Religion and festivals

This section pairs the constitutional position of the Church of England with the calendar of festivals. Learn both halves. The festival dates are easy marks once you know them.

From chapter 4 of the handbook: A modern, thriving society

Ways to remember it

The end of the year runs Christmas on the 25th, Boxing Day on the 26th and Hogmanay on the 31st, and Scotland takes 2 January off too.

What you need to know

The Church of England is the established church in England, and the monarch is its head.
The Church of England is called the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the Anglican Church in other countries.
The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian church and is the national church in Scotland. Its leader is the Moderator.
There is no established church in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Other religions with significant numbers of followers in the UK include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism.
Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day, 26 December, is a public holiday.
Easter falls in March or April. Christians remember the death of Jesus on Good Friday and his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday, and the 40 days before Easter are known as Lent.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs, normally in October or November.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve, and 2 January is also a public holiday in Scotland.
Remembrance Day is 11 November, when poppies are worn to remember those who died in war.
Bonfire Night on 5 November remembers the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Our summary, in our own words. The test can ask about anything in the chapter, so read the official handbook too.

Practice questions on religion and festivals

All 13 of our questions on this topic. Say your answer before you open it: trying to answer first helps you remember it.

What is the established church in England?
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- The Church of England
The Church of England is the established church, and the monarch is its head.
Who is the spiritual leader of the Church of England?
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- The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader. The monarch is the head of the church, which is a different role.
What kind of church is the Church of Scotland, and who leads it?
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- A Presbyterian church, led by the Moderator
The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian and is the national church in Scotland. Its leader is the Moderator.
Which parts of the UK have no established church?
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- Wales and Northern Ireland
There is no established church in Wales or Northern Ireland.
What is the Church of England called in Scotland?
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- The Episcopal Church
It is called the Episcopal Church in Scotland, and the Anglican Church in other countries.
Which of these religions has a significant number of followers in the UK?
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- Islam
Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism all have significant numbers of followers in the UK.
What is celebrated on 25 December?
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- Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus Christ
Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Boxing Day follows on 26 December.
What does Easter Sunday mark for Christians?
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- Jesus Christ rising from the dead
Christians remember the death of Jesus on Good Friday and his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. Easter falls in March or April.
Who celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights?
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- Hindus and Sikhs
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs, normally in October or November.
What does Eid al-Fitr mark?
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- The end of Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
What is Hogmanay?
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- The Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve
Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year's Eve celebration, and 2 January is also a public holiday in Scotland.
What is worn on Remembrance Day, 11 November?
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- A poppy
Poppies are worn on Remembrance Day to remember those who died in war.
What does Bonfire Night on 5 November remember?
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- The failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605
Bonfire Night remembers the failure of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

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Chapter 4 practice test: Religion and festivals · 13 questions · 24 minutes if you take it timed

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