The solution to the Christmas crossword will be published in the 17 January edition, along with the names of the senders of the first three solutions opened on 13 January, who will win a copy of  Blythe Spirit: The remarkable life of Ronald Blythe, by Ian Collins (Books for Christmas, 29 November).

Across

1 A service book originally accepted in church within fortress (6)

5 Piece of music initially for a noted tenor — a singer idolised abroad (8)

9 Filtering device used by “Crucifixion” composer around start of recording (8)

10 Doubtful figure to be India’s earliest missionary? (6)

11 Highlight of the Easter season involved in chapel scandal (7,6)

12 Acts like these females?  (4)

13 External country sort of weird (10)

15 Same leader arranged repast for Passover celebration (1,5,4)

17 Is unable to talk sanctimoniously (4)

18 Prediction he’d go far is now corrected (13)

20 Influential Italian family — a lot of doctors linked to Italy (6)

21 Containers for provisions in a stable system? (4,4)

22 Possibly presages what presages Mass (8)

23 Look over questionnaire (6)

Down

2 Worker on ship, drunk, producing two-part chants (9)

3 Supports his French horns and similar instruments (7)

4 Small dwelling having first of timbers replaced by new hump (5)

5 Eulogy sung in appreciation of South Coast footballers? (3,3,3,6)

6 Uncommon disciple, stranger than one on rising slope (9)

7 Helped to nurse very old, otherwise shunned (7)

8 Excessive gaming holding up vision (5)

13 Speeding along, using horn recklessly (9)

14 Pronouncement of iniquity excited religious assembly (9)

16 Staff upset over male reserve in timid creatures (7)

17 Ivy, say, flexible, seen below top of church (7)

18 Ridges on fingerboard placed alternately for tenths (5)

19 Nothing tops description of status quo in isolated haven (5)