Songs of Praise - Season 5 / Year 2019

Sean Fletcher finds out how Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany, and the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin explains its meaning. In Durham, Christian astronomer the Rev Professor David Wilkinson talks to the Rev Kate Bottley about the scientific theories behind the star of Bethlehem. And in Coventry, at a baby baptism service in the Greek Orthodox tradition, a member of the congregation explains why baptism is so important to their faith. Hymns come from around the UK on the theme of Epiphany.

Aled Jones is on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent exploring its history and seeing how Jesus' teaching, Love Thy Neighbour, is being put into action in the community.

Rev Kate Bottley goes open-water swimming to explore the links between faith and fitness, and there is a performance from Christian singer-songwriter Jenn Bostic.

The Rev Kate Bottley and JJ Chalmers join a charity sleep-out in Edinburgh raising funds for homeless people and meet Christians helping those who've slept rough.

Katherine Jenkins visits the stunning Salisbury Cathedral to celebrate the Christian feast day of Candlemas, and to hear how the city has found hope after last year's devastating Novichok attack. Speaking to the cathedral's canon chancellor, she discovers the meaning of the ancient feast day that commemorates the infant Jesus being presented at the temple in Jerusalem.

Sean Fletcher learns the art of candlemaking with a firm that supplies 10 million candles to churches each year.

And nearly 12 months on from the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, the cathedral's new Dean shares how the city has been united in grief and in striving for peace and reconciliation. With wonderful hymns celebrating God's light shining in the darkness.

As St Valentine's Day approaches, Katherine Jenkins visits the Tower of London where it is thought the earliest recorded valentine was written in the 15th century. She explores the tower's two beautiful chapels and meets the first female beefeater. We find out about Christian digital dating and join two young people hoping to find their valentine. Finally, Sean Fletcher hears from the couple passing on the secrets of their long and happy marriage to those planning to tie the knot, and Gregory Porter sings about love.

The Rev Kate Bottley visits Whitby, North Yorkshire, to discover how Quaker values impacted Captain James Cook's life, and how the life of St Hilda of Whitby influenced the town.

Aled Jones explores Nottingham's ancient network of man-made caves and discovers their Christian history. With hymns from an 800-strong congregation in Nottingham's Albert Hall.

Katherine Jenkins meets the Christian who gave up plastic for Lent, and Josie d'Arby helps create recycled stained-glass windows.

For the first Sunday of Lent, Sean Fletcher takes on a generosity challenge with Christians in Oxford, and the Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin explains the meaning of Lent for Christians.

On St Patrick's Day, Katherine Jenkins visits the Titanic Quarter in Belfast to hear stories of faith old and new.

Claire McCollum is in Aberystwyth, home to the largest Lampedusa cross in the country, a symbol of hope forged in the wake of a tragedy which shook the world.

Katherine Jenkins celebrates Mothering Sunday at the National Trust's Tyntesfield estate in Somerset, and we meet a mother who has fostered over 800 children.

For the fifth Sunday of Lent, Sean Fletcher is in Brighton with Christian music-makers whose faith inspires their work, and Josie d'Arby meets a music therapist.

Aled Jones and a choir of Christians make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land to walk in Jesus's last steps, visiting some of the most sacred Christian sites on earth.

In an Easter Sunday special filmed in Jerusalem, Aled Jones visits the sacred site where many Christians believe Jesus's resurrection happened over 2,000 years ago.

After the recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, many of which deliberately targeted worshipping Christians, we meet members of the Sri Lankan Christian community in the UK.

To mark 50 years of the Cleveland Way, one of Britain's favourite national trails, Rev. Kate Bottley walks to one of its highlights, the 12th-century monastery Rievaulx Abbey.

Sean Fletcher visits Spring Harvest, the 20,000 strong Christian event in Minehead, Somerset, for its 40th anniversary.

Aled Jones hosts the junior semi-final of the Songs of Praise Young Choir of the Year competition from Victoria Hall in Bolton.

Aled Jones hosts the senior semi-final of the Songs Of Praise Young Choir Of The Year competition from Victoria Hall in Bolton, with judges Russell Watson, Carrie Grant and JB Gill

Aled Jones hosts the final of the 2019 Young Choir of the Year contest from Victoria Hall, Bolton, with judges Russell Watson, Carrie Grant and JB Gill and six fabulous choirs.

To mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Aled Jones joins 93-year-old veteran Harry Billinge as he returns to the beaches of Normandy to remember those who fell.

For Father's Day, Sean Fletcher meets a dad whose personal sacrifice saved his son's life. Singer Laura Wright launches the vote to find the UK's favourite hymn.

The Rev. Kate Bottley visits New Lanark, 25 miles south of Glasgow, where in 1786 Christian businessman David Dale ran one of Scotland's most successful cotton mills.

Katherine Jenkins visits the historic Caernarfon Castle to mark 50 years since the investiture of the Prince of Wales, an event watched by half a billion people around the world.

The Rev Kate Bottley is in Glastonbury, which last weekend played host to the world famous music festival, to meet the Christian man behind it.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing Claire McCollum visits Ely Cathedral and discovers astronaut Buzz Aldrin took Holy Communion on the moon.

Aled Jones visits MotoFest Coventry, a huge car and racing festival started by a church leader. The Reverend Kate Bottley meets young Christian entrepreneurs in the city.

Katherine Jenkins visits St Mary's Twickenham, the oldest Catholic University in the UK. Radzi Chinyanganya is in Trafalgar Square at the Thy Kingdom Come festival

The Rev. Kate Bottley is at Ripon College in Oxfordshire, where she meets a trainee vicar who used to be a heavy metal singer.

Claire McCollum meets a couple getting married in church for just £1,000, and Kate Bottley meets a Christian same-sex couple marrying in the United Reformed Church.

Claire McCollum explores the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales via motortrike and meets the Christian woman who feels close to God whilst on three wheels.

Aled Jones talks to Lord Julian Fellowes about faith and the Downton Abbey movie. He also explores the Christian history of Burghley House in Lincolnshire.

Katherine Jenkins explores 'heavenly designs' 350 years after Christopher Wren started work on St Paul's Cathedral.

In a special episode, Kate Bottley visits the sacred Christian site of Lourdes in France and meets a British man who believes he was miraculously cured there.

Kate Bottley finds a helter-skelter in Norwich Cathedral is bringing Christianity to life and attracting many families. She also meets a Norfolk farmer praying for a good harvest.

Aled Jones counts down to the UK's favourite hymn as voted for by you. Performers include the Kingdom Choir, Lesley Garrett, Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins and Daniel O' Donnell.

Claire McCollum visits St George's Cathedral in Hertfordshire to meet members of the UK's thriving Coptic Orthodox community and explore its ancient roots in first-century Egypt.

Aled Jones visits the Isle of Wight, meeting Christians on land and at sea, while Kate Bottley is in Birmingham on the day Cardinal Newman becomes a saint.

Rev. Kate Bottley discovers the secrets of sacred geometry at the beautifully restored Gorton Monastery in Manchester and meets Christians sharing the love of God in the community.

Katherine Jenkins visits and performs in Pembrokeshire, revealing the story of a new statue of St David destined for the Valley of the Saints in France.

Singer Russell Watson tells Aled Jones how a near-death experience transformed his Christian faith. Hymns include In Christ Alone, Ave Maria and Be Thou My Vision.

Katherine Jenkins marks Remembrance Sunday at the National Memorial Arboretum with Chelsea Pensioner and Britain's Got Talent winner Colin Thackery.

YolanDa Brown hosts the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition 2019 with judges Rick Astley, Brenda Edwards and Mark De-Lisser.

Join YolanDa Brown to see which of the five choirs wins the Gospel Choir of the Year competition 2019, judged by Mark De-Lisser, Brenda Edwards and Rick Astley.

For the first Sunday of Advent, Sean Fletcher visits the stunning Blair Castle in Perthshire. TV star John Barrowman reflects on his Christian faith and performs Be Thou My Vision.

Claire McCollum is at Beamish Museum to find out how Edwardians celebrated Christmas, and Rick Astley performs When a Child Is Born.

The Rev Kate Bottley visits a farm in Devon where children are invited to perform the nativity story with real animals.

A feast of festive carols from the Assembly Hall in Belfast, hosted by Aled Jones with special guests Katherine Jenkins, G4, Alexis Ffrench and The Lion King star Shaun Escoffery.

Claire McCollum is in the fabulous Assembly Hall in Belfast with 800 voices for a Big Sing spectacular, with special guests Dana, Margaret Keys and The Priests.