Across

7 Ancient rhyme  penned by apostle — a series of joined-up lines? (9) 

9 Cold meat not contaminated (5)

10 Return of cleric or former pirate (5)

11 Coming to northern river for an exciting experience (9)

12 Gathered together, with a maiden being buried in blessed ground (9)

14 Saint leaving peculiar open country (5)

15 Woman left to organise bet (7)

17 Information rejected by reader — old rector denied lack of care (7)

18 A seller of purple in an ancient kingdom (5)

19 Dubious ‘special act’ — lacking ace somehow (9)

22 One can go astray endlessly with a New Testament? Fundamentalists think it’s this! (9)

24 The smell and sound of a river (5)

25 Where a glen hides bird of prey (5)

26 Pope’s ambassador is left inside to make laws (9)

Down

1 A snare’s set up for Greek city-state (6)

2 Last resting places with sombre mourners finally (6)

3 A covered colonnade special to old Athenians originally (4)

4 Destiny to supply new Anglican Church (10)

5 Succession of queens, reforming leaders of controversial empire (8)

6 Hobby making extra money (8)

8 Redeemed biblical female — e.g. madam nearly abandoned? (4,9)

9 Little good in organ section rendered for groups of worshippers  (13)

13 Altar displaying Christ maybe and scene of nativity (5,5)

15 I’m clued as ‘something that gets played’, right? (8)

16 We had thumps in matches (8)

20 Choir’s in church facing examination (6)

21 Fat queen’s food store (6)

23 Roman garment exhibited by strong man regularly (4)

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