Catholic & Orthodox

A summary of Christian teaching in question-and-answer form, used to instruct new believers and the young (catechism); and a person being instructed in preparation for baptism (catechumen).

Telling one's sins to a priest and receiving God's forgiveness through him — a sacrament in Catholic and Orthodox practice, also available in Anglican and Lutheran churches.

A day on the church calendar honoring a saint or an event in the life of Christ or Mary — marked with special readings, sometimes a Mass or Liturgy, and often, despite the name, no feast.

Two physical gestures of reverence — a brief kneel on one knee toward the altar (genuflecting), and the hand motion touching forehead, chest, and shoulders (the sign of the cross).

Two physical elements of liturgical worship: water blessed by a priest, used for blessings and for the sign of the cross on entering a church; and incense burned as a symbol of prayer rising to God.

A sacred painted image of Christ, Mary, or a saint, made in a traditional style and honored — not worshipped — in Orthodox and some Catholic worship.

The Catholic worship service, centered on the Eucharist — scripture readings, a homily, prayers, and communion, in a fixed order every time.

A local Catholic, Anglican, or Orthodox church community and, traditionally, the geographic area it serves — everyone living within its boundaries belongs to it.

A ritual Christians believe carries God's grace through a physical sign — water, bread and wine, oil. Catholics and Orthodox count seven; most Protestants count two.

In Catholic and Orthodox use, a person officially recognized as holy and in heaven, who can be asked to pray for you. In the New Testament — and Protestant use — every Christian.

Orthodox evening prayer (Vespers), usually Saturday evening, and the main Sunday service (the Divine Liturgy), centered on the Eucharist — long, sung, standing, and ancient. Vespers also names evening prayer in Catholic and Anglican use.