An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms


Holy Mysteries

An early name for the eucharistic liturgy. The term has several overlapping meanings: the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection, the mystery of faith, the sacraments, and the truth that passes all rational understanding.

Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The

Celebration on Jan. 1, the eighth day after the birth of Jesus, when he was named and circumcised. He was "called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb" (Lk 2:21). Under the Law of Moses, all male infants were to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth […]

Holy Oil

See Chrism; see Oil, Holy.

Holy Orders

The ordained ministries of bishops, priests (presbyters), and deacons. Canonical provisions concerning ordination to these three orders are equally applicable to men and women in the Episcopal Church.

Holy Saturday

The Saturday after Good Friday, which recalls the day when the crucified Christ visited among the dead while his body lay in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. In the Episcopal Church there is no eucharist on Holy Saturday. The BCP provides a simple liturgy of the word with collect and readings for the Holy […]

Holy Spirit

The third person of the Trinity. In the OT, “spirit” was primarily used to express God's power in the world. In the NT, Jesus is called the Christ because he is the one anointed by the Spirit. The gift of the Spirit to Jesus' disciples after the crucifixion is associated with the post-resurrection appearances of […]

Holy Spirit, Gifts of

See Gifts of the Spirit.

Holy Table

The altar, also known as the Lord's table. The term “holy table” has been used by those seeking to emphasize the eucharist as a shared meal. All three terms are used with the same meaning in the Prayer Book (see BCP, pp. 354, 361).

Holy Water

Water that has been blessed for religious and devotional use. It may symbolize purification, blessing, dedication, and renewal of the baptismal covenant. An aspergillum (tube with holes) or a small branch of a tree or shrub may be used to sprinkle holy water during a church service or at other times. It is especially appropriate […]

Holy Week

From early times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion. As the pilgrim Egeria recorded in the late fourth century, Jerusalem contained many sacred places that were sites for devotion and liturgy. Numerous pilgrims to the holy city followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed […]

Homilist

The person who preaches the homily or sermon.

Homily

See Sermon.

Homoiousios

The term is from the Greek homoi, “similar,” and ousia “being,” meaning “of similar being.” It is associated with the Arian understanding of the relation between the Father and the Son (or Word). Arius understood Father and Son to be of similar-but not identical-being or essence. Although Father and Son were considered to be in […]

Homoousios

This term is from the Greek homo (same or identical), and ousia (being or essence). It is the word translated in the English version of the Nicene Creed as “being of one substance” (BCP, p. 327, Rite 1) or “of one Being” (BCP, p. 358, Rite 2). After lengthy debate at the Council of Nicaea […]

Honduras, Diocese of

The General Convention of 1967 divided the Missionary District of Central America into five Missionary Districts: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Honduras became a diocese in 1985.

Honolulu, Missionary District of

It was formed by the General Convention on Oct. 15, 1901, and reconstituted by the General Convention as the Diocese of Hawaii on Sept. 4, 1969.

Hood, Academic

A flowing, stylized hood that drapes over the shoulders and back of the wearer. It is an academic insignia. The wearer's academic degree and institution are indicated by the size, cut, and trim material of the hood. It was worn over the gown in medieval academic dress. Anglican preachers have worn the hood with scarf […]

Hooker, Richard

(c. 1554-Nov. 2, 1600). Theologian and leading advocate of Anglicanism. Hooker was born in Heavitree, Devonshire, near Exeter. In 1568 Hooker entered Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He received his B.A. in 1574 and his M.A. in 1577. In 1577 he was chosen fellow of his college. In 1579 he was named reader in Hebrew for […]

Hopkins, John Henry

(Jan. 30, 1792-Jan. 9, 1868). Eighth Presiding Bishop. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1800. Educated privately, he began work in 1813 as a superintendent of ironworks near Pittsburgh. Although not yet ordained, he was called in 1823 as rector of Calvary Church, Pittsburgh, where he was temporary […]

Horrocks, James

(c. 1734-Nov. 20, 1772). Commissary to Virginia and sixth president of the College of William and Mary. He was probably born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. Horrocks received his B.A. in 1755 and his M.A. in 1758 from Trinity College, Cambridge University. After his ordination he was licensed to preach in Virginia in 1761. In 1762 […]

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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.