Christianity - Glossary

Question 1

Sacraments

Answer 1

Sacred or holy actions that can bring about changes; a visible sign of an invisible action of God.

Question 2

Articles Of Religion

Answer 2

The 39 articles ‘agreed upon by the arch-bishops, bishops, and the whole clergy of Canterbury and York’.

Question 3

Bishop

Answer 3

The title given to the leader in some Christian churches. In Orthodox churches, the title is ‘Patriarch’.

Question 4

Creed

Answer 4

A formal, but concise statement of beliefs.

Question 5

Eucharist

Answer 5

The sacred meal of bread and wine commonly celebrated in some form by christians as their central act of worship. Commemorates the last meal of Jesus with his disciples prior to his death.

Question 6

Liturgy

Answer 6

The official or set forms of worhsip, as opposed to private devotions

Question 7

Filoque Clause

Answer 7

Literally ‘and son’ in Latin. It is referred to as the ‘filoque clause’ because the phrase ‘and son’ was added to the Nicene creed, indicating that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father ‘and son’.

Question 8

Icon

Answer 8

A representatoin of Christ, the Virgin Mary or a saint, especially one painted in oil or on a wooden panel in a traditional byzantine style.

Question 9

Iconostasis

Answer 9

A sanctuary covered with icons ( images of christ, mary, and the saints ), which seperates the sanctuary from the rest of the church.

Question 10

Monastic

Answer 10

Describing an institutuonal form of religious life, either alone or in a community, in which individuals take vows of poverty, chasity, and obedience.

Question 11

Pope

Answer 11

The bishop of Rome, considered to be the successor of the apostle, Peter - The head of the catholic church.

Question 11

Protestant

Answer 11

A general term for those breaking away at the reformation, In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the ‘protesting’ churches in England were often called the nonconformist churches or dessenters.

Question 12

Purgatory

Answer 12

The intermediate stage between death and heaven according to catholic theology.

Question 13

Reformation

Answer 13

The early sixteenth century movement that began as an effort to purify the life and teachings of the catholic church, and eventually led to the establishment of seperate christian churches.

Question 14

Rite

Answer 14

A formal or ceremonial act or procedure that is prescribed or is customary in a religious context.

Question 15

Theology

Answer 15

Literally ‘Words about God’; The systematic study of God, Gods attributes and Gods relationshop to the universe.