A Christian feast commemorating the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. See the page Candlemas.

A member of clergy on the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church, or a title of honour within a diocese

The place of the Crucifixion, also known as 'Golgotha', of which Calvary is a Latin translation.

A cassock is a clerical, not a vestment and is worn underneath the vestments, namely the surplice, a type of alb, and the stole. The word cassock comes from the French casaque, meaning a long coat. It can be worn by both clergy and lay worship leaders, with or without a surplice. Only ordained clergy wear a stole over the surplice. Some choirs wear cassocks with surplices. See the page Clergy Clothes.

The main church in a Diocese.

This literally means ‘universal’ and so we recognise our setting in the wider world and Church, and value the past as well as being concerned for the future. As applied to the church it refers to its worldwide extension, its unbroken tradition going back to the Apostles, and its adherence to the wholeness of the Christian belief. In common usage the word is often used to refer to the Roman Church. However, Anglicans and Orthodox also use it as a description of their churches. After 1054 the Western Church was called Catholic and the Eastern Church, Orthodox

The priest who officiates at the Eucharist.

The eastern part of a church from the Latin cancellus meaning lattice. It is usually the area containing the choir and altar. It is the front part of the church where the service is conducted, as distinct from the nave, where the congregation sits. The chancel is usually an elevated platform, three steps up from the nave. See the page The Chancel.

The arch separating the nave from the chancel. See the page The Chancel.

A Christian minister who does not look after a particular parish church, but whose job is to work with a group of people. For example, many hospitals and some regiments in the army have their own chaplains. In the past some rich families had a chaplain.

An ornate circular garment with a hole in the center for the wearer’s head. When worn, it reaches to the wearer’s wrists, so that if the wearer holds both arms straight out, the chasuble forms a semi-circle when viewed from the front or the back. A chasuble is the outermost liturgical vestment worn by the celebrant for the celebration of the Eucharist, on top of the alb, and always worn with a stole. See the page Clergy Clothes.

The part of the church used for an organised body of singers, also applied to those who sing there, usually to the east of the nave. See the page Choirs.

Greek, translated from the Hebrew Messiah (the King who would deliver the Jews from oppression). Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah and will free all humankind from sin and death.

Another word for Baptism. See the page Baptism.

Someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Christian religion, its beliefs and practices.

A symbolic object used in advent services. The Christingle consists of an orange representing the world with a red ribbon around it representing the blood of Jesus, fruits and sweets skewered on 4 cocktail sticks which are pushed into the orange representing the fruits of the earth and the four seasons and a lighted candle pushed into the centre of the orange representing Christ the light of the world. See the page Advent.

The annual Christian festival on the 25th December which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. See the page Christmas.

• A building which is used for public Christian worship.
• The group of people who are united in their worship of Jesus Christ.

The established, state-controlled Anglican Church of England. The Christian denomination which emerged from the Reformation during the reign of Henry VIII in the sixteenth century. The Church of England has some links with the state: for example the monarch has the title 'Supreme Governor' of that Church. Because of these links the Church of England is sometimes referred to as 'the Established Church'.

A lay official in a parish church. Holders of these positions are leading members of the parochial church council. See the page Churchwardens.

Something worn around the waist to gather or hold up clothing. Vestments often include cinctures made of cloth or rope. See one on the page Clergy Clothes.

A general term for a body or group of ordained people who are appointed to work in the church. The three types of clergy are deacons, priests and bishops.

A clergy shirt is a clerical, not a vestment. There are two types: neckband shirts and tab-collar shirts. The dog collar is a nickname for the white collar that is worn with a neckband shirt. See one on the page Clergy Clothes.

The term that describes the distinctive street clothing that clergy wear, such as black shirts with white collars. See some on the page Clergy Clothes.

A collect is a short prayer that summarises a foregoing series of prayers or a worship service.

Rules given by God. The most famous are the Ten Commandments given to Moses.

The most important of the Christian services. It acts out the events of the last supper which Jesus had with his disciples. Another name for the Eucharist. See the page Holy Communion.

Night Prayer is the final church service (or office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The word compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the liturgical day. Compline tends to be a contemplative office that emphasises spiritual peace. Compline was originally merged with Vespers to form Evening Prayer.

Admitting sins or misdoings. Christian confession is sometimes made privately, as in the Roman Catholic rite of confession, and sometimes publicly, as part of a church service. Confession is followed by absolution or forgiveness.

The ceremony whereby the Grace of the Holy Spirit is conveyed following the renewal of baptismal vows. The person is then fully admitted to the Church. A course of instruction in the Christian faith precedes confirmation. See the page Confirmation.

A group of people who gather together for worship.

Set apart as sacred. To officially make something holy and able to be used for religious ceremonies.

A support for an arch or similar heavy structure, which sticks out of a wall and is usually made of stone or brick. See some on the images page Stone Carvings.

A statement of religious beliefs agreed by the church to be true. There are 2 main creeds in the Christian church: the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.

The most important Christian symbol. See some on the page Symbols in the Church.

The area where the north-south transept crosses the main east-west axis of a cruciform, or cross-shaped, church.

A crucifer is a person appointed to carry the church's processional cross, a cross or crucifix with a long staff, during processions at the beginning and end of the service. The term crucifer comes from the Latin crux (cross) and ferre (to bear, carry). It thus literally means 'cross-bearer'. See the page Servers.

A model of the cross with the figure of Jesus upon it. See one on the page Symbols in the Church.

An ancient method of execution, where the victim was tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang there until death. Since Jesus Christ was the most notable figure to be crucified, a crucifix, often bearing an icon of Christ, became the main symbol of most Christians. See the page Good Friday.

A small flat-bottomed vessel with a narrow neck used during the celebration of Holy Communion. Cruets often have an integral lip or spout and may also have a handle has a stopper or lid to protect the contents from from flies and dust. Cruets are normally made from glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. Cruets come in pairs, one containing water and the other containing altar wine. The cruet containing water is marked 'A' for the Latin word for water, Aqua, and the one containing the wine, 'V' for Vinum. See one on the page Church Plate.

A member of the clergy engaged as assistant to the vicar who is either a priest or a deacon. See the page St. James's Curate.