Church in Britain Flashcards
What did Pope Gregory the Great send?
40 Benedictine monks from Rome to preach to the English
Why were the monks adamant to preach to the English?
When they reached France they had heard so much about the English and how fierce they were, that they wanted to go back home to Rome
Why did the Pope ask the group to continue on their mission?
They would have a greater reward in heaven because of this difficult task they have been asked to do
When did the monks arrive in England?
597 AD, as well as some French priests
Who welcomed Augustine and his group?
By the English King, Ethelbert
Who was already a Christian and who was baptised?
Ethelbert’s wife, Bertha and soon after Ethelbert was baptised
What was Augustine made?
The Archbishop of the English and the owner of his see in Canterbury
What are cathedrals?
Special church buildings
What is the bishop’s seat?
A large chair that is often carved in wood
When does the bishop sit on his seat?
When he conducts a service in the cathedral
What is the history behind the bishop’s seat?
It is a practice that goes back centuries to a time when the bishop always sat directly behind the altar
What are cathedrals like?
They are large, magnificent and awe-inspiring
What was the benefit of the cathedrals being built?
It provided opportunities for craftsmen to use their skills to build a monument for the glory of God and was usually their lifetime’s work
What was the nave and its purpose?
A long passage-way down the centre of the cathedral which traders used to sell their goods and was not considered degrading against the ‘house of God’
What is a rood screen?
A screen used to separate business from worship to keep the altar area holy
What is a rood and why is it important?
A cross, which is the main symbol of the Christian religion because of its link with the death of Jesus
Why are some new cathedrals round or semi-circular?
So that it allows people to feel closely involved in the worship since, wherever they are sitting, they are not far from the altar
What is the altar?
The holiest part of the church, that usually stands in front of the east wall
Where does the priest stand?
Behind the altar when he conducts the Eucharist or Holy Communion
Why do people face east towards the altar?
This is where the sun rises, which is a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
What and why are pulpits important?
- It is where the priest preaches the sermon
- It is a raised platform so that everyone can see and hear what they are saying
What is the font?
It usually stands just outside the door of the church, and is a stone or wooden bowl which holds the water for infant baptism
Why is the font’s position important?
Its position reminds people that infant baptism is the ‘door’ through which a child passes to become a member of the church
Why are stained-glass windows important?
Before many people could read, the windows told biblical stories or about the lives of the saints: an early, and important, teaching-aid.
Why is the shape of older churches important?
The nave is crossed by another aisle to form a cross-shape, which is a reminder to everyone of the death of Jesus.
What do candles remind people of?
Jesus, who described himself as ‘the Light of the world’
What is the colour of Pentecost and why?
Red - during Pentecost, tongues of fire were on the disciples’ heads and marked the beginning of the Christian Church
What colour is used for Advent and Christmas?
Violet - It is a time of serious preparation for the birth of Jesus
White - At Christmas we celebrate and white is the colour of celebration
What colour is used for Lent and Easter?
Violet - at Lent, Christians are preparing for the death and resurrection of Jesus
White - for the celebration of Easter to symbolise light as Jesus rised from the darkness of the tomb
- Mass
Greeting - people ask for God’s forgiveness and the priest sprinkles the people with holy water
- Mass
Liturgy of the Word (Readings from the Old and New Testaments and the Sermon)
- Mass
Nicene Creed - this expresses what the Church believes about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Church
- Mass
Offertory - where bread, wine and money are offered to God
- Mass
Eucharistic Prayers - consecration of the bread and wine occurs, when the priest recites the words from the Last Supper people feel that Christ becomes present in the bread and wine
- Mass
The Lord’s Prayer and the Sign of Peace - where people ask for spiritual nourishment
- Mass
Communion
- Mass
The Blessing - people are commanded to love one another
(1) What does the Mass mean?
The Mass provides the opportunity to participate in the death of Jesus (transubstantion). Having communion is the most important act of religious worship for a Catholic
(2) What does the Mass mean?
Sharing in the Mass means the worshipper has to help the poor - this ensures Catholics understand the deeper meaning of Mass
What is a missionary?
A member of a religious group, such as Christianity, who is sent into a foreign area to promote their faith or perform ministries of service
Who was St Alban?
A Roman soldier who originally had a distate for Christians due to his denial of God and Jesus
What gave St Alban a change of heart?
When a runaway priest arrived at his doorstep, and he let him stay under his roof to safe him from death
What was Alban tought when the priest came over?
The values and teachings of Christianity, which changed the purpose of his life
What did Alban do when the Roman governor knocked on his door?
In an act of humanity, he let the priest escape and put the blame on himself - putting him at risk of execution
Why did Alban put himself at risk?
He realised his true purpose in life was helping and saving others
Why was Alban not afraid of death?
He knew he would be granted eternal life in heaven
What did his martyrdom result in?
Led others to be selfless and a city named after him
What is a martyr?
A person who is ready to suffer violence or death for refusing to give up their faith
What is a mission?
Working on behalf of God with people who are not necessarily Christian
Who was St Columba and what did he do?
- He was an Irishman who brought Christianity to Scotland
- He built a monastery on the island of Iona
- He went on to convert the pagan king, Brude, to Christianity
What was the Great Schism?
The first major division in Christianity in 1054 AD between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches
What caused the Great Schism?
- Who should be the leader of the Christian Church, either the Bishop of Rome but others thought one person should not have all the authority
- The way in which the Trinity was to be understood
What does the Orthodox Church believe?
- They believe their Church has preserved the tradition and continuity of the faith established by Jesus
- No overall leader, several leaders called patriarchs
What does the Catholic Church believe?
- The Pope is the successor of St. Peter, who was given his authority from Jesus, so his authority comes from God
- Catholic means ‘universal’, and the Church belives it is the right way of worship for all Christians, world-wide
What does the Church of England believe?
- It is Protestant but has kept the Catholic tradition in its beliefs, practices and styles of worship
- The monarch is still the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the main leader of the Church is the Archbishop of Canterbury
