episode description
In this episode we look into the life and work of three inspirational leaders, whose spiritual messages went beyond their local communities, reaching millions around the globe. Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most important figures in western history. One-third of the world's total population are of the Christian faith, equating to 2.38 billion people. They follow the teachings of this man that lived around two thousand years ago and proclaimed to be the son of god. Jesus’ message and actions definitely transcended time and made him immortal. Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent resistance helped end British rule in India and has continued to influence modern civil disobedience movements across the globe long after his death. This worldwide renown figure was nicknamed Mahatma, which translates as “great-souled”, because of his ascetic lifestyle based on prayer, fasting and meditation. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a world renowned North Macedonian catholic nun who founded her own congregation: the Missionaries of Charity. Their members take vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and also profess a fourth vow – to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor." For her charity work, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and, only a few years after her death in 1997, was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016.
