Christianity
Glossary of Key Terms
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Christianity Glossary
Advent
Four weeks of preparation leading up to Christmas Day on December 25
Altar
In some traditions a holy table – where the Eucharist (Communion) is
celebrated
Angel
A heavenly being; literally means “messenger”
Annunciation
The Angel Gabriel tells Mary she will have a son who will be called Jesus
Apostles
The name given to the people who spread the news of Jesus’ life and teaching
Ascension Day
The day when Jesus rose to Heaven after he was crucified – happens forty
days after Easter
Ash Wednesday
This is the first day of Lent – a period of forty days leading up to Easter.
Christians (Roman Catholic) mark their foreheads with a cross made from
ashes
Assumption
Mary’s ascension into Heaven
Baptism
The ceremony where water is used symbolically to denote a time of turning
away from sin and entering the faith
Baptistry
Artificial pool in a Church where people are baptised
Bible
The holy book comprising the Old Testament (before Christ’s birth) and the
New Testament (writings made after Christ’s birth)
Chalice
A cup used for the wine at the service of communion
Chapel
Place of worship
Christ
A greek expression meaning “the anointed one” – the name given to Jesus
Christmas
The annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ
Church
Place of worship
Clergy
People trained to work in the Church and spread the teachings of Christ
Communion
A holy service of the Last Supper when Jesus gave his disciples bread and wine.
These two elements are used within services and represent the body and
blood of Christ.
Confession
Admission of some wrongdoing
Confirmation
A ceremony in the Roman Catholic tradition during which people are
confirmed in their faith
Congregation
A gathering of people for the purpose of worship
Covenant
A special agreement between people and God
Creed
A statement of faith
Crucifix
A cross with the figure of Jesus on it
Crucifixion
A form of death penalty whereby the person is nailed to a cross. In relation to
Jesus this event is remembered at Easter.
Denomination
Referring to different branches of the Christian Church
Disciples
Followers of Jesus
Divine
Sharing the nature and power of God
Doctrine
A set of beliefs and teachings of a religious group
Easter
The time when the death and resurrection of Jesus is commemorated
Epiphany
The time and arrival of the Wise Men (the Magi) at the birth of Jesus
Eternal
Everlasting
Font
A object that holds the holy water for baptism within a Church
God
The supreme being
Gospel
The teachings of Jesus
Heaven
The eternal Kingdom of God, where Christians hope to be after death
Hell
The traditional place of punishment for sinners after death; more liberally
refers to exclusion from God’s presence
Holy Spirit
The unseen spirit of God, third part of the Trinity
Hymn
A religious poem or song set to music and sung during worship
Incarnation
This means “to become flesh” – the belief that God, became a human being in
the form of the Son, Jesus
Jehovah
The name for God which is used in the Old Testament
Jesus Christ
The Son of God who was born into the world in human form although he,
himself, was divine – second part of the Trinity
Lent
A period of forty weekdays starting at Ash Wednesday through to Easter
Saturday. During this time many Christians give things up to help them focus
on Jesus
Magi
Another term for the Wise Men who came to see the birth of Christ
Messiah
The saviour whom Jews hoped God would send to deliver them from all
suffering and bring peace to the world
Parish
The district which surrounds a Church and in which it has responsibility for the
people living there
Pentecost
Festival marking the coming of the Holy Spirit
Pilgrimage
Special journey to a holy place
Pulpit
An elevated area within a place of worship from which the minister of priest
delivers the sermon to the congregation
Redemption
To obtain freedom from sin and evil
Repentance
This is the act of being sorry for wrong doing and a determination to try to do
better
Resurrection
The rising of Jesus from the dead
Sabbath
The day for rest and worship (Sunday)
Scripture
The Christian Bible
Sermon
The talk in which the clergy speaks to the people about the Word of God
Shrine
A Holy place
Soul
The eternal part of human life
Trinity
God in three forms – the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit
Worship
A time of thanksgiving, usually with singing and prayer