Glossary

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