Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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Confirmation
This is a sacrament in some Christian traditions and is the ritual or rite of passage which signifies the strengthening or deepening one's relationship and commitment to God.
Monks and Nuns
In some traditions those desiring complete devotion to Jesus and follow the pattern of his life and work, take lifetime vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They undertake 'solemn vows' and join an order of monks or nuns and stay in monastery.
Worship
Christians worship in a variety of religious buildings: they include cathedrals, churches, chapels (such as the churches of certain denominations, hospitals, prisons and large private houses). Some Christians use images extensively in worship, but they are careful to avoid 'idolatry'. Most churches have Sunday worship, and this may be entitled the Eucharist (re-enactment ritual of Jesus' Last Supper of bread and wine), Communion or Mass; there may be a reading from the Bible, a sermon, prayers and the singing of hymns, varying in style in differing Christian groups. Prayers may be individual or communal. Protestant services are generally more austere, while the Catholic and Orthodox Mass can be very elaborate. Their spiritual leaders are called priests or ministers, sometimes are addressed as Father. Some groups in Christianity have a structured hierarchy, and use titles to accord seniority and eligibility such as the Archbishop, Bishop, Archdeacon, Dean, Canon, Priest, Rector, Vicar, Deacon, and Brother. The Pope is the Head of Global Catholic Community.
Holy Books
The Christian holy book is the Bible, and consists of the Old and New Testaments. The Gospels, written by the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, tell the story and describe the significance of Jesus. The Book of Acts describes the spread of early Christianity. The Epistles recounts the problems and issues of early Christian communities. The Book of Revelations records a series of revelations, including the prediction of the end of the world and the Second Coming.
Festivals
Christians have many sacred days, the main holy days such as Easter and Christmas are important milestones in the Western secular calendar.
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