Site Glossary

At the end of a Eucharist when a deacon or presider dismisses the people using one of several forms, such as “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” The people respond, “Thanks be to God.”

A geographic jurisdiction composed of congregations overseen by a bishop. There are more than 100 dioceses in The Episcopal Church.

The order of deacon is one of three ordained orders in the church, the others being priest and bishop.

A communion service led by a deacon with reserved sacrament previously consecrated by a priest. The service may be used only in the absence of a priest, and only if authorized by the bishop.

In 1856, the first Episcopal deaconesses were set apart, although not ordained, for ministries of service, education, and pastoral care, especially among the poor and marginalized. Women were ordained as deacons beginning in 1970 with deaconesses gradually absorbed into the diaconate.

In the 10th chapter of Acts, Cornelius and his household were the first known Gentiles to convert to the Christian faith, without first converting to Judaism. Feast day: Oct. 20.

Full repentance for sin and a firm intention for amendment of life.

The Martyrs of Memphis, a collection of nuns and priests who died in the Tennessee city while tending to the sick in the yellow fever outbreak in 1878. Feast day: Sept. 9.

To set something or someone apart for a sacred purpose. The church provides for the consecration of various spaces and elements, including bread and wine for the Eucharist, church buildings, altars, graves, and columbaria. Chrism oil is used to consecrate the newly baptized. Deacons, priests, and bishops are consecrated during the service of ordination.

The sacramental rite in which candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP, p. 860).

An organization founded in 1994 to financially support the work of the Anglican Communion Office and to support the ministry of the archbishop of Canterbury.

Drawn from a Roman Catholic feast day, it is celebrated by some Episcopal congregations on the last Sunday after Pentecost although it is not mentioned in the calendar.