The central Pacific Ocean island nation was known as The Gilbert Islands. After gaining independence from the British on July 12, 1979, it would be known by a different name for decades.
This year, Gospel Day is observed on July 10 as part of a three-day holiday break in Kiribati that also includes July 12’s Independence Day. The dates of Gospel Day, Natural Culture Day, and Senior Citizens Day vary based on the day of the week that July 12 falls on.
This holiday honours the introduction of Christianity to the islands. It is a day when citizens of all faiths in Kiribati come together to offer thanks and strengthen the sense of community between the various Christian denominations in the country.
The central Pacific Ocean island nation was known as The Gilbert Islands. After gaining independence from the British on July 12, 1979, it would be known by a different name for decades. In Gilbertese, the indigenous language, ‘Gilberts’ is translated as ‘Kiribati.’ The “ti” is pronounced as a “s,” which is how the country got its name.
Even before the first European contact in the 17th century, the island was already inhabited thousands of years ago. Christianity was disseminated by foreign missionaries who arrived on the island in the 19th century, as well as by two island natives named Betero and Tiroi. Two Nonouti natives who had converted to Catholicism while working on European plantations in Tahiti brought the religion to the islands in 1881. Their zeal for Catholicism was evident in the education programmes and church services they oversaw, which resulted in the conversion of a large number of islanders.
Today, Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, with the greatest number of adherents, followed by Protestantism. The island is also home to Seventh-day Adventists, Muslims, Baha’is, Latter-day Saints, and the Church of God.
On Gospel Day, the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches traditionally organise a celebration at the Bairiki National Stadium in South Tarawa’s capital. A combined service is led by either of the two churches’ respective leaders. After the ceremony, the attendees congregate in the maeaba, the centre of the village. Various groups from both denominations contribute to the celebration by performing traditional dances and singing religious songs.
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According to Christian tradition, each gospel corresponds to one of the four features seen in Ezekiel’s visions of God.
Jesus frequently used metaphors to characterise himself, and John’s gospel contains more of these analogies than any other.
It serves as a witness to those who missed Jesus’ ministry and demonstrates that he is the Messiah.
Only in John’s account do some disciples bring their relatives and acquaintances to meet Jesus.
The Greek primary words for ‘believe’ and ‘faith’ appear considerably more frequently in this gospel than in the other gospels combined.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | July 8 | Friday |
| 2023 | July 10 | Monday |
| 2024 | July 10 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | July 10 | Thursday |
| 2026 | July 10 | Friday |
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