ABC
Archbishop of Canterbury
Acolyte
One who serves at the altar as a servant to the Celebrant. Typical duties assigned to Acolytes are the lighting of candles, the carrying of various items in the processions, assistance at the preparation of Communion, and other duties as assigned by the Celebrant.
Alb
A white linen garment, full-length, and held at the waist with a cincture (girdle). Sometimes worn with an amice, which is an oblong piece of cloth worn around the neck. When the server puts it on, it is first put over and around the head and then pushed back down, so the effect is like the unworn hood on a parka.
Altar
The altar is a symbol of Christ's sacrifice and on it the Celebrant consecrates the bread and wine to be a memorial of Christ's sacrifice.
Anthem
A piece of sacred music set to scriptural words.* In modern Anglican practice, an anthem is generally sung by the choir.
Apologetics
The defense of the Christian faith on intellectual grounds by trained theologians and philosophers.*
Atonement
In Christian theology, man's reconciliation with God through the sacrificial death of Christ.*
Aumbry
A small recess in the wall of a church where (in current usage) the Sacrament is kept.
Baptism
Immersion of a person in water, or application of water by pouring or sprinkling, as a religious rite, symbolical of moral or spiritual purification or regeneration, and, as a Christian ordinance, betokening initiation into the Church.
BCP
Book of Common Prayer. Defines permitted rites in the Anglican churches.
Bishop
One who is consecrated to oversee the life, discipline, and worship of the church. The Bishop oversees a number of churches and is given spiritual authority over the priests and deacons in his/her charge. From the Greek episkopus or overseer.
Blasphemy
Speech, thought, or action manifesting contempt of God.
Cantus firmus
A melody, usually in long notes, played or sung while the other parts are decorating it: e.g. Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'.*
Cassock
The basic long garment, nowadays usually black, worn by clergy (and other ministers, including choirs).
Catechumens In the early Church, those undergoing training and instruction preparatory to Christian Baptism.*
Catholic
A word derived from the Greek katolikos, and meaning 'general' or 'universal'.... in present-day usage, it is employed of those Christians who claim to be in possession of a historical and continuous tradition of faith and practice, as opposed to Protestants, who tend to find their ultimate standards in the Bible as interpreted on the principles of the Reformation...*
Celebrant
The ordained person (usually a Priest or Bishop) that leads a worship gathering. From the term "celebrate" ( A celebrant leads the celebration)
Chasuble
The outermost garment worn by the celebrant at a Eucharist.
Ciborium
A chalice-shaped vessel, with a lid, used to contain the Sacramental Bread of the Eucharist.*
Columbarium
A structure with recessed cavities for storage of ashes of those cremated.
Communion
A reenactment of Christ's last supper with his disciples where he told them to remember his body and blood sacrificed for them in bread and wine. The Communion is open to all baptized Christians.
Cope
A cloak-like outer garment worn by some ministers in procession.
Corporal
A square piece of linen on which the bread and wine are placed and consecrated in the Eucharist.
Cotta
A short form of surplice (q.v.): in Anglican churches often worn by choirs.
Credence
A small table near the altar used to hold the elements and various accessories to the Eucharist.
Dalmatic
The outer garment worn by the Deacon in the Eucharist.
Didache
(From Greek='teaching'.) The elements in primitive Christian apologetic of an instructional kind , as contrasted with Kerygma or 'preaching'.
Deacon
One of the ordained orders of the church. The deacon is given special responsibility to proclaim the Gospel and provide for the poor. From the Greek "diakonos" or "servant".
Dogma
In the accepted Christian meaning...a religious truth established by Divine Revelation and defined by the Church. *
Dogmatics
A system of dogma; a dogmatic theology.
Ecumenical
Belonging to or representing the whole Christian church.
Eisegesis
The process of reading one's own meaning into a text (as opposed to exegesis). Usually perjorative.
Epistemology
The theory or science of the method or grounds of knowledge. The philosophical discipline which examines the nature and validity of human cognition.
Eschatology
The study of 'last things': the 'four last things' are usually death, judgement, heaven, and hell.
Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving wherein the congregation joins together to offer to God a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. The Eucharist always includes a celebration of Holy Communion and the reading of Holy Scripture.
Exegesis
The act of explaining a sacred text. [test]
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Hermeneutics
The science of the methods of exegesis.
Heterodox
Not in accordance with established doctrines or opinions, or those generally recognized as right or 'orthodox'.
Homiletics
The art of preaching; sacred rhetoric.
Hymn
Sacred poetry set to music and sung in the course of the services of the church.* In modern Anglican practice, hymns are generally sung by the congregation.
Kerygma
(From Greek='preaching') The element of proclamation in Christian apologetic, as contrasted with Didache, or its instructional aspects. *
Koinonia
Fellowship of body of believers), community.
Logos
In Greek 'word' or 'reason'. In the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ.
Metanoia Conversion.
(Meta=change, noia=mind, heart.)
Numinous Divine,
spiritual, revealing or suggesting the presence of a god; inspiring awe and reverence.
Ontology
The science or study of being; that department of metaphysics which relates to the being or essence of things, or to being in the abstract.
Ordinary
(1) in canon law, an ecclesiastic in the exercise of the jurisdiction permanently and irremovably annexed to his office. In Anglican churches, the Diocesan. (2) of the Mass: the portions of the Mass which are invariant regardless of the calendar. The Canon of the Mass, and the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Lord's Prayer, etc. In distinction to the Proper(s).
Orthodox
1. Holding 'right' or 'correct' opinions. 2. Referring to the Eastern Church.
Paraclete
The Holy Spirit (in the Gospel of John).
Paradise
(In the New Testament): either the intermediate state just before the Resurrection, or a synonym for the heaven of the blessed.
Parousia
The judgement time, when god is all and all.
Paten
The dish on which the Bread is placed at the Eucharist.
Piscina
A niche in the wall...for the ablutions of the priests hands and of the chalice and paten at Mass. It...has a drain connected with the earth, to receive the water used for the ceremonies. *
Plainchant Monophonic
unaccompanied singing of the psalms, the Ordinary, or other sacred texts.
Pneumatology
The science, doctrine, or theory of spirits or spiritual beings... and comprehending the doctrine of God as known by natural reason, of angels and demons, and of the human soul.
Pointing
The process of assigning text syllables to notes in Anglican chant or plainchant.
Proper(s)
The portions of the Mass which vary by calendar: the Psalm, the lessons, the Proper Preface.
Pyx
The small box used to contain the Blessed Sacrament when taking communion to the sick.
RCL
Revised Common Lectionary. As opposed (slightly) to the Eucharistic Lectionary in the 1979 ECUSA BCP.
Septuagint
"The LXX". The most influential of the Greek versions of the Old Testament. (Involved 72 translators, hence "LXX".) (*)
Sheol
In the Old Testament, the underworld, the place of the departed spirits. *
Soteriology
The section of Christian theology which treats of the saving work of Christ for the world. It includes not only the doctrines of Atonement and Grace, but also (a) the doctrine of human nature as affected by the fall and by sin..., and (b) the doctrine of man's final destiny as a result of that work.*
Surplice
A liturgical vestment of white linen, with wide sleeves.* It is relatively long, (in distinction to the Cotta), reaching nearly to the feet.
Synergism
The teaching ...that in the act of conversion the human will can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and God's grace.
Synoptic Gospels
Matthew, Mark and Luke, having a large amount of common narrative and quotations.
Theodicy
Vindication of the divine attributes, esp. justice and holiness, in respect to the existence of evil; a writing, doctrine, or theory intended to 'justify the ways of God to men'.
Thurible
A metal container used to contain, and distribute, incense. The bearer of the Thurible is called the Thurifer.
Tippet
A broad black scarf worn by Anglican clergy in choir over the surplice.
Transcendence Of the Deity:
The attribute of being above and independent of the universe; distinguished from immanence.
Tunicle
The outer garment worn by the Subdeacon in the Eucharist.
Verger
Strictly the official who carries a mace or 'verge' (Lat. virga) before a dignitary. Today the term is commonly used for one who takes care of the interior fabric of the church.
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