Site Glossary

One of the 12 apostles, also known as Nathanael, believed to have been martyred by being flayed alive. Feast day: Aug. 24.

Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

Long, close-fitting garment with narrow sleeves worn by clergy and other ministers.

The daily round of services observed by monastic communities at set times of the day. “,Canonical Residence,Clergy serving under the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical authority of a diocese are canonically resident in that diocese.

An ecclesial philosophy blending elements of high church and low church emphases. The three terms originated in debates about ritual, authority, and Roman Catholic influence; all three are equally Episcopal.

A bishop elected by a diocese holding ecclesiastical authority and jurisdiction in that diocese, serving as chief pastor and providing oversight to congregations, clergy, and diocesan institutions.

An eighth-century English monk, priest, theologian, and historian, who wrote the seminal “Ecclesiastical History of the English people.” Also known as Bede the Venerable. Feast day: May 25.

See Book of Common Prayer.

A fifth-century bishop and theologian from North Africa, widely regarded as one of the major theologians in the history of Christianity. Feast day: Aug. 28.

A statement of faith dating from the fourth or fifth centuries, never appointed for use in the Episcopal liturgy.

The Episcopal Church’s liturgical and devotional containing some, but not all, of the texts authorized by General Convention. See Episcopal Common Prayer, the church’s official liturgical website.

A member of the clergy or layperson who typically serves as chief of staff and key advisor to a diocesan bishop, who is “the ordinary” in ecclesiastical terminology.