Glossary

The second lesson in a standard service of Eucharist, usually drawn from New Testament letters to early church communities.

The sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, and the principal act of Christian worship. Also called Holy Communion.

Bread and wine that are consecrated for the Eucharist.

Pertaining to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Evangelicalism is a multidenominational Protestant movement emphasizing the authority of Scripture, personal conversion, and evangelism.

Evangelism is telling the story of Jesus, especially with the intent of inspiring people to become Christians. An evangelist is one who carries out this work.

One of the principal Daily Offices available in traditional and contemporary language in the BCP.

Short for Evening Song, a musically focused service of Evening Prayer, in which most of the service is sung.

The governing body of The Episcopal Church between sessions of the General Convention, charged with the oversight of program and policies adopted by General Convention. Also serves as the board of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS).

The use of oil for the anointing of the sick at the time of death.

A third-century Roman pope and martyr, Fabian was an effective administrator who grew the church until he was arrested by the Emperor Decius in 250 and treated brutally, dying in prison. Feast day: Jan. 20.

A form of address used by some male priests; sometimes abbreviated Fr. in front of a name.

In addition to major feast days such as Easter and Christmas, the calendar of the church year has a feast day for each person commemorated as a saint. See Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2024.

A second-century enslaved woman, martyred in Carthage along with Perpetua and other companions in 202. Feast day: March 7, along with Perpetua.

A 17th-century English businessman and deacon, who, after losing his fortune, started a religious community at Little Gidding. Feast day: Dec. 8.

Latin for “and the Son,” words added to the Nicene Creed by the Latin church, but never accepted by the Eastern Orthodox. The Episcopal Church accepts the Nicene Creed with or without the filioque.

Large vessel with handle and spout, shaped like a pitcher, used as a container for wine in the Eucharist.

The term comes from the Latin fons, “spring of water,” and designates a receptacle for baptismal water.

A ritual performed at many Maundy Thursday services, commemorating Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

The anthem that is spoken or sung at the point in the Eucharist when the celebrant breaks the bread.

A 13th-century Italian friar, patron of animals, and founder of the Franciscan religious order. Feast day: Oct. 4, when many churches provide blessings for pets and other animals.

A form of life centered on the practice of poverty, reverence for God’s presence in the world, and appreciating the goodness of creation as a reflection of God’s love. Founded by Francis of Assisi.

Covering for the front of an altar, often made of silk or brocade cloth and matching the liturgical color of the season of the church year.

The mutual recognition of the members and ministry of two or more churches and of the validity of their sacraments. The Episcopal Church is in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Moravian Church (Northern & Southern Provinces), and the Church of Sweden, among others.

In Christianity, a conservative form of evangelical Protestantism rooted in late-19th-century anti-modernism that emphasizes the literal reading of Scripture and strict adherence to a specific code of moral and religious conduct.

A 19th-century American priest and the founder of Episcopal missionary work among the hard of hearing. Feast day: Aug. 27, along with Henry Winter Syle.

A grassy quadrangle or garden surrounded by a cloister walk in a monastery, church, seminary, or college.

The churchwide body, elected by General Convention, overseeing the General Ordination Examinations (GOE). The board prepares and administers the exam given annually to candidates for ordination.

The General Convention is the bicameral legislature and chief policy-making body of The Episcopal Church, consisting of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. The General Convention meets every three years to consider legislation, make policy, hold elections, adopt the churchwide budget, and amend the Constitution and Canons.

An annual test administered by the General Board of Examining Chaplains, encompassing seven broad topics, used to help determine a candidate’s readiness for ordination.

The oldest seminary of The Episcopal Church, founded in New York City in 1817. GTS affiliated with Virginia Theological Seminary in 2022 to share governance, resources, personnel, and programs, while remaining distinct entities.

A gesture of reverence performed by touching one knee to the floor (or lowering it toward the floor) while keeping the upper body upright, before returning to a standing position. Genuflection is not mentioned in the BCP, and is practiced most often in Anglo-Catholic congregations.

A short acclamation of praise used primarily in the Daily Offices: “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.”

The Friday before Easter Day, on which the church commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. Traditionally a day of fasting, acts of discipline, and self-denial.

From an Old English term meaning, “good news,” the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ. Also, a literary genre describing Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The four official Gospels of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The term names a liturgical function, referring to a member of the clergy who proclaims the Gospel in a worship service.

A psalm, hymn, or anthem that is sung or read at a Eucharist between the Old Testament reading and the epistle.

The response of assent by the congregation at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer. It is printed in all capitals in the BCP to signify its importance.

A lengthy intercessory prayer including various petitions that are said or sung by the leader, with fixed responses by the congregation. Especially appropriate during Lent.

A fourth-century Cappadocian bishop, and a leading theologian on the topic of the Trinity. Feast day: May 9.

A fourth-century Greek bishop and leading defender of the faith expressed in the Nicene Creed. Feast day: March 9.

A sixth-century pope who extended papal authority and sent Augustine of Canterbury to England to do missionary work. One of only two popes designated “the Great.” Feast day: March 12.

A fourth-century bishop and missionary to Armenia, which became the first country to be officially Christian. Feast day: March 23.

A 13th-century bishop who pursued a robust program of reform in the English church. Feast day: Oct. 9.

Garment worn by members of religious communities.

Biography of a saint.

A 19th-century missionary bishop and martyr, who was put to death by Ugandans along with other missionaries. Feast day: Oct. 29.

In 1989, Harris became the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion when she was ordained and consecrated bishop suffragan of Massachusetts. She previously served as executive director of The Episcopal Church Publishing Company. Feast day: Feb. 11.

A 17th-century English priest considered to be one of the chief devotional poets of the Anglican Communion. Feast day: Feb. 27.

The sin of a baptized and professing Christian who denies a doctrine of the faith. Distinct from apostasy and schism.

Generally, an altar on a platform higher than the rest of the church floor, placed against the east wall. Many churches now feature a free-standing altar, prominently placed and not remote from the people, as a sign of unity for the Eucharistic gathering.

An ecclesial philosophy that stresses the ministry and sacraments of the church as the primary means of grace. Often associated with formal liturgical practices such as the use of incense.

A fourth-century French bishop and theologian who was an early champion of the concept of the Trinity. Feast day: Jan 13.

A seventh-century abbess known for her significant role and leadership in promoting Christianity in England. Feast day: Nov. 18.

A 12th-century German abbess who was influential as a mystic, scholar, composer, scientist, and physician. Feast day: Sept. 17.

A 19th-century American bishop, high church leader, author, and a founder of General Theological Seminary. Feast day: Sept. 12.

See Eucharist.

A major feast observed on Sept. 14 in honor of Christ’s self-offering on the cross for our salvation.

Any day set apart for special observance because of its significance for faith.

Male infants slaughtered by King Herod the Great in Bethlehem in an unsuccessful attempt to kill the king of the Jews. Feast day: Dec. 28.

An early name for the Eucharistic liturgy. The term has several overlapping meanings: the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, the mystery of faith, the sacraments, and the truth that surpasses all rational understanding.

Holy Orders refers to the three ordained ministries—deacon, priest, and bishop—to which people are called and ordained. Eligibility is determined by baptism, discernment, and canonical requirements, not by gender, race, ethnicity, or marital status.

The Saturday after Good Friday, which recalls the day when the crucified Christ descended to the dead while his body lay in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Defined by the catechism in the BCP as “the Third Person of the Trinity, God at work in the world and in the Church even now.” (BCP, p. 852)

The week before Easter, a time of special devotion focused on the last days of Jesus’ earthly life.

A 16th-century English theologian who provided a theological justification for an English church independent from the Roman Catholic Church. He advocated Scripture, reason, and tradition as the sources of Anglican authority. Feast day: Nov. 3.

The consecrated bread of the Eucharist.

Along with the House of Deputies, a legislative body of the General Convention. The HoB consists of all bishops, active and resigned.

Along with the House of Bishops, a legislative body of the General Convention. The HoD consists of clergy and laypeople elected from every diocese.

A 12th-century French monk, bishop, and friend of the oppressed, especially lepers and Jews. Feast day: Nov. 17.

A prayer for worthy reception of communion that begins with the statement, “We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness.”

A 19th-century American priest, ecumenical leader, and liturgical reformer who was the driving force behind the prayer book revision that led to the 1892 BCP. Feast day: July 27.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

An eighth-century Syrian monk, priest and theologian. Feast day: Dec. 4.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

The King of Hawaii, who with his queen, Emma, asked the bishop of Oxford to send missionaries in the mid-19th century, thereby establishing Anglicanism in the Hawaiian islands. Feast day: Nov. 28.