Christ the King

The last Sunday of the church year, celebrating Christ as king.

When: The last Sunday before Advent

Origin and history

The Feast of Christ the King was established for the Catholic Church by Pope Pius XI in 1925, after the upheavals of the First World War and the fall of the great monarchies of Europe, to emphasise the kingship of Christ. In 1970 it was moved from the end of October to the last Sunday of the church year, the Sunday before Advent begins.

Customs

Services that look back over the church year and forward to Advent.

How traditions differ

Besides Catholics, many Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Moravian, Presbyterian and other Protestant churches keep the day, sometimes calling it Reign of Christ Sunday.

More in After Pentecost

Trinity Sunday · Corpus Christi · Nativity of St John the Baptist · Sts Peter and Paul · Michaelmas · All Hallows' Eve · Reformation Day · All Saints' Day · All Souls' Day · St Martin's Day (Martinmas)

Sources checked: Feast of Christ the King (Wikipedia).