Ornate books containing the Gospels, the four accounts of the life of JesusJesus (Greek form of Hebrew 'Joshua' meaning 'Yahweh [God] is salvation') Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded mainly in the Four Gospels although he is also mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus (c. 37-c.100) and the Roman historian Tacitus (c.110). in the New TestamentNew Testament Writings produced by the Christian community c.50-100 and subsequently affirmed as authoritative by the church. See Canon of scripture. i. The Four Gospels.: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; ii. Acts (the Early Church); iii. Epistles (Letters to churches and individuals): Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude; iv. Revelation (Apocalypse). Description of the Heavenly Jerusalem. See also New Testament Apocrypha. These were often used in the liturgy of the massEucharist (Greek eukharistia 'thanksgiving') The central act of the church's worship in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed. The term comes from the fact that Jesus gave thanks for the bread and wine at the Last Supper. See Matthew 26: 26-8, Mark 14: 22-4, Luke 22: 17-20, I Corinthians. 11: 23-5. Also known as Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper and the Mass. during which a portion of the GospelGospel (Greek evangelion, Old English godspel 'good news') 1. The central message of the Christian faith concerning salvation. 2. Title given to the four New Testament books which describe the life of Christ i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 3. A reading taken from one of the four Gospels which has the place of honour in the Eucharist is read with solemnity and reverence. Between the seventh and the ninth centuries beautifully-painted Gospel Books were produced in the British Isles, such as the Book of Kells (c.800). Some of these books were created to resource missionaryMissionary Someone sent out to share religious faith. endeavour (Gospels of St Willibord), while others were written in honour of a saintSaint In the New Testament applied to all Christians. Later used of those who were martyred or showed exceptional holiness and whose status was confirmed by the church. The practice of venerating the saints and their relics and asking for their intercessions (prayers) can be observed from the second and third centuries onward and played a central role in popular medieval religion. (Lindisfarne GospelsLindisfarne Gospels A richly illuminated and decorated book of Gospels produced 696-698 by the monk Eadfrith on the Holy Island, Lindisfarne in Northumbria, in honour of St Cuthbert. The manuscript is in the British Library, (Cotton MS Nero D iv).).