Across

1 Annotate slim novel's religious text (12)

9 Jubilant quintet's set to perform inside (7)

10 Final European in ancient land ousted by old astronomer (7)

11 Measly hearing, taking in one verse (7)

12 Go out with important person's aide to gain leak (7)

13 Almost in good physical shape, stop cruel person (5)

14 Saint with infirmity is calm (9)

16 Some with a grid deny being tormented (3-6)

19 Show emotion about church becoming large organisation (5)

21 An elder must be composed and erudite (7)

23 Personal protective covering rejected in vessel, making one brave (7)

24 Typical old city found in region of South Africa (7)

25 Verbally secure support for fiduciary (7)

26 Hiss in ear - 'End crashing'? (4,3,5)

Down

2 Favourable omen when university's second from top in a season (7)

3 Provided one gets accepted by editors - we'll get coached (7)

4 Trained dieters to jog around outskirts of Liverpool (9)

5 Clothing worn by ancients, primarily (5)

6 Bore's instruction to make things run smoothly (3,4)

7 Church music interrupted by adult before good recovery (7)

8 Those in charge in past we bother about (6,4,2)

9 Toff with hat shot antelope for something he'd eat off (3,2,3,4)

15 One knight remarked about initially vexing armour and tried something new (9)

17 Pursue viable plan to acquire a newspaper (2,5)

18 Bypasses agitated characters in regions (7)

19 Tussle to gain possession of useful vacated plant (7)

20 Make meat bag with stuff son turned up (7)

22 Handed out cards, putting down a letter from abroad (5)

Last week's solution