Abortion a miscarriage of birth; procured abortion a deliberate termination of a pregnancy
Absolution Forgiveness. The Priest's assurance, in the sacrament of penance, that sins are forgiven.
Acclamation a joyful prayer, honouring God or Christ.
Advent Coming. A period of four weeks of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, and at the end of time.
Agricultural where the way of life is mostly from the cultivation of the land.
Allegory A story in which every detail represents something else.
Altar Raised up. The raised table used for the celebration of Mass.
Ambassador representative of king or country in a foreign land.
Annointing where oil is applied in a symbolic way as part of a religious ceremony, e.g. baptism or ordination.
Annulment a declaration that a marriage is invalid, i.e. the marriage was never really made.
Annunciation The angel's announcement, in the Gospel story, that the child about to be born to Mary would be the Son of God.
Anointed kings are anointed at their coronation
Anointing Sacrament in which the sign of the cross is made with oil on sick people, and prayers are said for their healing.
Apostle Sent. The title of the twelve men whom Jesus sent to preach the Gospel.
Apostle someone sent out with a special message.
Apostles the twelve close followers of Jesus who were sent out by him to preach, teach and heal.
Articles of faith a belief which is held by all Christians on the authority of the whole Christian Church.
Ascension Going up. The feast, forty days after Easter, which celebrates Jesus' return to his Father in heaven.
Ascension the return of Jesus to his Father in heaven, forty days after his resurrection from death.
Ascension the time when Jesus returned to heaven.
Ash Wednesday The first day of Lent, when ashes are distributed as a sign of penance.
Assumption Taken up. Catholics believe that what happened to Jesus at Easter will happen to them too, and has already happened to Mary, the first of all Christians.
authority the power to settle a question, particularly in religious matters, e.g. the meaning of scripture.
Baptism Sacrament in which water is poured on to people as a sign of their new life in Christ, and their becoming members of the Christian Church.
Baptism the rite or sacrament of initiation into the Christian Church and the family of God.
Baptistry a place for baptism; the actual tank for baptism in a Baptist church.
Baptized using water as a sign that someone has changed their way of life.
Beatitude one of the eight blessings spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, e.g. 'blessed are the poor in spirit.'
Beatitudes The blessings, or true happiness, which Jesus surprisingly said belongs to the world's unfortunates: the poor, the hungry, and the persecuted.
Belief faith in a teaching of the Christian Church, e.g. an article of the Creed.
Benediction Blessing with the consecrated host given in some churches at evening service.
Biography the story of a person's life written down.
Bishop a church leader in Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican traditions with oversight of an area.
Bishop Supervisor. The person appointed in each district to lead and teach the Christian community.
Blasphemy irreverent or false speech about holy things, e.g. swearing or cursing.
Blessed Sacrament Consecrated hosts kept for later communion (see Tabernacle)
Canonization The official declaration that a person has led a saintly life and is now with God.
Carol a hymn or song for Christmas tide.
Catechumen a person who is being instructed in the basic teaching of the Christian faith, and is preparing for baptism.
Celebration a public service, e.g. of the Christian Eucharist.
Celibacy a decision not to marry - a solemn promise the case of a Roman Catholic Priest.
Ceremonial a formal order of service, with ritual actions, e.g. ceremony of a sacrament.
Chalice Cup, usually a precious one, used to hold the wine at Mass.
Chancel the sanctuary, or eastern end of a church reserved for the clergy and the choir.
Charismatic a person who has the gifts of the Holy Spirit, e.g. tongues, healing, prophecy, teaching etc.
Chrism a mixture of olive oil and balsam used in the ceremony of sacraments, e.g. baptism, confirmation.
Christ Anointed. A Greek form of the Hebrew messiah, used of the deliverer whom God was expected to send. The followers of Jesus gave him this title.
Christ Greek word meaning 'anointed'. See also Messiah.
Christ The English form of the Greek word 'Christos' (anointed). It has the same meaning as 'Messiah' which is derived from a Hebrew word.
Christian word first used at Antioch to describe the followers of Jesus. Before this they were called 'Followers of the Way'.
Christian Church all people baptised in the Christian religious tradition.
Christmas The feast (Mass) on 25th December celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Church a group of people who meet together to worship Jesus.
Church The community of Christians, or the building where they meet.
Ciborium Small box. A lidded container for consecrated hosts, kept in the tabernacle and used for communion.
Citadel the place of worship used by the Salvation Army, also a small fortified city.
Commandments the rules which God gave the people of Israel to help them to serve Him.
Commandments usually refers to the laws given by God to Moses for the good of the chosen people.
Communion of saints. See Saints. Christians believe that all those, past or present, who are close to God, are close to each other, and form a communion or community.
Concelebration the ceremony of Mass or Holy Communion where there is more than one priest or minister consecrating the elements of bread and wine.
conception life giving result of sexual intercourse: to become pregnant.
Confession The older name for the sacrament of Penance which emphasized the reciting (confessing) of sins committed.
Confirmation Sacrament in which adults confirm their infant baptism before a
bishop.
Consecration Making sacred. The ceremony by which people or certain things (a
church, for example, or an altar, or the bread and wine at Mass) are solemnly dedicated to
the service of God.
Confirmation the second part of baptism, when a bishop lays hands on someone.
Congregation a group of people gathered together for worship of God.
Consecration to set apart for a sacred use e.g. the bread and wine at Holy Communion; a person in the religious life. Note: Roman Catholics believe that Christ is present under the appearance of bread and wine after the consecration of the Mass.
Contrition Sorrow for sins that have been committed.
Conventional weapon a weapon used in the kind of war which involves hand to hand combat e.g. tanks, guns, but not forms of war carried on by remote control.
Corpus Christi More recently, Corpus et Sanguis Christi: Body and Blood of Christ. The summer feastday which celebrates Jesus' gift of the Eucharist to his Church.
Course-work a piece of continuous writing, based on the individual research of the student.
Covenant an agreement made by God with his people. e.g. with Noah or Abraham in the Old Testament, or by Christ's sacrifice in the New Testament.
Creed a summary of basic religious teaching, agreed upon by a trusted authority e.g. a council of religious leaders, as for the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed.
Creed Belief. A statement of what people believe.
Crib a rack holding food for animals - used as a cradle for the infant Jesus.
Crozier a shepherd's crook used as a symbol for the loving service and authority of a local bishop for his people.
Crucifix A representation of the death Jesus died, nailed to a cross.
Crucifixion, crucified Method of execution used by the Romans of nailing someone to a cross.
Crucifixion a form of punishment given by the Romans. The victim is nailed to a cross beam, or tree.
Day of Atonement (see Leviticus Ch.16) On this special day each year a bullock was sacrificed on behalf of the High Priest, a ram for the priests, and a male goat for the people. The High Priest took the blood of the animals into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the mercy seat. He then placed his hands on the head of a second goat and confessed all the sins of the people of Israel. This goat (the scape-goat) was then led into the wilderness. According to the Mishnah it was then thrown over a cliff.
Deacon Greek word meaning 'servant'. Used to describe people chosen to help the disciples. Later an order of Ministry.
Deacon Servant. A person ordained to help bishops and priests in their work.
Dedication an act which makes a building or a person sacred to God: a solemn offering.
Demoniac a person possessed by evil spirits. In the New Testament this was often a person with epilepsy or a mental illness.
Denomination a group of Christians with their own individual tradition of prayer, worship and charity, e.g. Roman Catholics; Baptists.
Diaconate a stage in Holy Orders where a man is set apart for service in the Church under the guidance of the bishop.
Diocese an administrative area of the Church, in the charge of a bishop.
Disciple One who leans.
Disciple someone who follows the teaching of another, e.g. the followers of Jesus in the New Testament.
Disciple someone who is learning.
Divorce the dissolving of a marriage by civil law, not accepted as a religious fact y the Roman Catholic Church and some other Christians.
Early Church the first communities of Christians, mentioned in the New Testament, and in the earliest writings of Christian authors.
Easter The springtime feast celebrating God's raising of Jesus from death.
Ecumenism Worldwide. The movement towards unity by the separated Churches.
Empire usually refers to a powerful nation which has conquered other nations. In the New Testament, the Roman Empire is frequently referred to.
Enclosure usually refers to an area set aside for the exclusive use of a particular group. In the Roman Catholic tradition, an area in a convent or monastery.
Epiphany a season in the Christian calendar which celebrates the 'showings' of Jesus as the Son of God, e.g. the worship of the Magi; the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus.
Epistle Letter. One of twentyone letters written by the first Christian leaders, now included in the New Testament.
Essenes the religious community who lived near the Dead Sea and wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Eucharist a service of thanksgiving. Sometimes another name given for the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion.
Eucharist Originally Christians celebrated the Lord's Supper by sharing a whole meal together but gradually the sharing of bread and wine which Jesus had given special meaning to became separated and was called the Eucharist. It means thanksgiving.
Eucharist Thanksgiving. One of the words used for the Mass and especially for the consecrated bread and wine), which emphasizes gratitude to God for the gift of Jesus.
Eucharist word for service which remembers Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples which really means 'Thanksgiving'.
Eucharistic prayer the main part of a Catholic Mass in which the bread and wine is consecrated by a Priest; a thanksgiving prayer for Christ's sacrifice.
Euthanasia an easy death. Sometimes used for bringing about the death of someone with incurable or painful disease.
Evangelist One of the four writers of the evangel or good news known as the Gospel.
Exegesis The interpretation of the Bible.
Exorcism The casting out of evil spirits.
Extreme Unction Last anointing. See Anointing.
Extreme unction the name for the Sacrament of the Sick, sometimes called the Anointing of the Sick.
Eye-witness a person who sees something happen, and is prepared to confirm the happening before others.
Fasting deliberately going without something, for a spiritual benefit or in order to give charity to others; a Christian custom inspired by the temptations of Jesus.
Feast of Dedication Jewish festival in which people carried palm branches to the Temple.
Feast of Pentecost a) Jewish festival remembering gift of ten commandments, b) Christian festival remembering gift of Holy Spirit.
Festival a celebration of a Christian feast, sometimes as a holiday.
Foetus a fully developed embryo in the womb, dependent upon the mother for life, but independent as to its human right to life.
font a place reserved for the baptism of infants in the Christian church, but also for adults where it is not the custom to baptize by full immersion.
Font Fountain. The basin in which the water used for baptism is kept.
fundamentalist a person who accepts and lives by a literal interpretation of the truth of the Bible (or a holy book in a religious tradition other than Christianity).
Genealogy a family tree, a list of ancestors, a family line, e.g. in Matthew 1, the genealogy of Christ.
Gentile a person who is not a member of the Jewish race or religious tradition.
Gentile someone who is not a Jew
Gentile Someone who is not a Jew.
Genuflection Going down on one knee as a mark of respect in church.
Gethsemane an olive grove at the bottom of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus went to pray on the night he was betrayed by Judas.
God-fearer someone who was not Jewish who believed in the God of Israel.
God-parents persons who undertake to make baptismal promises on behalf of an infant in the Christian religious tradition.
Golgotha word meaning 'Place of the Skull'. Name for the place of execution in Jerusalem.
Good Friday The Friday before Easter, when the death of Jesus is most solemnly commemorated.
Gospel the good news about God, brought by and taught by Christ and his followers.
Gospel The Old English words god spel mean 'good news'. They refer to what was done by Jesus, and to the four written accounts of this.
Gospel The original English word is 'God-spell' which means 'God-story', It was used for the New Testament phrase, 'good news'.
Gospel word meaning 'Good News'. Usually means the Good News about Jesus. Also the books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which tell us about the life of Jesus.
Grace Free gift. The undeserved goodness with which God loves people and draws them to himself. The word is also used for the Christian prayer of thanks before and after meals.
Hail Mary The opening words of the angel's, greeting to Mary (Luke 1:28) now used as a prayer.
Harvest a gathering together of the fruits of the earth, or the fruits of a good life in a metaphorical sense; an image used by Jesus in his teaching.
Heaven Where God is.
Hebrew the language in which the Old Testament was written, and still spoken by Jews today.
Hell the eternal punishment for a person who rejects God.
Hell Where God is not.
Heretic a person who holds a belief which is not in agreement with the Christian creed.
Herodian a person who supported the reign of Herod the Great or his successors. These were appointed by the Romans as Kings of Palestine at the time of Christ.
Hierarchy Sacred Rule. The word used of bishops as leaders ('rulers') of the Christian community.
High Priest Leader of the Sanhedrin, or Jewish religious Council, usually a Sadducee.
Holy Communion The receiving of the consecrated bread and wine at Mass, a sign of people's union with Christ, and with each other.
Holy Communion word used by Anglicans and others for service which remembers the Last Supper which Jesus had with his disciples.
Holy Days A number of weekdays in the year on which, in Christian countries, work stops (hence the word holiday) in order to allow everyone to celebrate religious feasts such as Ascension, Assumption, etc.
Holy Ghost, Spirit The word used by the New Testament to speak of the presence and power of God with which Jesus was filled, and which he promised his followers would share. In theological language this is referred to as the 'Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
Holy Order See Order
Holy Saturday the day in Holy Week when Christians remember Christ in the tomb before his resurrection.
Holy Spirit Spirit is a difficult word to define. It is connected with the idea of wind or breath. The Holy Spirit is the link between man and God.
Holy Spirit the presence of God.
Holy Water Water that has been blessed, and which people use to make the sign of the cross on themselves to remind them of their baptism.
Holy Week the last week that Jesus spent in Jerusalem before he was crucified
Holy Week The week before Easter, in which the events that led to Jesus' death are recalled.
Homily a sermon or talk given usually on a text from scripture in a Christian act of worship.
Host Victim. The word used for the bread which at Mass becomes a sacrament of Christ's body broken on the cross.
House of David the family or people who claim King David from the Old Testament in their ancestry, e.g. Jesus, through Joseph.
Human rights basic conditions of existence to which every person has a claim, e.g. life, food, housing, freedom.
Hypocrite a person who pretends by an outward show, e.g. of holiness.
Icon Image. A religious painting or mosaic in a style which tries to make visible the invisible world of God and the saints.
Immaculate Conception. Conceived without stain. The Catholic belief that, in view of the role she had to play, the life of Jesus' Mother Mary was without sin from the very beginning.
Immanuel a name meaning 'God with us', and one of the titles for the Messiah.
Incarnation In the Body. The biblical teaching that the mystery of God is to be met in the lives of people of flesh and blood. For Christians, the uniquely supreme instance of this is the life of the man Jesus.
Incarnation the act by which God became a human person in Jesus Christ.
Incense a pleasant smelling gum or spice which is burned as a sign of devotion in a religious ceremony.
Incense A sweet-smelling spice whose smoke is used to give a sense of celebration in religious ceremonies.
Infallibility Catholics believe that God preserves the Church from serious error. Without this gift it could not faithfully hand on the Word of God. It is exercised when solemn statements are made by the bishops assembled in council, or by the Pope speaking in their name.
Initiation a ceremony which admits a person to a group, e.g. baptism is a sacrament of initiation.
Inspiration the influence of God's spirit upon a writing or a saying in a religious tradition.
Intercession a form of prayer where the worshipper asks for a favour from God.
Investiture a clothing, with symbolic or ceremonial garments, e.g. a Priest's investiture at ordination.
Jew a descendant of Abraham.
Jewish Law (Torah), religious law laws which the Jews had which helped them to serve God better.
Judaism the belief of the Jews.
Kiddush a little meal eaten after a synagogue service or festival. Word really means 'Blessing'.
Kingdom of God God's rule over the whole world.
Kingdom of God the rule of God in the minds and hearts of his people as preached by Jesus Christ.
Kingdom of God the rule of God.
Kosher food prepared according to Jewish religious law.
Kyrie eleison Lord have mercy. The Greek word Christians use at the beginning of Mass to express their confidence in Christ, whose servants they are.
Laity members of the Christian Church who are not in Holy Orders or consecrated in the religious life.
Lamb of God a reference to Jesus as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin and the saving passover of God's people to new life.
Last Judgement a verdict, passed by God at the end of time, on the way a person has lived.
Last Supper the meal eaten by Jesus with his apostles on the night before he died, at which he spoke of his death as the New Covenant.
Lectern a stand or desk from which the Bible is read in a religious service.
Lectern The desk from which the Bible is read at Mass.
Lectionary The collection of Bible passages chosen for readings at Mass through the year.
Lent a period of forty days preparation for the Christian festival of Easter.
Lent Spring. A period of forty days of penitential preparation for Easter.
Litany a series of short intercessions (prayers) to which there is a response made by the congregation, e.g. during the sacraments.
Liturgy an act of worship, from a Greek word meaning service.
Liturgy Public service. The official services of the Church, as distinct from private devotions.
Lord's Prayer the family prayer of the church which Jesus taught to his disciples.
Lord's Supper word used by Free Churches to describe the service which remembers Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples.
Magisterium Teaching. The whole Church fulfils Christ's command to 'teach all nations', but the word is mostly used of the official teaching done by bishops.
Malnutrition insufficient and unhealthy diet, causing weakness and disease.
Manuscript a hand-written document; in the Christian tradition it usually refers to an early hand-written book of the Bible.
Marriage, matrimony The sacrament in which the love of a husband and wife becomes a sign of God's love for all people.
Mass Sending. The eucharistic service of reading and holy communion, recalling and re-enacting the Last Supper of Jesus. The word with which the congregation was dismissed (Mass) has become the name of the whole service, which people are sent to live out in their daily lives.
Mass the service of Last Supper and the sacrifice of Christ as it is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church.
Mass word used by Roman Catholics to describe the service which remembers Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples.
Maundy Command. The name given to the Thursday before Easter, when Jesus gave his disciples the command to serve each other.
Maundy Thursday Thursday of Holy Week, when sacred oils are blessed and the Lord's Supper is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church.
Messiah In the time of Jesus the title Messiah was used for the King whom God would raise up to deliver his people from their enemies. Christians use it to refer to Jesus.
Messiah the person expected by the Jews to help them. The word is Hebrew for 'anointed'.
Messiah the Saviour sent by God to save his people from their sins; the one who would preach the Kingdom of God. The word means 'anointed one'.
Ministry a task performed as a service to God and his people, e.g. the lay ministry.
Ministry the time when Jesus was showing the world and telling them about God.
Miracle an amazing event initiated by God.
Miracle an extraordinary cure or event which cannot be naturally explained and is attributed to the power of God.
Miracle Something which happens in a different way to what is normally observed. In the Gospels the miracles are the sings of God's powers.
Mishnah A written form of the oral law dating from the second century.
Missal a book containing the order of service, and prayers for Roman Catholics.
Missal The book containing the prayers and directives (rubrics) that are laid down for celebrating Mass.
Missionary someone who is sent out by a church with the job of telling others about Jesus.
Mitre a bishop's head-dress, a tall hat, deeply cleft at the top, which is a symbol of his ministry.
Monastery a place where monks live a community life of prayer and work.
Monks and nuns Men and women who have deliberately given up property and marriage in order to be free to serve the community.
Mother of God A title which Christians give to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Mount Zion one of the seven hills of Jerusalem on which King David was buried and where Jesus ate the Passover meal.
Mourner a person who is sorrowful about the death of someone they love; sometimes used in a symbolic way in scripture.
Myrrh a plant used as a pain killing drug.
Mystery a truth which is beyond human intelligence but is made known to people by God.
Nave main part of a church from the door to the chancel usually separated by pillars from the side aisles.
New Testament, Old Testament Testament means 'agreement'. Jews believe that God made a binding agreement with them through their leader Moses. Christians believe that this agreement was renewed and extended to all people through Jesus. The 73 books which tell of this testament form the Bible.
Nuclear weapon an armament which has a nuclear warhead capable of great destruction, e.g. a nuclear missile.
Old Testament the portion of the Bible which deals with the covenant of God with the Jewish people.
Oral Tradition. (Halakah) This was composed by the scribes to apply the Torah to everyday life. Originally it was not written down.
Order, ordination The sacrament in which the 'ordering' of the followers of Jesus is ensured by the appointment of ministers to serve the Christian community: bishops, priests and deacons.
Ordination ceremony at which someone receives the Church's authority to do the work Jesus gave to his disciples.
Ordination the act or sacrament by which a person is admitted to the rank of clergy in the Christian Church.
Original sin The Hebrew word Adam means the human race. The sin of Adam is the complex network of human sin which no one entering the world can escape, and from which it is the work of Christ to save the human race.
Our Lady a term of devotion used by Roman Catholics for the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday The Sunday before Easter when palms are carried in memory of Jesus' last entry into Jerusalem.
Palms a branch of the palm-tree, used as a symbol of victory in the religious service which marks the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Parable a way of explaining a difficult idea in a story about very ordinary things.
Paraclete Counsellor. A title given to the presence of Christ in his Spirit, continuing to counsel his friends.
Parish a territorial division of a diocese with its own priest who serves in the name of his bishop.
Paschal symbols or events which refer to the covenant of the Jewish passover. In the Christian tradition it refers to anything connected with Easter.
Passion Suffering. A general word used for the series of events which led to the death of Jesus.
Passion Narrative the part of the Gospels which tell about Jesus' last week in Jerusalem, his death and Resurrection.
Passover Jewish festival to remember the escape of the Israelites from Egypt.
Passover The greatest Jewish festival. It incorporates two ancient Spring Festivals, from one comes unleavened bread and bitter herbs, from the other comes the sacrifice of the first born of the flock (Exodus Ch.12). After the exodus the Passover reminded the Jews of their deliverance from Egypt and covenant with God. In the time of Jesus people usually went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. In the Synoptic Gospels the Last Supper was a Passover meal.
Penance One of the seven sacraments in which assurance is given to penitents that their sins are forgiven. The word is also used for the prayers they agree to pray afterwards.
Penance the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins in the Roman Catholic Church; an act of self-denial performed as a sign of sorrow for sin in the Christian tradition.
Penitent a person presenting themselves for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (penance), or taking part in a penance celebration.
Pentateuch the first five books of the Bible which form the Torah or scriptures of the Jewish people.
Pentecost The fiftieth day after Easter, when the disciples of Jesus powerfully experienced the Spirit of the risen Christ present among them.
Persecution, Persecuted when someone is mistreated imprisoned tortured or discriminated against because of their beliefs.
Persecution a form of enmity or injury to others with a different view-point or belief, in order to prevent a movement from spreading.
Pharisee a member of a strict sect of people who observed all the Jewish laws and customs, but often it is a word applied to self-righteous people.
Pharisee a religious leader who kept the Jewish law in all it's detail and who believed in the Resurrection.
Pilgrim someone who goes on a journey for religious reasons.
Pollution the spoiling of the earth, sea or sky by waste products.
Polytheist a person who believes and worships more than one god.
Pope Father. The title given to the bishop of Rome, as the father of the worldwide Catholic family.
Pope The leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Preaching the act of explaining the word of God or teaching of a religion, which also urges people to action.
Priest Elder. Those among the 'older' members of the Christian community chosen by bishops to help them in their task.
Priest in Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican traditions a priest is someone set apart by the Church to do the work which Jesus gave to his disciples.
Profession the act of consecration of a religious, usually by the pronouncement of vows.
Promised Land the land which God promised to Abraham.
Prophecy what a prophet says.
Prophet a person who interprets what is happening in society according to God's laws and commandments.
Prophet someone who explains the word of God for his times.
Proselyte A Gentile who had been converted to Judaism.
Publican another name for a tax-collector in New Testament times.
Pulpit a raised platform in a prominent place in a church which is closed in and often has a flight of steps leading up to it. It is used by a clergyman for preaching the sermon.
Pulpit A raised platform in church used for preaching.
Purgatory Cleansing. The belief that those who die need to be cleansed of their sinfulness before they are fit to enter the presence of God.
Pyx Box. A small container for carrying a host to the housebound for holy communion.
Rabbi a Jewish religious leader, who was not a priest.
Rabbi A Jewish teacher, a scribe.
Real Presence The Catholic teaching that in the Eucharist there is a presence of Christ that is real and independent of the faith of those who receive it.
Reconciliation Another name for the sacrament of Penance, in which sinners find themselves reconciled and at peace with God.
Reconciliation the healing of a broken relationship; a making up of friendship.
Redeem the purchasing of freedom for another person; used of Christ who saved the human race from sin.
Redemption Buying back. The work of Jesus in setting people free is compared to the price paid to set people free from slavery.
Reformation a period in the history of Christianity when the Protestant churches were formed.
Relics Remains. All people love to have a memento to remind them of friends who have died. The Christian veneration of relics of the saints is part of this love. It can be (and has been) overdone at times.
Religious controversy a debate based on the questioning of an established religious belief or custom.
Religious custom the usual practice of performing a religious act of worship or devotion.
Religious order See Monks and nuns.
Repentence an act of sorrow or regret for an action. In a religious context, it refers to a turning away from sin.
Resurrection a rising from death to life. It refers to the events of Easter Day in the Christian religion.
Resurrection returning to life, after someone has died. Usually applied Jesus.
Resurrection The Old Testament expressed the hope that the life of God's friends would not end at death; they would be raised from death on Judgement Day. Christians believe this hope was fulfilled in Jesus at the first Easter, and will be shared by all his friends at the end of time.
Righteousness In the New Testament the Greek word is used to mean doing the right thing and also the salvation which God offers.
Rite a fixed order of service, or a religious ceremony.
Rituals Religious practices or customs.
Roman Catholic Christians who owe loyalty to the bishop of Rome, whom they call the Pope.
Rosary A devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus, in which the prayer 'Hail Mary' is recited fifty times while beads are counted off, and Gospel stories are meditated on.
Sabbath The day of complete rest from normal life which became a major part of Jewish belief.
Sabbath the seventh day, on which working was forbidden.
Sabbath the seventh day of the week, and a day of rest for the Jews; often the Christian Sunday is called the Sabbath.
Sacrament an outward religious act which has a spiritual meaning given to it by the words and actions of Jesus, in which a Christian grows in love of God.
Sacrament Sacred sign. Various signs which point to God, and lead people to him, and bring them into the presence of God. For Christians, the word applies first and foremost to Jesus as the Sacrament of God; and his work continues to be made present not only in Baptism and Eucharist, but also o (for Catholics) in Confirmation, Penance, Anointing, Orders and Marriage.
Sacred something or someone set apart for the service of God. Sacrifice the offering of a person or thing to God, often to make up for sin, and sometimes involving death, e.g. the crucifixion of Christ.
Sacrifice offering animals or produce in the Temple, in order to say either 'Thank you' or 'Sorry' to God.
Sacrifice This is derived from 'slaughter'. It was a gift to God which made up for disobeying him. Sacrifices were only made in the Temple.
Sadducee a member of a group of Jews who belonged to the ruling class; Jewish aristocrats.
Sadducee a member of the ruling class, usually a priest .usually rich. Did not believe in the Resurrection.
Sadducees A powerful group of wealthy priests.
Saint a holy person recognised by the Church as having a place in heaven because of their service to God and neighbour.
Saints The Jesus-like figures throughout history, whose example Christians try to follow.
Samaritan someone who lived in Samaria. They were similar to Jews except that they disagreed about where to worship God.
Samaritans The descendents of the Jews who lived in the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and married foreigners when Israel was invaded by the Assyrians. Samaria was between Judah and Galilee. They were the traditional enemies of the Jews even though their religion was similar to Judaism.
Sanctuary a portion of a church for the use of clergy and choir, sometimes closed off by a rood-screen.
Sanhedrin The council made up of seventy Jewish leaders. It was in charge of religious life and consequently had power over everyday life.
Sanhedrin the Jewish Great Council, made up of Sadducees, Pharisees and teachers of the law.
Satan a word meaning 'enemy' and referring to the Devil or Lucifer
Saviour a person who saves another - usually referring to the promised Messiah and to Jesus Christ.
Saviour if someone was drowning and you jumped in to save them, you would be their saviour.
Scholar Someone who has developed great knowledge and skill in an academic discipline. In this book it refers to an expert in the field of theology.
Scribe one of the teachers of the law, an expert in the Jewish religion entrusted with the keeping of Jewish scripture.
Scribe Someone who copied out the Law and so became an authority on interpreting the Law.
Scribe someone who wrote things down, and who advised people about the religious law.
Scripture the sacred writings of a religion, e.g. the Bible.
Scriptures The Old Testament.
Second coming a reference to the coming of Christ at the end of time.
Seder Passover meal (word really means 'order').
Shalom Hebrew word of 'Peace', used by 'Jewish people.
Shema the words of Deuteronomy 6:4,5 which Jews say every day.
Sign of the cross The tracing of a cross, from head to chest and shoulder to shoulder, which Christians use as a reminder of the love of Jesus.
Sin a thought, word or action against the love of God: the neglect of God's law.
Sin Anything which harms or destroys our friendship with God or with others.
Sin The inability to do what God wants, either because the person is ignorant of God's will or because he has deliberately rejected it.
Sing of peace a handshake or suitable action which expresses Christian fellowship, often performed during an act of worship.
Sinner Strict Jews (Pharisees) thought that anyone who did not keep all the Jewish Law was a sinner.
Son of Man This usually meant only 'man' but it may also have been a title for the Messiah. It was the only title which Jesus used to refer to himself.
Stations of the cross Stopping places. The pictures on the walls of a church at which people stop to meditate on Jesus' journey to his death on a cross.
Statutes Pictures of Christ and the saints have been used as devotional aids from the earliest times. Statues are simply pictures in 3D.
Suffering Servant In Isaiah 52:13-53:12 the servant suffers on behalf of others in order to fulfil his mission. Jesus suffered in the same way.
Sukkot Festival at which the Jews thanked God for leading them out of Egypt.
Symbol Something which represents something else, e.g. in the Gospels the word 'Father' is used to represent God, bread and wine are used to represent the body and blood of Jesus.
Symbolism the outward objects and actions which contain in themselves the meaning of a religious act, e.g. water in baptism is a symbol of life and death.
Synagogue A Jewish place of worship.
Synagogue a place of worship for Jews, and sometimes a name for the Jewish congregation itself.
Synagogue the building in which Jews meet to worship.
Synoptic From the Greek words 'viewed together'. The word is used when looking at the relationship between the Gospels.
Tabernacle A draped box or container in church, in which bread consecrated at Mass is reserved for taking to the housebound later. It is marked by a continuously burning light, and acknowledged by bowing or genuflecting in its direction.
Tabernacle a place for the reservation of the Eucharist, usually a box of precious metal.
Talent a personal aptitude or gift to be used for the service of others.
Talents gifts or abilities which someone has been given.
Tax collector someone who worked for the Romans by collecting the taxes.
Tax collectors People despised by the strict Jews at the time of Jesus because they collected taxes for the Romans and were usually dishonest.
Temple a place of religious worship; in the New Testament, the great temple of the Jews in Jerusalem.
Temple central place of Jewish worship where animals were sacrificed. The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed in 70CE and never rebuilt.
Temple This was in Jerusalem. At the time of Jesus it has been rebuilt by Herod the Great. It was very important for Jews because it was where sacrifices were offered.
Temptation an attraction towards a sinful thought, word or actin.
Tenant someone who cultivates land for another, or a person who is trusted with the property of another.
The Law This includes both the written law (The Torah) and the Oral Tradition, (see below)
Tithe Donating a tenth of earnings or crops etc. Jews donated tithes to the Temple.
Tomb a hole in the earth or rock in which a dead person can be buried
Torah the Jewish law contained in the pentateuch and thought to have been given to Moses by God.
Tradition a belief or a custom handed down from generation to generation, e.g. the oral tradition of Jews concerning religious observances.
Tradition In this book when tradition is used by itself it means a generally held belief or custom. Oral Tradition is more specific see above.
Trans-substantiation Change of substance. A theological explanation of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which continues to look like bread and wine. The outward appearances (colour, taste, etc.) remain, but the inner reality (substance) is changed into the body and blood of Christ.
Transept the two 'arms' of a church which makes the shape of a cross.
Transfiguration the change in the form and appearance of Christ before Peter, James and John, when he spoke with Moses and Elijah.
Transfiguration the time when Jesus took some disciples to the top of a mountain and appeared to them as a shining figure.
Transubstantiation the belief in the Roman Catholic Church that the elements of bread and wine are consecrated into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Tribe usually refers to the descendants of one of the twelve families of the sons of Jacob, e.g. Judah.
Trinity the Christian belief in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the doctrine of three Persons in one God.
Trinity Three-in-one. A shorthand way in which Christians acknowledge that for them the word 'God' is not reserved for the Father and Creator of all things, but extends to the Jesus in whose life that God was manifested, and to the Spirit in whom Christ is till present among them.
Unction See Anointing.
Unleavened something e.g. bread, made without yeast so that the dough will not rise, often used for a Communion Service.
Unleavened bread bread which has not risen because it does not contain yeast.
Vatican The part of Rome in which St. Peter is buried, and which has become the headquarters of the Catholic Church.
Vestment the ceremonial robe of a Christian minister e.g. the chasuble of a Roman Catholic priest.
Vestments Clothing. The ceremonial clothes worn by ministers for religious services.
Viaticum Holy Communion given to a person who is dying.
Village craft work which supports and maintains the daily life of a village, e.g. blacksmith, carpenter, potter etc.
Vineyard a plantation of grapevines.
Virgin birth The story of Jesus' birth emphasizes the belief that he is not the result of human merit or effort, but in every way God's gracious gift to the world, the Godsend of all time.
Vocation Calling. Christians believe that the way of life they have chosen is a response to a call of God.
Whitsun Pentecost Sunday - a day on which newly baptized persons wore their white baptismal garments which represented their new faith.
Whitsun The name sometimes given to Pentecost, after the white robes worn by those coming to be baptised on this 'birthday' of the Church.
Zealot a member of a Jewish sect which opposed Roman rule in a fanatical way.