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.

World Religions News

Fetzer Institute launches CEO search 

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Today, the Fetzer Institute Board of Trustees announced the launch of a global search for its next President & Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of longtime CEO, Bob Boisture.

The past twelve years were characterized by Bob’s remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to the Sacred as the shared ground which unites staff, board, and partners of the Institute,” said Board Chair Dan Cardinali. “The Institute’s next leader will build on this solid foundation and continue to pursue the strategic direction that Bob put into motion.”

To support this transition, the Board of Trustees has appointed Jeffrey Bullock, Ph.D., as Interim CEO. Bullock has been engaged explicitly to guide the Institute through this transitional period and is not a candidate for the CEO position. The staff will continue to steward the current strategy, programs, and partnerships during the search, with enthusiasm and focus.

The search is being conducted in partnership with ZRG Partners. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to the ZRG search team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Board is seeking a CEO who can guide the mission of helping to build the spiritual foundation of a loving world. The next leader must be spiritually grounded, visionary, dynamic, and deeply relational, who can embody Fetzer’s mission while guiding the Institute into a bold, partner-centered future.

A detailed position description, including application instructions, is available at: President and CEO, The Fetzer Institute.

The Board anticipates appointing the new CEO in late summer to early fall of 2026. The Institute’s community, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to share this opportunity widely within their networks and with individuals who may be strong candidates to steward the Institute’s next era of impact. 

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The Fetzer Institute’s mission is to help build the spiritual foundation for a loving world. Learn more at fetzer.org and sign up for Fetzer’s newsletter at fetzer.org/subscribe. 

Contact:
Silma Suba
The Fetzer Institute
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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/2025/12/17/fetzer-institute-launches-ceo-search/