Faith+Expressions

Christianity is as unique a religion as all the other religions in the world, so naturally it has its own unique way for Christians to express their faith. Their expressions of faith include images of god, sacred texts, symbols and stories, religious gatherings, sacred buildings and spaces, through prayer (see //our Approach to// Prayer page for more info) and the role of everyone in the Chrisitan community, including leaders and everyday people. These expressions of faith relate to what Christians believe is their role and mission in the world (see //our Role of// Humanity page) and how they wish to fulfil this role.

> [[]] (for more info, see our //Sacred Symbols// page)
 * SACRED SYMBOLS and IMAGES** that represent Christianity include:
 * The Cross or Crucifix; symbolises Jesus' death and suffering. An important symbol for Christians throughout the world
 * The Dove; symbolises the Holy Spirit because in the Bible a dove with an olive leaf in its beak returned to Noah, as a sign of hope from God after the flood.
 * The Equilateral Triangle; symbolises the Holy Trinity, that God exists in three separate people: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
 * The Fleur de Lis; also symbolises the Holy Trinity and Mary, being the mother of Jesus
 * The Fish; a secret symbol used by persecuted Jews to show that they believed in Jesus.


 * RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS** are times when Christians come together to celebrate their faith. This can include any of the following:
 * Advent (the beginning of the ecclesiastical year)
 * Christmas (the birth of Jesus)
 * Epiphany (celebration of Jesus' baptism and nativity)
 * The Baptism of Jesus
 * The Presentation of Jesus (forty days after Jesus' baptism)
 * Lent (preparation before Easter, a time for penance, fasting and religious study)
 * Holy Week (the week before Easter, the week before Jesus' death and suffering)
 * Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent, time of penance, penitence and mourning- ashes are placed on forehead to show this)
 * Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter, Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem)
 * Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter, celebrates the Passover and the Lord's Supper)
 * Good Friday (Friday in Holy Week, Jesus' crucifixion)
 * Easter (Jesus' resurrection from the dead)
 * Ascension Day (forty days after Easter, Jesus' ascent to Heaven)
 * Pentecost (fiftieth day after the Passover- when the Holy Spirit came to the believers)
 * The Holy Trinity (first Sunday after Pentecost, the unity of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit)
 * All Saints' Day (November 1, celebrates all Christian saints, known and unknown)
 * Christ the King (last Sunday before Advent, celebrates the authority and Kingdom of Christ)
 * Christ the King (last Sunday before Advent, celebrates the authority and Kingdom of Christ)


 * SACRED SPACES AND BUILDINGS** are the places where Christians come together to pray and celebrate their faith, or spend some quiet time alone with their God. They can include:


 * Church- where Christians gather to pray for peace, harmony and thanksgiving and celebrate their religion together
 * In the home- Christians often pray in the privacy and comfort of their own home, because they wish to make a deeper, one-on-one connection with their God, or wish to have a smaller gathering with other Christians outside their parish.
 * At school- Sometimes we pray together in the Chapel, or meditate here because it is a secluded area away from the other parts of the school. Here we can focus on our special intentions and what we wish to tell God.
 * Everyday locations- Many Christians pray during the day in ordinary locations or wherever they feel comfortable in expressing their faith. For example when our school comes together in the Kennedy Hall, we all pray together and although we make it a sacred place, it is usually not. However this does not matter, for it is not always the space that is so important in the prayers, it is the fact that we are all praying together for peace and goodwill in our world.


 * IMAGES OF GOD** are ways that the Christian God is represented in our world. These can include the //sacred symbols, buildings and spaces// of Christianity, and icons, statues and figurines of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and other central figures in the Christian faith. But perhaps the most important images of God are those that demonstrate humanity trying to make more peace and goodwill in our world, trying to make our world a better place. When an animal is hurt on the side of the road and someone stops to care for it. When a person who is left out is befriended by someone. When people stand up for those who cannot defend themselves. When someone risks their life to save another. All of these are prime examples of when humanity become an image of their God, as they are reiterating Jesus' message of helping everyone and loving your neighbour, demonstrating that people of the Christian faith are dedicated to seeking peace and goodwill in our world.


 * IN SUMMARY,** Christians are dedicated to seeking peace and goodwill in our world, evident through their expressions of faith, as seen through their //symbols, gatherings and celebrations, sacred spaces and buildings and images of God//. Combined, these aspects of Christianity show that Christians are striving to make our world a better place, as they want to share the peace that they pray for by showing it to the world through symbols, celebrations and images or acts of God. ~ ​  Cass