Glossary of Terms
Chapel of Ease
A chapel located at a distance from its mother church where services are held for the convenience of parishioners who live near it. Clergy leadership is usually provided by the […]
Chaplain
A person who serves a chapel, or exercises a nonparochial ministry. Chaplains serve in a variety of public institutions, including schools, hospitals, and prisons. Chaplains in special settings may or […]
Chaplaincy
See Chaplain.
Chaplet
See Rosary.
Chapter
A regular assembly of members of an ecclesiastical organization with responsibility for the organization's governance. For example, the meeting of those with the responsibilities of a vestry for a cathedral […]
Chapter House
Building used for official meetings of those with responsibility for the governance of a religious house or cathedral. Separate buildings for this purpose date from the ninth century. The voting […]
Character (Sacramental)
The term transliterates the Greek word which literally means an impress or impression, as on a coin or a seal. It is used metaphorically in Heb 1:3 to refer to […]
Charismata, or Charismatic Gifts
The term is the plural form for the Greek charisma, “gift of grace.” In a Christian context, it refers to divine gifts that enable the believer to fulfill his or […]
Charismatic
Concerning gifts of the Spirit. The term is derived from the Greek charisma, “gift.” In 1 Cor 12, St. Paul describes a variety of gifts that are given to Christians […]
Charismatic Renewal, or Neo-Pentecostalism
These terms describe the impact of Pentecostalism in the mainline churches such as the Episcopal Church. Pentecostalism refers to churches and movements that claim to re-experience the spiritual gifts associated […]
Charisms
Gifts bestowed on believers and their communities by the Holy Spirit, from the Greek charisma, related to charis, “grace.” They are subordinate to love (1 Cor 12:4-31) and the edification […]
Charleston, College of, Charleston, South Carolina
This school was established by a group of Charleston citizens, including the Rev. Robert Smith, later the first Bishop of South Carolina. A charter was granted on Mar. 19, 1785, […]
Chase, Carlton
(Feb. 20, 1794-Jan. 18, 1870). First Bishop of New Hampshire. He was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, and graduated from Dartmouth in 1817. Chase was ordained deacon on Dec. 9, […]
Chase, Philander
(Dec. 14, 1775-Sept. 20, 1852). Presiding Bishop, missionary, and founder of educational institutions. He was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1796. Chase was ordained […]
Chase, Salmon Portland
(Jan. 13, 1808-May 7, 1873). Episcopal lay anti-slavery leader and Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, and raised by his uncle, […]
Chastity
The term literally means “purity” and usually refers to sexual purity. In the development of Christian sexual ethics this has meant virginity for the unmarried, fidelity for the married, and […]
Chasuble
The sleeveless outer vestment worn by the celebrant at the eucharist. The chasuble and cope are both derived from the outdoor cloak worn by all classes and both sexes in […]
Checkley, John
(1680-Feb. 15, 1754). An avid defender of the Church of England in New England. He was born in Boston and educated at Oxford. In 1723 in Boston, he published a […]
Cheney, Charles Edward
(Feb. 12, 1836-Nov. 15, 1916). A founder of the Reformed Episcopal Church. He was born in Canandaigua, New York. Cheney graduated from Hobart College in 1837, and studied at the […]
Cherubim
The plural form of the Hebrew word cherub, which refers to mythological creatures in the Bible. They appear in various passages, such as Gn 3:24, guarding the tree of life; […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.