Glossary

The art of making icons.

A first-century Greek bishop, theologian, and martyr who played a key role in the development of the episcopate and the threefold order of deacon, priest, and bishop. Feast day: Oct. 17.

A 16th-century Spanish priest who founded the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, and known for his “Spiritual Exercises,” a method of spiritual discernment. Feast day: July 31.

Mode of baptism in which the candidate’s entire body is submerged in water.

The act of placing ashes on the foreheads of participants on Ash Wednesday as a sign of mortality and penitence. Ashes are imposed with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The act by which Christians believe God chose to become fully present as human flesh in the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Certain woods or solidified resins and the aromatic smoke that results from burning them. Used in some churches to symbolize a sacrificial offering to God.

Spoken and written language that intentionally avoids using words that are needlessly gender-specific or exclusive.

Prayer for another or others.

One who prays on behalf of another or others.

A broad term for commissions, committees, task forces, boards, and agencies that are active between the triennial General Conventions.

Burial, the placing of the body or cremated remains of a deceased person in a grave or columbarium. From the Latin in terra meaning “in the earth.”

Administration of the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist at the same time, typically by dipping the bread in the wine and placing the moistened host in the mouth.

A hymn, psalm, or anthem that is sung as the ministers enter to begin the Eucharist.

A second-century Greek bishop and theologian. Feast day: June 28.