Religion & Places of Worship Flashcards
Define ‘Church’.
A building used for public Christian worship.
Define ‘Chapel’.
A small building or room used for Christian worship in a school, prison, hospital or a large private house.
Define ‘Cathedral’.
The principal church of a diocese (a district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church) with which the bishop is officially associated.
Define ‘Shrine’.
A place regarded as holy because of its association with a divinity or a sacred person or relic.
Define ‘Temple’.
A building devoted to the worship of God or gods.
Define ‘Stupa’.
A dome-shaped building erected as a Buddhist shrine.
Why are places of worship important/needed?
- Provide a place where the atmosphere is right for prayer and meditation.
- Provide a place where the community of believers can come together for worship.
- It is more appropriate to have a special place in which to worship God or to seek enlightenment.
- The design of a place of worship can support the kind of worship believers want to perform.
What does the cross in the interior of a Church symbolise?
The cross is the symbol of Christianity.
Jesus was executed on a cross on Good Friday and rose again on Easter Sunday.
The figure of Jesus on the cross is called a crucifix. You will find them throughout a Church.
What does the altar represent in the interior of a Church?
The altar is the focal point of the Church.
In some ways, it represents the holiest part of the Church and is often behind a barrier, such as a communion rail, to make this point.
The bread and wine are kept on the altar, which represents the table from the Last Supper.
What happens at the lectern in the interior of a Church?
Readings from the Bible are made from the lectern.
Many have a carving of an eagle on them. This represents St. John and the inspiration of the Gospels.
Where does the vicar/priest/ minister stand to preach a sermon in the interior of a Church?
The pulpit.
It is a raised platform and this high position shows the importance of the reading of God’s word.
The minister is visible to all in the Church when they preach- everyone can hear and see him speak the ‘Word of God’.
Where does the congregation sit in the interior of a Church?
The congregation sit on pews, which are long benches, showing that everyone is equal before God.
Modern churches are more likely to have rows of individual chairs.
Where are babies baptised in the interior of a Church?
The font. This shows that the congregation will look after the child’s spiritual welfare.
In old Churches, the font is near the door as a sign of welcome.
In more modern Churches the font is more central and often near the front.
What is the roof like in the exterior of an Orthodox Church?
Orthodox churches have a circular dome that represents Heaven and the eternity of God, and reminds people that God’s blessing is gained by accepting salvation through Church.
What is the roof like in the exterior of a Church, if not dome-shaped?
Some Churches have spires, which represent a symbolic ‘finger’ pointing to Heaven as a reminder that it is through Christian worship that the way to God is opened.
What is the bell tower for in the exterior of a Church?
Bells are rung to call worshippers to prayer.
What are the windows like in the exterior of a Church?
Windows are often stained glass featuring stories from the Bible or the lives of leading Christians.
Why is bread and communion wine used in Holy Communion?
To remember the sacrifice of Jesus for all humankind. The bread represents the body of Christ, the wine represents his blood.
What shape are Churches built in?
Many churches are built in the shape of a cross because Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save them from sin.
What is the function of the communion rail?
The communion rail is where Church members kneel to take communion. It is often as close to the altar as anyone (other than the vicar or priest) will get.
It makes out the holiest part of the Church.
What is a Shrine?
The shrine is the name given to the front display inside the temple.
It is where the statues are, and is where worshippers come to show their devotion and to place offerings.
The shrine room is empty of furniture except for the shrine.
What does the statue of the Buddha represent in the Shrine?
Differents temples may show the Buddha in different poses. They will be made from different materials- gold, wood or stone. The style is usually reflective of the country and it’s culture.
The statue of the Buddha usually shows him sitting in a meditation pose. He wears a monk’s robes and his long hair is tied up on top of his head to remind us he was a prince. His hands are in a set position called a ‘mudra’ which is symbolic.
The central Buddha is the main picture is the mudra of bearing witness, remembering when the Buddha called to the Earth to prove that he deseved to become enlightened. He sits on a lotus flower- the symbol of enlightenment.
What do the flowers in the shrine represent?
Flowers show anicca (nothing is permanent). The flowers are beautiful but they will die.
In Asian countries, the flowers offered are often lotus flowers.
What do the candles in a shrine symbolise?
They symbolise the light of the Buddha’s teachings, which helps us to see the right way to live and become free from rebirth.
What is the food and money offerings in a shrine for?
These show their gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings.
What do the ‘levels’ in a Stupa represent?
The shape of the stupa or temple is solid to represent the five elements in weight order; earth, fire, water, air and wisdom.
