Religions Around The World

In the early morning hours, monks can be seen walking on their alms round in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Showing humility and detachment from worldly goods, the monk walks slowly and only stops if he is called. Standing quietly, with his bowl open, the local Buddhists give him rice, or flowers, or an envelope containing money.  In return, the monks bless the local Buddhists and wish them a long and fruitful life.
Christians Celebrate Good Friday
Enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in St. Mary's Church in Secunderabad, India. Only 2.3% of India's population is Christian. 
Ancient interior mosaic in the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Istanbul, Turkey is a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church.
Dome of the Rock located in the Old City of Jerusalem
The site's great significance for Muslims derives from traditions connecting it to the creation of the world and to the belief that the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey to heaven started from the rock at the center of the structure.
Holi Festival in Mathura, India
Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the end of winter. Also known as the “festival of colors”,  Holi is primarily observed in South Asia but has spread across the world in celebration of love and the changing of the seasons.
Jewish father and daughter pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
Known in Hebrew as the Western Wall, it is one of the holiest sites in the world. The description, "place of weeping", originated from the Jewish practice of mourning the destruction of the Temple and praying for its rebuilding at the site of the Western Wall.
People praying in Mengjia Longshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan
The temple is dedicated to both Taoism and Buddhism.
People praying in the Grand Mosque in Ulu Cami
This is the most important mosque in Bursa, Turkey and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture built in 1399.
Savior Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius
Located in Suzdal, Russia, this is a church rite of sanctification of apples and grapes in honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in Kyoto, Japan
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. Fushimi Inari is the most important Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Ladles at the purification fountain in the Hakone Shrine
Located in Hakone, Japan, this shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine.  At the purification fountain, ritual washings are performed by individuals when they visit a shrine. This ritual symbolizes the inner purity necessary for a truly human and spiritual life.
Hanging Gardens of Haifa are garden terraces around the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel
They are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Báb is where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been buried; it is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Bahá'ís.
Pilgrims praying at the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality and Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, India, the Golden Temple is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. It is a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily.
Entrance gateway of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Kowloon
Located in Hong Kong, China, the temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong. The Taoist temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get" via a practice called kau cim.
Christian women worship at a church in Bois Neus, Haiti.
Haiti's population is 94.8 percent Christian, primarily Catholic. This makes them one of the most heavily Christian countries in the world.

Despite warnings from US government, Texas minister travels to Ukraine to share Christmas hope


Dallas father & relative of a holocaust survivor serves victims of war, personally delivering food, medicine & essential supplies.

COLLEYVILLE, Texas — Michael Evans Jr., a 40-year-old minister and father of four from Colleyville, Texas, returned yesterday from a two-week trip to the frontlines in Ukraine providing food, firewood, drinkable water and — most importantly — a message of hope, forgiveness and restoration. In preparation for the worsening winter months, Evans delivered essential aid and encouragement to those affected by the war from Dec. 3 – Dec.19. 

To honor his relative who died in the Holocaust, Evans has served impoverished Holocaust survivors and Jewish orphans in Ukraine now for more than a decade through Friends of Zion.  When Russia invaded Ukraine, he felt the need to provide further support to the Ukrainian people. Since the war began, through Friends of Zion and with additional donations from Samaritan’s Purse, Evans has helped deliver 15 million pounds of food, alongside medicine, generators and clothing. 

I wanted to personally ensure that the supplies reached the people who needed them most,” said Evans. “And just as importantly, I wanted the opportunity to share hope and encouragement with the Ukrainians first-hand.” 

Despite concerns from his father, renowned Middle East expert Dr. Michael David Evans, who reminded him of his responsibility to his four young children, Evans felt compelled to act. He found strength in his faith, particularly in Psalm 118:17: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” 

“If anything, this has shown an even greater example to my kids (and the rest of our family) that a life lived for Christ is the central and most important point,” continued Evans. 

Bringing Aid to the War Zones 

Despite the U.S. government warnings to not travel to the Ukraine, Evans left Texas on Dec. 3rd for Dnipro, a city under frequent ballistic missile attacks. He journeyed over 1,000 miles along southeastern frontlines, visiting villages that had not seen a foreign visitor since the war began. 

In Kryvyi Rih, a heavily bombed city, Evans delivered 50,000 pounds of food to a local church serving as a humanitarian aid depot. This critical distribution provided a lifeline for hundreds of families. 

Days before Christmas, Evans continued to encourage war-stricken communities in eastern Ukraine. Preaching in small village churches from Odessa to Kharkiv, he also held cross-denominational meetings with local pastors who have remained in conflict zones to shepherd their communities. His mission also extended to various Jewish communities, bringing much-needed support and solidarity. He spent time kneeling at the bedsides of the sick, praying with them and offering comfort. 

In Kharkiv, just 20 miles from the Russian border, Evans led a special Christmas outreach on December 15, with a particular focus on those most vulnerable: children and the elderly. The event included a theater production for 1,000 children, many of whom are orphans or have lost a parent in the conflict. Each child received gifts and experienced the comforting message of God’s love, and hot meals were served to hundreds of seniors. This local effort brought a moment of joy and distraction from the harsh realities of war.  

A Mission Rooted in History 

Evans’ father, of Jewish descent, named him after his own grandfather, Rabbi Mikel Katznelson, who tragically perished in the Holocaust. Inspired by a visit to the site where his great-grandfather and 2,000 others were killed in a wooden synagogue, Evans began caring for impoverished Holocaust survivors and Jewish orphans in Ukraine over a decade ago. Consequently, his mission has grown into a broader effort to support those in need. 

Reflection and Continued Commitment 

While the war’s toll remains immense, so does the impact of various efforts of love and care, such as these. Through food, water, medicine and warmth, Evans’ mission continues to sustain communities and deliver hope. 

“The war is still happening, we’re still helping, and God is still good,” Evans reminds us as 2024 comes to a close. 

Michael D. Evans, Jr. Is a minister of the Gospel and the director of the Ukraine ministry for Friends of Zion.  For more information on how to support these efforts, please visit: https://giving.foz.org/ukraine/. 

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.

Original Source:

https://religionnews.com/2024/12/20/despite-warnings-from-us-government-texas-minister-travels-to-ukraine-to-share-christmas-hope/