Glossary

A 19th-century priest and professor of poetry, and one of the initiators of the Oxford Movement in England. Feast day: March 29.

The first missionary bishop of The Episcopal Church, who established seven Midwest dioceses in the 19th century. Feast day: May 24.

A 17th-century bishop and hymn writer in the Church of England. Feast day: March 21.

A 20th-century Baptist preacher and civil rights leader, and the United States’ most ardent proponent of nonviolent social reform. Feast day: April 4.

“Lord, have mercy.” An ancient Greek supplication, said or sung in response to intercessory prayers.

From the Greek word laos meaning “people,” the laity are baptized Christians distinct from those who are ordained.

A nonlegislative gathering of bishops from throughout the Anglican Communion, normally held every 10 years at the invitation of the archbishop of Canterbury.

The London residence of the archbishop of Canterbury since 1207.

A 16th-century English bishop and Reformation leader, who was burned at the stake by order of Queen Mary I. Feast day: Oct. 16, along with Thomas Cranmer and Nicholas Ridley.

A 17th-century archbishop of Canterbury and martyr, who was the chief theological advisor of Kings Charles I and Charles II of England, and later beheaded for treason. Feast day: Jan. 10.

A third-century deacon and martyr who was executed after he refused to hand over the church’s treasure to Rome. Feast day: Aug. 10.

Ritual cleansing of the celebrant’s hands at the offertory of the Eucharist and the basin that contains the water for this act. From the Latin lavabo meaning “I will wash,” taken from Psalm 26:6.

An 18th-century English priest and spiritual writer, whose writing had a profound effect on Charles and John Wesley. Feast day: April 10.

A trained layperson licensed by the bishop to lead worship in the absence of clergy.

A book stand or reading desk that holds the book used for reading Scripture in public worship.

An ordered system for designating the Holy Scriptures to be read at the Eucharist, the Daily Offices, and on specific dates and occasions.

A trained layperson who reads lessons, and may also lead the Prayers of the People. Licensing by the bishop is not required.

The period beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding the day before Easter, traditionally a season of fasting, self-examination, and penitence.

A fifth-century bishop and theologian known for compelling preaching and as a defender of orthodoxy. Feast day: Nov. 10.

A collection of proper collects, lessons, and psalms for the Eucharist on each of the weekdays of Lent, weekdays of Easter season, and each of the lesser feasts of the church year. LFF 2024 is currently in use by the church.

Documents transferring the canonical residency of a member of the clergy from one diocese to another.

Liturgical colors for vestments and altar dressings change with the seasons of the church year.

Refers to the rites or texts that provide order for worship services.

A 13th-century French king who sought to live a Franciscan life of poverty and self-denial in the midst of royal splendor. Feast day: Aug. 25.

An ecclesial philosophy that emphasizes personal faith, Scripture, preaching, and favors a simpler, less ceremonial style of worship than that of high-church tradition.

A Sunday when churches typically experience low attendance, such as the Sunday after Easter or Christmas.

A physician and companion of Paul, and the traditional author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Considered the first iconographer and patron saint of artists and physicians. Feast day: Oct. 18.

German theologian and priest who initiated the 16th-century Protestant Reformation by emphasizing salvation by faith alone, the authority of Scripture, and the priesthood of all believers. Feast day: Feb. 18.

A professional graduate-degree program, generally three years in duration, preparing individuals for ministry in congregations and other religious institutions and contexts.

A fourth-century monastic, theologian, and teacher, and influential older sister of the Cappadocians, Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa. Feast day: July 19.

Major celebrations of the church year for which the Book of Common Prayer appoints proper collects, psalms, and lessons.

Eucharistic vestment, typically an oblong band of silk or linen, worn above the left wrist.

An 11th-century queen of Scotland and reformer credited with removing Celtic influences in the Scottish Church. Feast day: Nov. 16.

One of the 12 apostles, traditionally considered to be the author of the second Gospel, although scholars believe the author was anonymous. Also said to be the first bishop of Alexandria. Feast day: April 25.

A holy and lifelong covenant between two people, made in the sight of God and before the church, characterized by love, fidelity, mutual support, and God’s blessing.

A fourth-century monastic, missionary, and bishop known for his humility, charity, and service to the poor. A patron saint of France. Feast day: Nov. 11.

A 19th-century founder of the Christian church in India and Iran who translated Scriptures into Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic. Feast day: Oct. 19.

A person killed for remaining loyal to their faith in the face of persecution.

Hundreds of Christians were crucified or otherwise murdered during a period when Christianity was banned in Japan. The first 26 were killed in 1597. Feast day: Feb. 6.

See Blandina.

Nine Australian missionaries and two Papuan Christians who died at the hands of Japanese invaders in 1942. Feast day: Sept. 2.

Thirty-two young men, pages in the court of King Mwanga, were burned alive in 1886 after refusing to renounce Christianity and submit sexually to the king. Feast day: June 3.

These sisters offered hospitality to Jesus. Martha prepared food, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his teaching. Feast day: July 29.

A disciple of Jesus from the Judean city of Magdala, who was the first to witness the resurrected Christ. Feast day: July 22.

The mother of Jesus, Mary is venerated for her humility and obedience to God. Feast day: Aug. 15.

An early morning worship service, the first of the canonical hours, called Morning Prayer in the Daily Offices of the BCP.

A tax collector who became one of the 12 apostles. Said to be the author of the Gospel bearing his name, although many scholars doubt this. Feast day: Sept. 21.

The disciple who replaced Judas Iscariot as one of the 12 apostles. Feast day: Feb. 24.

The Thursday in Holy Week, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and celebrated the meal that established what would become the Eucharist.

A 19th-century English theologian and proponent of Christian socialism. Feast day: April 1.

An altar book that provides all the textual materials needed for celebration of the Eucharist.

Liturgical headdress of bishops, typically pointed at the top, symbolizing their office and authority.

A 19th-century evangelist and martyr in Rhodesia. Feast day: June 18.

A place where members of religious orders live in community, usually under the monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

The mother of the theologian Augustine of Hippo, whom she convinced to become a Christian in 386. Feast day: May 4.

A male member of a religious order typically living a vowed life of poverty, chastity, and obedience in community.

Frame or vessel, typically made of gold or silver, used to display the consecrated bread of the Eucharist for veneration in a rite called the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

One of the principal Daily Offices; available in traditional and contemporary language in the BCP. Also, the principal act of Sunday worship in the absence of a priest.

An honorific used by some female priests.

A short cape that covers the shoulders, traditionally worn by bishops.

A 19th-century American priest, educator and liturgical reformer. Feast day: April 8.

A 20th-century attorney, civil rights activist, feminist, and scholar who became the first African-American female priest.

Entry space, foyer, or anteroom of a church between the front door and the nave, used for the gathering and formation of processions.

A seminary of The Episcopal Church in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, located in Nashotah, Wisconsin, offering intensive sacramental, spiritual, and monastic-like formation for ministry.

The place where the congregation gathers to worship. Often referred to as the sanctuary, although that term properly is reserved for the area around the altar.

A 19th-century British cleric, hymn writer, and translator. Feast day: Aug. 7.

The fundamental statement of Christian faith, dating to the fourth century. Recited by the congregation during most Eucharistic services.

A fourth-century Greek bishop who became known as the patron saint of children and of seafarers. Santa Claus is based on Nicholas, who was a bearer of gifts to children. Feast day: Dec. 6.

A fifth-century bishop and missionary to what is now Scotland. Feast day: Sept. 16.

A midday prayer service, part of the Daily Office.

A trainee in a religious order or community who typically has already trained as a postulant.

Period of training of novices in a monastery or religious community.

A female member of a religious order typically living a vowed life of poverty, chastity, and obedience in community.

A Cheyenne warrior and spiritual leader also known as O-kuh-ha-tuh and Making Medicine, Oakerhater was ordained deacon in 1881 and was a missionary to the Cheyenne Nation of Oklahoma in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Feast day: Sept. 1.

A lay person who maintains a close committed relationship with a religious community, without taking full religious vows.

An offering, generally of money, symbolizing the offering of ourselves, our lives, and our labor to Christ.

The portion of the Eucharist when the bread and wine is ceremonially placed on the altar. A collection of money customarily is presented at the same time.

Person who leads the Daily Office or another church service.

The practice of inviting all baptized Christians to receive the Eucharist, regardless of denomination or church membership.

The term referring to the person being ordained at an ordination ceremony.

A diocesan bishop, as distinct from a suffragan, assistant, or coadjutor bishop. See: Canon to the Ordinary.

The parts of the church year not included in the major seasons of the liturgical calendar. Includes the Monday after the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and the Monday after Pentecost through the Saturday before Advent.

A sacramental rite of the church by which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons.

A 19th-century movement which reasserted the apostolic and catholic heritage of Anglicanism.

1) A square, stiffened white linen cloth that is used to cover the chalice at the Eucharist. 2) A cloth used to cover a casket or urn at a funeral.

The Sunday before Easter at which Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Jesus’ Passion on the cross are recalled, also known as the Sunday of the Passion. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week.

A story told by Jesus to illustrate a religious lesson through analogy or metaphor.

The mother and father of the Virgin Mary according to the Apocrypha, and named Anne and Joachim based on legend. Feast Day: July 26

Defined by the Canons as a local congregation recognized by the diocese, organized for worship, mission, and ministry under the care of a rector or priest-in-charge.

A church building or house that may provide space for the church office, clergy and staff offices, classrooms, choir rehearsal room, and meeting rooms.

A document created in preparation for a search for new clergy leadership, providing information about the history, mission, worship, congregational life, programs, outreach, finances, and goals of the congregation.

Concerning a parish. Clergy who do not work for a church are sometimes called nonparochial.

An annual, official data-gathering instrument of The Episcopal Church. The report includes extensive information about membership and attendance; the number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials; outreach; and finances.

A large candle symbolizing the risen Christ. Often decorated with a cross and other symbols. “Paschal” concerns Easter or Passover. Each year a Paschal candle is lit for the first time from the new fire at the Easter Vigil.

The redemptive suffering of Jesus Christ in the events surrounding his death. A Gospel narrative of the Passion is read liturgically during Holy Week, often with congregants taking different parts.

See Palm Sunday.

An eight-day Jewish festival that celebrates the events leading to the Jewish Exodus from Egypt. Jesus and his disciples were in Jerusalem celebrating Passover when he was arrested, tried, and crucified.

Shallow dish or small plate for the bread at the Eucharist.

A fifth-century British bishop and missionary to Ireland. Feast day: March 17, which also is widely celebrated secularly as St. Patrick’s Day.

A 19th-century martyr who was the first missionary bishop to Melanesia. Along with members of his company, he was speared to death on the island of Nukapu, reportedly after being mistaken for a slave trader. Feast day: Sept. 20.