Glossary

A person preparing for Christian baptism or confirmation.

A church that contains the diocesan bishop’s see (throne), or cathedra (bishop’s chair).

A 14th-century Italian mystic and spiritual writer who devoted her life to serving the poor and converting sinners. Feast day: April 29.

Derived from a Greek word meaning universal, catholic (lowercase “c”) emphasizes continuity with the undivided early church. Often used interchangeably (and imprecisely) with “Roman Catholic.”

See Agnes of Rome

The bishop or priest who presides at the Eucharist and at holy baptism, and at other sacramental and liturgical occasions such as the celebration and blessing of a marriage.

To perfume with the smoke of aromatic incense.

A seventh-century Anglo-Saxon monk and bishop, remembered for his simplicity, piety, and devotion to duty. Feast day: March 2.

The cup for the wine that is consecrated and administered at the Eucharist.

Area of the church set apart for the altar, lectern, pulpit, credence table, and seats for officiating and assisting ministers.

A legal adviser providing counsel on ecclesiastical and secular law, governance, and other matters to bishops and other leaders.

A building, structure, or room for worship, serving specific needs or smaller groups. Chapels may be found in churches, schools, hospitals, military facilities, and other locations.

A person, lay or ordained, who serves a chapel, or exercises a specialized ministry in institutions such as schools, hospitals, prisons, and military facilities.

Regular assembly of members of a cathedral or other ecclesiastical organization with responsibility for the organization’s governance.

Gifts bestowed on believers and their communities by the Holy Spirit, from the Greek charisma, related to charis, meaning grace and favor.

Sleeveless outer vestment worn by the celebrant at the Eucharist.

This robe without sleeves is worn over an alb or rochet as part of the vestments of a bishop.

Persons who sing in a choir.

Consecrated oil used for anointing the newly baptized person with the sign of the cross at baptism and in other rites.

Drawn from a Roman Catholic feast day, it is celebrated by some Episcopal congregations on the last Sunday after Pentecost although it is not mentioned in the calendar.

A fourth-century monk, recognized as an excellent preacher, who became patriarch of Constantinople. Feast day: Jan. 27.

Formerly located in Berkeley, California, CDSP is a hybrid-residency seminary operated in partnership with Trinity Church Wall Street.

A national church that broke with Rome during the reign of King Henry VIII. The Episcopal Church derives some, but not all, of its doctrine, discipline, and worship from the Church of England.

A 13th-century Italian nun who founded the Poor Clares, an order devoted to extreme poverty and austerity. Feast day: Aug. 11.

A third-century Greek theologian who combined Greek philosophy with the Christian faith, harmonizing faith and reason. One of the earliest Christian scholars, and a leading opponent of Gnosticism. Feast day: Dec. 5.

The fourth bishop of Rome, who in the first century planted the seed of the theology of apostolic succession. Feast day: Nov. 23.

Persons in holy orders, ordained for the ministry of bishop, priest, or deacon.

A member of the clergy.

Of or concerning the clergy.

Distinctive clothes worn by clergy that make the wearer identifiable as a member of the clergy.

A walkway, covered but not enclosed, typically found in a monastery, convent, or church.

Pronounced COLL-ect, a short prayer at the beginning of the liturgy, connected to the appointed lessons or occasion, and following a structure of address to God, petition, and concluding doxology.

A sixth-century founder of many churches and monasteries in Ireland, including the monastery and school at Iona. Feast day: June 9.

A place or structure for interring the cremated remains of the dead.

A canonically required diocesan body that assists the bishop in discerning, recruiting, and forming individuals for lay, diaconal, and priestly ministries, and advises the bishop on present and future ministry needs and the implementation of Title III of the Canons.

The Canons of The Episcopal Church define communicants as those who have received Holy Communion in this church at least three times during the previous year.

The Canons of The Episcopal Church define communicants in good standing as those who, in the previous year, have faithfully attended worship and, barring adverse circumstances, have also been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the kingdom of God.

An arrangement in which two or more dioceses, usually from different countries or Anglican Communion provinces, commit to mutual encouragement and prayer, intensified understanding and concern, and the exchange of both spiritual and material resources.

The emblem of the Anglican Communion signifying its global reach, and centered on the St. George’s Cross with its motto taken from John 8:32 — “The truth will set you free.”

An organization founded in 1994 to financially support the work of the Anglican Communion Office and to support the ministry of the archbishop of Canterbury.

An evening service, the last service in the Daily Office.

Joint celebration of the Eucharist by a chief celebrant and one or more concelebrants.

A priest or bishop who hears a private confession of sin during the sacramental Reconciliation of a Penitent, and pronounces absolution, a declaration of forgiveness.

The sacramental rite in which candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP, p. 860).

To set something or someone apart for a sacred purpose. The church provides for the consecration of various spaces and elements, including bread and wine for the Eucharist, church buildings, altars, graves, and columbaria. Chrism oil is used to consecrate the newly baptized. Deacons, priests, and bishops are consecrated during the service of ordination.

The Martyrs of Memphis, a collection of nuns and priests who died in the Tennessee city while tending to the sick in the yellow fever outbreak in 1878. Feast day: Sept. 9.

The foundational governing document of The Episcopal Church defining its structure, authority, and relationships between dioceses, governing bodies, and officers, and establishing the framework within which the Canons operate. First adopted by General Convention in 1789.

Full repentance for sin and a firm intention for amendment of life.

A religious community and residence, traditionally for women, where members live under vows and a common rule of life devoted to prayer, communal worship, and service.

A grouping of congregations in a geographical area for the purpose of collaboration, support, and fellowship. Clergy and lay representatives typically meet on a regular basis. Also called a deanery, region, or mission area.