Christian celebrations (beliefs)

Question 1

Pilgrimage

Answer 1

A journey with religious or spiritual significance
To a specific place

Question 2

Why do Christians choose to do pilgrimages?

Answer 2

1. Grow closer to God and strengthen faith
2. Repent from sin
3. Reflect on their lives, esp when facing crisis or big decision
4. Pray for something special or thank God for a blessing
5. Seek a cure for an illness
6. Help other pilgrims who are disabled or ill
7. Experience a holy place
8. Meet others who share their faith

Question 3

Lourdes, france

Answer 3

A place where a young peasant girl called Bernadette saw Mary
Told her dig away mud to reveal a spring and drink from it = healing powers
Priest declared it true

Question 4

Why do people go to Lourdes?

Answer 4

For healing if they are ill to drink from the spring
To hold mass and use rosaries

Question 5

Iona, Scotland

Answer 5

A monastery built by a monk who spread Catholicism to Scotland
a “thin place”, where the wall between spiritual + physical world is thin

Question 6

Why do people go to Iona?

Answer 6

A quiet place for reflection on the Bible
A place where God reveals himself to us in general revelation due to its tranquility

Question 7

Criticisms of pilgrimage

Answer 7

Money is wasted and should be helping Christian’s in need
Commercialised = selling souvenirs
Can be felt at home as gods power and presence is everywhere

Question 8

Advent

Answer 8

The wait leading up to Christmas
4 Sundays leading up to 25th December

Question 9

What do you do during advent?

Answer 9

Advent crown placed at front of church with 5 candles:
3 purple ones
1 rose one lit on 3rd week
1 big white candle lit on Christmas (Paschal Candle)

Question 10

What is advent about traditionally?

Answer 10

Expecting the big celebration
Waiting for it and finding joy in that
Praying
Fasting (orthodox)

Question 11

Christmas

Answer 11

Commemorates the birth of Jesus but not necessarily on the day he was born

Question 12

When do Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas?

Answer 12

25th December

Question 13

When do orthodox celebrate Christmas?

Answer 13

6th January

Question 14

Christmas celebrations

Answer 14

Church services and carols
Midnight mass
Provide food and charity for those in need

Question 15

Midnight mass

Answer 15

A Eucharist held at midnight beginning of 25th December

Question 16

Lent

Answer 16

Period of 40 days leading up to the resurrection

Question 17

What do Christians do during lent and why?

Answer 17

Fast = testing discipline and represent Jesus’s sacrifice
Reconciling with God = because Jesus atoned for our sins to make salvation possible
Praying

Question 18

Ash Wednesday

Answer 18

The first day of lent
A special day of fasting and prayer

Question 19

What happens on Ash Wednesday?

Answer 19

Foreheads are marked with crosses made out of ash from last years Palm Sunday

Question 20

How do Catholics celebrate lent?

Answer 20

Prepare for the resurrection of Christ
Through receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation by repenting sins

Question 21

Holy week

Answer 21

The week leading up to easter Sunday (the resurrection)

Question 22

Holy Week dates

Answer 22

Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday

Question 23

What happened on Palm Sunday?

Answer 23

4 gospels:
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey
People were happy to see him and waved palm leaves

Question 24

How do Christians celebrate Palm Sunday?

Answer 24

By giving out Palm crosses

Question 25

Maundy Thursday

Answer 25

The day of the last supper Then arrest in the garden

Question 26

How does Maundy Thursday impact Christians?

Answer 26

Inspires the Eucharist and reenactment of the last supper A time of great reflection

Question 27

Good Friday

Answer 27

Jesus’s crucifixion and death

Question 28

How do Christian’s celebrate Good Friday

Answer 28

Attend a church service showing stations of the cross to remind people of Jesus’s suffering Repent from sins to honour Jesus’s sacrifice for atonement thus salvation

Question 29

Easter Sunday

Answer 29

When Jesus was resurrected

Question 30

How do Christians celebrate Easter Sunday?

Answer 30

It’s a day of great joy Celebrating God’s grace and our atonement to be reconnected with god Eat lamb to remember Jesus sacrifice Also our salvation Eating chocolate eggs and meals

Question 31

What is the most important celebration for Christians?

Answer 31

Easter Sunday as it celebrates Jesus’s resurrection This is because it commemorates the atonement of our relationship with god And presents the possibility of life after death and resurrection of our souls Give Christians a meaning to their life

Question 32

How do Christians help the community?

Answer 32

Youth groups Keep churches open for people needing guidance Street pastors to help those in need Food banks

Question 33

Why do Christian’s help the community?

Answer 33

“Love thy neighbour” Parable of the sheep and goats = salvation through good works Jesus helping those in need

Question 34

Salvation Army

Answer 34

Christian charitable organisation Food + toy collections at Xmas Advice Attends political conferences Ending modern day slavery Summer camps for school Helping lonely old people

Question 35

CAFOD

Answer 35

Catholic Agency for overseas development Helps fight poverty and injustice

Question 36

Christian aid

Answer 36

Working in disaster zones around the world Going door to door to get donations

Question 37

Tearfund

Answer 37

Evangelical charity to solve world hunger

Question 38

Missionary

Answer 38

Spreading Christian word through actions especially charitable ones, not necessarily by preaching

Question 39

Evangelism

Answer 39

Spreading gods message to specifically convert people to Christianity

Question 40

Why do Christian’s go on missions?

Answer 40

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Question 41

Why do Christian’s evangelise?

Answer 41

Because some feel without people knowing about Christ they cannot achieve salvation through grace (salvation achieved by believing in Jesus)

Question 42

Reconciliation

Answer 42

The idea of mending a broken relationship

Question 43

Justice

Answer 43

When the right and fair thing is done

Question 44

Why do Christian’s believe in reconciliation?

Answer 44

Because of the parable of the Good Samaritan where he helped a vulnerable Jewish person, when during this period they wouldn’t like each other

Question 45

Why do christians believe in justice?

Answer 45

“Let justice flow down like rivers” The Bible wants us to honour gods desires We must reflect god’s characteristics of just as we are made in his image

Question 46

How do Christian’s respond to religious persecution?

Answer 46

Reconciliation and forgiveness Bible smuggling Sending money