Site Glossary

Communal intercessory prayers offered during the Eucharist and other services. Preferably led by a deacon who is charged with bringing the needs, hopes, and concerns of the world to the church; also led by laypeople.

The form of government for an organized church. The Episcopal Church has a unitary form of government in which all temporal authority is vested in the General Convention. Authority is distributed among bishops, clergy, and laity.

A simple chant, usually based on the psalms, and also used for canticles and other sung liturgical texts.

A time when persons are relieved from their duties for study, travel, and spiritual renewal. Many clergy and some lay employees work under letters of agreement that provide periodic sabbaticals.

Ceremonial or other direction given in the BCP, typically printed in italics.

Originating in medieval English ecclesiastical usage, an honorific for a bishop, commonly abbreviated as the Rt. Rev. From the Latin reverendus meaning “worthy of respect” with the addition of right as an intensifier meaning “very” or “properly.”

Decorations behind or above the altar, typically a wooden screen.

A sacramental rite in the BCP in which a person confesses sins to a priest and receives absolution, counsel, and God’s forgiveness, restoring the penitent to full communion with God and the church.

A disciple of the Apostle John, who named him bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman emperor. Feast day: Feb. 23.

Eternal life in the fullness of God’s love.

The Episcopal Church recognizes two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist, both given by Christ as sure and certain means for receiving God’s grace.

The 1979 BCP provides services in both traditional language (Rite I) and contemporary language (Rite II). “,Rochet,Vestment of white linen or similar material which replaced the alb and which in time came to be used only by bishops.”