December 2021 Cryptic Crossword

Across

1 Angel fish hesitant at heart (6)

4 Record spread during impasse (3,3)

7 Nun ie troubled by listlessness (5)

9 French capital has first area round church (6)

10 Hebrew leader from northeast border, one with a head start (8)

11 Refashioned stiletto heel she maybe left only part of foot (6,3)

13 Alan and Jack can be found in church (5)

16 Said part to present at home before midnight as gift towards reconciliation (5,8)

18 Edentate’s sluggishness (5)

19 Messenger in NW Russian city (9)

23 Aide sung new chant (5,3)

24 Religious oriental quintet in doubt, we hear (6)

25 Lily’s fruit? (5)

26 No Republican hit back as usual (6)

27 Not a musical score (6)

Down

1 Man found on the Spanish church (6)

2 Whilst taken unawares is trying to withstand (6) 3 Be before the helm travelling to biblical location (9)

4 Pale illumination (5) 5 Dour lad I confused with comic actor (8)

6 Doctor with the right one who had given birth (6)

8 Confront Simon arranging to become a believer (13)

12 Force first man to remove pile outside (5)

14 Fit rebel leader entered into dispute (5)

15 Way first for churchgoer (9)

17 A platitude about leading lady’s unselfish concern for others (8)

18 Shut up a fellow who tries to use magic? (6)

20 Virtuous beginner (6)

21 Fired up with some series of prayers (6)

22 Lily’d translated poem (5)

There is no prize draw this month and the Crosswords are just for fun.

Solution to November 2021 Crossword

ACROSS: 1 Miracle; 5 Piquant; 9 In awesome wonder; 10 Zodiac; 11 Trade; 14 Neater; 15 Vestment; 18 Evensong; 19 Sexton; 21 Idyll; 23 Exodus; 26 Voice of Jesus say; 27 Roe deer; 28 Hoedown

DOWN: 1 Maid; 2 Roam; 3 Cherokees; 4 Elohim; 5 Preached; 6 Quoit; 7 And majesty; 8 Turpentine; 12 Unbeliever; 13 Take my life; 16 The future; 17 Underfur; 20 Joseph; 22 Liege; 24 ASBO; 25 Hymn

Solution to November 2021 Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS: 1 Daffodil; 9 Abednego; 10 Etna; 11 Nativity play; 13 Against; 15 Trieste; 16 Titan; 17 Edict; 18 Aback; 20 Loyal; 22 Etonian; 23 Rectory; 25 Money-spinner; 27 Iota; 28 Religion; 29 Threnody

DOWN: 2 Act of God; 3 Frankincense; 4 Dentist; 5 Larva; 6 Lectern; 7 Bell; 8 Holy Week; 12 Presbyterian; 14 Timon; 15 Tamar; 17 Evermore; 19 Caryatid; 20 Lawsuit; 21 Leander; 24 Giant; 26 Nile