Monaco
Religious beliefs in Monaco
Roman Catholicism is the official religion in Monaco. Approximately 95% of the populations of the country are Roman Catholic. There are 1 cathedral and 5 Roman Catholic parish churches in Monaco. An archbishop performs official duties over the Roman Catholic diocese of the country. Roman Catholic belief in Monaco plays a significant role especially on special holidays and feast days that are observed in the country.
Some of the numerous traditional festivals and ceremonies in the country include Holy Week, Easter Sunday and feast days of St. John (observed on 23 June), St. Roman (adored on August 9), and St. Devote who is the patron saint of Monaco, celebrated every January 27 and featured by torchlight parades and other spiritual ceremonies as the sign of Saint Devote's arrival to the country. The spiritual belief of the citizens of Monaco regarding the afterlife and death are in line with the teaching of Roman Catholicism. Freedom of other religions is assured by the constitution of Monaco. Other religions that are practiced in Monaco include Anglican Church (St. Paul's Church is the only Anglican Church in the country which is situated in the Avenue de Grande Bretagne in Monte Carlo), Protestantism (with two churches), Greek Orthodox Church (with 1 synagogue), Islam and Judaism (there are around 1,500 Jewish).
