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The CATHOLIC DENOMINATION uses the CRUCIFIX.
A crucifix is a representation of Jesus on the cross. The crucifix is used mainly in the Roman Catholic church.
You can buy a crucifix at any Catholic gift shop.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'mandatory' symbol. The crucifix is called a sacramental; it is an item that is supposed to help Catholics focus on some aspect of spirituality. There are no devotions to any of these things (sacramentals) that are 'mandatory' to membership in good standing.
Yes, definitely
Catholic churches will have a bowl or font of holy water near the entrance, into which followers dip their fingers to perform the sign of the cross. Inside the church will be pictures and statues of saints, with provision for the faithful to pray in front of the statues. There should be a large crucifix - a cross, with a likeness of the crucified Jesus on it. Modern Catholic churches have confessionals - small cubicles which the faithful can enter and confess sins in private to a priest. Anglican churches can be 'low' church or 'high' church. The Anglican low church would have no pictures of saints or crucifixes inside, whereas Anglican high churches would probably have at least a crucifix.
A Cruciform Church is a term describing anything that is cross-shaped. The actual word 'Cruciform' means 'a cross-shaped church'. The reason why Christians have Cruciform Churches is mainly because the cross is related a lot with Christ and how he died on a Crucifix. This is the typical image of a Gothic church.
There is nothing that requires a Catholic to wear a crucifix at anytime. Some choose to wear a crucifix, some do not. Advent has nothing to do with the decision.
Roman Catholic AnswerThe only one who would normally wear a crucifix over a vestment would be a Bishop, who would wear a crucifix and carry a crozier.
No, not really. Near the end of Lent, (the last two weeks) it is customary in the Catholic Church to VEIL all the crucifix's completely. "Draped" Cross, where a piece of cloth is flung over the arms of the cross is a protestant invention, which, unfortunately, has been adopted in some Catholic Churches.
All Catholic churches have a crucifix which depict Jesus nailed to the cross and his side pierced. The wounds where his is nailed are often referred to as stigmata. Most churches also have the "stations of the cross" displayed on the walls. Some of the stations deal with injuries to Jesus - he is wearing a crown of thorns, he falls, he dies on the cross. Many churches have stained glass windows and there are a myriad of subjects that can appear.
The crucifix, used by most Christianity.