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Patterns of Faith

The world's religious beliefs, practises, and sacred places

World Service,106 episodes

Episodes

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Yom Kippur
The 10th day of Tishrei when atonement and repentance is sought through prayer and songs
31 Dec 2001,13 mins
Expressions of Faith - Purushottama
The Hindu month of Purushottama or Adhik Maas and the issues around women's cycles
18 Aug 1999,13 mins
Hanukkah
The Jewish Festival of Lights and the miracle of one day's menorah oil burning for eight
18 Nov 1999,13 mins
Ramadan
How Muslims worldwide observe the ninth month of the Islamic calendar by fasting
30 Nov 1999,13 mins
Guardian Angels
Do guardian angels exist? Rabbi Lionel Blue reveals how they've been central to his faith
01 Jan 2000,13 mins
Eid al Adha
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice that concludes with the pilgrimage to Mecca or Hajj
15 Mar 2000,14 mins
Food for Thought - Kosher
Jewish kosher food. Why is some food 'fit or proper' and other foods not?
03 May 2000,13 mins
Buddhism and the Vesak Festival
The Vesak festival celebrating the Buddha's enlightenment is marked around the world
08 May 2000,13 mins
Food for Thought - Limassol Winery
Commandaria holy communion wine has been made in Cyprus for over 2,000 years
12 May 2000,14 mins
Food for Thought - Marula
The Marula tree in Mozambique and the sacred drink made from its fermented juice
18 May 2000,14 mins
Food for Thought - Buddhism
Why does Chinese Buddhism differ significantly from that in Tibet and South East Asia?
06 Jun 2000,14 mins
Sikhs
How the martyred 5th Guru Arjan still influences his followers today
16 Jun 2000,13 mins
Bible Journeys
Former hostage John McCarthy visits Israel and questions the violence done in God's name
23 Aug 2000,13 mins
Final Farewell - Heaven and Hell
What happens when you die? Different people give their interpretations of the afterlife
07 Sep 2000,13 mins
Final Farewells - Grieving
How do people of different religious faiths cope with the loss of a loved one?
07 Sep 2000,13 mins
Final Farewells - Death
What do the world's main religions teach about death, funerals, and grieving rites?
08 Sep 2000,13 mins
JS Bach
How Bach's battles with pietists and Calvinists meant he never enjoyed acclaim in his day
03 Oct 2000,13 mins
JS Bach
Forgotten at his death, how did Bach later become so exalted?
09 Oct 2000,13 mins
The Spirit of the Garden
Why are Jews commanded to build a temporary dwelling during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot?
17 Oct 2000,13 mins
The Spirit of the Garden
Can the urban garden, complete with goldfish pond, ever be considered sacred?
17 Oct 2000,13 mins
The Spirit of the Garden
How people have used garden to express hope, faith, and beauty throughout history
17 Oct 2000,13 mins
Night Journey
A Western traveller seeks the path to serenity from an enigmatic Sheik
18 Oct 2000,13 mins
Lambeth Palace
Why is the Archbishop of Canterbury's residence in London rather than Canterbury?
20 Nov 2000,13 mins
The Spirit of the Garden
Can gardens meet the spiritual needs of people and communities today?
22 Nov 2000,13 mins
Can You See Me?
Why does religion offer people with disabilities in the face of prejudice?
04 Dec 2000,13 mins
Can You See Me?
How does religions' views on disability affect the lives of the disabled faithful
12 Dec 2000,13 mins
Shin Buddhism
A Japanese Buddhist priest talks about Shin Buddhism and the importance of humility
22 Dec 2000,12 mins
Festival of Kwanzaa
The festival of Kwanzaa is celebrated by African-Americans as an alternative to Christmas
26 Dec 2000,12 mins
Where the Spirit Lives
London's Bevis Marks Synagogue has held services continuously for over 300 years
03 Jan 2001,13 mins
Where the Spirit Lives
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London is the largest stone built temple in Europe
08 Jan 2001,12 mins