An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms


Tabernacle

According to Ex 25-30, 35-40, the Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary of the Israelites. It was constructed at Sinai in connection with the making of the covenant. It was to […]

Taiwan, Diocese of

The Missionary District of Taiwan (Formosa) was transferred to the Episcopal Church from the Nippon Seikokai on July 6, 1960. It is now a Diocese of the Episcopal Church.

Taizé Chant

This form of contemporary liturgical song was first developed for use by the ecumenical Christian community at Taizé, France. It uses repetitive structures that can easily be memorized, along with […]

Talbot, Ethelbert

(Oct. 9, 1848-Feb. 27, 1928). Fifteenth Presiding Bishop and ecumenist. He was born in Fayette, Missouri. Talbot graduated from Dartmouth College in 1870 and from the General Theological Seminary in […]

Talbot, John

(1645-Nov. 29, 1727). Leading advocate for a bishop for the American colonies. He was born in Wymondham, Norfolk, England. Talbot studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he received his B.A. […]

Talbot, Joseph Cruikshank

(Sept. 5, 1816-Jan. 15, 1883). Missionary Bishop of the Northwest. He was born in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1835 Talbot moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1837 was confirmed in the […]

Tallis, Thomas

(c. 1505-1585). Musician and composer, often called the “father of English Church music.” Tallis was possibly born in Kent, England. His early years as a musician were spent in the […]

Tantum Ergo

See Pange Lingua.

Taylor, Jeremy

(Aug. 15, 1613-Aug. 13, 1667). Leader among the “Caroline Divines.” He was born in Cambridge, England. Taylor studied at Gonville and Gaius College, Cambridge. He was ordained in 1633. He […]

Te Deum laudamus

Canticle of praise named for its opening words in Latin. It appears as Canticles 7 and 21 in the BCP (pp. 52-53, 95-96). The traditional language Canticle 7 is also […]

Team Ministry

A cooperative approach to parish ministry in which the entire ministry team shares responsibility for formulating the overall vision of ministry. The ministry team may include youth ministers, Christian education […]

Temple, William

(Oct. 15, 1881-Oct. 26, 1944). The only son of an Archbishop of Canterbury to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was born in Exeter, England. Temple was educated at Rugby […]

Temporale

The section of a service book such as a missal or breviary that provided the variable portions of services for seasons of the church year that were centered on the […]

Ten Commandments, The

The commands, also known as the decalogue or Ten Words, given by God at Sinai in connection with the making of the covenant (Ex 20:1-17). Another slightly different version appears […]

Tenebrae

This form of the monastic office (matins and lauds) is commonly adapted for congregational use during Holy Week. The office is structured around psalms, readings, and responsories. A distinguishing characteristic […]

Tennessee, Diocese of

The primary convention of the Diocese of Tennessee was held in Nashville on July 1-2, 1829. The 1982 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of Tennessee into the dioceses […]

Terce, Sext, None

Traditional monastic offices that were recited at 9 a.m., “the third hour” (terce), 12 noon, “the sixth hour” (sext), and 3 p.m., “the ninth hour” (none). These canonical hours of […]

Teresa of Avila

(Mar. 28, 1515-Oct. 4, 1582). Monastic reformer. She was born in Avila, Spain. In 1534 Teresa entered the monastery of the Incarnation of the Carmelite nuns in Avila. While a […]

Tertiary

A member of a third order of a religious community. See Third Order.

Terwilliger, Robert Elwin

(Aug. 28, 1917-June 3, 1991). Bishop and founding director of Trinity Institute, New York. He was born in Cortland, New York. He received his B.A. from Syracuse University in 1939, […]

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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.