The solution to the Christmas crossword, along with the names of the senders of the first three correct solutions opened on 12 January, will be published in the issue of 16 January. The winners will receive a copy of The Book of Kells: Unlocking the enigma by Victoria Whitworth, which has been kindly donated by Head of Zeus.
Across
1 Linen items I am about to pack in battered case (6)
5 Fuss with clique worshipping (7)
9 Allow Mass in passage (5)
10 A British composer of church music, self- disciplined type? (9)
11 Joshua’s leader terribly heroic in place he destroyed (7)
12 See displaced female traveller emerge dishevelled, having crossed island (7)
13 Speak in service, showing good sense about Yorkshire’s geographical features? (4,1,6)
17 Weird man, last chap to sing in service? (5,1,5)
21 Not in favour of a saint pocketing profit (7)
23 Vile number one — thus, this writer (7)
24 Innocent male going wrong in praise (9)
25 Prophetic people always seen amidst saints (5)
26 Fill-in worker Edward is provoked to do evil (7)
27 ‘Religious’ is term … that could include me (6)
Down
2 More mail going astray — it’s monumental (8)
3 Church Army appearing outside a church to give order (7)
4 Very good to have a bishop joining artist in TV series (4,5)
5 Man maybe buried under a church walkway (5)
6 Love portion in speech? (7)
7 One given no Religious Education — little good in such neglect! (6)
8 Once a place of sin and terrible danger (6)
9 Twelve people endlessly stuck in Lincoln give up (6)
14 Assistant organised evil worshippers (9)
15 Nasty smell with the fellow in unconvincing opera (2,6)
16 They glow, contributing to December Sundays (6)
17 New believer surreptitious, hiding name (7)
18 Clergy persist foolishly (7)
19 Teacher with first in theology to give talk (6)
20 A lamb wandering around a man with an ass (6)
22 Time to get unwanted plant in river (5)
