Glossary of Terms
Presiding Bishop
Chief Pastor and Primate of the Episcopal Church. The office evolved originally from a rule of the House of Bishops in 1789 making its presiding officer the senior member in terms of date of consecration. As a result of increased duties, the office was incorporated into the Constitution of the Church in 1901 and styled […]
Presiding Bishop’s Diploma in Church Music Program
The original name of the Leadership Program for Musicians Serving Small Churches. See Leadership Program for Musicians Serving Small Churches.
Prevenient Grace
The aspect of God's grace that is understood to precede the free determination of the will. The term “prevenient” is derived from the Latin meaning “to come before” or “to anticipate.” The human response in faith to God is always a response to God's initiative and invitation communicated by the Holy Spirit. This faithful response […]
Price, Charles Philip
(Oct. 4, 1920-Oct. 13, 1999). Priest, theologian, and seminary professor. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Price received his B.A. from Harvard University in 1941, his M.Div. from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1949, and his Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary in 1962. He was ordained deacon on Feb. 24, 1949, and priest on Oct. […]
Price, Roger
(Dec. 6, 1696-Dec. 8, 1762). Commissary to New England. He was born in Whitefield, England. Price graduated from Balliol College, Oxford on Feb. 21, 1717. He was ordained deacon and priest around 1720. On Apr. 22, 1725, he was given the living at Leigh in Essex County, England, which he retained throughout his life. Price […]
Priest
Derived from the Greek presbyteros, “elder” or “old man”, the term is used as a synonym for presbyter. Presbyters constituted a collegiate ruling body of institutions in Judaism. The Catechism notes that “the ministry of a priest or presbyter” is “to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to proclaim the […]
Priesthood of All Believers
Fundamental doctrine which affirms that all baptized Christians share the eternal priesthood of Jesus. Christ's high priesthood is unique and his atoning sacrifice was offered once for all. The royal priesthood of the people of God consists in the offering of ourselves repeatedly in daily obedience in the world (1 Pt 2:5; Rom 12:1). The […]
Primacy
In ecclesiastical terms, primacy is the status of being first, or presiding, among other bishops. In the early church, primacy was often accorded to the bishop of the chief city or metropolis of a geographical region. This primate was often called a metropolitan. The Archbishop of Canterbury held a regional primacy by the middle ages, […]
Primate
The chief bishop in an Anglican Province is called a primate. In the United States, the Presiding Bishop serves as “Chief Pastor and Primate.” The 1978 Lambeth Conference requested that primates' meetings should be established to enable regular consultation among the primates of the Anglican Communion. These meetings have taken place throughout the Anglican Communion. […]
Prime
The second office of the seven canonical hours. It was usually recited at about 6 a.m., which was known as the first hour. Prime along with terce, sext, and none constituted the Little Hours of the Divine Office. Material from the office of Prime was included in the 1549 Prayer Book service of Matins, which […]
Prior
A man who is head of a religious house known as a priory, or the second person in authority of an abbey. An abbot is a man who is the head of an abbey. In an abbey, the prior may be selected by the abbot, elected by the community, or named by the general chapter […]
Prioress
A woman who is head of a religious house known as a priory, or the second person in authority of an abbey. An abbess is a woman who is the head of an abbey. In an abbey, the prioress may be selected by the abbess, elected by the community, or named by the general chapter […]
Priory
A religious house that has a prior or prioress as superior.
Pro-Cathedral
A church named by a diocesan bishop to serve as a cathedral but which remains under the governance of the vestry and dean. It is used as a cathedral for diocesan purposes, but without the formation of a legal cathedral organization and without a cathedral chapter. It is not the official cathedral of the diocese. […]
Process Theology
A theological approach that understands ultimate reality in terms of a dynamic process of becoming and ongoing change. This processive understanding may be contrasted with static notions of being that are based in Aristotelian and scholastic categories. Existence is understood in terms of the mutual interaction of entities, through which change occurs. Process theology is […]
Procession (Liturgical)
A movement of participants in a liturgy from one place to another. The use of processions at the eucharist followed the legalization od Christianity by Constantine in the fourth century. Church services became more formalized with increased participation in Christian liturgies and larger buildings for Christian worship. Services included entrance rites with a procession of […]
Processional Cross
A cross or crucifix mounted on a pol that is carried in a procession by an acolyte or server.
Processions (Trinitarian)
The divine processions of the Son and the Spirit in the immanent (internal) life of God are at the heart of the distinctions of the persons of the Trinity. Christian theology affirms that the Son proceeds from the Father (see Jn 8:42). Western theology has affirmed that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the […]
Profane
Expressing contempt or blasphemous disrespect for God or the sacred. For example, vandalism or desecration of a church is a profane act. The BOS provides a form for the Restoration of Things Profaned. It may be used for the restoration to sacred use of a church building, altar, font, or other consecrated objects that have […]
Professed Member of a Monastic Order
A member of a monastic or religious community who has taken vows. This person has a voice in the chapter (legislative gathering) of the community. Some communities distinguish between the rights of members in temporary vows and those in final vows.
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.