1. The 3 branches of Christianity

2. Roman catholic church design
Generally face east (Jerusalem)
Large churches generally have more than one altar – High Altar is for Eucharist, others for private devotion
Some have both a pulpit (for the proclamation of the Gospel – clergy only) and a lectern. If there is only one, known as an ambo.
The sacristy will contain the sacrarium – a drain that goes directly into the earth – for rinsing altar cloths and cleaning sacred vessels.
Most Catholic churches have stations of the cross
Style of churches have changed somewhat since 2nd Vatican Council (1960s)

3. Pre Vatican II liturgy High altar, Communion railing,
Priest faces altar,
Eucharist only received by mouth,
Lay people do not read from Scripture,
Responses are limited,
Mass in Latin

4. Sacred items in Roman Catholicism
Vestments
Chalice
Ciborium
Censer
Monstrance
Holy water font
Statues
Sanctuary lamp and tabernacle

5. Roman catholic mass The Catechism states that the Mass is central.
The communion of saints is always invoked – those alive on earth and those who have been called into eternal life.
The Catholic Mass is highly symbolic:
Signs from creation (fire, water, bread, wine, oil)
Signs from society (anointing, breaking bread, washing)
Signs from Old Testament tradition (Passover rite, sacrifices)
The Mass is broken into the following main sections:
Introductory rites (vesting, penitential rite)
Liturgy of the Word
Liturgy of the Eucharist (from the offertory to the dismissal)

6. Orthodox church building design
Orthodox churches are said to be designed to resemble Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem – as it is described in 1 Kings.
The Holy of Holies is:
Lined with cedar
overlaid with gold
Building is filled with icons and angels
Holy of Holies is separated by curtains and double doors from the nave – the Royal Door and the Deacon’s Door
The nave is separated from the altar area by an iconostasis (“icon screen”)

7. Icon screens

8. Orthodox exteriors

9. Orthodox Divine Liturgy
The Orthodox Divine Liturgy consists of three main parts:
Proskomedia – the preparation of the holy gifts before the liturgy begins
The Liturgy of the Catechumens – or Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Faithful – or Liturgy of the Eucharist
Eucharist consists of leavened bread – disagreement between John’s Gospel and the synoptics (M, M, L). Eucharist given under both species, and only by mouth.
Sacraments of initiation are
generally received all at once, in
Infancy – baptism is by immersion.

10. Overview of orthodoxy
– orthodox first communion
- orthodox crowning khouri wedding
- Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas worldwide