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Advent
Coming. The period beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (40
days before Christmas in the Eastern orthodox tradition). A time of spiritual
preparation for Christmas.
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CE
Christian Era. The Christian calendar dates from the estimated date of the
birth of Jesus Christ.
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Evangelical
Group, or church, placing particular emphasis on the Gospel and the scriptures
as the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct. |
Altar
Table used for Eucharist, Mass, Lord’s Supper. Some denominations refer
to it as Holy Table or Communion Table.
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Christ
The anointed one. Messiah is used in the Jewish tradition to refer to the
expected leader sent by God, who will bring salvation to God’s people. Jesus’
followers applied this title to him, and its Greek equivalent, Christ, is
the sources of the words Christian and Christianity.
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Evangelist
A writer of one of the four New Testament Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John; a preacher of the Gospel. |
Anglican
Churches in full communion with the See of Canterbury. Their origins and
traditions are linked to the Church of England, and are part of the Anglican
Communion.
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Christmas
Festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ (25 December, in most Churches).
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Father
Term used to describe God and his relationship with people. |
Apostle
One who was sent out by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel.
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Church
The whole community of Christians. (ii) The building in which Christians
worship. (iii) A particular denomination.
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Font
Receptacle to hold water used in baptism. |
Ascension
The event, 40 days after the Resurrection, when Jesus ‘ascended into heaven’
(see Luke 24 and Acts 1). |
Crucifixion
Roman method of executing criminals and traitors by fastening them to a
cross until they died of asphyxiation; used in the case of Jesus Christ
and many who opposed the Romans.
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Forgiveness
Act of forgiving, pardoning. |
Ash
Wednesday
The first day of Lent. In some Churches, penitents receive the sign of the
cross in ashes on their foreheads.
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Disciple
One of the biblical followers of Jesus Christ, one who follows Jesus today.
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Good
Friday
The Friday in Holy Week. Commemorates the day Jesus died on the cross. |
Atonement
Reconciliation between God and humanity; restoring a relationship broken
by sin.
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Easter
Central Christian festival which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead.
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Gospel
(i) Good news (of salvation in Jesus Christ). (ii) An account of Jesus’
life and work. |
Baptism
Rite of initiation involving immersion in, or sprinkling or pouring of water.
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Epistle
From the Greek word for letter. Several such letters or epistles, from Christian
leaders to Christian Churches or individuals, are included in the New Testament.
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Holy
Communion
Central liturgical service observed by most Churches (see Eucharist, Mass,
Lord’s Supper, Liturgy). Recalls the last meal of Jesus, and celebrates
his sacrificial and saving death. |
Baptist
(i) A member of the Baptist Church, which grew out of the Anabaptist movement
during the 16th century Reformation.
(ii) A Christian who practises Believer’s Baptism.
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Eucharist
Thanksgiving. A service celebrating the sacrificial death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, using elements of bread and wine (see Holy Communion). |
Holy
Spirit
The third person of the Holy Trinity. Active as divine presence and power
in the world and in-dwelling in believers to make them like Christ and empower
them to do God’s will. |
BCE
Before Christian Era.
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Holy
Week
The week before Easter, when Christians recall the last week of Jesus’ life
on Earth.
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Bible
Christian holy book made up of both Old Testament and New Testament. |
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Icon/Ikon
Painting or mosaic of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, a saint, or a Church
feast. Used as an aid to devotion, usually in the Orthodox tradition. |
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