Glossary of Terms
Etheria. See Egeria
(or Etheria or Aetheria), Pilgrim.
Ethics
As a field of study, the subject matter of ethics is the moral life. The moral life itself has been variously understood, although two approaches have most fundamentally defined ethics. […]
Eucharist
The sacrament of Christ's body and blood, and the principal act of Christian worship. The term is from the Greek, “thanksgiving.” Jesus instituted the eucharist “on the night when he […]
Eucharistic Adoration
Adoration of God in prayer “is the lifting up of the heart and mind to God, asking nothing but to enjoy God's presence” (BCP, p. 857). Eucharistic adoration is devotional […]
Eucharistic Canon
The fixed portion of the eucharistic prayer which does not vary with the liturgical season or occasion. See Canon.
Eucharistic Elements
Bread and wine that are consecrated in the eucharist. The bread recalls the work of human hands required to harvest the wheat and make the bread, and the companionship of […]
Eucharistic Prayer
This prayer over the bread and wine at communion begins with the Sursum Corda dialogue and concludes with the doxology and the Great Amen. The prayer is also called The […]
Eucharistic Sacrifice
That which is offered to God in the Holy Communion. The identification of Jesus' sacrifice with the eucharist is derived from the Last Supper, when Jesus identified the bread with […]
Eucharistic Sharing
The sharing of the Holy Communion among members of different churches. Conditions for such admission are defined and stated by each church for itself. See Ecumenical Movement.
Eucharistic Vestments
Traditional liturgical garments worn at the celebration of the eucharist. In medieval times in the western church, priests officiating at the altar wore six garments over the cassock. These were […]
Eutychianism
Heretical teaching about the person of Christ associated with Eutyches (c. 378-454). He was the archimandrite (monastic superior) of a large monastery in Constantinople, and influential at the imperial court […]
Evangelical
Formed from the noun evangel (from the Greek euanggelion, "good news"), it means simply "pertaining to the gospel." Hooker referred to the Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc Dimittis as "Evangelical Hymns" […]
Evangelical Catholic, The
This journal was published biweekly and then weekly from Sept. 13, 1851, until Dec. 30, 1852. It was founded and edited by William Augustus Muhlenberg. It was intended to be […]
Evangelical Catholics
This was a party or style of churchmanship which was advocated primarily by William Augustus Muhlenberg. Muhlenberg developed its ideas in his publication The Evangelical Catholic. An evangelical catholic is […]
Evangelical Movement, Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism first expressed itself in the Episcopal Church during the Great Awakening. From 1811 until 1873, there was a very significant evangelical movement or party within the Episcopal Church. The […]
Evangelical Quarterly, The
It was published by the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, also known as the Evangelical Knowledge Society. It was published in Philadelphia from Jan. 1860, until […]
Evangelism, Evangelist
From the Greek euangelion, "good news." An evangelist is one who tells the story of Jesus. The epistle to the Ephesians (4:11) names evangelists after apostles and prophets in the […]
Evans, Hugh Davey
(Apr. 26, 1792-July 16, 1868). Lay theologian and defender of high church principles. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Evans began to study law when he was eighteen, and entered […]
Eve (liturgical)
The evening or day before a feast or other important celebration. Depending on local customs and practice, the celebration of a feast may begin on the eve of the feast. […]
Evening Prayer
One of the principal Daily Offices. Evening Prayer has been the title for the Evening Office in Anglican worship since the 1552 revision of the Prayer Book. The BCP provides […]
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.