Ceremonies 仪典

　　All denominations of Christianity have ceremonies and rituals although some, such as Roman Catholics, put more importance on them than others. These ceremonies are often similar to each other but some are unique to particular denominations. These rituals are called 'sacraments' and are supposed to be a means by which believers receive divine grace. For Protestants, the sacraments are merely symbolic gestures, whereas Catholics believe that by performing these rites they actually receive divine grace.

　　尽管罗马天主教等一些教派比其它教派更重视仪典，但所有的基督教教派都是有仪典和仪式的。这些仪典通常是大同小异的，但有一些则为某些教派所独有。这些仪式叫做“圣事”，被认为是信徒接受圣恩的一种途径。对于新教徒来说，圣事仅仅是象征性的举动，而天主教徒则认为他们通过举行这些仪式就真的得到了圣恩。

　　1. Baptism 洗礼

　　Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced by all Christians. Depending on the denomination, the member is immersed in water or has it sprinkled or poured on their head. This symbolizes the washing away of original sin and the formal entry of the member into the Church or a public avowal of their acceptance of the faith. For some denominations this ritual is performed shortly after birth. In the case of Roman Catholics, the parents of the child will select a godfather and a   godmother and this will be announced at the ceremony. Many Protestant denominations perform baptism at a later age, when the member can decide for themselves to accept the teachings of Christ. In this case, the member is deemed to be 'born again'.

　　洗礼是所有基督教徒都要经历的浸水净身仪式。根据教派的不同，信徒或是浸泡于水中，或是让其头部受到水的喷撒、泼倒。这象征着洗去原罪以及信徒的正式入会，或是象征着他们接收这一信仰的公开誓词。对于一些教派，这种仪式在出生后不久就要进行。如若是罗马天主教徒，父母就会为孩子选择一位教父和一位教母，并会在仪式上将此事进行宣布。而许多新教教派是在信徒年龄稍大的时候，即能够自主决定接受上帝教诲的时候，来举行洗礼仪式。在这种情况下，信徒被视为获得“重生”。

　　2. The Eucharist圣餐

　　The Eucharist, commonly referred to as Holy Communion, involves eating bread and drinking wine as a commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and a means by which believers can unite with God. Catholics believe that, through a mysterious process, the bread and wine has actually become the flesh and blood of Christ. By consuming it, they are welcoming Christ into them. The bread and wine, after being blessed, is stored in a container called a 'tabernacle' and anyone who enters its presence will genuflect. When receiving the Eucharist the priest will say 'the body of Christ', to which the receiver will reply, 'amen'. Protestants reject the idea that the bread and wine can be transformed into Christ's body and blood. They believe only in the symbolism of the act. In many denominations, the first time a person will receive communion will be as a child and this event will be celebrated with a party.

　　圣餐通常是指圣餐礼，包括吃面包和喝葡萄酒，以此来纪念耶稣的受难和复活，并且还是信徒与上帝融合的一种途径。天主教徒认为，通过一种带有神秘色彩的活动，葡萄酒和面包已然真正地成为了耶稣的血肉。通过进食，他们就与耶稣融为一体。经过圣化后的面包和葡萄酒被储藏到一个叫做'圣龛'的容器中，任何一名拜谒此物的信徒都要行屈膝礼。当接受圣餐之时，神父会说“圣体”，对此，受餐者会回复说“阿门”。而新教徒对于面包和葡萄酒可以转化为耶稣血肉的理念则是不予接受的。他们只认同这一行为的象征意义。在很多教派中，人们第一次接受圣餐是在孩提时代，而且这一活动会以聚会的方式加以庆祝。

　　3. Confession 忏悔

　　Admitting one's sins and asking God for forgiveness is central to the faith. For most Protestants, this can be done in private; the believer can communicate directly with God. Catholics believe that an intermediate is required to communicate with God and they will confess their sins to a priest in a ceremony which has not changed in format for several centuries. The priest ③is bound to confidentiality, and under the rules of the Roman Catholic Church may not divulge what he has heard even to save his own life or the lives of others. Any priest who breaks this rule will be excommunicated.

　　承认本人的罪孽并祈求上帝宽恕是这一信仰的核心。对于大多数新教徒来说，这可以通过私密的方式来完成；信徒可以直接与上帝进行对话。而天主教徒认为，与上帝对话需要一个媒介，而他们就会在一个数百年来一成不变的仪式上向神父忏悔他们的罪孽。神父必须保守秘密，而且根据罗马天主教教会的规定，即使是出于自保或是为了保全他人性命，他也不能将其所闻泄露出去。任何一位违反这一规定的神父都将被逐出教会。

　　4. Confirmation坚信礼

　　At some point in their life, Christians will reconfirm their faith in public. This ceremony is known as confirmation and is usually carried out during adolescence. The idea is that the believer was baptized as a child and is now old enough to understand the scriptures and should confirm that they do indeed believe in their religion. In most cases the believer will have a witness. This will usually be a relative who has already been confirmed. The witness will stand behind the person being confirmed.

　　在其人生的某个阶段，基督教徒会在公众场合再次确认他们的信仰。这一仪式被称为坚信礼，通常是在青少年时期进行。其理念在于，信徒在孩提时代接受了洗礼，而今则到了足以领会经文的年龄，应当确认他们确实是信奉自己的宗教。在大多数情况下，信徒会有一位见证人。而此人一般是一位已经行过坚信礼的亲戚。这名见证人要站在行坚信礼之人的身后。