Thousands of Churches and Buildings to be Illuminated for Red Week Globally to Honor 413 Million Persecuted Christians in the World

The pontifical charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is hosting Red Week and Red Wednesday 2026 from November 15 to November 22, 2026, with primary events like Red Wednesday taking place around November 18, 2026. [1, 2]

Global Scope: More than 125,000 people, 130 cathedrals, and thousands of churches and buildings across multiple continents will illuminate their structures in red to symbolize the blood of Christian martyrs and raise awareness of religious persecution. [1]

The Statistics: According to ACN figures, 413 million Christians live in countries with serious violations of religious freedom, and 220 million are directly exposed to persecution. In 2025, ACN documented 19 priests and religious killed and another 28 detained or deprived of freedom due to persecution. [1]

Canada Events: In Canada, more than 65 events are planned across at least 24 cities and 7 provinces. Major prayer services and mass gatherings are scheduled in cities like Montreal, Calgary, St. John's, and Toronto (where St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica will glow red on November 18, 2026). [1, 2]

Global Petition: This year's campaign also features a global petition inviting people to defend religious freedom. [1]

In Austria, around 350 parishes and buildings are expected to take part; in the Netherlands, more than 200 churches, including all the cathedrals; and in Germany, around 200 churches. In Ireland, all 26 diocesan cathedrals will participate.
Australia and New Zealand are planning around 100 events, including Masses, prayer vigils and initiatives in parishes and schools, with an estimated 20,000 participants.
You can find more details, local schedules, or sign up for regional gatherings through the ACN Canada Red Wednesday Portal or the international announcement on ACN International. [1, 2]

Key Details for Red Week / Red Wednesday 2026

On 23 November, the buildings of the European Parliament in Strasbourg are scheduled to be illuminated in red, calling for religious freedom.