Resources

Resources

Want to find more information on the Church of England? We’ve provided a set of useful links and resources here.

Read More

About

About

The Church of England dates back to the time of the 16th century when the Roman Empire entered the province of Britain.

Read More

Contact

Contact

If you have any questions or if there's anything that we can help you with, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Read More

Differences in Marian Devotions Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox…

Blog

Devotion or Worship?

Many non-Catholics wrongly believe that devotion to Mary is idol worship. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sadly, as hard as we try, Catholics do not seem to be able to help our Protestant brethren understand that devotion to Our Lady is not worshiping her.

What is Devotion to Mary?

Devotions to Mary are religious practices that are focused on honoring Mary as the Mother of God. Depending upon the denomination and tradition, these devotions may be practiced differently, but each honors her as the Mother of God. Orthodox Christians beautifully refer to Mary as Theotokos, the Greek word for Mother of God or God-Bearer.  

Marian devotions are practiced by Roman Catholics, Anglican Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, and High Church Lutherans.

Mary, Our Mother

When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”

~John 19:26-27~

We understand this to mean that, as He was dying on the cross, Jesus, in giving Mary to Saint John as his mother, was giving His mother to all mankind as our mother. As our heavenly mother, we go to her asking her intercession. We see her as our Protectress, and we entrust ourselves to her motherly love.

“As a final gift, right before He died, He gave His mother to His whole family, through giving her to the beloved disciple John. This was a gift for all of us, an exchange, and an expansion of the family circle of relationship. In this exchange, the tradition has long taught, He also entrusted all of us to her maternal care. Jesus was not minimizing His relationship with His mother through these words given in response to the crowd, He was expanding it. He hungers, through Divine Love, to include all of us in the “family circle” of God.”

~Deacon Keith Fournier~

Different Devotions

For Roman Catholics, devotions to Our Lady are practiced in many ways. First and foremost is the Marian rosary, sometimes referred to as Mary’s Psalter. The rosary is, in actuality, a Christocentric prayer; a prayer that takes us through the life of Jesus with His mother. 

There are novenas and other devotional prayers, many focused upon one of Mary’s many titles. Other pious acts may include a Marian Garden, placing flowers by a statue of Mary in your home, or wearing a scapular.

Anglican devotions to Mary include the Anglican Rosary (similar to the Catholic rosary), votive candles, and pilgrimages to Walsingham and Lourdes. For centuries, Our Lady of Walsingham has been central in Anglican devotions to Mary. Its feast is celebrated on October 15 while Catholics celebrate it on September 24. In addition, Anglican cathedrals and churches have side altars dedicated to Our lady.

Eastern Catholics venerate icons while Orthodox Marian devotions are deeply connected to the Liturgy.

These devotions often include a request for Mary’s intercession. 

Mary is not Equal to God

It is important to remember that Marian devotions are not worship.

Although Catholics love and honor Mary, worship is given to God alone. Both the Catholic and Orthodox faiths see Our Lady as lesser than Jesus but above all other beings. 

In 787 the Second Council of Nicaea affirmed a three-level hierarchy of latria, hyperdulia, and dulia that applies to God, the Virgin Mary, and then to the other saints.

“In this magnanimity and generosity in suffering, she is, as compared with the Apostles, fitly imaged as a Tower. But towers, it may be said, are huge, rough, heavy, obtrusive, graceless structures, for the purposes of war, not of peace; with nothing of the beautifulness, refinement, and finish which are conspicuous in Mary. It is true: therefore she is called the Tower of Ivory, to suggest to us, by the brightness, purity, and exquisiteness of that material, how transcendent is the loveliness and the gentleness of the Mother of God.” 

~Saint John Henry Newman~

Marilyn Nash for Holyart.com 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_devotions

http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=47749

https://slife.org/marian-devotions/

Funeral Process of the Church of England: What to Expect

Blog, Funeral

As the Church of England funeral marks the ending of the human life, it is the chance for friends and family to express their condolence and share the memories of their life on earth. A funeral service in the Church of England is often a short and quiet occasion or a full celebration of the Holy Communion.  Here’s what to expect during the funeral in the Church of England.

Arrival

During the arrival, the coffin will be carried by the pallbearers, who are normally the friends and family of the loved one. Depending on where the funeral takes place, the choice of music will be played as the coffin is gently being carried in. You have the option to choose music, or no music at all. The minister will start the ceremony by saying some words of wisdom and hope. The Prayers of Penitence and The Collect is also said, followed by the tributes.

Hymn

Once visitors have gathered, a hymn may be played. There are various songs to choose from as one or more readings from the Bible will be said, followed by the hymns or psalms.

Remembrance of Life

The follow the hymns, there will be time to listen and talk about memorable stories of the person. This may include readings and music that might reflect the person’s interest or character.

Message of Hope and Love

The minister will speak about the promises of God and talk about the hopes that death is not the end, but the beginning of life in heaven.

Reflection

During the moment of reflection, music will be played as silent prayers fill the room. At this point, flowers will be placed in the coffin or a reading may be said.

Bid Goodbye

The minister will say a prayer and ask God to keep your loved one safe in his care. During this moment, the minister will finish with a blessing before the mourners leave.

As the family and friends bid their farewells, it is up to the family on how they choose to hold the service. The main point is to come together and support one another through the time of condolence.

Infographic by Skyland Memorial Park

Save

4 Differences Between Catholicism and The Church of England

Blog, England, Religion

While both Catholicism and the Church of England stemmed from the same Christian foundation, they have developed their own separate forms of religion. While the difference between the religions is rather personal than doctrinal, there is one major exception.

Here is the difference between Catholicism and the Church of England. 

How Each Religion is Defined

Catholic comes from the Greek word for “universal.” As the first form of Christianity, Catholicism was claimed as the Apostolic leadership since St. Peter’s time. The Church of England is also referred to as Anglican, which branches located across the world.

Origins of the Religion

During the 16th century, King Henry VIII declared independence from the Roman Catholic Church with the Church of England. This was due to his choice of a sanctioned divorce from wife, Catharine of Aragon, who could not bear a male heir. As a result, the king reformed from the Catholic Church and set his own form. However, it was only until the time of Elizabeth I that the Anglican church was established.

The Catholic church started when the apostles of Jesus Christ began to preach his words after his name. During the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire adopted Catholicism as the official religion.

Beliefs & Traditions

Catholic priests must follow the vow of celibacy, which stands for the monks and nuns. As communication is followed by the tradition of Jesus turning water into wine, there is also the use of incense and bells ringing to proceed. Meanwhile, Anglican priests are allowed to marry. However, parishioners share the same symbolic act of communication with the fragrance and bells.

Leadership in the Church

The Church of England does not necessarily recognize a hierarchy that places one main church or priests above the rest. This means that each individual church has the freedom to decide on their policy. For the Catholic Church, the parish priests are at the bottom of the hierarchy with the bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and the Pope at the highest.

Conclusion

While both Anglican and Catholic churches share practical terms, the Communion is far from Catholic orthodoxy. However, the personal traditions may prevent the unification between the churches.

Save

5 Facts You Should Know About Anglicanism

Blog, England, Religion

Anglican, or otherwise known as the Church of England, is the creative successor in the change of historic Christianity and practice. To help you gain a better understanding of the age-old tradition, we’ve listened down a few facts that might be of interest.

Here are 5 facts you should know about Anglicanism.

Anglicanism is historically tied to Christianity

As the Church of England has historic ties to Christianity, you can find many similarities in beliefs, worship, and church structures. With over 80 million members of the Church across the globe, you will find that the Anglican faith is the third largest Christian communion, after the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Church.

Worldwide Communion

Anglican Communion is a large association of churches of the Church of England and Anglican churches. The full communion means that there is a mutual understanding of the essential doctrines and participation of the sacramental life.

Linked by Loyalty

The Church of England is considered to be liked by affection as the make focus of the archbishop is unity of the Anglican communion.

Unity is obliged through a conference held every decade

While there is no authority in the Church of England, the method of unity is served to hold the churches and provinces together as one. The meeting held in the Lambeth Conference, which fathers the bishops to discuss social, theological, and international issues.

The Book of Common Prayer is the foundation of the Church of England

In 1549, the Archbishop of Canterbury developed the book by translating the Latin liturgy into full-read English. As a result, the book was infused with Protestant prayers and had become one of the greatest works of literature in Christian liturgy.

Furthermore, there are numerous features that are unique and have distinctive meanings to Anglicanism. This includes the bishop as the successor of the Twelve Apostles, the vicar who takes charge of the parish through outside financial support, and the diocese of the Church that contains parishes and churches around the globe.

Save

4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Church of England

Blog, England, Religion

With all the fuss of the Church of England, not many truly understand the work and charities that have been done through the church. In this guide, we have provided a quick review of some of the many things the Church has done and more.

Here are 4 things you probably didn’t know about the Church of England.

Voice Against Corruption

Over the years, the Church of England has strived to be the voice of injustice and the people who live in poverty. The Church continues to influence local governments and work with churches across the globe. Additionally, there are countless charities that the Anglican church continues to support.

Support for Women’s Rights

In the concern of the role of women in the Church, the bishops were aimed to fulfil the commitment to the UN and strive for gender equality. The Church has also stood up for women by providing free schools and support against the Contagious Disease Act.

The Church of England has no International Juridical Authority

While Anglicanism is a global communion, each province is self-governing. All provinces have their own bishop and structure that take in the form of national churches. You can find approximately 34 governing provinces, 4 Churches United, and 6 churches set on geographical regions.

Works with Other Religions to Promote Unity and Peace

The Church of England is committed to working with other churches to promote unity and support on a local and broader level. In fact, the Slave Trade Act in 1807 was passed due to the strong efforts of William Wilberforce, and John Newton, a clergyman of the Church of England.

Conclusion

The work of the Church of England is not done for the eyes of the people but for the churches where thousands of people visit to work on loving thy neighbour. As volunteers give more hours to the church, they are the heroes without publicity.