Site Glossary

One of the three orders of ordained ministers in the church, the others being deacon and priest. Bishops in The Episcopal Church are elected by laypeople and clergy, and may be any gender.

An Episcopal seminary within Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1854 and became a full partner with Yale in 1971.

A guide for monastic living based on the Rule of St. Benedict, emphasizing a balanced rhythm of contemplative and communal prayer alongside work that benefits the community.

A fourth-century Cappadocian monastic and bishop, and one of the earliest theologians to insist on the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Feast day: June 14.

The rite of Christian initiation contains a series of vows, made by all present, called the baptismal covenant, regarded as the normative statement of what it means to follow Christ.

A Christian monk who became the first archbishop of Canterbury in the late sixth century. Feast day: May 26.

Systematic instruction and formation for baptism, initiating them into the mysteries and life of Christian faith.

The church’s codified laws and regulations, enacted under its Constitution, that govern organization and administration, worship, the ordering of ministry, and ecclesiastical discipline throughout the church.

A collection of authorized optional services and texts for various occasions that do not appear in the BCP. “,Breck

An eighth-century English missionary, archbishop, and martyr, known as the Apostle of Germany. Feast day: June 5.

Also called mite boxes, these small, blue, cardboard boxes are used to collect funds for the United Thank Offering, originally a ministry of The Episcopal Church Women.

A bishop elected by a diocese holding provisional charge of that diocese and providing temporary episcopal leadership until a bishop diocesan is elected.