July 3rd & December 21st.

For a list of national patron saints days visit our page - Patron saints of countries.

THE WORLD'S MOST RECOGNISED SAINTS

Many of the above saints are now long forgotten but there are four saints who have stood the test of time, even with non believers, they are;

SAINT VALENTINE

The world's most recognised saint, despite little being known about his life and having few houses of worship venerated in his name, is Saint Valentine, pictured above.

Saint Valentine of Rome, as he is officially known, was martyred for his faith in Rome on the 30th of July, 269 and is remembered as the Patron Saint of love, lovers and happy marriages in almost every country in the world.

Although his feast day first became recognised on the 14th of February in the year 496 this day has only been celebrated as we know it today since Victorian times. His day of love has been celebrated on that date in most countries ever since but he is also remembered on the 30th of July, his death date in 269, in Christian Orthodox countries where this date is considered a solemn, holy day.

It is believed that Saint Valentine is buried in the ruins of the Basilica of Santa Prassede in Rome in Italy.

SAINT NICHOLAS

The world's second most recognised saint, even in many non Christian countries, is Saint Nicholas, pictured above, otherwise known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas and Father Frost.

Saint Nicholas of Myra as he is officially known, was born in Myra, a town near present day Demre in Turkey, in the year 270 and was the bishop of that town long before being venerated as the the patron saint of sailors, fishermen and children.

His feast day is held on December the 6th, his death date in 343, in Western Christian countries and on December the 19th in Christian Orthodox countries, although both these feast days are somewhat overshadowed by his act of traveling the world on the night of December the 24th in order to deliver presents to the world's children. This tradition was attributed to him after his life long practice of giving gifts to the poor, especially poor children.

Nicholas is buried in the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari in Italy.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER

The world's third most recognised saint is Saint Christopher, pictured above, the patron saint of soldiers, storms, transportation and travelers.

It is not known where Christopher was born, whose birth name was actually Reprobus, but it is known that he was martyred for his faith in Antioch, near modern day Antakya in Turkey, in the year 251 after refusing to acknowledge pagan gods.

He is best known for being portrayed carrying the Christ child across a swollen river and because of this he was named Christopher and later venerated as the patron saint of travelers.

His feast day is celebrated on the 25th of July in Western Christian countries and on the 9th of May in Christian Orthodox countries.

It is believed that Christopher was buried in the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria sometime in 251 after his remains were taken there by his friend Pope Peter I.

SAINT STEPHEN

The world's fourth most recognised saint is Saint Stephen, pictured above, who was stoned to death for blasphemy in the year 34 after denouncing the Jewish authorities in favour of Jesus Christ, an act which made Stephen the first ever Christian martyr, or protomartyr, as he is officially known.

It is not known where or when Stephen was born but what is known about him is that during his lifetime he had been the archdeacon of the first Christian church of Jerusalem. It is because of this that he would later be venerated as the patron saint of altar bearers.

His feast day, which is better known as the Feast of Stephen, is held on the 9th of January in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the 25th of December in the Armenian Church, the 26th of December in the Western Christian Church and on the 27th of December in the Western Orthodox Church.

Stephen was at first laid to rest in the Belt Jimal Monastery in Belt Shamesh just outside the city of Jerusalem but on the 26th of December 415 his remains were transported, by way of a large procession, to the Church of Hagia Sion within the city walls of Jerusalem. However his remains would be moved yet again in the year 580 after Pope Pelagius II had them removed to the Basilica San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura in Rome, Italy where they were placed next to the remains of St Lawrence of Rome (225 - 258), after whom the basilica was named, and where they both remain to this day.

For a list of national / patriot days & the various New Year dates around the world visit our page -

Public and National holidays around the World.

For a list of national patron saints days visit our page -

Patron saints of countries

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