Glossary of Terms
Purification of Women (after childbirth)
The title given in the 1549 BCP to the rite commonly called the Churching of Women. It is derived from the Sarum rite. Its ultimate source is the Jewish rite […]
Purification, Feast of the
See Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, The.
Puritanism
The term has become an epithet without precise meaning. At one time it described a reform movement in the Church of England during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It […]
Pusey Report
See Ministry for Tomorrow; see Board for Theological Education (BTE).
Pusey, Edward Bouverie
(Aug. 22, 1800-Sept. 16, 1882). Tractarian leader. He was born at Pusey, Berkshire, England, and received his B.A. in 1822 and his M.A. in 1825 from Christ Church College, Oxford. […]
Puseyism
” See Tracts for the Times.
Pyx (or Pix)
A small round container or box for consecrated bread that is taken to those who cannot be present for the Eucharist at church. During the first centuries of the church, […]
Quadragesima
Archaic term for the forty days of Lent or the First Sunday in Lent. See Pre-Lent season.
Quaerite Dominum
Canticle 10 of the BCP (pp. 86-87), also known as the Second Song of Isaiah, based on Is 55:6-11. Many OT scholars identify the author of this canticle to be […]
Quicunque Vult
See Athanasian Creed.
Quincy, Diocese of
The 1877 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of Illinois into three dioceses. The three dioceses are Quincy, Springfield, and Chicago. The Diocese of Quincy includes the following counties: […]
Quinquagesima Sunday
See Pre-Lenten Season.
Quintard, Charles Todd
(Dec. 22, 1824-Feb. 15, 1898). Bishop and Educator. He was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and attended Trinity School in New York. In 1847 Quintard received his M.D. degree from University […]
Quire
See Choir.
R (r)
See Response.
Rabat
A vest or shirtfront worn by clergy. It is usually black, and often worn over a white shirt with long sleeves. The clerical collar is attached to the rabat.
Racine College, Racine, Wisconsin
The Episcopal Diocesan Council of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1851, felt the need for an Episcopal college in southeastern Wisconsin, to prepare young men for the seminary at Nashotah House, as […]
Rainsford, William Stephen
(Oct. 30, 1850-Dec. 17, 1933). Priest and social reformer. He was born near Dublin, Ireland. Rainsford received his B.A. from St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1872. He was ordained deacon […]
Rakestraw, Caroline Leiding
(June 28, 1912-Oct. 29, 1993). Broadcast media pioneer for the Episcopal Church. She was a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and served as executive secretary to the Bishop of Atlanta and […]
Ramsey, Michael
(Nov. 14, 1904-Apr. 23, 1988). A significant Anglican theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961 to 1974. His work as a theologian began with The Gospel and the Catholic Church […]
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.