Glossary of Terms
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 […]
Religious House
A place of residence for a religious community or a branch house operated by or for a religious order. The term may be used as a synonym for a monastery or convent, but it normally denotes a place of prayer or retreat which may or may not be administered by a religious community. The House […]
Religious Life
The life that is lived under the obligation of the traditional vows in a religious community. In a broad sense it may designate the life of any person that is lived in awareness of God. See Conference on the Religious Life in the Anglican Communion in the Americas, The; see Monastic.
Religious Order
A society of Christians who voluntarily commit themselves for life or a term of years to living a celibate life in community, holding possessions in common with other community members, and obeying the rule or constitution of the community. A religious order must have at least six professed members to be officially recognized in the […]
Reliquary
A container for religious relics. It is used to protect and exhibit the relic. Reliquaries have often been made of precious metals or other costly materials or glass. Some reliquaries have been elaborately decorated with enamel, jewels, or paintings. Reliquaries have been made in a variety of shapes, including caskets, boxes, churches, gabled buildings, crosses, […]
Remigius of Reims
(c. 438-c. 533). “Apostle of the Franks.” He was born in Laon, France. At the age of twenty-two he was consecrated the Bishop of Reims. Remigius is remembered for converting Clovis, King of the Franks, to Christianity. Through Remigius's efforts, the Franks were converted to Nicene Christianity rather than Arian Christianity. Remigius baptized Clovis and […]
Remission of Sins
To remit is to refrain from enforcing a punishment. Remission of sins generally means forgiveness and absolution of sins. However, the suggestion of remitted punishment recalls a juridical understanding of sin and forgiveness that is no longer emphasized in the Episcopal Church. The “absolution and remission” of sins is pronounced after the general confession of […]
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.