Places of worship Flashcards
Followers of the way first met in
Synagogues then became more separate and met in each others houses for ‘breaking the bread’
Name of first followers of Jesus
Followers of the Way
When was Christian community first recognised?
In 312CE (edict of Milan) first permitted to worship in public.
But still followers of Christ before this date as met in private houses for ‘breaking the bread’
Style of early churches
Followed style of Roman public buildings eg Pantheon in Rome. Replaced the statue of emperor with God. Not much art due to Jewish tradition of imaging God based on 10 commandments ‘You shall not make a graven image’.
What followed early forms of church art
Byzantine style showing Jesus as the heavenly empower, highly decorated icons in colours symbolic of Jesus’ status
Cathedral
Principle church of a diocese
Church
Building used for worship
Key features in a RC church
Alter Tabernacle Crucifix Lectern Statues of jM and saints with candles Stations of the Cross confessional font
Key features of Orthodox Church
Dome Main entrance East-west) Icons Narthex Nave Sanctuary Iconostasis The royal doors The Holy Table/Altar Bishops Throne The floor The ceiling Christ the Pantocrator
Key features of the Church of England
Building often cruciform and faces east towards Jerusalem - Jesus’ death and resurrection
altar pulpit Lectern Font Bible Stained glass windows Cross
Key features of Baptist church
Often square shaped
Baptistery Pulpit Communion table Platform Cross
Key features of Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Meeting house with a plain room with chairs in a circle perhaps around an open Bible.
A stand for books and newsletters about local meetings and national events
Feature of Quaker worship
Focus on inner thoughts in the quietness to try and be in touch with God. Worship with one another.
Cross
Importance of death and resurrection
Empty cross represents Jesus overcame death through resurrection.
Crucifix
To remember jesus’ suffering and death.
But equally celebrates the triumph over death and sin.
Reminder of God’s infinite love - sons willingness to die for mankind
Distinguishes it from the cross in non-catholic churches
Altar
Idea of sacrificial nature of death
RC - the altar is the centre of the church, the sacrifice of the cross is made present under sacramental signs. It is the table of The Lord to which the People of God are invited.
Dove
Represents Holy Spirit
Candles
Light of presence of God
Baptistry
Belief about baptism by immersion
Font
Belief about infant baptism
Pulpit
The importance of Bible and preaching
Organ
Importance of music in worship
Importance of placement of items relative to each other
Alter at the centre or prominence of the pulpit
Design of RC church
Cruciform or circular representing eternity of God and equality
Tabernacle
Small cupboard containing consecrated hosts. Belief in Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist hence the custom of genuflecting
Stations of the Cross
Usually 14 pictures depicting Jesus’ last journey to his crucifixion. To help us make a spiritual journey focusing on Christs suffering and death. Eg depict Jesus is condemned to death, Simon helps Jesus to carry the cross, Jesus falls (helps us bear our own suffering)
Confessional
In RC.
Special room where confessions can be made and forgiveness given by priest through the Holy Spirit
Emphasis on restoring the relationship between God and the individual through repentance, absolution and satisfaction
Design of the Orthodox Church
Some square - reminder fo four corners of the world - bringing all people together, sequel before God
Some recantangular - symbolising a ship that carries its people to a safe harbour so Christ carries them to the Kingdom of God
Dome in Orthodox
Represents the heavens stretching over the earth revealing that in the Kingdom of God, and in the Church, Christ units all things in himself, things in Heaven and things on earth so we are all “filled with the fullness of God”
Feature of the main entrance in Orthodox
East-west - entrance of the faithful from the darkness of sin (the west) into the light of truth (east)
Icons in orthodox
Similar to Catholic. Orthodox Christians often prostrate themselves before icons as a sign of respect for what is represented within them
3 parts inside an Orthodox Church
Narthex - represents this world in which mankind called to repentance
Nave - the place of the assembled church - includes living and dead - all people of God
Sanctuary - separated by iconostasis, has a special function in Divine services
Bishops throne in Orthodox
Bishop head of the church and represents Jesus
The floor and ceiling in Orthodox
This world and Heaven
Christ the Pantocrator
Christ looking down from Heaven at congregation, hearing their prayers, reminding them of His presence in the whole universe.
second commandment
Ex 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
Why dont need a church?
Jesus did visit synagogue and the Temple but he spent a lot of time teaching to people outside eg by Sea of Galilee.
Didn’t approve of how Temple had become a place of commerce rather than a place of worship
Churches needed for much more than worship because
Used for clubs and activities, Sunday school, play groups. Helps homeless, needy, food kitchen,
Cultural activities
Solitude and private worship
Bible based worship
Important to read from it, interpret it and preach from it
Iconostasis
Central feature of the building. Separates the chancel from the nave.
Across the front of the church and covered with icons - J,M, last supper. Represents the un rideable gap that separates God and the people.
3 sets of doors
Narthex
Represents the world in which mankind is called to repentance
