Across

1 Fixer of church instrument is met with hesitation (9)

6 Difficulties about English epistle (5)

9 Doom’s arranged for debauched city (5)

10 Hot and mostly cold about length of sermons (9)

11 Plant obtained by OT prophet, one going out to cross river (6)

12 See a dad wandering round biblical location (4,3)

13 Service nonetheless no good (8)

14 Working with Church to involve University at the right moment (2,3)

17 The Devil set down article (5)

18 Shimmering Patterns in part of church (8)

20 Transcendentalist upset mere disciple (7)

22 Prophet’s sister: ‘I am upster and I am going round river’ (6)

24 Fervent believer to go after obscurity, bringing in a source of theology (9)

25 Fool I spot hugging first person (5)

26 Produce that is left in yard (5)

27 Release first couple of chaplains arrested by Detective Inspector and Sergeant (9)

Down

1 Get rid of some libidinous thoughts (4)

2 Sponsor at font to leave mark — that’s about normal (9) 

3 Writer’s view of relationships on turning up with geographical statement (2,3,2,2,6)

4 Place for exiling emperor’s mother (2,6)

5 Make better railway to encircle Eastern Mediterranean (6)

6 Junior can howl if upset — holy woman called for (6,2,7)

7 Various items forming small contributions? (5)

8 Dispatched to bring in article with stuff for religious observance (9)

13 What has date changing with years (6,3)

15 Gallant church always embracing prominent Muslim (9)

16 Senior clerics in talks securing one million (8)

19 A French type without mercy (6)

21 It could be a hole in one evangelist’s symbol (5)

23 Contents of sacristy excluding something offensive to sight (4)

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