Christian Worship, Sacraments and the Church Year

Christian worship varies widely but shares common elements. Most churches practice baptism, a ritual of washing with water that marks entry into the faith, and the Eucharist (also called Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper), in which bread and wine recall Jesus's Last Supper. Churches differ on their meaning: Catholics and Orthodox believe the bread and wine become Christ's body and blood, while many Protestants see the act as a memorial or spiritual presence.

Worship styles range from the incense, icons and chanted liturgy of Orthodox churches, to the Catholic Mass, to simple Quaker meetings held largely in silence. The church year structures time: Advent prepares for Christmas, Lent is 40 days of fasting and reflection before Easter, and Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. Many Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, so their Christmas usually falls on January 7. These variations show how one faith takes many forms.