(CNN) – Wreaths, candles and calendars. These are certain signs of Advent for many groups of Christians around the world.
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventure, means an arrival or visit.
Advent is the beginning of the spiritual year for these churches, and it is observed four Sundays before Christmas. In 2021, Advent begins on Sunday, November 28. Each Sunday has a different spiritual theme and is often related to the Advent candlelight ceremony in anticipation of Christmas and the birth of Jesus. -su.
As with many aspects of any religion, Advent customs and practices vary from place to place.
Here are some of the common Advent seasons and Christmas traditions in different countries around the world. We also include houses of worship that can be visited if you happen to be nearby. Just remember church services as well as other gatherings may be limited or canceled, especially in Europe, where they are dealing with another Covid-19 spike:
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Austria is the birthplace of one of the most beloved Christmas hymns, “Silent Night.” The hymn is called “Stille Nacht” in German (the native language of the Austrians), and it was written at Christmas 1818, according to German website.
The English version of the hymn we sing today has some variations on the original, but anyone visiting Austria who stumbles across a performance will immediately recognize the soothing sound.
Church: Salzburg Church is an iconic symbol of this Austrian city. Built on the same site as the two earlier churches, the foundation for the current Baroque structure with its two conning towers was laid in 1641. (Kapitelplatz 2, PO Box 62, 5010 Salzburg, Austria; +43 662 65901 515)
China
The Church of St Ignatius reopened in December 2017 after two years of renovations.
Stringer / Imaginechina / AP
China might not immediately come to mind when you think of Advent, but roughly 5.2% of the population of the 1.4 billion are Christians.
Chinese Christians light their homes with colorful paper lanterns during Advent, and you can see red paper pagodas cut out and placed on the windowsills. They follow many traditions brought about by Western missionaries.
An emerging Christmas tradition is give apple, sometimes sold in stores wrapped in colored paper.
Church: In Shanghai, Church of Saint Ignatius It was modeled after Western-style architecture and was built in 1906. It was damaged during China’s Cultural Revolution, but it was restored. In Shanghai, it is called Xujiahui Catholic Church (No.156 Puxi Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200000, China)
Croatia
About 86% of the people in this Balkan peninsula country is Roman Catholic, and Advent is an important part of religious life here. For some Croats, the preparations for Christmas actually begin before Advent on November 25, i.e. Sveta Kata (St. Catherine’s Day).
Prva adventska nedjelja (or Advent Sunday) is the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and the first of the four candles in the Advent wreath is lit.
Residents of the capital Zagreb, traditionally prefer to head to the outdoor wooden stalls selling handmade souvenirs, roasted chestnuts and pickled wine. The extent of that activity during this Advent will depend on how the pandemic evolves.
On Christmas Eve, Croatians eat “bakalar” (a type of dried cod).
Church: Zagreb Cathedral of the Assumption is the tallest building in Croatia, and this neo-Gothic structure houses what is considered one of the most splendid institutions in the world. (10000 Zagreb, Croatia; +385 1 481 4727)
Germany
Families across Germany will place an Advent wreath with four candles, one for each week of Advent. They can gather around the wreath every Sunday to sing carols and light another candle.
Stollen, similar to fruitcake, is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Germany. And Advent organizers can serve cookies were scattered around their wreaths.
Church: Asam . Church is by far Munich’s largest, but it may be its most ornate. One reason for its size – two brothers built it originally as a private chapel. Another plus: The diminutive Baroque masterpiece can also be less crowded. (Sendlinger Str. 32, 80331 Munich, Germany; +49 89 2368 7989)
Hungary
Beiglis is a traditional Hungarian dish.
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This is a daily Mass held every dawn from the first Sunday of Advent to the first day of Christmas. You may hear it called Angel Mass or Golden Mass.
A classic Advent party in Hungary beigli is. It’s a traditionally rolled crust with poppy or walnut kernels.
The Hungarians are a music-loving people, and various Christmas concerts are traditionally held around Budapest and other cities and towns.
Church: St Stephen’s Church is the largest church in Budapest and relatively new by European historical standards, consecrated in 1905 after decades of construction. In addition to the impressive neoclassical architecture, the views from the top are also breathtaking. On November 28, it will hold a special hour of prayer for victims of Covid. (Szent Istvan ter 1, Pest, Budapest 1051, Hungary)
Mexico
Advent in Mexico brings with it religious ceremonies called Las Posadas (Spanish for “The Inns.”) The nine-day celebration marking the journey of Mary and Joseph was held from December 16-24.
Every evening in cities and villages across Mexico, a child dressed as an angel leads a procession, usually children. They go to selected homes, where they are denied entry but are often offered refreshments.
This custom is also followed in some parts of the United States.
Church: Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City is the largest church in Latin America. Construction on it took more than two centuries, so it has a mix of architectural styles. (Mexican Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza de la Constitución, Centro, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5510 0440)
Poland
For deeply Catholic Poland, Advent brings prayer, fasting and spiritual preparation for Christmas, according to the Polish Women’s Union of America. People stay indoors for long evenings decorating Christmas trees and handmade gifts, baking Christmas cookies, and preparing other delicacies for the upcoming holidays.
Poles attend traditionally Early morning Mass is called roraty. It was still dark when they started. Attendees light candles during Mass, symbolizing the coming light of day and salvation.
Krakow marks the first Sunday of Advent by decorating the beautiful Rynek Square with lights, flowers and wreaths.
Church: Construct Basilica of St. in Krakow began in the late 1200s, and it was consecrated in 1320. The beautiful basilica has undergone several renovations since then. Its asymmetrical towers make for a memorable sight. (Plac Mariacki 5, 31-042 Kraków, Poland; +48 12 422 05 21)
UK
While many Advent and Christmas traditions go back centuries in the United Kingdom, Christingles is a relatively new observation here. It started with the Moravians in 1740s Germany, but it wasn’t celebrated in England until the late 1960s.
The word can mean both a symbolic item and a service. You work for Christingles From an orange, you decorate it with candles, red tape, and candies.
Christingles service may involve prayer, reading, and singing. It also serves as a fundraiser for children’s charities. It may be celebrated at the beginning of Advent all the way to Candles, but Christmas Eve is a popular time to hold one.
Quick Christmas
Eastern Orthodox churches mark the beginning of Christmas with a Quick Christmas, which runs from November 15 to December 24 on the revised Julian Calendar, following the Gregorian Calendar currently used by most of the world.
For Orthodox churches that still follow the traditional Old Julian Calendar, those dates are November 28 to January 6.
This article, first published in 2018, has been updated for 2021.
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