Glossary

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary definitions adapted from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, edited by Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY.

Tippet

Large black scarf worn by clergy over surplice and cassock at the Daily Offices and Evensong.

Tithe

A spiritual discipline of Christian stewardship in which an individual offers a portion of their income to the church, traditionally one-tenth, as a grateful response to God’s love.

Title IV

The portion of the Canons of The Episcopal Church that regulates disciplinary proceedings pertaining to bishops, deacons, and priests.

Titus

The recipient of the Letter to Titus, who is believed to have become the first bishop of Crete. Feast day: Jan. 26, along with Timothy, another devoted companion of Paul.

Torchbearer

An acolyte or server who carries a torch in procession, including the Gospel procession.

Transept

In a cruciform or cross-shaped church building, the parts of the building forming the two lateral arms of the cross.

Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The feast, celebrated on Aug. 6, that marks Jesus’ radical change of appearance while in the presence of Peter, James, and John, on a high mountain. The transfiguration revealed Christ’s glory prior to the crucifixion, and anticipated his resurrection.

Transubstantiation

The belief that the substance of Christ’s body and blood replaces the substance of the Eucharistic bread and wine. A Roman Catholic doctrine that differs from Episcopal and Anglican theology. See Real Presence.

Trial Use

Authorization by General Convention for temporary use of liturgical texts or rites not currently authorized, for purposes of evaluation and possible future authorization. A bishop may also permit experimental or provisional use within a diocese.