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.

James De Koven

A priest and educator who was the most widely known and respected leader of the Anglo-Catholic movement in the 19th century. Feast day: March 22.

James of Jerusalem

Also known as James the Just. In the Gospels according to Matthew and Mark, and in the epistle to the Galatians, James of Jerusalem is referred to as the brother of Jesus. Feast day: Oct. 23.

James the Apostle (James the Greater)

One of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Brother of John, son of Zebedee, also known as James the Greater to distinguish him from the other apostle with the same name. Patron saint of Spain, and the first apostle to be martyred. Feast day: July 25.

James the Apostle (James the Less)

One of the 12 apostles of Jesus, and the son of Alphaeus. Also known as James the Less to distinguish him from James the apostle, brother of John the apostle. Feast day: May 1, along with the Apostle Philip.

Jerome

A fourth-century Italian scholar and monastic, who translated the Scriptures into Latin. Feast day: Sept. 30.

John the Baptist

Prophetic forerunner of Jesus. Born to Elizabeth, a kinswoman of the Virgin Mary. He baptized many, including Jesus, and was later beheaded by Herod Antipas. Feast day: June 24.

John, Apostle and Evangelist

Brother of James and son of Zebedee. Regarded as the author of the Gospel and epistles that bear his name, and of the Book of Revelation. Believed to be the only apostle who was not martyred. Feast day: Dec. 27.

Jones, Absalom

An 18th-century abolitionist, born into slavery in Delaware, who became the first African-American priest. Feast day: Feb. 13.

Joseph

Husband of the Virgin Mary, known as the Guardian of Our Lord and patron saint of workers. Feast day: March 19.

Joseph of Arimathea

After the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and buried it in a tomb newly hewn out of a rock. Feast day: Aug. 1

Julian of Norwich

A 14th-century English writer, mystic, and anchoress (a solitary monastic), the first English woman of letters. In her writing, she refers to both God the Father and Jesus as “our Mother,” emphasizing their lovingkindness to humanity. Feast day: May 8.

Justin

A second-century scholar, apologist, and martyr, who has been called one of the most original thinkers Christianity produced. Beheaded in Rome after he refused to sacrifice to the gods. Feast day: June 1.