Humans express their faith in a multitude of ways. These photos capture the incredible diversity within faith practices that happen in our world in the span of just one week.
Budapest, Hungary: January 18
The choir of the Alexandrov Ensemble of the Russian army performs during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Budapest Jewish ghetto in Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. The ghetto was liberated by the Soviet Red Army during World War II, January 17, 1945.
Moscow, Russia: January 18
A Russian man emerges from the icy water to mark Epiphany in Moscow, Russia. Thousands of Russian Orthodox Church followers plunged into icy rivers and ponds across the country to mark Epiphany, cleansing themselves with water deemed holy for the day. Water that is blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year’s celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing.
Aboard the Papal Plane, January 19
Pope Francis addresses journalist sitting onboard a plane during his trip back to Rome, on January 19, 2015 from the Philippines. The 78-year-old pontiff wrapped up a triumphant visit to the Philippines and Sri Lanka, seeking to promote the Catholic Church in one of its most important growth regions.
Allahabad, India: January 19
An Indian Hindu devotee dances while singing religious songs at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, on the eve of Mauni Amavasya or new moon day, considered the most auspicious date of bathing during the annual month long Hindu religious fair Magh Mela in Allahabad, India. Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus are expected to take holy dips at the confluence during the astronomically auspicious period of over 45 days celebrated as Magh Mela.
Allahabad, India: January 19
An Indian woman shows her child makeshift tents of Hindu devotees during the annual month long Hindu religious fair Magh Mela.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: January 20
A message of “Hope” is seen on a banner as Muslims and Jews put their thoughts in writing during a gathering commemorating the victims and relatives of the recent terror attacks in France during a gathering of the Salaam-Shalom organization in Amsterdam.
Wadi Kharrar, Jordan: January 23
Worshipers pray in the Orthodox church of St. John the Baptist as Metropolitan Benedict/Venediktos of Philadelphia (Amman) leads a few thousand Orthodox Christian pilgrims attending an Epiphany celebration at the baptism site on the bank of the Jordan River on January 23, 2015 in Wadi Kharrar, Jordan….
