Glossary

Liturgical and ceremonial cleaning of the paten and chalice with water, or with water and wine, following the communion of the people at the Eucharist.

The formal act by a bishop or priest of pronouncing God’s forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.

Salutation or greeting in the opening dialogue of the Eucharist arranged by versicle and response and varied according to the liturgical season.

A general term which covers not only servers, torchbearers, and lighters of candles but also crucifers, thurifers, and banner-bearers.

First season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas.

A 12th-century English monk and author of two major treatises: “Mirror of Charity” and “Spiritual Friendship.” Feast day: Jan. 12.

From the Greek word meaning selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. Used by Christians to connote love that seeks the good for others reflecting God’s love, grace, and mercy.

Third- and fourth-century martyrs killed during persecution in Rome. Agnes was revered for unwavering courage and refusal to sacrifice to Roman gods. Cecilia is the patron saint of singers, poets, and musicians, martyred for converting a pagan, Valerian, to whom she was betrothed. Feast day: Jan. 21.

Latin for Lamb of God, a fraction anthem used at the breaking of the bread during a Eucharist.

A seventh-century Irish monk and bishop credited with restoring Christianity throughout northern England. Feast day: Aug. 31.

Long white garment with sleeves, which is the basic garment worn by ordained and lay ministers at the Eucharist and other church services.

The first Christian martyr of Britain who, as a Roman soldier in the fourth century, was killed after he helped a persecuted priest escape. Feast day: June 22.

A ninth-century deacon and religious advisor to the Emperor Charlemagne who worked to preserve classic texts, including the Collect for Purity. Feast day: May 20.

A ninth-century Saxon king and patron of the church, who promoted ecclesiastical reform and translated Latin texts. Feast day: Oct. 26.

The evening of Oct. 31, which precedes All Saints’ Day; traditionally a time when the souls of the dead were said to return to their homes.

Commemorates all saints, known and unknown, on Nov. 1. One of the seven principal feasts of the church year, and one of four days recommended for baptisms.

Also called the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed, observed on Nov. 2.

Liturgical expression of praise, “Praise ye the Lord,” from the Hebrew Hallelujah.

Offerings of money and other gifts at the Eucharist and at other times intended to provide Christian charity for the needs of the church and the world, especially the poor.

An archbishop of Canterbury in the 11th century, murdered by the Danes during a drunken fest. Feast day: Apr. 19.

The structure, also known as the Lord’s Table, where offerings are presented and the elements of bread and wine are consecrated in the Eucharist.

A group whose ministry is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the congregation.

An altar other than the main altar upon which the consecrated bread and wine from the Maundy Thursday Eucharist are reserved for communion on Good Friday.

A fourth-century bishop, theologian and hymnwriter, considered one of the four fathers of the Western Church. Feast day: Dec. 7.

Term derived from the Greek word for suspended; refers to the official separation from the church of members guilty of persistent heresy or grave moral offenses.

One of the twelve Apostles, brother of Simon Peter, and patron saint of Scotland. Feast day: Nov. 30.

A 17th-century English bishop and spiritual writer. Feast day: Sept. 26.

Spiritual beings serving as agents and messengers of God. Archangels are seen as leaders and protectors.

A global fellowship of autonomous yet interrelated regional and national churches rooted in historic ties to the Church of England, and marked by being in communion with the archbishop of Canterbury.

A Christian tradition shaped by the Church of England that is relational, missionary, and contextual, holding together unity and diversity through shared worship, faith, and participation in God’s mission rather than through centralized authority.

A movement within Anglicanism emphasizing its Roman Catholic roots with a focus on Eucharistic liturgy, sacraments, and devotional practices.

Feast commemorating the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of God’s Son, Jesus, and Mary’s assent in faith to God’s invitation. Feast Day: March 25.

Sacramental use of oil as an outward sign of God’s active presence for healing, initiation, or ordination.

An 11th-century archbishop of Canterbury and theologian, sometimes called the father of scholasticism and the second Augustine. Feast day: Apr. 21.

A ninth-century missionary and bishop, known as the apostle to the Scandinavians and patron saint of Denmark. Feast day: Feb. 3.

A fourth-century Christian hermit who dedicated his life to asceticism, living in the desert in solitude, fasting, and prayer. Feast day: Jan. 17.

Fifteen books that are sometimes published between the Old and New Testaments, considered by Episcopalians to be spiritually useful, but not necessarily a source for doctrine.

From the Greek apo, “away from,” and stasis, “standing,” literally meaning a “standing apart,” apostasy is used in Christian theology to speak of total renunciation of faith in Christ and abandonment of Christianity.

A term based on the Greek word apostolos, which means someone sent out. The original 12 apostles were contemporaries of Jesus Christ.

Ancient formula of Christian belief in three sections concerning God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Used as the basis for the baptismal covenant and in the Daily Offices.

The belief that bishops are the successors to the apostles and that episcopal authority is derived from the apostles by an unbroken line of succession in the ministry.

A 13th-century Dominican scholar, considered the leading theologian of the medieval church. Feast day: Jan. 28.

A bishop with administrative and disciplinary authority over other bishops.

The “primate of all England and Metropolitan” of the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury in the Church of England, and the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

A senior bishop in the Church of England, second only to the archbishop of Canterbury, serving as the metropolitan bishop of the province of York, which includes 10 dioceses.

A clergyperson with defined administrative authority delegated by the diocesan bishop.

The occasion on which the risen Christ is taken into heaven after appearing to his followers for 40 days.

The first of the 40 days of Lent, named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshippers at Ash Wednesday services.

Liturgical practice of sprinkling with holy water as a reminder of baptism.

A brush, branch, metal rod, or other instrument used to sprinkle holy water at the asperges.

A person seeking ordination as a deacon or priest, or a person who desires to be admitted to a religious order. May also be referred to as an applicant.

A bishop who supports the diocesan bishop by extending episcopal ministry, presence, and pastoral service in the diocese.

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

A fourth-century Egyptian bishop and theologian, regarded as the theologian of the incarnation for his insistence on the full divinity of the second person of the Trinity. Feast day: May 2.

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

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 cupboard or secure receptacle in the side wall of the sanctuary or sacristy, used to store sacred vessels or the reserved elements of the Eucharist.

The full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the church.

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.

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.

A missionary who traveled with Paul and founded the church in Cyprus, where tradition holds he was martyred in 61. Feast day: June 11.

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

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.

See Book of Common Prayer.

A 12th-century archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. Tradition holds he was murdered after King Henry II said, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Feast day: Dec. 29.

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.

A sixth-century Italian monastic and author of the Rule of Benedict, the foundation for Benedictine spirituality. Feast day: July 11.

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 blessing pronounced by a bishop or priest at the conclusion of a worship service.

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

A 12th-century influential monk who was called the “pope maker” and the uncrowned emperor of Europe. Feast day: Aug. 20.

Two Episcopal seminaries, Bexley Hall and Seabury-Western, federated in 2012, relocating in 2016 to the campus of Chicago Theological Seminary.

Stiff, brimless, three- or four-sided cap worn by some clergy on ceremonial occasions.

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 elected bishop with the right of succession upon the resignation of the diocesan bishop.

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.

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

A bishop elected by a diocesan convention to assist the bishop diocesan without right of succession but eligible to be elected if a nominee. From the Latin suffraganeus, meaning assisting or supporting.

A priest elected bishop by a diocese but not yet ordained and consecrated.

A second-century enslaved girl and one of 48 Christians martyred at Lyons, France, in 177. Feast day: June 2.

A pronouncement of God’s love and favor, addressed to one or more persons by a priest or bishop.

A 19th-century American social reformer, newspaper editor, and advocate for women’s rights and temperance. Feast day: July 20 along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth.

A colloquial term referring to the compendium of triennial reports to the General Convention from commissions, committees, task forces, agencies, and boards.

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 20th-century German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and author who was hanged in 1945 because of his opposition to Hitler. Feast day: April 9.

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

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

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 form of address for a male member of a religious order or community.
“,Butler

Candidacy follows postulancy in the canonical process leading to ordination and requires the consent of both the bishop and the standing committee. A candidate is in the final phase of preparation and formation before ordination. “,Canon,1.) The list of books in the Bible; 2.) An ecclesiastical law; 3.) A member of the staff of a…

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.

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.

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.

The city in southeastern England that became the ecclesiastical center for England and, eventually, the Anglican Communion.

Nonmetrical song used in liturgical worship.
“,Cantor,Singer who sets the pitch and leads the liturgical singing of psalms

A colloquial term referring to a large or well-resourced parish.
“,Cardinal Rector,A colloquial term referring to an influential rector

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

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

Outline for instruction in the Christian faith presented in a question-and-answer format.
“,Catechist,A teacher