On Wednesday, landmark buildings around the world including numerous churches in Ireland will turn scarlet for Red Wednesday. The event is an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need and Christian Solidarity Worldwide. It is intended as an act of solidarity with Christians around the world who have been persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Over the years, the Palace of Westminster in London, Westminster Abbey, the Colosseum in Rome and many more landmarks were lit red to mark this important day raising awareness of the persecution of Christians worldwide. Knock Basilica, Armagh, Derry and Sligo Cathedrals, St. Mary’s Pope’s Quay, Cork, St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin, Balintubber Abbey, Co. Mayo, are among the churches in Ireland that are taking part.

This year, for the first time, the initiative will come to the US. The US landmarks to be lit scarlet are the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Washington, DC, St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, New Jersey and the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Venice, Florida. The landmarks will shine (red) light on the persecution of Christians around the world.