What's the difference between a cathedral and an abbey?

An abbey is a monastery wherein which monks and/or nuns live, work, and worship. The word abbey derives from the Latin word which means father, abbatia. Most abbeys are comprised of various buildings used by the inhabitants. A cathedral is a principal church of a regional diocese and is a place where people worship.
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Is an abbey and a cathedral the same thing?

An abbey is more of a monastery while a cathedral is more of a church. 3. An abbey is built to serve varied functions compared to cathedrals that are primarily for worshipping only.
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Why is Westminster Abbey called an abbey?

This designation essentially means that it belongs to the ruling monarch, and is not governed by any diocese of the Church of England. Since it received the Royal Peculiar designation, Westminster Abbey's official name has been the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster.
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What makes a church an abbey?

An abbey is a type of monastery used by members of a religious order under the governance of an abbot or abbess. Abbeys provide a complex of buildings and land for religious activities, work, and housing of Christian monks and nuns.
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Whats the difference between an abbey a cathedral and a minster?

A Minster is a Church that has priest(s) that administer to and visit the parishioners. It is open to the public for worship. A Cathedral is a Church in which the throne of an Archbishop is located. An Abbey was originally a Church that was used exclusively by monks.
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The Differences Between NOTRE DAME and WESTMINISTER ABBEY



Why is Westminster Abbey not a cathedral?

Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral are two separate buildings. Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church, whereas Westminster Cathedral is a Roman Catholic one. The two buildings are separated by 400m not to mention almost 1,000 years of history, with Westminster Cathedral consecrated in 1910.
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Why is York a Minster not a cathedral?

The name of Minster comes from Anglo-Saxon times

York Minster is officially the 'Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York'. Although it is by definition a cathedral, as it is the site of a bishop's throne, the word 'cathedral' did not come into use until the Norman Conquest.
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Is Downton abbey An abbey?

It's Downton, Not Downtown: And it's not about life at a convent or monastery as "abbey" might make you think! The sprawling estate—home to the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff—was once an ecclesiastical property, hence the "abbey" in the title.
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Is a basilica a cathedral?

Many basilicas also serve as the cathedral for their diocese, but not all basilicas are cathedrals. Basilicas are designated as 'major' and 'minor' basilicas, and there are only four major basilicas, based on their historical significance to the pope and all are located in Rome – St.
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What makes a cathedral not a church?

A cathedral is a church that's run by a bishop; it's the principal church within a diocese, the area of land over which a bishop has jurisdiction. It's named for the cathedra, the special chair in which a bishops sits.
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Who is buried standing up in Westminster Abbey?

Question: I once heard that someone is buried standing up in London's Westminster Abbey. Who is that? Answer: British poet and dramatist Ben Jonson, who died in 1637, was buried upright in Westminster's Poets' Corner, the abbey's Web site says.
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What is the difference between St Paul's cathedral and Westminster Abbey?

St Paul's Cathedral is the principal church of the diocese of London, with a bishop and a dean leading the church. Westminster Abbey, on the other hand, started as a monastery and has always been linked with Royalty. It is a “Royal Peculiar,” meaning it's under the jurisdiction of the monarch.
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Does the royal family own Westminster Abbey?

Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey is a church owned directly by the British royal family. Since the Christmas Day coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, nearly all English monarchs have been crowned in the abbey. St.
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Why does Bath have an abbey?

Early history

In 675 AD, Osric, King of the Hwicce, granted the Abbess Berta 100 hides near Bath for the establishment of a convent. This religious house became a monastery under the patronage of the Bishop of Worcester.
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Is an abbot equal to a bishop?

Unless the abbot is a bishop, however, he is not authorized to perform those consecrations that require episcopal power. Thus he does not ordinarily prepare the holy oils or ordain to major orders. He is allowed, after having received the abbatial blessing, to confer tonsure and minor orders on his own religious.
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What is the difference between an abbey and a priory?

Abbey is a monastery or a group of monks or nuns who are very much devoted to celibacy and religion. Priory is also a monastery that consists of monks and nuns.
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What are the two main types of cathedral?

Romanesque and Gothic architecture

The architecture of cathedrals is based on the old Roman basilica.
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What is the difference between a bishop and a priest?

In the Catholic Church, authority rests chiefly with the bishops, while priests and deacons serve as their assistants, co-workers or helpers. Accordingly, "hierarchy of the Catholic Church" is also used to refer to the bishops alone.
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What does the big C church mean?

I think of the Big "C" Church as the institution with the rules, regulations, denominations, culture, and the overall organization that may turn people off from the idea of an organized religion such as Christianity.
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Why are the crawleys called Grantham?

A: Crawley is the family name. Earl of Grantham is the title held by Robert, which passes through heirs. Matthew Crawley was set to become the next of Earl of Grantham before his untimely death; Matthew and Mary's son is now due to receive the title.
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What does the word Downton mean?

Downton was a burgage borough, meaning that the right to vote rested solely with the freeholders of 100 specified properties or "burgage tenements"; it was not necessary to be resident on the tenement, or even in the borough, to exercise this right.
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Does Lord Grantham have an illegitimate child?

Cora decides who's inheriting – and it's not Lady Mary's son

She knows that Thomas is the illegitimate son of O'Brien and Lord Grantham – and the rightful heir to the house. She knows it will kill her husband to see an illegitimate child inherit Downton Abbey and she has waited a long time for this moment.
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Why are cathedrals called monsters?

The word derives from the Old English "mynster", meaning "monastery", "nunnery", "mother church" or "cathedral", itself derived from the Latin "monasterium" and the Ancient Greek "μοναστήριον", meaning a group of clergy where the Brothers would cloister themselves to meditate .
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Why does Cambridge not have a cathedral?

Cambridge was granted its city charter in 1951 in recognition of its history, administrative importance and economic success. Cambridge does not have a cathedral, traditionally a prerequisite for city status, instead falling within the Church of England Diocese of Ely.
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Which is the oldest cathedral in England?

Canterbury Cathedral, founded in 597, is England's oldest Cathedral, home to the symbolic leader of the Anglican Communion and the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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