Christianity content

The Bible

- The Bible is a collection of 66 separate books written by 40 different people

- Some believe that it is the word of God

- It consists of the old testament and the new testament

The Old testament

- It covers laws, history, prophecies, poetry and philosophy of the ancient Israelites (Jewish people)

- It was written in Hebrew and Aramaic languages

The New testament

- Covers the life and teachings of Jesus

- Covers the events in the lives of the first Christians

- Covers the teachings of the early Church and prophecy

- It is written in Greek.

The Bible as the word of God (different interpretations)

- All Christians believe that the Bible is not the invention of human beings, but is the Word of God

- Some believe that it is literally true, dictated as it were, by God to the biblical writers

- Some hold that the Biblical writers were influenced by God in their work

- Others believe the Bible contains metaphors and symbols rather than literal truths

Authority of the Bible

The Bible is the product of God's supreme knowledge and wisdom, therefore is true, final and definitive. It has the power to inspire people to follow its teachings in their lives

Sacred scripture

What makes Christian scripture sacred is the belief that those men who confirmed the final and authoritative list of the books of the Bible were guided by God in making their decisions.

Therefore, Christians believe that the Bible is complete, insofar as it contains the authoritative teachings given by God, with nothing added and nothing taken away.

Inspiration

Christianity teaches that the writers of the books of the Bible were in some way influenced or guided by God so that their writings are the Word of God.

Inspiration could mean one of three things:

- God dictated word for word what the authors were to write

- The authors wrote in their own style, influenced by their cultural backgrounds, yet God ensured that it was what he wanted them to write

- The authors used their own words to explain their personal experiences of God

'All Scripture is God-breathed' (2 Timothy 3.16)

This implies that the process of transferring the Word of God is a deep and personal one in which God implanted his mind into the minds of the biblical authors.

Historical criticism

Each Biblical writer had their own reasons for writing and their own objectives. Analysing the historical and social contexts of the Biblical authors can provide greater understandings of their writings.

The general aim of historical criticism is to try and discover what the original author intended his text to mean in the time and place it was written. Historical criticism tries to answer questions such as who wrote the text? Why was it written? And in which culture was it written?

How is the Bible used?

- Teaching

- Rebuking

- Correcting

- Training in righteousness

- Absolute Law

- Guidance

- Use during worship

Bible as a use for teaching

The Bible contains answers to ultimate questions such as 'What is God like?' and 'Does life have a purpose?' The Bible also teaches Christians about their faith and enables others to learn about Christian beliefs

The Bible as a use for rebuking

This literally means exposing shortcomings. The Bible contains teachings about behaviour and living a good life. It describes the consequences of failing to live up to the expectations that God has of his people.

The Bible encourages Christians to point out sinfulness when they see it and avoid it. Through reading the Bible, Christians can recognise their own shortcomings and take steps to overcome them.

The Bible as a use for correcting

The Bible explains how people can change their behaviour to meet God's expectations. The Bible is essentially the story of how humans broke God's trust (The Fall) and how they can mend their relationship with him.

The Bible as a use for training in righteousness

The Bible teaches that God is the creator of life and is like a father. He has a role as a parent in teaching people how to make wise decisions and cope when things go wrong.

Christians believe God does this through the Bible, revealing his wisdom and knowledge.

The Bible as a use for absolute law

Some laws written in the Bible are seen as absolute which means that they are fixed and should be followed in all circumstances.

However, through Jesus' teachings, some Christians believe that the teachings in scripture should be used as a guidance to work out the best thing to do in a moral situation, rather than using the teachings as absolute.

The Bible as a use for guidance

Some of the Bible's teachings are general and provide universal guidance on how to live, for example, to love fellow humans, to feed the poor and seek justice for the oppressed.

However, it is often the case that the Bible does not give specific guidance on how to act in specific circumstances. Christians believe that that God's Holy Spirit continues to work through them by giving them the power to apply biblical teachings to situations. Christianity teaches that God reshapes a person's mind so that they can make wise decisions.

The Bible as a use during worship

- Church services often include the singing of hymns, which are based on biblical passages

- Some Churches display posters or banners of Bible verses

- Prayers are usually based on the Bible

- Most sermons are based on the passages of the Bible

- In Anglican and Catholic Churches, the congregation stands when the Gospel is being read

- The Bible is also used in a range of ceremonies such as baptisms, marriages and funerals.

The Biblical passage describing Jesus' baptism is often read at a baptism, showing that baptism originated from Jesus.

At Catholic marriage ceremonies, three biblical readings are read aloud which explain the importance of marriage in Christianity.

At funerals passages about God having power over life and death are read aloud at the service. Biblical passages are also used to comfort the bereaved.

Interpreting the Bible

The Bible can be interpreted in one of the following ways:

- Literal

- Conservative

- Symbolic

- Mythological

Literal Interpretation

God wrote the Bible, not humans (though he wrote it through humans). The Bible contains no errors and is factually accurate. Biblical accounts take priority over science.

Conservative interpretation

The Bible contains God's words through humans, however it needs to be reinterpreted carefully to see behind the historical and cultural contexts in which it was written. God's truths are revealed in the Bible as he intended them.

Symbolic interpretation

The symbolic meaning of biblical texts is more important than their literal meaning. Symbolic meaning reveals God's teachings, which may be spiritual or moral, but not scientific.

(Basically the Bible's messages are the key takeaway not the realism of the stories)

Mythological interpretation

The Bible was written by primitive people in a prescientific era. Many biblical narratives come from earlier cultures. The mythological interpretation of the Bible makes Christian teachings universal, not limited to history.

(Basically the Bible was written before science discoveries so some things may not be true but the teachings and science can go hand in hand)

Sources of authority for Christians

- The Bible

- Conscience

- Family

- Reason

- Society

- Situations

- Civil Law

The Bible as a source of authority

Many Christians use the Bible as a reliable and credit worthy source of wisdom. They therefore use it to guide them in decision making relating to moral issues.

However, many twenty first century problems are not covered in the Bible and Christians have had to use other sources of authority to work out the best course of action.

Conscience as a source of authority

In the Old Testament it states that humans follow laws by nature, implying humans know when they are doing right or wrong.

St Paul said that a person's conscience, the intuitive understanding of right and wrong, is actually knowledge of God's laws put into their mind by God.

Pope John Paul II claimed that the conscience is an 'infallible' (without error) guide; it is never wrong.

Family as a source of authority

Christians believe the purpose of marriage and sex is to have a family.

Christians believe that parents should train their children in the moral standards expressed in the Bible. They should be exemplars of living a Christian life, bringing their children up to experience and exercise love and forgiveness.

Reason as a source of authority

Aquinas (a 13th century Christian philosopher) said that conscience needs to be applied using reason.

People need to think through what their conscience is telling them and what the consequences of different courses of action are likely to be.

Society as a source of authority

Even though some Christians believe that the influence of politics and science on society actually undermines Christian teachings, there are other examples of Christian teachings maintaining an influence on society.

For example, members of parliament and the House of Lords swear an oath of loyalty to the monarch and may do so on the Bible. Christian values such as the sanctity of life have great impact on political decisions about moral issues.

Situations as a source of authority

Some Christians believe that it is not good enough to simply follow the moral laws presented in the Bible because they were written in a very different society to today. Many believe Jesus' teachings are a good template for the ideal Christian life because they are based on agape love.

Situation ethics teaches Christians to do the most loving thing in a situation, which at times might mean going against religious law. For example, abortion might be the most loving thing to do if someone was raped.

Civil Law as a source of authority

Civil law consists of the laws that govern relationships between people or between people and institutions. Many UK laws have been based on biblical moral teaching, particularly the Ten Commandments. However, since the middle of the twentieth century, the influence of Christianity over British law has been challenged.

Laws change in response to changes in public moral thinking although many Christians maintain that the laws of the Bible are absolute and apply to all people at all times in all circumstances

Beliefs in life after death

Christians believe that after the body dies, something unseen survives and continues to live in a spiritual way. This spiritual life beyond death is called the afterlife. Indeed, this belief in life after death is at the very centre of Christianity.

Jesus' death

Christianity teaches that three days after Jesus was crucified and died, he rose from the dead and came back to life: the Resurrection. St Paul said that if Jesus' Resurrection did not happen and if belief in life after death is false, then the Christian faith is meaningless.

There are a number of references in the New Testament to life after death. The story of Jesus' death and Resurrection is extremely important to Christians because it provides them with evidence that death is not the end, and that their immortal soul lives on. Christians believe life is a preparation for an afterlife, to be with God in heaven.

Gospel records of the resurrection

All four Gospels refer to the death and Resurrection of Jesus. All accounts agree that:

- It was early Sunday morning, three days after his execution that female friends of Jesus went to the tomb, and that when they arrived the tomb was empty.

- One or two young men or angels were waiting for the women.

- They were told Jesus had risen from the dead, and that they should head back to Galilee where Jesus was waiting for them.

- They went back and told the disciples who initially did not believe them, until they went to the empty tomb themselves.

- The women and disciples met Jesus shortly afterwards and he remained for several weeks before being taken up to heaven.

Judgement

Christians believe that there will be a Day of Judgement, when people will be judged by God for how they behaved in their lives. Christians believe that, on this day, Jesus will return to Earth in a 'second coming'.

This will mark the end of human existence on the Earth. Judgement will result in reward or punishment. Reward takes the form of entry to heaven. Punishment is banishment in hell.

Responsibility for actions

Jesus frequently used parables to explain his teachings. Matthew's Gospel describes how Jesus will separate the people who will go to heaven from those who go to hell, just as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

Jesus explains that, in helping others, they have served him. On the other hand, those bound for hell (the goats) are punished for doing nothing to help others. This is an offence against God.

The parable of the Sheep and Goats teaches that people are accountable to God for the way they have lived.

Free will

Many Christians would say no one is completely good, but those who have faith in Jesus are likely to be motivated to do good deeds. However, people must exercise free will to develop faith.

It is a personal choice. Having free will means that human beings can choose to reject God. If God is a fair judge, then those people must face the consequences of their lack of faith.

Resurrection

- Christians believe that the spiritual form of a person (their soul) is able to join God in heaven when they die.

- Some people believe at the end of time there will also be a physical resurrection. This means that people will be brought back to life with physical bodies, just as Jesus was. This belief is stated in the creeds (Christian beliefs).

- Although Jesus himself did not mention much about the afterlife, St Paul did in his various letters to early Christians. Paul said that it was a human being (Adam) who broke God's trust and brought sin and death into the world. Therefore, only a human (Jesus) can renew the relationship with God and overcome death.

- If Jesus were only God and not human in anyway, then resurrection would be easy for him, because God is eternal, but it would not affect humans. It is only the fact that Jesus was also a human being that is proof, for Paul, that all humans can overcome death. Paul is not entirely clear about how the resurrection of humans might come about.

He suggests that the Parousia (the second coming of Jesus to judge the living and the dead) would happen in his lifetime. However his writings suggest he is unclear of when this will in fact happen.

Heaven

Although there are numerous references in the Bible to heaven, there are not many descriptions of it, or it is expressed in a language that can be interpreted in different ways.

It is not clear whether heaven is a physical place in which resurrected bodies live, or whether Jesus is speaking metaphorically and heaven is a spiritual state or condition.

However, he seems to suggest that all people have access to heaven - there is enough room for everyone. The conditions of entry are belief in God and belief that Jesus is God.

Hell

There is no clear description in the Bible about Hell. The Old Testament say that the dead, both righteous and wicked, go to a place of darkness, cut off from God. Later the idea developed in the Church that hell was a place of suffering and separation from God for the wicked.

Today Christian thought about hell falls into three beliefs:

- Hell is a physical place of eternal suffering

- Hell in the state of being separated by God for eternity, unable to experience his love and blessings

- Hell is complete annihilation of one's existence, both physical and spiritual

Purgatory

Catholic Christians believe in another place called purgatory. They believe that many people who die cannot gain immediate entry into heaven because of their sins.

Purgatory is described as a waiting room for heaven, where they undergo a process of cleansing and purification before eventually securing entry to heaven. It is a temporary state.

Rites of Passage

It is a ritual or series or rituals which often have symbolic meaning. Stages in life tend to be common to the lives of most people and are often marked by ceremonies or celebrations.

Rites of passage have particular significance in religious communities, when people who share faith can get together to witness and participate in momentous occasions in each other's lives.

Sacrament

This is an outward sign of an invisible and inward blessing by God, for example baptism. By the 12th century a sacrament was used to describe seven specific rites that were seen as central to Christian life.

These sacraments are still acknowledged today by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions and some Anglicans.

Baptism

It is the ceremony that welcomes a person into the community of Christians. Water is used to symbolise purification and the washing away of sin.

Infant Baptism

Water is sprinkled onto the baby's head or the baby is immersed into water, to symbolise freedom from original sin. At the same time, the baby is formally given its first (Christian) name. Some churches believe baptism to be the beginning of a new life in Jesus and death to one's old life.

This is done differently depending on the Church. You will need to know how it is done in

- A Catholic Church

- Church in Wales

- A Methodist Church

Infant Baptism in a Catholic Church

- Priest draws a sign of the cross on the baby's head using water, symbolises that God has passed his divine life to the baby

- Parents make vows reject Satan and affirm their faith in God the father, son and holy spirit, the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection and afterlife

- The baby is anointed with oil called chrism and symbolises the gift of strength to resist evil

- God parents light a candle that represents Jesus as the light of the world.

Infant Baptism in the Church in Wales

- Priest makes a sign of the cross on the baby's forehead and prays

- The baby's parents make promises to turn to Christ, repent of their sins and renounce evil, and then affirm their faith in the three persons of the Trinity

- The baby may then be anointed with Chrism

- Afterwards a candle is lit to represent the light of Christ.

Infant Baptism in a Methodist Church

- The same symbols and images (water - moving from sin to new life, becoming a member of the Christian church) are used

- The baby is baptised with water, however there is no anointing of chrism

- A candle is lit.

Believer's Baptism

Adults are immersed under water to symbolise death to sinfulness and belief in new life and resurrection in Christ. It is carried out in obedience to Jesus' command that his followers should baptise.

Some denominations do not believe in infant baptism because they think that a believer should be able to declare their own faith. As a result, babies are not baptised because believers' baptism is only for those who are able to state their own faith and willingly enter into a relationship with God.

Process of Believer's Baptism

- Before the ceremony the candidate will usually attend baptismal classes with the minister so that they fully understand what commitments they will make and what will be expected of them

- During the service the candidate will have the opportunity to speak about how and why they became a Christian (testimony)

- Whilst fully immersed into a pool of water, the minister will ask two questions: Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? Do you promise with the help of the Holy Spirit to love and serve God for the rest of your life?

- The candidate will answer yes to both questions, and then will be lowered into the water to symbolise death to their old life and raised out of it to indicate birth to a new life with Jesus as their Lord

Importance of Baptism

- It is a rite of entry that allows people to become members of the Christian Church

- Many Christians believe original sin is removed through the actions of baptism

- It follows the personal example of Jesus who was baptised as an adult by John the Baptist

- It is regarded as the first sacrament acting as a 'covenant' or agreement between human beings and God

- Believers' baptism gives an individual the opportunity to proclaim publicly their personal faith

Eucharist

This is a sacrament instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, the final meal that he shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. At this meal, Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples and told them that the wine represented his blood and the bread represented his body.

He told them to share bread and wine when they gather together after his death in his memory. Christians today continue this sacrament when they worship. They believe it brings them closer to God.

Catholic views about the Eucharist

They believe that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation). This is called the Holy Communion and it is the taking of the body and blood of Jesus.

Protestant Reformers and Lutherans views about the Eucharist

They adopted a position called consubstantiation. This is the idea that the body and blood of Jesus are somehow present in, with and under the forms of bread and wine

Protestant views about the Eucharist

Many reject the Catholic idea. The Presbyterian view of the Eucharist is that Christ is present spiritually rather than literally in the bread and wine.

Other Christians such as Baptist views about Eucharist

Christ is not present in the bread and wine and that ritual is simply an act of remembrance. They do not believe the Eucharist is a sacrament but rather an act of faith carried out because Jesus commanded it.

Eucharist practices

Eucharist is carried out differently depending on the Church. You will need to know how it is carried out in the following Churches:

- Catholic Church

- Church in Wales

- Eastern Orthodox

- Baptist Church

- Quakers

Eucharist in the Catholic Church

- The bread and wine are kept in containers called the tabernacle on or behind the altar

- The service begins with prayers, asking the priest to absolve (forgive) their sins

- Readings from the Bible take place, and the priest gives a sermon on the meaning of the Gospel reading. This is followed by a recitation of the creed by the whole congregation

- The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with preparation of the bread and wine on the altar through prayers said by the priest and congregation. The prayers asked that God make the bread and wine the body and blood of Jesus

- The priest puts a piece of bread into wine and presents the transubstantiated bread and wine. The priest takes the holy communion first, and then invites the congregation to

- After the communion, prayers are said and the congregation is dismissed

Eucharist in the Church in Wales

There is no fixed view amongst Anglicans of what happens to the bread and wine. Some interpret the meaning of the bread and wine as the actual body and blood of Jesus (transubstantiation).

Others believe that Jesus is present spiritually and the bread and wine are symbols of Jesus' body and blood. Anglicans refer to Jesus as the 'Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper'. Anglicans also kneel to receive Holy Communion as a sign of respect

Eastern Orthodox

This Church calls the celebration of the Eucharist the Divine Liturgy. It follows the same basic order as the Catholic rites.

Eucharist in the Baptist Church

The Eucharist service is often called the Lord's Supper. It is not thought of as a sacrament, but rather a rite: a remembrance of Jesus' actions and words in compliance with his instructions.

The congregation usually remain seated while bread and grape juice are distributed; they then consume them at the same time as each other.

Eucharist in the Quakers' Church

Quakers believe that God reveals himself in each person and that there is no difference between religious and secular activity. Therefore, they do not have formal services or liturgies, and do not celebrate the Eucharist.

Confirmation

Confirmation is a ceremony in which a baptised person confirms the faith into which they have been baptised. It is sometimes called the Sacrament of Christian Maturity.

Confirmation makes the person a full member of the Church; it is a reinforcement of membership. Christians believe the Spirit of God enters the newly confirmed and gives them the power to live in the way of Jesus.

Confirmation preparation

Candidates are prepared for Confirmation by attending Confirmation Classes. These are usually conducted by the priest. The aim of the classes is to ensure that candidates have a sound understanding of the commitment they have chosen to make.

Classes include prayer and Bible study, as well as discussion and instruction. The Church in Wales, for example, publishes an 18-week Confirmation course.

Symbols of Confirmation

- Laying on of hands: The Confirmation is usually conducted by a bishop. He stretches his hands out over the candidates' heads and calls down the power of the Holy Spirit

- Anointing with oil: the candidates are anointed with oil of chrism. This echoes the ancient Israelite king-making ceremony. This candidate is being prepared for an important role

- Words: the words of the liturgy confirm the candidates' status as members of the Church

- Sign of peace: All people present greet each other with a handshake or embrace to show their unity as a Church

Confirmation Ceremony

Confirmation ceremonies are carried out differently depending on the Church. You will need to know how it is carried out in the following Churches:

- Catholic Church

- Church in Wales

- Methodist Church

- Baptist Church

Confirmation Ceremony in a Catholic Church

The ceremony is usually conducted by the bishop in the local parish. The symbols of confirmation are used in the ceremony. However, it is also common for candidates to take on the name of a saint at this time.

They will have researched the lives of saints to find one with whole they feel a connection and who inspire them. The ceremony will also include Holy Communion.

Confirmation Ceremony in the Church in Wales

The ceremony is conducted by the bishop because it gives him the opportunity to make connections and form relationships with worshippers in their dioceses (area).

There are two parts to the ceremony.

The first service requires the candidates to renew the promises made for them at Baptism. After the Bishop lays his hands on the candidates' heads, he prays asking for God to give strength to those confirmed.

In the longer service the candidates may give an account of their spiritual journey to Confirmation. The bishop may sprinkle their heads with holy water as a reminder of their Baptism and he may anoint them with oil.

Confirmation Ceremony in the Methodist Church

Ministers, not bishops, conduct Confirmation ceremonies. They perform the laying on of hands and recite the prayer: 'Lord, confirm your servant by your Holy Spirit that he/she may continue yours forever.'

Confirmation Ceremony in the Baptist Church

Confirmation does not occur in Baptist churches as they practise believers' (adult) Baptism, in which believers are mature enough to understand and make a Christian commitment for themselves.

Holy Matrimony (Marriage)

When two people who love each other want their relationship to be legally recognised, they can get married. The legal contract that binds the couple together is a civil marriage.

However, a couple may choose to have a religious ceremony to bind them in marriage. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches consider a Christian marriage ceremony to be a sacrament.

In a Christian marriage the man and woman are joined together by God and this bond cannot be broken. Even if a couple get a legal divorce in the civil courts, Catholic and Orthodox Churches still consider them to be bound together by God.

Different marriage practices

Marriages are carried out differently depending on the Church. You will need to know how it is carried out in the following Churches:

- Catholic Church

- Eastern Orthodox Churches

- Church in Wales

- Protestant Churches

Marriage in a Catholic Church

In order for a marriage to be a sacrament, it must take place in a Catholic Church between two baptised Christians, at least one of whom must be Catholic.

In a Catholic marriage the man and woman administer it to each other. The sacramental nature of marriage means that the relationship between husband and wife takes on a spiritual significance that cannot occur in a civil marriage.

Marriage in Eastern Orthodox Churches

They consider the marriage to be a grace of God that transforms a man and woman into husband and wife; therefore, marriage is seen as a sacrament. Orthodox churches teach that the marriage is administered by the Holy Spirit directly. Additionally, there only needs to be one Orthodox member of the couple in order to be married in the Orthodox tradition.

The ceremony consists of two parts.

The exchange of rings, which symbolises the marriage contract. The couple are then given candles to hold through the rest of the service.

The crowning, in which gold crowns are placed on the heads of the bride and groom. There are readings from the Bible and prayers. The couple share a cup of wine as a symbol of their unity before they remove the crowns.

Marriage in Church in Wales

They regard marriage as a sacred relationship, given exclusively to human beings as a gift from God. It does not, however, consider it to be a full sacrament, but a sacramental rite.

In a typical Church in Wales wedding ceremony the vicar welcomes everyone and gives a short sermon on the nature and purpose of marriage. The couple exchange their vows which reflect the main Christian beliefs about marriage. The couple exchange rings as a sign or commitment, and then the vicar declares the couple married.

There are prayers and Bible readings and the priest gives a sermon. There may also be hymns with an appropriate theme.

The legal requirement in Britain is for the newly married couple to sign the register, witnessed by a registrar and witnesses which makes the marriage ceremony legal.

Marriage symbols

These include

- Rings

- Veil

- Vows

- Crowns

- Candles

Rings

The rings symbolise a couple's devotion to each other and never ending commitment to their marriage made before God.

Veil

The veil symbolises the bride's purity before marriage. Its removal may symbolise two individuals becoming united through marriage.

Vows

Vows symbolise deep commitment and promise to God, each other and the Church community.

In the Catholic Church, the vows are the outward sign of the sacrament of marriage.

Crowns

In Eastern Orthodox Church ceremonies, the bride and groom do not make vows to each other: they have already made that commitment when they agreed to marry.

Instead, they wear gold crowns, outward signs of the sacrament. The crown symbolises the presence of God. They also show that a new family has been created, led by the newly married couple as king and queen.

Candles

In Eastern Orthodox weddings, the bride and groom are given lit candles that they hold during the service.

These symbolise the willingness of the couple to receive Jesus, the Light of the World.

The Church

The Church (capital C) is a group of people called in the service of the Lord; church (with a small c) refers to the building in which those people serve the Lord.

It is a tradition in most religions to set aside a place, especially a building, for devotion and worship.

It means that people can separate their activities of worship from their everyday lives and this gives those activities greater significance: people can feel closer to God. At the same time, it is believed that a dedicated place of worship enables God to get closer to his people.

The first churches were places where Christians could meet and share their faith. For early Christians, this generally meant people's homes.

For a couple of centuries of Christianity, it was felt that there was no need to construct places of worship because the Parousia (second coming of Christ) would happen very soon.

However, as time went on, the number of Christians increased and Christian liturgy developed.

Different places of worship for Christians

- Church: used for worship in parish communities

- Chapel: name used by non-conformist denominations. Also, a place of worship associated with a large house or institution

- Cathedral: large church with a chair (cathedra) for a bishop to sit on

- Basilica: large church authorised for special ceremonies

- House church: private home used for worship

- Meeting house: simple building used by Quakers

- Abbey: associated with a monastery

- Oratory: used for private worship

Pilgrimage

This is a journey to a sacred place, usually as an act of religious devotion. Places of pilgrimage are associated with events or people that have great importance in the Christian faith or personal significance to an individual's faith.

People therefore feel a spiritual connection with these places and may experience inspiration that strengthens their faith and deepens their connection with the great figures of Christian history. They are sites that encourage reflection, prayer and empathy.

In addition, people may have practical reasons for going on a pilgrimage, e.g. healing miracles. People may go to seek answers to problems, as penance for something they feel sorry about or to give thanks.

Nazareth

According to the Bible, Jesus was brought up in Nazareth and spent most of his life in the region of Galilee in which it is situated. It was also here that his birth was announced to his parents.

Worshipping here enables Christians to understand better the importance of the incarnation.

Bethlehem

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Many Christians visit the site at Christmas time, though the different denominations celebrate Christmas Day on different dates.

However, it is an opportunity for ecumenical worship (bringing different denominations together) and to deepen connections with other Christians and with God.

Jerusalem

Jesus spent the last week of his life in Jerusalem. The night before he died, he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane and Christians are able to follow his example, visiting the site for prayer, contemplation and reflection. Jesus was executed in a place now known as Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Sorrow).

Christians are able, literally to walk in Jesus' footsteps. Christians contemplate the significance of Jesus' death and Resurrection in order to develop and deepen their faith,

St David

St David was a Welsh bishop, who was born at the beginning of the sixth century CE and lived to be about 90. It is said that he performed many miracles during his life and miraculous events happened around him. He founded several monasteries in Britain, Ireland and France, including at the place where St David's Cathedral stands today.

Pilgrims have for centuries completed a combined pilgrimage to Capel Non and St David's cathedral. In the twelfth century it was believe that two pilgrimages to St David's were worth one to Jerusalem. It was much easier for British and Irish pilgrims to travel to rather than to Jerusalem, and so thousands completed it.

The focus of their pilgrimage was a shrine built to honour St David and to house his bones. During the Reformation in the sixteenth century, the shrine was destroyed and David's bones removed. The Shrine was finally restored and unveiled on St David's day in 2012.

St Non's Well

Tradition has it that David was born a few miles from present day St David's in Pembrokeshire. His mother was called Non and he was born possibly as the outcome of a rape by a local called Sant.

The place where was born is called Capel Non. A stone in the corner of the chapel is said to be the stone on which David was born. There is a well close to the chapel that, according to legend, sprang up when St David was born.

It has a reputation for powerful healing powers and people would throw coins into it, presumably to be healed, or just for good luck. This site was one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Wales during the Middle Ages and people walked across the country to get there

Bardsey Island

A Christian community was first set up on Bardsey Island in the sixth century CE and the remains of a thirteenth century monastery are still present there. So many Christians lived and died there that it is known as the Island of 20,000 Saints.

In the Middle Ages, pilgrimage to the island was the equivalent of two journeys to Rome.

Today, pilgrims are still able to worship in the ruins of the ancient chapel. The island is used for retreats, where individuals and groups can appreciate its beauty and seclusion as a setting for reassessment of priorities and renewing their relationship with God.