christianity

apostle

One of the twelve disciples chosen by Christ to go out and teach the gospel to the world.

ascension

Holy day that marks the bodily passing of Christ from earth to heaven on the 40th day after Easter.

baptism

Sacrament or action that involves the sprinkling/full immersion of a person in water to signify washing away sin and entering church.

christmas

Festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus, marked by special church services, gifts, and greetings.

confirmation

A sacrament or rite in churches that is a component of the initiation process into the Christian faith.

filioque clause

Latin word meaning 'and the son' inserted into the Nicene Creed by the Western, or Roman, Church.

gospels

Story of Jesus Christ’s life and teachings told in the first four books of the Bible’s New Testament.

Holy Communion / Eucharist

Sacrament by which Christians commemorate the Last Supper.

Holy Spirit

One of the three persons in God, believed by Christians to bestow spiritual gifts upon individuals.

indulgences

Prayers or actions in the Roman Catholic Church that are believed to free the individual from spending a specified period of time in purgatory.

justification

Belief in some Churches that Christians are free from punishment for sin through their faith in Jesus Christ.

Last Judgement

Day of God’s final judgement at the end of the world, when the faithful will go to heaven.

Last Supper

Jesus’ last meal with his disciples before he was crucified; the origin of the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Lent

Forty weekdays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday; a period of fasting and repentance for sin in many Christian Churches.

liturgy of the word

Portion of the Christian worship service that emphasizes Bible readings and preaching to the church congregation.

martyr

Someone who has suffered or died for Christ while under persecution.

Messiah

Saviour prophesized by the Old Testament, who would lead his people to God; Christians believe this saviour to be Jesus.

original sin

Belief of the human tendency to sin and evil, presented in scripture as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God in the garden of Eden.

papal infallibility

Roman Catholic belief that the pope cannot err when speaking on matters of faith and morals in his role as head of the Church.

parable

Type of short story often used by Jesus to teach an important truth or lesson in morality.

Pentecost

Christian festival commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles to help them spread the Christian faith.

Protestant Reformation

Religious movement in Europe during the sixteenth century that led to the establishment of the Protestant Churches.