Earth's Sacred Wonders

NARRATOR: MANY OF THE WORLD'S BEST-KNOWN LANDMARKS HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY FAITH.

AND TODAY, MORE WORSHIPPERS THAN EVER ARE FLOCKING TO THESE SACRED PLACES.

BUT WHY DO THEY CONTINUE TO PROVOKE SUCH PASSION?

[PEOPLE CHANT] NARRATOR: HUNDREDS OF YEARS AFTER THEY WERE FIRST BUILT, MANY OF THEM REMAIN PLACES OF DEEP SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE AND CONTROVERSY.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEY ARE SANCTUARIES FOR QUIET CONTEMPLATION.

FOR OTHERS, THEY ARE SITES OF ASTONISHING ACTS OF WORSHIP, DANGEROUS CHALLENGES, AND EXTRAORDINARY DEEDS OF DEVOTION RARELY SEEN BY OUTSIDERS.

THIS TIME, AT THE GREAT MOSQUE OF DJENNE IN MALI, A YOUNG MUSLIM RACES TO PROTECT IT FROM THE ELEMENTS IN THE HOPE OF A PLACE IN PARADISE.

AT SACRED NACHI WATERFALL IN JAPAN, A SHINTO DEVOTEE UNDERTAKES A GRUELING CHALLENGE TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF HIS COUNTRY, AND AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE IN NEW YORK, AN EPISCOPAL PRIEST PERFORMS AN ASTONISHING CEREMONY TO BRING PEOPLE CLOSER TO GOD.

IN THIS SERIES, WE REVEAL THE AMAZING THINGS THAT PEOPLE DO FOR THEIR FAITH IN SOME OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR SACRED PLACES ON THE PLANET.

NARRATOR: MANY SACRED WONDERS HAVE STOOD FOR CENTURIES, BUT IN WESTERN AFRICA, ONE UNIQUE RELIGIOUS MONUMENT IS IN CONSTANT DANGER OF COLLAPSE-- THE GREAT MOSQUE IN MALI AT THE HEART OF THE CITY OF DJENNE, A VAST, TIMBER-FRAME BUILDING WITH WALLS UP TO TWO FEET THICK MADE OF MUD.

BUILT AT THE CROSSROADS OF ONE OF THE ANCIENT TRADE ROUTES IN WEST AFRICA, THE MOSQUE HAS STOOD ON THIS SITE SINCE THE 13th CENTURY.

IT IS THE LARGEST MUD BUILDING ON EARTH, AND FOR THE 20,000 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS MUD-BUILT CITY, IT IS THE FOCAL POINT OF BOTH THEIR LIVES AND THEIR FAITH... BUT UNLESS THE MOSQUE IS GIVEN A NEW COVERING OF MUD EVERY YEAR, IT WILL SIMPLY CRUMBLE TO DUST.

SUNNI MUSLIM BABER DJENNEPO IS ONE OF THE MASONS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING IT.

NARRATOR: THEIR MOSQUE ISN'T JUST A PLACE TO PRAY.

IT'S THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY-- SOMEWHERE TO MEET, STUDY, AND CELEBRATE RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS.

FOR BABER AND THE OTHER MASONS, LOOKING AFTER THE GREAT MOSQUE IS A MAJOR UNDERTAKING REQUIRING SKILLS THAT BABER LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.

NARRATOR: THE MASONS' PROBLEM IS THAT OVER THE YEAR IN THE INTENSE HEAT OF THE SUN, THE MOSQUE'S WALLS CRACK, AND WHEN THE RAINS COME, THEY BEGIN TO WASH AWAY.

WITH THE WET SEASON ONLY A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW, IT'S TIME TO GIVE IT A NEW LAYER OF MUD.

TOMORROW THE ENTIRE MOSQUE WILL BE REPLASTERED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, BUT TO COMPLETE THIS HUGE TASK, THE WHOLE TOWN NEEDS TO TAKE PART.

[PEOPLE CHANTING] NARRATOR: ACCORDING TO THE ISLAMIC TRADITION, ANYBODY WHO HELPS BUILD OR REPAIR A MOSQUE WILL HAVE AN EASIER PATH TO PARADISE, AND THE ANNUAL REPLASTERING IS CONSIDERED A VITAL WAY TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, SO TODAY THEY'VE GATHERED TO PRAY BEFORE THEY GET TO WORK.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO COLLECT ALL THE MUD.

[PEOPLE SHOUTING] NARRATOR: 3 WEEKS AGO, THE TOWNSPEOPLE DUG PITS IN THE RIVER BED AND MIXED THE MUD WITH RICE HUSKS.

THE HUSKS FERMENT, MAKING THE MUD MORE VISCOUS AND BETTER FOR WATERPROOFING THE MOSQUE'S WALLS.

NOW ALL THE MUD NEEDS TO BE TAKEN UP TO THE MOSQUE, READY FOR TOMORROW.

NARRATOR: BABER SPENDS HIS EVENING LIKE EVERY OTHER-- TEACHING THE QURAN TO HIS 5 CHILDREN.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] NARRATOR: MUSLIM CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN AS MUCH OF IT AS THEY CAN BY HEART... NARRATOR: BUT WITH THE BIG DAY AHEAD OF HIM, BABER'S GOT ONE THING ON HIS MIND, AS WELL.

NARRATOR: THE CENTRAL MINARET IS THE HIGHEST PART OF THE MOSQUE, AND THE MORNING CALL TO PRAYER IS MADE FROM HERE.

IN DJENNE, THE MASON WHO REPLASTERS THE VERY TOP GAINS MUCH FAME AND PRESTIGE... BUT THAT HONOR MUST BE EARNED, AND IT GOES TO THE ONE WHO CLIMBS THE MINARET FIRST.

NARRATOR: 5 A.M.

THE CROWDS ARE WAITING FOR THE SENIOR MASONS TO ANNOUNCE THE START OF THE REPLASTERING... [MEN CLAMORING] NARRATOR: BUT THE RIVALRY TO COVER THE CENTRAL MINARET IS SO FIERCE, SOME OF THE YOUNGER MASONS DECIDE NOT TO WAIT.

BABER IS CAUGHT BY SURPRISE.

HE NEEDS TO MOVE FAST.

EVERYONE GATHERS TO WATCH THE RACE.

AGAINST ALL THE ODDS, BABER OVERTAKES THE OTHERS AND IS FIRST TO REACH THE TOP.

DRIVEN BY HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS MOSQUE, HE'S SUCCEEDED ONCE AGAIN.

NARRATOR: TEAMS OF MUD CARRIERS NOW RUSH INTO ACTION TO KEEP THE MASONS SUPPLIED WITH FRESH MUD FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, AND AS DAY BREAKS, BABER GETS TO WORK.

HIS REPUTATION IS SAFE FOR ANOTHER YEAR... NARRATOR: BUT THE MINARET'S JUST THE START.

NOW THEY HAVE TO TACKLE THE REST OF THE MOSQUE.

NARRATOR: THE MORE EACH PERSON COVERS, THE MORE SPIRITUAL CREDITS THEY BELIEVE THEY'LL RECEIVE... NARRATOR: BUT THEIR TASK IS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD.

IT'S ONLY 8 A.M., AND IT'S ALREADY 86 DEGREES, AND AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE MUD WILL QUICKLY BECOME TOO DRY TO SPREAD, SO WHILE THE WOMEN CARRY WATER UP FROM THE RIVER TO KEEP THE MUD WET, THE MEN TAKE ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MOSQUE.

NARRATOR: BABER'S FATHER HAS COME TO SEE HOW HIS SON'S DOING.

NARRATOR: THEY'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

THE ROOF IS THE LAST SECTION TO BE TACKLED.

SO MANY MUD CARRIERS ARE COMING DOWN THE NARROW STAIRWELL, THE WATER CARRIERS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET UP TO THE ROOF... BUT BEFORE THE MUD CAN DRY OUT, THEY BREAK THROUGH... AND IN ONE LAST PUSH, THE ROOF IS COMPLETED.

[MEN CHANT] [MEN CHEERING] NARRATOR: BABER IS THE LAST MASON TO LEAVE, AND WITH A FINAL HANDFUL OF MUD, THE MOSQUE IS PROTECTED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

NARRATOR: THE IMAM FROM THE MOSQUE BLESSES EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART.

NARRATOR: JUST LIKE THE GREAT MOSQUE OF DJENNE, MOST SACRED WONDERS ARE MANMADE.

AT THE DUOMO, THE CATHEDRAL IN FLORENCE, MASONS HAD TO LAY 4 MILLION BRICKS JUST TO COMPLETE THE DOME... AND THE SHWEDAGON PAGODA IN MYANMAR IS COVERED IN OVER 20,000 SOLID GOLD TILES DONATED BY MONARCHS AND DEVOTEES OVER THE LAST 500 YEARS... BUT NOT ALL WONDERS ARE CRAFTED BY HAND.

FOR ONE, IN SOUTHWESTERN JAPAN, IT'S THE LANDSCAPE ITSELF THAT IS SACRED.

NACHI FALLS.

AT 436 FEET, IT'S JAPAN'S TALLEST UNBROKEN WATERFALL.

SHINTO IS ONE OF THE MAIN FAITHS IN JAPAN AND IS THOUGHT TO DATE BACK TO PREHISTORIC TIMES.

ITS DEVOTEES BELIEVE THAT SPIRIT DEITIES KNOWN AS KAMI INHABIT EVERY PART OF NATURE, FROM ROCKS TO RIVERS TO TREES.

THERE ARE THOUGHT TO BE COUNTLESS KAMI IN JAPAN, AND NACHI WATERFALL IS BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL.

EVERY YEAR, THIS WATERFALL IS THE SITE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY CEREMONY WHICH FOLLOWERS OF SHINTO BELIEVE IS VITAL TO ENSURING THE WELL-BEING OF ALL JAPAN.

SHINTO DEVOTEE CHIKARA MURAI WILL BE TAKING PART.

HE'S WORSHIPPED HERE SINCE HE WAS A BOY.

[BELL RINGS] NARRATOR: THE WATERFALL IS SACRED TO BOTH BUDDHISTS AND FOLLOWERS OF SHINTO, AND OVER THE CENTURIES, A COMPLEX OF TEMPLES AND SHRINES HAS GROWN UP BY THE FALLS.

[BELL RATTLES] CHIKARA WORKS IN A NEARBY TOWN AS A GOVERNMENT CLERK.

[CLAP CLAP] WHEN HE ARRIVES TO PRAY, HE CLAPS TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF THE KAMI.

NARRATOR: APART FROM THE KAMI OF THE WATERFALL, DEVOTEES BELIEVE THERE ARE 12 OTHERS THAT LIVE HERE IN THE SHRINE.

IF THESE KAMI ARE ENERGIZED, IT'S BELIEVED JAPAN WILL HAVE A PROSPEROUS YEAR, AND TO ENSURE THIS, TOMORROW CHIKARA IS GOING TO UNDERTAKE A GRUELING CHALLENGE.

HE IS GOING TO HELP THE KAMI OF THE SHRINE MAKE A CRUCIAL, ANNUAL VISIT TO THE WATERFALL, BUT THE PATH TO THE FALLS IS A STEEP, 2,000-FOOT-LONG STAIRCASE DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE, AND BEFORE THE KAMI CAN PASS ALONG IT, IT MUST BE PURIFIED WITH FIRE.

THAT'S DONE WITH GIGANTIC, FLAMING TORCHES.

NARRATOR: UNTIL NOW, CHIKARA HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT TORCH BEARER FOR HIS BROTHER, BUT THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, CHIKARA HAS BEEN GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A TORCH BEARER HIMSELF.

IT'S THE DAY BEFORE THE FESTIVAL AND THE FIRST CHANCE CHIKARA'S HAD TO TRY CARRYING ONE OF THE UNLIT TORCHES.

IT WEIGHS 110 POUNDS.

CHIKARA HIMSELF WEIGHS JUST 20 POUNDS MORE.

NARRATOR: DURING THE CEREMONY, CHIKARA WILL HAVE TO CARRY THE TORCH UNTIL THE CHIEF TORCH BEARER DECIDES THE ROUTE HAS BEEN SUFFICIENTLY PURIFIED.

TO GET IN SHAPE, CHIKARA'S BEEN TRAINING FOR MONTHS, RUNNING UP AND DOWN A STAIRCASE LIKE THE ONE HE WILL BE PURIFYING.

NARRATOR: IT WILL BE A TEST OF BOTH CHIKARA'S STRENGTH AND FAITH.

IT'S THE MORNING OF THE FIRE FESTIVAL.

LIKE EVERY DAY, THE PRIEST CONDUCTS A CEREMONY TO HONOR THE SACRED FALLS.

PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER JAPAN HAVE COME TO WATCH THE KAMI OF THE SHRINE MAKE THEIR JOURNEY.

IT'S TIME FOR CHIKARA TO PUT ON THE TORCH BEARER'S SACRED ROBES.

NARRATOR: THE KAMI WILL BE TAKEN TO THE FALLS IN SPECIALLY BUILT CARRIERS.

[PEOPLE CHEERING] NARRATOR: ONCE THE KAMI IS ON BOARD, THE CARRIER IS RAISED, AND THEIR JOURNEY TO THE SACRED FALLS CAN BEGIN.

[MEN SHOUTING] NARRATOR: MEANWHILE, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEPS, THE FIRE CEREMONY GETS UNDER WAY.

CHIKARA AND THE TEAM OF TORCH BEARERS HAVE TO GO UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW IN ADVANCE HOW MANY TIMES THEY WILL NEED TO REPEAT THE LOOP.

THEY WORK IN PAIRS-- ONE TO CARRY THE TORCH AND ONE TO TRY AND CONTROL THE FIRE BY SPRAYING WATER ON IT.

THE LOOSE PIECES OF BURNING WOOD HAVE TO BE KNOCKED OFF... WHICH MEANS CHIKARA MUST KEEP LIFTING THE HEAVY TORCH BACK UP.

THE CARRIERS HAVE NOW ARRIVED AT THE TOP OF THE PATH.

THE TORCH BEARERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS 5 TIMES, AND SOME OF THEM ARE BEGINNING TO STRUGGLE, INCLUDING CHIKARA.

NARRATOR: CHIKARA SWAPS WITH HIS ASSISTANT FOR A FEW MOMENTS.

THEN HE'S BACK AT IT.

AT LAST, THE CHIEF TORCH BEARER DECLARES THAT THE ROUTE HAS BEEN CLEANSED, AND FINALLY, THE KAMI CAN BE TAKEN TO THE SACRED FALLS.

[APPLAUSE] FOR CHIKARA, IT'S THE END OF AN EXHAUSTING BUT HAPPY DAY.

NARRATOR: THE KAMI OF THE SHRINE, RE-ENERGIZED BY THEIR VISIT, ARE TAKEN BACK TO THEIR HOME, WHERE, IT'S BELIEVED, THEY'LL KEEP JAPAN PROSPEROUS FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

NARRATOR: IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD, SACRED WONDERS ARE IN REMOTE AND INACCESSIBLE PLACES, IDEAL FOR QUIET CONTEMPLATION.

THE TIGER'S NEST IN BHUTAN WAS BUILT ON THE LEDGE WHERE A GURU IS SAID TO HAVE MEDITATED FOR OVER 3 YEARS, AND WHEN THE MONASTERIES OF METEORA WERE FIRST BUILT IN GREECE, PEOPLE COULD ONLY REACH THEM BY BEING WINCHED UP IN NETS, BUT DURING TIMES OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, THEIR LOCATION IS ALSO ABOUT DEFENSE.

ONE SUCH WONDER IS OVER 2,000 YEARS OLD AND NOW LIES IN RUINS, AND YET IT REMAINS A PLACE OF EXTRAORDINARY SIGNIFICANCE TO JEWS BECAUSE OF AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE DURING ROMAN TIMES.

MASADA--A MOUNTAIN FORTRESS RISING SHEER FROM THE JUDEAN DESERT IN ISRAEL AND HOME TO THE REMAINS OF ONE OF THE OLDEST KNOWN SYNAGOGUES ON THE PLANET.

MASADA WAS WHERE THE PALACE OF KING HEROD STOOD IN THE TIME OF JESUS.

MANY BELIEVE THAT THIS FORT IS WHERE THE JEWS MADE THEIR LAST STAND AGAINST ROMAN INVADERS IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

AFTER MONTHS OF SIEGE, THESE REBELS CHOSE DEATH RATHER THAN GIVE UP THEIR FAITH.

TODAY MASADA IS ONE OF THE MOST VISITED RELIGIOUS SITES IN ISRAEL, AND IT'S SO SYMBOLIC THAT JEWISH PEOPLE TRAVEL HERE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

13-YEAR-OLD MIA AND 12-YEAR-OLD JACOB ZARETSKY LIVE ALMOST 6,000 MILES FROM MASADA IN A QUIET NEW JERSEY SUBURB.

ONE WEEK FROM NOW, THEY'LL BE TRAVELING TO ISRAEL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THEY'RE GOING TO MASADA FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS RITE OF PASSAGE FOR ANY YOUNG JEW-- THE BAR MITZVAH.

GOOD SHOT.

JACOB, VOICE-OVER: ISRAEL IS THE MOST JEWISH PLACE FOR JEWS.

IN THE WORLD YOU CAN FIND.

IT'S WHERE EVERYTHING STARTED.

[PEOPLE TALKING] NARRATOR: THEIR PARENTS CRAIG AND LISA HAVE INVITED THE EXTENDED FAMILY OVER TO CELEBRATE THE UPCOMING TRIP.

L'CHAIM.

HA HA HA!

NARRATOR: THE BAT MITZVAH FOR A GIRL AND BAR MITZVAH FOR A BOY IS THE POINT AT WHICH JEWISH CHILDREN BECOME ADULTS IN THE EYES OF THEIR FAITH.

[LAUGHTER] JACOB AND MIA KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO THEIR PARENTS... MIA, VOICE-OVER: THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT, LIKE, WE GET BAR AND BAT MITZVAH'D IN AN EXTREMELY HOLY PLACE.

THEY'RE GONNA BE HAPPY BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA BE PROUD.

THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA MAKE THEM PROBABLY GET EMOTIONAL.

NARRATOR: BUT THE TRIP BRINGS WITH IT A HUGE CHALLENGE.

[SINGING IN HEBREW] NARRATOR: AT THE CEREMONY, EACH OF THEM MUST READ A LONG PASSAGE OF HEBREW SCRIPTURE... WOMAN: ALL RIGHT.

THAT WAS A VERY GOOD PACE.

NARRATOR: BUT NEITHER OF THEM SPEAKS NOR UNDERSTANDS HEBREW.

THEY HAVE BEEN STUDYING HARD FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

[JACOB AND MIA SINGING IN HEBREW] NARRATOR: TODAY IS THE LAST LESSON WITH THEIR TUTOR BEFORE THEY GO.

WOMAN: YEAH.

YOU SOUNDED GREAT TOGETHER, VERY NICE.

NARRATOR: HEBREW SCRIPT IS READ FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, AND THEY'VE HAD TO MEMORIZE HOW TO PRONOUNCE EVERY WORD.

[SPEAKING HEBREW] NARRATOR: IT'S LIKE TRYING TO SING A SONG WITH NO TUNE IN A LANGUAGE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND... [SINGS IN HEBREW] TRY IT.

[SINGS IN HEBREW] NARRATOR: AND THEY'LL BE SINGING IT IN FRONT OF A RABBI AND 3 GENERATIONS OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY.

JACOB, VOICE-OVER: I REMEMBER ALL OF IT.

I JUST FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA GET ANXIOUS.

WOMAN: BOTH OF YOU SINGING THIS AT MASADA, MM-HMM.

WOW, VERY DIFFERENT THAN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE.

WOW.

NARRATOR: THEY'RE BOTH WORRIED ABOUT HOW IT WILL GO ON THE DAY.

IF HE FALLS DOWN, I'M JUST GONNA KEEP ON SINGING.

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

WELL, I GOT TO KEEP THE SERVICE GOING.

I THINK SHE'LL STOP.

I CAN'T JUST LET IT-- I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD STOP FOR ME, BUT I THINK SHE WOULD, LIKE, SLOW DOWN.

I WOULD DO THE SAME FOR YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

THANKS.

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

NARRATOR: ISRAEL, ONE WEEK LATER.

YOU GOT THIS?

YES.

NARRATOR: THE CEREMONY IS IN 45 MINUTES, BUT THERE'S STILL TIME FOR SOME LAST-MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS.

LISA: YOU HAVE TO TALK SLOW.

DON'T RUSH.

SAY YOUR PRAYERS.

THERE'S NO FIGHTING, WHATEVER HAPPENS.

I'M NOT KIDDING.

I'M BEING DEAD SERIOUS, OK?

JACOB: "ZARETSKYS" ON 3!

1, 2, 3!

LISA: ZARETSKYS.

WE GOT TO GO.

I LOVE YOU.

NARRATOR: MASADA IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BAR MITZVAH SITES IN THE WORLD.

OVER 400 TAKE PLACE HERE EVERY YEAR.

CRAIG: COME ON THIS SIDE.

JACOB: MOM, HERE'S THE PLASTIC.

NARRATOR: LAST-MINUTE NERVES ARE STARTING TO GET TO MIA.

MIA, VOICE-OVER: JUST, LIKE, FOR ONE SECOND, I JUST, LIKE, STOPPED PRACTICING, AND I COULD NOT REMEMBER THE FIRST WORD.

I WAS LIKE, "I'M GONNA MESS UP.

I'M GOING TO MESS UP.

I'M GOING TO MESS UP."

NARRATOR: THE ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE, WHICH NOW LIES IN RUINS, IS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN A STABLE IN KING HEROD'S PALACE, BUT WHEN MASADA WAS UNDER SIEGE, THE JEWISH REBELS HERE CONVERTED IT INTO A PLACE OF WORSHIP, AND ALMOST 2,000 YEARS LATER, THE ZARETSKYS TAKE THEIR SEATS FOR THE CEREMONY.

FIRST, DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY TAKE THEIR TURN TO READ FROM JEWISH TEXTS...

REMEMBER WORDS OF SCRIPTURE.

IT IS A LAND WHERE THE BIBLE... PRAY WITH SINCERITY.

NARRATOR: INCLUDING GRANDPA ZARETSKY.

LISA: OUR GOD, I SEEK YOUR GOOD.

NARRATOR: NOW IT'S MIA AND JACOB'S BIG MOMENT.

THIS IS WHAT THEY'VE BEEN PREPARING FOR ALL YEAR-- RECITING THE PASSAGES FROM THE SACRED TORAH, JUDAISM'S HOLY SCROLL.

JACOB GOES FIRST.

[SINGING IN HEBREW] [REPEATING IN HEBREW] NARRATOR: EXPECTATIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH.

REMEMBERING THE PRONUNCIATION IS TRICKY ENOUGH... [PAUSES] [SPEAKS HEBREW] [CONTINUES SINGING] NARRATOR: BUT EACH PHRASE MUST ALSO BE CHANTED WITH THE CORRECT UPS AND DOWNS.

[SINGS IN HEBREW] [PAUSES] [SPEAKS HEBREW] [CONTINUES SINGING] NARRATOR: GET THE INTONATION WRONG, AND THE MEANING CHANGES COMPLETELY.

[SINGS] NO.

[SPEAKS HEBREW] [CONTINUES SINGING] ALL: AMEN MAZEL TOV TO JAKE.

YOU CAN BE SEATED.

NARRATOR: DESPITE A FEW STUMBLES, JACOB MAKES IT THROUGH.

MIA, PLEASE COME UP.

NARRATOR: AS THE ELDEST, MIA HAS HAD TO LEARN TWICE AS MUCH AS HER BROTHER.

[SINGING RAPIDLY IN HEBREW] ALL: AMEN MAZEL TOV TO MIA.

YOU CAN BE SEATED.

NARRATOR: IN SPITE OF HER NERVES, MIA HAS SAILED THROUGH.

MAN: MOM AND DAD WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU NOW.

NARRATOR: NOW LISA AND CRAIG CAN WELCOME THEIR CHILDREN INTO ADULTHOOD.

IT'S THE MOMENT TO SHARE SOMETHING THEY DON'T OFTEN TALK ABOUT BECAUSE FOR MIA, THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT JOURNEY.

LISA: MIA, I STRUGGLE TO FIND THE WORDS THAT COME EVEN CLOSE TO EXPRESSING THE LOVE AND ADMIRATION I HAVE FOR YOU.

YOU KEPT TELLING ME YOU HAD THIS LUMP IN YOUR NECK AND SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT.

MONTH AFTER MONTH, I TOLD YOU, "YOU'RE FINE.

YOU'RE FINE."

CRAIG: THE LUMP WE FOUND WAS A TUMOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED, AND, JUST LIKE THAT, OUR LIVES CHANGED.

NEVER ONCE DID YOU CRY.

NEVER ONCE DID YOU COMPLAIN.

AS WE STAND HERE TODAY AS YOU BECOME A JEWISH WOMAN, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TEACHING US WHAT IT IS TO BE STRONG.

LISA: JACOB... [LAUGHTER] YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING THE SHOTS BEFORE YOU ENTERED THIS WORLD.

CRAIG: "FIERY," "DRIVEN," "INTENSE," AND "COMPASSIONATE" ARE WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE YOU.

EVERYONE THAT MEETS YOU LOVES YOU.

KEEP BEING YOU.

BIG THINGS LIE AHEAD, AND WE LOVE YOU.

MAZEL TOV.

MAZEL TOV MAZEL TOV!

AH!

NARRATOR: THE CEREMONY ENDS WITH THE THROWING OF CANDY, AN EXPRESSION OF THE SWEETNESS OF THE ADULT LIFE THAT MIA AND JACOB ARE NOW ENTERING.

MIA: I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT IT WAS OVER WITH BUT SAD THAT OUR TIME HERE AT MASADA WAS GONE.

JACOB: I FEEL THE SAME.

I JUST FEEL THAT I HAVE THAT OOMPH IN MY HEAD.

I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT.

THAT'S JUST WHAT HE NEEDS!

NARRATOR: MASADA MAY HAVE ORIGINALLY PROVIDED AN UNASSAILABLE SANCTUARY, BUT MANY SACRED WONDERS WERE PURPOSE-BUILT TO WELCOME VAST NUMBERS OF VISITORS.

ST. PETER'S SQUARE AT THE VATICAN WAS DESIGNED TO EMBRACE THE LARGE CROWDS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD THAT COME TO HEAR THE POPE SPEAK, AND THE LARGEST ANNUAL GATHERING ON EARTH IS AT THE SHRINE OF IMAM HUSAYN IN IRAQ DURING ARBA'EEN.

IT'S MORE THAN TWICE AS BUSY AS MECCA DURING THE HAJJ, BUT IN NORTHWEST INDIA, THERE IS ONE WONDER THAT GREETS ITS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WORSHIPPERS IN A UNIQUE WAY-- THE GOLDEN TEMPLE.

IN THE BUSTLING CITY OF AMRITSAR... A TEMPLE HAS STOOD ON THIS SITE FOR OVER 400 YEARS, AND IT WAS REBUILT WITH MARBLE AND GOLD IN THE 19th CENTURY.

IT'S SURROUNDED BY A HOLY LAKE KNOWN AS THE POOL OF NECTAR, AND IT IS THE MOST SACRED PLACE FOR INDIA'S FOURTH BIGGEST RELIGION--SIKHISM.

FOUNDED IN THE 16th CENTURY AS A FOCAL POINT OF WORSHIP FOR SIKHS, THE TEMPLE IS OPEN ON ALL 4 SIDES TO SHOW THAT IT WELCOMES PEOPLE FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD.

TOMORROW IS THE START OF THE VAISAKHI FESTIVAL.

NEARLY A QUARTER OF A MILLION VISITORS A DAY WILL BE COMING THROUGH THE GATES, AND EVERY SINGLE ONE WILL BE GREETED WITH A FREE MEAL.

THIS YEAR, TAJINDER SINGH HAS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP WITH THIS COLOSSAL CATERING JOB.

NARRATOR: VAISAKHI MARKS THE TIME, OVER 300 YEARS AGO, THAT THE SIKH FAITH INITIATED A BROTHERHOOD OF WARRIOR SAINTS WHOSE TASK WAS TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT FROM RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.

THE TRADITIONS AND WAY OF LIFE THEY BEGAN ARE CELEBRATED AT VAISAKHI.

NARRATOR: TAJINDER IS VOLUNTEERING TO SHOW HIS COMMITMENT AS A SIKH.

HE'LL BE WORKING IN AN UNASSUMING, RED-BRICK BUILDING JUST BEHIND THE GOLDEN TEMPLE.

THIS IS THE LANGAR, THE TEMPLE'S COMMUNAL KITCHEN.

NARRATOR: THE LANGAR EMBODIES ONE OF THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF SIKHISM-- THAT EVERYONE IS EQUAL, SO, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOUR RELIGION, EVERYBODY WHO SETS FOOT IN THE GOLDEN TEMPLE IS INVITED TO SIT AND EAT ALONGSIDE OTHERS.

TAJINDER HIMSELF EATS HERE EVERY TIME HE COMES TO PRAY.

NARRATOR: ALL THE FOOD SERVED IS DONATED, AND MOST OF IT'S COOKED BY VOLUNTEERS... BUT TO CATER FOR ALL THE EXTRA WORSHIPPERS OVER THE VAISAKHI FESTIVAL, THE LANGAR NEEDS THOUSANDS MORE HELPERS, AND THIS YEAR, TAJINDER WILL BE AMONG THEM.

THERE'S ONE PROBLEM-- HE'S NO COOK.

NARRATOR: HE'S A PHARMACIST AND A BUSINESSMAN.

AT HOME, IT'S HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS WHO DO ALL THE COOKING.

NARRATOR: TAJINDER RARELY SO MUCH AS FRIES AN ONION, AND YET OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS, HE INTENDS TO HELP WITH EVERY SINGLE CATERING JOB AT THE TEMPLE.

NARRATOR: 4:30 A.M.

THE CROWDS ARE ALREADY GATHERING TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE SIKHS' HOLY BOOK-- THE SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB.

EVERY MORNING, IT IS TAKEN BENEATH A JEWEL-ENCRUSTED CLOTH FROM ITS OVERNIGHT RESTING PLACE TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE TEMPLE'S INNER SANCTUM.

IN THE LANGAR, TAJINDER'S TWO-DAY MARATHON BEGINS.

HIS FIRST JOB IS MAKING ROTI, THE TRADITIONAL FLATBREAD.

NARRATOR: THEY MUST MAKE AROUND 250 FLATBREADS EVERY MINUTE IF THEY'RE NOT TO RUN OUT.

AFTER TAJINDER'S SHIFT ON THE ROTIS, THE TASKS COME THICK AND FAST.

NARRATOR: THERE ARE NOW OVER 5,000 PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH THE LANGAR EVERY 20 MINUTES... AND THE DEVOTEES JUST KEEP COMING.

IN THE KITCHENS, TAJINDER IS ON TO ONE OF THE MOST CRUCIAL JOBS OF ALL-- [TAJINDER SINGING] NARRATOR: COOKING LENTIL DAAL.

IT'S THE MAIN INGREDIENT OF EVERY MEAL SERVED IN THE LANGAR.

NARRATOR: THERE ARE 8 VATS ON THE GO, AND THERE IS PLENTY OF DAAL READY WHEN THE DOORS OPEN FOR THE FIRST BREAKFAST SITTING... NARRATOR: BUT THEY QUICKLY HIT A PROBLEM.

NARRATOR: TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE WORSHIPPERS HAVE TURNED UP THIS YEAR THAN EXPECTED, AND THE KITCHENS ARE RUNNING OUT OF DAAL.

[TAJINDER SINGING] [TAJINDER SINGING] NARRATOR: DESPITE THE SURGE, THE LENTIL TEAM MANAGES TO CATCH UP... BUT TAJINDER STILL HAS ONE MORE TASK TO COMPLETE--THE WASHING UP.

NARRATOR: THE DISHWASHING TEAM HAS TO SEND THE PLATES BACK OUT AT A RATE OF 270 PER MINUTE, OR THE DINING ROOM WILL GRIND TO A STANDSTILL.

NARRATOR: WITH HIS SHIFT NOW FINISHED, ANOTHER VOLUNTEER TAKES HIS PLACE... AND TAJINDER HAS TIME TO PRAY IN THE POOL OF NECTAR AS THE DAY OF VAISAKHI DRAWS TO AN END.

NARRATOR: TAJINDER'S PARENTS HAVE COME TO JOIN HIM.

NARRATOR: IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE VAISAKHI.

[TAJINDER SHOUTS] [ALL SHOUT] NARRATOR: AS TRAVEL HAS BECOME EASIER, SOME SACRED WONDERS HAVE HAD TO ACCOMMODATE MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER.

THE GRAND MOSQUE IN MECCA HAS BEEN EXTENDED IN THE LAST 7 YEARS TO COPE WITH THE OVER 2 MILLION VISITORS THAT COME TO WORSHIP DURING THE HAJJ, BUT FOR OTHERS, IT'S HARD TO PULL A CROWD IN THE 21st CENTURY.

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE, A SLEEPING GIANT AMONG THE STREETS AND SKYSCRAPERS OF MANHATTAN.

ST. JOHN'S IS THE LARGEST ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL IN THE WORLD, ALMOST AS LONG AND HIGH AS ST. PETER'S BASILICA AT THE VATICAN IN ROME.

ITS CAVERNOUS INTERIOR COULD FIT TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS END TO END AND IS OVERLOOKED BY ONE OF THE LARGEST STAINED-GLASS ROSE WINDOWS IN THE WORLD.

IN THE 19th CENTURY, IT WAS BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE A CONGREGATION OF 3,000 PEOPLE, BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AND FOR THIS CATHEDRAL, THAT FLOOD OF WORSHIPPERS HAS TURNED INTO LITTLE MORE THAN A TRICKLE.

"SIRE, THEY WOULD HAVE REPENTED LONG AGO."

NARRATOR: PATTI WELCH IS A PRIEST AT ST. JOHN'S.

WELCH, VOICE-OVER: I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 16 YEARS, AND WE'VE NEVER HAD A LOT OF NUMBERS AT OUR LUNCHTIME SERVICES, BUT THEY HAVE DWINDLED, AND I'VE SEEN THEM DWINDLE ALSO AT OUR SUNDAY SERVICES.

THE GIFTS OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

NARRATOR: PATTI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AN EVENT THAT, ON AT LEAST ONE DAY OF THE YEAR, SEES THE CATHEDRAL PACKED TO THE RAFTERS.

SHEEPS, GOATS.

WE HAVE-- THE SKUNK IS COMING.

OH, I'M SO GLAD.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHERE WE PUT HIM.

NARRATOR: TOGETHER WITH CATHEDRAL MANAGER LISA SCHUBERT, PATTI IS ORGANIZING A REMARKABLE EVENT THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN JUST 24 HOURS.

SO WE'LL PUT OSCAR IN FRONT.

HE'S ALWAYS VERY SWEET AS LONG AS THEY GIVE HIM LOTS OF LETTUCE, AND HE LOOKS GOOD IN HIS GARLAND.

NARRATOR: TOMORROW A MENAGERIE OF OVER A THOUSAND ANIMALS, ALONG WITH THEIR OWNERS AND HANDLERS, WILL BE ARRIVING AT THE CATHEDRAL TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS, THE PATRON SAINT OF ANIMALS.

PEOPLE ALWAYS LOVE TEDDY, ALTHOUGH HE'S GOT TERRIBLE BREATH.

SHEEP IS DONKEY'S FRIEND.

OH, SO THEY LIKE TO WALK TOGETHER.

YES, AND SHEEP CALMS DONKEY DOWN.

OK. GREAT.

NARRATOR: PATTI'S BEEN MANAGING THE CEREMONY FOR OVER A DECADE.

NOW, HERE'S THE THING ABOUT THE GOAT.

THE GOAT BUTTS.

OH, RIGHT.

HE BUTTS THE LITTLE CHILDREN.

NARRATOR: THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT IS THE GRAND PROCESSION OF EXOTIC ANIMALS DOWN THE AISLE TO BE BLESSED AT THE ALTAR BY THE BISHOP OF NEW YORK.

WELCH, VOICE-OVER: THOSE THOUSANDS INCLUDE PEOPLE THAT MAY NEVER HAVE WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE CATHEDRAL, WOULDN'T FEEL DRAWN HERE EXCEPT THAT THEY'RE INVITED TO BRING THEIR BELOVED PET WITH THEM.

NARRATOR: IT'S NOW ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR FOR PATTI, RIVALLING EVEN CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, BUT APART FROM BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE CATHEDRAL, PATTI BELIEVES IT ALSO SERVES AN IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL PURPOSE.

WELCH, VOICE-OVER: IT'S ABOUT CONNECTING WITH THESE AMAZING CREATURES THAT WE INHABIT THIS SPACE WITH, THAT WE SHARE THIS EARTHLY PLANE, THIS EARTH WITH, AND THAT WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEM AND WHAT THEY GIVE TO US.

NARRATOR: BUT WITH OVER A THOUSAND ANIMALS IN THE CATHEDRAL TOMORROW, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THE CEREMONY WILL GO ACCORDING TO PLAN.

9 A.M. ON THE FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS.

THE SERVICE IS DUE TO START IN TWO HOURS, AND ALREADY LARGE CROWDS ARE BUILDING.

WELCH: OH, LADY GAGA, SO BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

HOW OLD IS MAX?

9 MONTHS.

OH, A PUPPY.

HI.

YEAH.

OH, HE'S GORGEOUS.

WHO IN THE WORLD IS THIS?

MAYBELLE.

HI, MAYBELLE.

NARRATOR: IT'S LOOKING TO BE A COLOSSAL ATTENDANCE.

OVER 2,000 THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE ARRIVED SO FAR, INCLUDING SEVERAL MEMBERS OF PATTI'S CONGREGATION PLUS THEIR PETS.

HI, ARCHIE.

HA HA HA!

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, TOO.

NARRATOR: AFTER THE SERVICE, EVERYONE HERE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE THEIR OWN ANIMALS BLESSED OUTSIDE BY PATTI, BUT THE MORE OVEREXCITED PETS PACKED IN THE PEWS, THE GREATER THE POTENTIAL FOR PANDEMONIUM.

[SHEEP BAAS] MEANWHILE, THE PROCESSION ANIMALS AND THEIR HANDLERS ARE ARRIVING.

EVERY YEAR, A LOCAL ANIMAL SANCTUARY LOANS THEM TO PATTI FOR THE DAY TO HELP THE CATHEDRAL WITH FUNDRAISING.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LEAD ONE OF THESE EXOTIC ANIMALS UP THE AISLE OR BRING A PET CAN MAKE A DONATION.

THE MONEY RAISED FUNDS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND HELPS WITH THE UPKEEP OF THE CATHEDRAL, BUT MANY OF THE ANIMALS REQUIRE CAREFUL HANDLING.

OH, BOA, BOA, BOA.

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, BEHIND SHEEP, AND THEN, BOA, STAY THERE.

DIETSCHE: IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE THE CATHEDRAL FULL FOR OUR ST. FRANCIS DAY CELEBRATION, AND IT IS A MIXTURE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

NARRATOR: 11 A.M.

THE BISHOP OF NEW YORK BEGINS THE SERVICE.

PATTI HAS JUST 45 MINUTES LEFT TO GET ALL THE ANIMALS LINED UP AND READY TO MOVE OUT ON CUE.

THE MAMA DUCK WITH THE BABY DUCKS?

YES.

NARRATOR: PATTI'S ARK IS TAKING SHAPE... OSCAR'S GONNA GO FIRST UP THE RAMP AND DOWN THE AISLE FOLLOWED BY CAMEL.

NARRATOR: BUT ALL THE ANIMALS NEED TO BE LINED UP IN A VERY PARTICULAR ORDER FOR THE PROCESSION.

WELCH: WE DON'T WANT BIRDS OF PREY BEHIND THE BABY DUCKLINGS.

NO.

NARRATOR: IF PREDATOR SPECIES ARE PLACED NEXT TO POTENTIAL PREY, THEY COULD ATTACK, AND LARGE ANIMALS MIGHT KICK SMALLER ANIMALS BEHIND THEM.

ALL RIGHT, DIANE.

LET'S HEAD DOWN.

NARRATOR: THE SERVICE IS NOW WELL UNDER WAY.

WITH ONLY 30 MINUTES LEFT TO GO, ONE OF PATTI'S ANIMAL HANDLERS HAS FAINTED... WELCH: SO WE'RE CALLING 911.

WE'RE LETTING SECURITY KNOW.

NARRATOR: BUT THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

WELCH: ALL RIGHT.

EVERYBODY LINE UP.

IF YOU'VE GOT ANIMALS, COME WITH ME.

MAN: WE'LL ASK THE CONGREGATION TO BE SEATED.

NARRATOR: FINALLY, IT'S TIME TO GO.

OPEN THE DOORS.

OPEN THE DOORS.

MAN: THE PROCESSION OF ANIMALS IS BEGINNING NOW.

WELCH, VOICE-OVER: I LOSE SLEEP OVER WHETHER OR NOT THE ANIMALS WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE MAIN AISLE OF THE CATHEDRAL.

NARRATOR: WHEN THE ANIMALS ENTER THE NARROW AISLE, THEY COULD FEEL TRAPPED.

THIS IS THE MOMENT THEY'RE MOST LIKELY TO PANIC... BUT THE ANIMALS REMAIN CALM.

WELCH, VOICE-OVER: THERE'S THIS QUIET THAT ENGULFS THIS AMAZING CATHEDRAL, THIS HUGE SPACE, AND THAT'S WHAT I LOVE, THAT MOMENT WHERE I KNOW EVERYTHING'S IN PLACE AND IT'S ALL GONNA BE OK. NARRATOR: THE BISHOP BLESSES THE LAST OF THE ANIMALS.

THE PROCESSION'S POOP SCOOPER DEALS WITH ONE FINAL ACCIDENT, AND PATTI CAN BREATHE ONCE AGAIN.

THE EVENT HAS BEEN A TRIUMPH.

WELCH, VOICE-OVER: IT'S ALL WORKED OUT AGAIN, WHICH IS MIRACULOUS.

TO SEE THIS MAGNIFICENT CATHEDRAL FILLED AS IT OUGHT TO BE FILLED EVERY SUNDAY, THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT, THAT WE COME TOGETHER IN THESE MOMENTS AND THEY'RE SACRED.

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