The Christian religion is actually made up of many religious denominations, similar in some aspects, profoundly different in others. Let’s take a look at them.

The Christian religion is one of the most widespread monotheistic religions in the world. We all know that it originated with Jesus Christ, from whom his followers took their name, “Christians.” We know that it has many elements in common with Judaism, including some books of the Holy Scriptures, but also with Islam, as all three religions—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—are Abrahamic religions, meaning they consider Abraham as the origin of sacred history. In particular, Christianity and Judaism share the sacred book, the Bible, of which the Jewish people recognise the books of the Old Testament but not the New Testament, which is composed of the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters, and the Book of Revelation, even though all these books confirm alignment with Jewish writings. However, the fundamental issue is that the Jews did not recognise Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Son of God promised by the prophets.

If we look around us, we quickly realise that speaking of Christianity as a single religion would not only be reductive but also entirely incorrect. The history of Christianity over the centuries has led to the creation of many religious variants, some of which have gained traction, becoming fully independent and recognised denominations. In essence, they are all Christian churches, all drawing from the life and teachings of Jesus, but each with significant differences in doctrine, traditions, and even the number of Sacraments. We have chosen to examine the three main divisions of the Christian church: Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. These three denominations, despite the differences we will explore, share the Nicene or Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, which consists of a set of faith principles defined during the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, primarily based on the oneness of God, the nature of Jesus, and the Trinity.

Catholicism

It is sometimes common to see Catholicism and Christianity confused as if they were the same thing. This is, of course, a mistake. Catholicism specifically refers to the branch of Christianity that recognises the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church as its highest religious authority and the Pope as its supreme leader. Catholic Christians place great value on the figure of the Virgin Mary and venerate many Saints. They also attribute great importance to apostolic tradition, recognising the Apostle Peter as the one to whom Christ entrusted His church. For this reason, many aspects of Catholic doctrine are based not only on the Holy Scriptures—the Bible—but also on Apostolic Tradition, a Christian text written around 215 AD that contains the “tradition” (traditio) of the apostles, meaning the foundational instructions and liturgical and ecclesiastical guidelines underlying Catholic doctrine. This text is not recognised at all by Orthodox and Protestant Christians, and this is one of the reasons for the division among the three Christian denominations.

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The Catholic Christian religion recognises seven Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist (or Communion), Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Orders, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. The Holy Mass is celebrated as a precept, and during the celebration, the consecration of the Bread and Wine takes place before the assembly of the faithful, followed by the distribution of the consecrated hosts.

Orthodoxy

Regarding Orthodox Christianity, this refers to the church that emerged from the East-West Schism, which took place in 1054 AD at the height of a period of doctrinal controversies and theological debates. Orthodox Christians do not recognise a single religious authority. Each church within Orthodoxy is governed by its own bishops through local synods. Therefore, there is no figure equivalent to the Pope for Catholics, although the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is recognised as primus inter pares (“first among equals”) by all other bishops and acts as a spiritual representative for all Orthodox Christians.

Orthodox Christians base their faith on Holy Tradition, which includes the Holy Scriptures, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the dogmatic principles established in the seven historical ecumenical councils. The Orthodox Church, therefore, promotes and disseminates the original Christian faith, established by Jesus and handed down by the apostles, whose bishops are their direct successors.

Orthodox Christians also recognise Seven Sacraments and venerate the Virgin Mary as “Theotókos,” Mother of God. They also honour the Saints. Priests are allowed to marry, but if they do so, they cannot become bishops, nor can monks, whose communities play a fundamental role. For Orthodox Christians, humans are born pure, not tainted by the Original Sin of Adam and Eve, which they call Ancestral Sin. However, sin is an inherent part of human nature, meaning that all people are naturally predisposed to sin.

Protestantism

Protestantism, or Protestant Christianity, originated with the so-called Reformation, which was actually a series of events leading to the formation of various branches of Christianity. Notably, the English Reformation led to the creation of the Church of England, while the Imperial Diet of Speyer in 1529, also known as the Protestation at Speyer, gave rise to the term “Protestant.” The Protestant Reformation spread across 16th-century Europe, fuelled by strong opposition to the decadence of the Church of Rome and the papacy, culminating in a complete separation. Key figures of the Reformation were Martin Luther (Lutheranism) and John Calvin (Calvinism).

There are many branches of Protestantism, from Anglicanism to Adventism, from Calvinism to Lutheranism. In Italy, Protestantism is primarily represented by evangelicalism.

In general, Protestants share many principles of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed and the Apostolic Creed with Catholics and Orthodox Christians, but they differ primarily in Christology, the role of grace, the relationship between faith and works, and many aspects of church authority.

Jesus is the only means of salvation for humanity, as the living Word of God and the sole point of reference for the believer.

Humankind, by its imperfect nature, is inherently sinful, regardless of actions or efforts to remain pure and righteous. Only God can grant salvation, solely by virtue of His immense love. The Holy Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, serve to make humans aware of their own damnation, but it is within themselves that they must find faith in Salvation. Therefore, Salvation is determined by faith, not by deeds.

Only the Bible is considered the law of God, and no person can act as an intermediary between it and others to manipulate its content, except for the Church Fathers. This belief essentially eliminates any authoritative role for the clergy, as priests are no longer mediators between humans and God—only Jesus can fulfil this role. This doctrine establishes the concept of the universal priesthood, meaning that every believer is, in essence, a priest. At most, a pastor may provide interpretations of the Holy Scriptures.

Regarding the Sacraments, Protestants recognise only Baptism and the Eucharist, which symbolise God’s promise of salvation and redemption for all humanity. However, in the Eucharist, the Bread and Wine remain unchanged, as transubstantiation does not occur.

Mary is not venerated as the Mother of God and is not an object of devotion, nor are the Saints.

The Anglican Schism, which led to the creation of the Anglican Church, took place in the 16th century at the behest of King Henry VIII, who rejected papal authority and the Roman Catholic Church. Deeply influenced by Protestant doctrines from continental Europe (Calvinism and Lutheranism), the Anglican Church is based on the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion and the Book of Common Prayer. Closer to Catholicism than other Protestant churches, it recognises the Archbishop of Canterbury as its spiritual leader and bases its principles on the Bible, apostolic traditions, and the writings of the Church Fathers.

The celebration of Sunday in Albis combines ancient rites and popular traditions. Here is how the devotions of the second Sunday of Easter originated.

We are all familiar with the significance of Holy Week, the week of Easter, and particularly the Easter Triduum, the final days of this extraordinary liturgical period, which culminate with Easter Sunday. However, this event does not mark the end of the Easter season but rather its beginning. It is, in fact, with Easter Sunday that the Easter Octave begins, a solemnity of the Lord, which concludes the following Sunday, Sunday in Albis.

Similarly, the Jewish Passover, Pèsach or Pesah, did not represent the conclusion of the celebration that commemorated the exodus of the Chosen People from Egypt. The Jews celebrated the Passover meal on the night between the 14th and 15th of the month of Nisan, and from there began the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, an ancient propitiatory festival for the harvest, during which barley flour cakes without yeast were prepared.

For Christians, the importance of the days following Easter, the Easter Octave, arises from the appearance of Jesus eight days after the Resurrection, as recounted in the Gospel of John 20:26-29:

“26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

This explains why, according to tradition, Sunday in Albis is also known as Thomas Sunday, referring to the doubting apostle.

What does Sunday in Albis mean?

Sunday in Albis is also known as the Second Sunday of Easter; Quasimodo Sunday, or Quasimodogeniti (in the Lutheran Church), from the beginning of the Antiphon that opens the religious service (Quasi modo géniti infántes, rationábile, sine dolo lac concupíscite, ut in eo crescátis in salútem, allelúgia. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. Alleluia”); Antipascha Sunday (in Eastern Churches); Dominica de Thomas or Thomas Sunday.

Sunday in Albis, or White Sunday, is the more “official” term, from the Latin Dominica in albis. The name given to Sunday in Albis derives from the custom of the early Christian Church to administer Baptism to new believers on the night of Easter, during the Easter Vigil. The full expression would actually be Dominica in albis vestibus depositis, the Sunday on which the white garments are laid aside, referring to the white robes worn by the newly baptised throughout the week following Easter, and removed, indeed, the Sunday after Easter.

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Sunday in Albis or Divine Mercy Sunday?

Sunday in Albis is also called Divine Mercy Sunday, but this designation is very recent compared to the others. It was, in fact, Pope John Paul II who gave it this title only in 2000, on the occasion of the canonisation of Saint Faustina Kowalska, dedicating this day to the devotion of Divine Mercy. With this new designation, the pope also granted special indulgences on this date.

In one of her visions, Sister Faustina saw Jesus dressed in white, with one hand raised in blessing and the other resting on His chest, indicating a wound from which two rays of shining light emerged, one white, the other red, representing respectively the Water that justifies souls and His Blood, which is life. It was Jesus who asked the saint to have an image of Him created in this form and to spread its devotion with a celebration that would take place on the first Sunday after Easter, when the image was to be blessed by the pope. Thus was born the Feast of Divine Mercy.

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Small sized (30,5 cm), in resin, representing Jesus the Compassionate.

What does Monday in Albis mean?

As for the term Monday in Albis, sometimes attributed to Easter Monday, it actually originates from a series of interpretative errors that have been perpetuated over the centuries, up to the present day.

The Monday following Easter, or the Monday of the Angel, recalls the visit of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene to Jesus’ tomb. The two women found it open and empty and encountered an Angel who told them that Jesus had risen to heaven and that they should inform the Apostles. This occurred the day after Passover, but not the Easter we celebrate on Sunday; rather, the Jewish Passover, which fell on a Saturday. Thus, the meeting of the two pious women with the Angel would have occurred on a Sunday, not on a Monday, and this is the first error.

Moreover, as we have seen, Sunday in Albis takes its name from the white garments worn by the newly baptised in the week following Easter, symbolising the purity from sin regained after Baptism. No sacred text, however, speaks of Monday in Albis, but it is likely that popular tradition sought to define Monday in Albis as the first day the white garments were worn.

In any case, Easter Monday is not among the feast days of obligation, but it is a public holiday in the civil calendar, a sort of extension of Easter, an occasion for barbecues, outings, and popular festivities.

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Scene of the baptism of Jesus with John the Baptist

The statues are made of resin, 10 cm tall, perfect for your Easter Creche.

How is Easter celebrated around the world? Many customs, traditions, and curiosities from each country for a single, great Christian celebration.

In Italy, Easter is undoubtedly one of the most deeply felt Christian holidays. It is celebrated with loved ones, organizing a picnic or a shared meal, exchanging Easter eggs, which may have been decorated together with children or made of chocolate, eating the traditional Easter dove cake (colomba pasquale), and so on. For believers, there is, of course, the religious and spiritual component. We must not forget that Easter commemorates the last days of Jesus’ life, His Passion, death, and Resurrection.
Over the years, the Christian component has blended with pre-existing pagan aspects. It is important to remember that Christian Easter coincides with a period in which, since ancient times, propitiatory rites were celebrated, marking the transition from winter to spring, from darkness to light, and the rebirth of life with the arrival of the warm season. The echoes of these ancient rites persist in many Easter customs and symbols, both in Italy and around the world.

In Italy, the religious celebration of Easter is tied to the rites of Holy Week: it begins with Palm Sunday, the day commemorating Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem; Holy Wednesday is a day of sorrow, remembering Judas’ betrayal; Holy Thursday recalls the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus’ commandment of love (John 13:34); Holy Saturday commemorates Christ’s descent into hell. Finally, Easter Sunday celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Religious celebrations are accompanied by secular traditions, especially Easter sweets, such as chocolate eggs and the Easter dove cake, along with countless traditional recipes that vary from region to region.

Here is an overview of Easter traditions and popular customs around the world.

Easter in England

In England, Easter and Easter Monday are celebrated. The English word for Easter, “Easter”, likely comes from the name of the ancient pagan goddess of dawn and spring, “Eostre”, who often took the form of a rabbit or hare. This is one reason why Anglo-Saxon Easter has very ancient roots, stemming from pre-Christian pagan rites that still echo today in various Easter traditions, such as giving children Easter Bunnies, chocolate rabbit-shaped treats.
Another typical Easter treat in England is Hot Cross Buns, sweet buns with cinnamon and raisins, decorated with a cross of icing on top.
Holy Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday, a name derived from the Old French “mandé” and the Latin “mandatum” (meaning “command”), referring to Jesus’ commandment to His apostles at the Last Supper: “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another” (John 15:12).
On this day, it is tradition to give to the needy, not only through monetary or food donations but also by dedicating time and energy to the elderly and those in difficulty.

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Easter in England is also full of fun and games, including Easter Egg Rolling, a race dating back to the 19th century, in which boiled and brightly decorated eggs are rolled down gentle slopes.
Chocolate eggs are also part of the tradition, but children must find them through a special treasure hunt called the Easter Egg Hunt.
Good Friday is a public holiday, as is Easter Monday. On Easter Sunday, families gather for a meal, enjoying traditional dishes, especially lamb, and performing the Morris Dance, an ancient folk dance believed to bring good luck. Easter Monday is often spent picnicking outdoors.

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Easter in Spain

Easter in Spain is marked by grand processions that involve the entire population. These take place during Holy Week (Semana Santa), during which religious brotherhoods (cofradías) organize majestic events featuring processions of saint statues, crucifixes, and thrones of the Virgin Mary. Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) is particularly celebrated, with the blessing of olive branches and palm fronds—or “palmons”, whole palm branches—which are later used to decorate doors and windows to ward off evil spirits.
A typical Easter delicacy in Spain is the Mona de Pascua, a rich sponge cake filled and decorated with almond glaze, chocolate eggs, and feathers.

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Procession

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Easter in France

In France, church bells remain silent from Good Friday to Easter Sunday as a sign of mourning for Jesus’ death. Children are told that the bells have flown to Rome, and on Easter morning, they look up at the sky to see them returning. When they get home, they find delicious chocolate eggs hidden everywhere, as part of the traditional Chasse aux œufs, or Easter egg hunt. For Easter lunch, the French typically eat lamb, pork, and eggs, often prepared as an omelette. Traditional sweets include Easter biscuits shaped like lambs.

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Easter in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, egg hunts are also common for children (and not only them) on Easter morning. Painted eggs are hung on branches, in bushes, or hidden indoors. Families then enjoy a festive meal featuring stuffed pancakes, warm bread with eggs, and the traditional Paasbrood, a sweet Easter bread similar to a panettone, enriched with dried fruit, raisins, and almond paste.

Easter in Greece

The Orthodox Easter always falls in April. Celebrations begin on Lazarus Saturday, the Saturday before Easter Sunday, which is usually the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox. The first Monday after Carnival, marking the start of Lent, is celebrated by flying kites over fields. Lent is deeply observed, involving fasting and ancient rites, including fasting on Good Friday. On Holy Saturday night, when the Pope announces Christ’s Resurrection, everyone lights a blessed candle and takes it home. Easter Sunday is celebrated with outdoor feasts, featuring roast lamb on a spit or in soup (Maghiritsa), along with salad, feta cheese, Easter cookies, sweet Easter bread, and colored eggs. A traditional dish is kokoretsi, made from grilled lamb intestines.

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Colouring Easter eggs is a joyful way to prepare for the holiday, but it also holds deep symbolic meaning.

When did the custom of colouring Easter eggs originate? The answer to this question is simple: a very, very long time ago. According to an ancient tradition, the first person involved in a miracle concerning coloured eggs was none other than Mary Magdalene! It is also easy to understand why this tradition has persisted, weaving through the history of Christianity and often blending with folk customs, taking on different characteristics in various countries. Consider the tradition of coloured Easter eggs in Russia, which inspired the creation of true artisanal masterpieces, often crafted by miniature artists renowned for their icons. Moreover, it was the Russians who invented the precious and exclusive Fabergé eggs, gifts that became part of the Tsar’s treasure.

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Even in medieval Europe, decorated Easter eggs were exchanged as gifts, and by the 1300s at the English court, they were covered with gold leaf, transforming them into precious jewels.

Among Italian Easter traditions, alongside religious ones, there are many rural customs still alive today. The fragile yet resilient eggshell, designed to protect life within, is used to invoke protection not only for family members but also for farm animals. When buried among the roots of plants, it is believed to bring fertility to the soil. Washing one’s face on Easter morning with water from a basin containing a red egg and a coin is said to ensure health and wealth for the entire year.

What Does the Egg Symbolise?

Long before Easter traditions, everything began with the egg, a symbol of the origin of existence, renewal, and the return of spring to warm the world after winter—a timeless cycle of life. Well before the birth of Christ, people in ancient civilisations exchanged coloured eggs as wishes for fertility and a good harvest during spring festivals. The Romans even buried red-painted eggs in their fields to enhance fertility.

After the coming of Jesus, coloured eggs became one of the symbols of Easter. The egg, representing life and rebirth, took on the profound and mysterious meaning of Christ’s Resurrection. Its vibrant yellow yolk pulses with life and light, akin to the sun, while the white shell, reminiscent of tombstones, breaks open just like the stone that sealed Christ’s tomb, releasing life and the hope of the Saviour.

Thus, the tradition of giving eggs continued, now imbued with an entirely new significance.

Why do we paint eggs? Let’s find out how people in Italy celebrate Easter, diving into the eggs traditions.

Why Do We Paint Eggs?

Among the Easter traditions of many countries, colouring eggs is one of the most widespread. In Italy, giving chocolate eggs is particularly popular, especially among children. The custom of chocolate eggs derives from the older tradition of giving Easter eggs, initially simple hard-boiled eggs, later painted in various colours and decorated with different designs.

Tradition dictates that eggs are coloured on Maundy Thursday and then gifted to family and friends. Red-painted eggs clearly symbolise Christ’s Passion and His blood shed in sacrifice for all humanity. This vivid, bright red can be achieved using water from boiled onions or red beetroot, red cabbage leaves, hibiscus tea, mallow infusion, or blackcurrant juice.

While red eggs have become a symbol of Jesus’ blood, the meaning of eggs as gifts and wishes for happiness and prosperity has never disappeared. This is why eggs are also coloured in cheerful and imaginative hues, making egg-colouring a creative and joyful activity at home. Nowadays, food colouring is commonly used, but one can return to traditional methods, achieving beautiful blue eggs with blueberry juice, green with spinach cooking water or parsley juice, yellow with turmeric or saffron, purple with wine or grape juice, and so on.

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The Story of Mary Magdalene’s Red Eggs

After Jesus’ death, eggs quickly became associated with His Resurrection. According to legend, shortly after His death, a rabbi dining with friends declared that Jesus would rise again when the roasted cockerel they were eating came back to life and the eggs on the table turned red. Moments later, the eggs had indeed changed colour, becoming a bright red.

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However, the origin of the tradition of painting Easter eggs red is linked to Mary Magdalene. After Jesus’ death, she travelled with the other apostles to preach the Gospel, eventually reaching Rome. According to popular tradition, she appeared before Emperor Tiberius, offering him a red-coloured egg and proclaiming that Christ had risen.

In another version, Magdalene went to the disciples to announce Jesus’ Resurrection. Peter sceptically declared he would believe her story only when the eggs in her basket turned red—which miraculously happened before their very eyes.

The miracles of Jesus mentioned in the Canonical Gospels are considered historical events, although told from a theological perspective. Here are the main ones.

The Catholic Church acknowledges the existence of miracles, that is, events not attributable to natural causes but rather to divine intervention. These are occurrences that overturn the natural order of things, transcend reality, and offer a glimpse of the divine on Earth. For this reason, it has always been a priority for the Church to identify potential miracles, carefully examine them, and determine which ones are genuine and which are not. When it comes to the miracles of Jesus, particular caution has always been necessary. It is essential to distinguish between the miracles of Jesus mentioned in the Canonical Gospels, considered to be true historical facts and those narrated in the Apocryphal Gospels, which are told more like fairy tales, designed to astonish and capture the attention of readers.

Even the miracles of Jesus reported in the Canonical Gospels are regarded as historical facts, but they are imbued with a transcendent meaning and are often narrated from a theological, if not allegorical, point of view, according to some Bible scholars.

We must consider these extraordinary events as signs that Jesus performed not to amaze those who followed Him or to convince the unbelievers to believe in Him. Rather, they are defences of His mission, miracles performed to help faith, to inspire greater belief.

The miracles of Christ mentioned in the four Gospels can be classified into:

– Healings from permanent disabilities,

– Healings from injuries and diseases,

– Exorcisms and liberation from evil spirits,

– Resurrection of the dead.

There are other miracles that do not fall into these categories, and according to the Evangelist John, many other miracles were not recorded.

Another classification can be made based on how many and which Gospels mention the various miracles. Some are shared in all four Gospels, while others are mentioned in only some.

Also considered miracles of Jesus are the Annunciation, His conception by the Holy Spirit, and His birth from the Virgin Mary, even though He was not directly responsible for these events, and they are only briefly mentioned in the Gospels.

The miracles of Jesus shared by all four Gospels

The miracles of Jesus mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels are: His Baptism, the Multiplication of the loaves, and the Predictions of the Last Supper.

In the Baptism of Jesus, the miraculous element is the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove: while John the Baptist baptises Jesus in the waters of the Jordan, the sky opens, and a dove descends, accompanied by a Voice recognising Jesus as the beloved Son. In the Gospel according to John, there is no mention of the Baptism, only of the descent of the dove.

The four Gospels also recount the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, that is, the miraculous transformation of the bread into the Body and the wine into the Blood of Christ, and His predictions about Judas’s betrayal and His own end.

Additionally, all four Evangelists speak of the Appearances of Jesus after the Resurrection and before the Ascension. Each of them gives a different account, especially regarding the people involved, the duration, and the locations where these appearances took place.

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The multiplication of loaves and fishes

In fact, the Gospels mention two multiplication events of loaves and fishes.

The first multiplication is recorded by all four Evangelists: Jesus was preaching in a desert place where those listening were unable to buy food. He asked His disciples to gather whatever they could, and they returned with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, with which Jesus fed five thousand people.

On another occasion, Jesus fed four thousand men who had not eaten for three days to stay and listen to Him, using seven loaves which He broke and gave to His disciples to distribute, along with a few small fish which He blessed. There was so much leftover food that seven baskets were collected. Only Matthew (Matthew 15:32-39) and Mark (Mark 8:1-10) mention this second episode.

In both cases, the symbolic message is clear: it is a kind of foreshadowing of the Eucharist, a miraculous food that can nourish and give life to anyone who believes in Christ and lives in Him.

The resurrections: Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus

Before the Resurrection of Lazarus, the three Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke) mention the resurrection of the daughter of Jairus, a synagogue leader. The man prayed to Jesus to save his sick daughter, but when they arrived at the house where she lay, she had already died. Christ then told the relatives to wake her up, as she was only sleeping, and He resurrected her.

We also include here the healing of the woman with a haemorrhage, which occurred at the same time as the resurrection of the daughter of Jairus. In fact, reading Mark’s Gospel, we get the impression that, in order to heal the woman who had been suffering from terrible haemorrhages, Jesus delayed and did not manage to reach Jairus’s house before his daughter died. In reality, both episodes show the healing power of Faith: the faith of Jairus in the first case, who does not give up and continues to pray to Jesus, even after his relatives urge him to stop because it is too late; and the faith of the woman in the second, who secretly touches Jesus, knowing that this alone could be enough to save her.

Of course, the Resurrection of Jesus Himself is a miracle, though it cannot be compared to the resurrections in the Gospels: Jesus returns to life to ascend to Heaven and eternity, while Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus return to their earthly lives and are still destined to grow old and die one day.

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Healings and exorcisms

Among the miracles of Jesus described in the Gospels, many are healing miracles from diseases or severe disabilities. The way in which Jesus heals the sick varies each time: sometimes He merely speaks with them, other times He needs to touch them, and so on. For example, to the blind man encountered in Bethsaida, He put saliva on his eyes, while John speaks of a man who had been blind from birth, healed by the mud that Jesus had spat on. Mark’s Gospel tells of a deaf-mute man whom Jesus healed by touching his ears and then his tongue with His own saliva.

Jesus healed many lepers, to the point that He had to flee from their increasingly pressing requests.

In the Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 8:28-34) and Luke (Luke 8:26-39), the exorcism performed by Jesus on the demoniac of Gerasa is recounted. This man, who lived in the region of the Gerasenes, was possessed by a legion of demons. Jesus was able to free him by sending the demons into a herd of pigs, which He then made a rush into the sea.

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Christ life scene healing the paralyzed.

The Cross of Hope, created by Stefano Lazzari for the Jubilee 2025, combines medieval tradition and innovation, symbolising the journey of faith. Made of brass with an antique gold finish, it represents excellence in Italian craftsmanship.

Among the many initiatives linked to the celebrations for the Jubilee 2025, marked by the motto “Pilgrims of Hope,” there is also a precious crucifix, a true work of sacred art created specifically for this significant event. This is the Cross of Hope, designed and crafted by the Umbrian master artisan Stefano Lazzari of Bottega Tifernate, and it is available exclusively online in the Holyart store. This double-sided crucifix, which embodies the fascination of medieval tradition and technical innovation—a combination that has always distinguished Bottega Tifernate—captures the essence of the spiritual pilgrimage, which is the central theme of this Holy Year, through a visual language rich in symbolism.

Bottega Tifernate, founded in 1995 by Stefano Lazzari together with his sister Francesca and his father Romolo, is a global leader in the reproduction of sacred artworks. With a team of young artists specialised in techniques ranging from chiselling to carving, the workshop has built a strong reputation, excelling in the ability to recreate artworks identical to the originals. Today, it boasts many prestigious commissions, including the reproduction of a Caravaggio in 2018 and Marc Chagall’s White Crucifixion in 2019, both for Pope Francis. The Cross of Hope follows this tradition of medieval inspiration and contemporary renewal, promoted by the Lazzari family, which has quickly become an internationally recognised Italian excellence.

The uniqueness of the Cross of Hope lies in its dual nature: to commemorate Christ’s supreme sacrifice and to affirm the importance of the journey of faith undertaken by every pilgrim preparing to experience the Holy Year. The double-sided cross was conceived with the layout of St Peter’s Basilica and Square in mind. The front depicts a Renaissance-style Christ, dead yet portrayed with a serene and conscious expression, already evoking His resurrection and thus differing from traditional representations of suffering. This artistic choice is deliberate, aiming to convey a message of hope and redemption. The carefully sculpted Mount Golgotha at the foot of the cross recalls His supreme sacrifice of love for humanity.

Turning the cross reveals an equally powerful image: a pilgrim arriving at St Peter’s Square, symbolising the spiritual journey that every believer is called to undertake. This representation transforms the cross into a tangible metaphor for the path of faith, linking the past of tradition to the present of the Jubilee pilgrimage, echoing the motto of Jubilee 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The excellence of Italian craftsmanship is evident in every stage of its creation. Bottega Tifernate brought together two masters of Italian art: sculptor Fausto Schirato, whose expert hands shaped every detail in the original plaster, and founder Marino Vigolo, who brought the work to life using the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. Lost-wax casting is an ancient metal-forming technique that enables the creation of objects with exceptionally fine details. The process involves crafting a wax model, which is then coated with a refractory ceramic shell. Once heated, the wax melts away, leaving a hollow space into which molten metal is poured. After cooling, the ceramic shell is broken to extract the piece, which is then refined. Used since antiquity for sculptures and ritual objects, this technique is now also applied in advanced fields such as aerospace, biomedical engineering, and jewellery-making, integrating modern technologies like 3D printing and artificial intelligence. The production process exemplifies how traditional craftsmanship can merge with contemporary precision. From the creation of the rubber mould to the brass casting, each phase is meticulously controlled. Manual finishing, burnishing, and patination enhance the play of light and shadow, accentuating the three-dimensionality of the piece and ensuring its uniqueness.

The pectoral version of the Cross of Hope is 10 centimetres high and is accompanied by a refined brass necklace, whose design echoes the layout of St Peter’s Basilica. Available in two lengths, 80 or 90 centimetres, the foxtail chain completes the piece with elegance and symbolic significance. Attention to detail extends to the presentation as well: each cross is delivered in an elegant red box, numbered and certified. The inclusion of a QR code provides access to a wealth of additional information, bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Several versions of the same cross have been created: in addition to the pectoral version, a larger one has been made for display as an ornamental piece or wall decoration, as well as one for liturgical celebrations on the altar.

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Pectoral Cross of Hope Bottega Tifernate Jubilee 2025

Pectoral cross handcrafted in Italy and paired with a brass “fox tail” chain.

Within the context of Jubilee 2025, the Cross of Hope takes on a profound meaning. It is not just an ornament but a silent witness of faith, a companion for pilgrims preparing to experience this extraordinary moment.