Glossary of Terms

Reception of the Body (At Time of Death)

The BCP provides a form of prayers for use when the body is brought to the church prior to the burial service (pp. 466-467). The form includes prayers for the deceased and the bereaved.

Receptionism

The belief that the eucharistic elements of bread and wine are unchanged during the prayer of consecration but that the faithful believer receives the body and blood of Christ in receiving communion. This was the prevailing eucharistic theology in the Reformation era of Anglicanism. The Articles of Religion state that the bread and wine of […]

Recitation

The traditional methods of psalmody, whether spoken or sung, are direct recitation, antiphonal recitation, and responsorial recitation. Direct recitation means the reading or singing of the entire psalm or portion of the psalm in unison. It is frequently used to recite or chant the psalm following the first lesson at the eucharist and the canticles […]

Reciting Note

A note found in each half of a psalm tone on which much of the text is sung. Its duration is determined by the length of the text to which it is sung.

Recognition and Investiture of a Diocesan Bishop

This is one of the “Episcopal Services” in the BOS. It is designed for the recognition, investiture, and seating of a bishop who has already been ordained and consecrated. The Presiding Bishop presides at this service, but another bishop may be deputized for the occasion. The service takes place in the context of a eucharist. […]

Reconciliation of a Penitent

Sacramental rite in which those who repent may confess their sins to God in the presence of a priest and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution (BCP, p. 861). It is also called penance and confession. The church’s ministry of reconciliation is from God, “who reconciled us to himself through Christ, […]

Recorder (of Ordinations)

A person or incorporated organization of the Episcopal Church is elected by the House of Deputies upon nomination of the House of Bishops “to continue the List of Ordinations and to keep a list of the Clergy in regular standing.” Each diocese must report annually to the recorder all persons ordained, the names of all […]

Rector

The priest in charge of a parish. Typically, a rector is the priest in charge of a self-supporting parish, and a vicar is the priest in charge of a supported mission. The rector is the ecclesiastical authority of the parish. The term is derived from the Latin for “rule.” The rector has authority and responsibility […]

Rectory

A house owned by the parish and provided for the rector's home. Such provided housing has been known as “the parsonage” and “the manse” in other traditions.

Red-letter Days

Major feasts of the church year, including the principal feasts, feasts of our Lord, feasts of all apostles, evangelists, and other major saints' days and festivals. The term reflects the early practice of printing Prayer Book calendars in red. These major feasts were included in the Prayer Book calendar and printed with red letters. The […]

Redaction Criticism

The German word “redaction” is best translated as editing. The main point of this exegetical method is to find an understanding of the techniques and thoughts used by the redactor or final editor of a gospel. We have no specific information about who the gospel editors were, or when the editing was done, or where […]

Redeemer

Savior. One who pays a price to buy back something, to liberate a person or a people from bondage, or to save a life that was legally forfeit. In the OT, the Lord God is the redeemer of Israel (see Ex 6:6; 2 Sm 7:23; Ps 130:7; Is 44:6, 54:5). God delivered Israel from bondage […]

Redemption

See Redeemer.

Refectory

A room where meals are shared. The term is from the Latin, “to restore” or “refresh.” This term has been applied to the room used for meals in monasteries or other religious houses. It may indicate a separate building. The term has also been used to indicate the room or building for meals on a […]

Reformed Episcopal Church

The denomination emerged out of the high church—low church controversy of the mid-nineteenth century. Assistant Bishop David Cummins of Kentucky and Charles Edward Cheney, rector of Christ Church, Chicago, were both opposed to the hight church party and especially to the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Bishop Cummins was criticized for participating in an ecumenical communion […]

Regina Coeli

Latin for “Queen of Heaven,” the phrase refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Regina Coeli is also the beginning of a devotion, common in some Anglo-catholic circles, used during the Easter season in place of the Angelus. The customary bell-ringing sequence for Regina Coeli, at morning, noon, and evening, consists of four sets of two […]

Registrar (of the General Convention)

The Registrar maintains all journals and other records of the General Convention, and maintains records of all ordinations and consecrations of bishops in the Episcopal Church. The Registrar is a presbyter elected by the House of Deputies upon the nomination of the House of Bishops.

Regular Clergy (Regulars)

Historically, priests who have taken solemn vows and live in a religious community under a rule of life. The term “regular” is from the Latin, “rule.” These priests may be distinguished from secular priests who do not live in a religious community.

Relics

The material remains of the body of a saint or martyr after death, such as bones, teeth, or hair. Relics may also include objects that have been in direct contact with the body of a saint or martyr in life, such as clothing, items used by the saint or martyr, or even instruments of torture. […]

Religious

1) Concerning religion or belief in the divine. 2) A technical term indicating a religious order or congregation in which the members voluntarily commit themselves by vows for life, or a term of years, to holding their possessions in common or in trust, to living a celibate life in community, and to obedience to their […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms