Antiphon
A verse sung before and usually after a psalm, canticle, or hymn text. It is often drawn from scripture (especially the psalms) and is appropriate to the liturgical season or occasion. The BCP (p. 141) provides that antiphons may be used with the psalms of the Daily Office. These antiphons may be drawn from the psalms, or from the opening sentences in the Daily Offices, or from other passages of scripture. The BOS suggests antiphons for use on special occasions such as the Stripping of the Altar on Maundy Thursday, the last stage of a Candlemas procession, and the welcoming procession for the new bishop at the Recognition and Investiture of a Diocesan Bishop. Hymns such as “This is the feast of victory for our God” (417, 418), “Remember your servants, Lord” (560), and “Where true charity and love dwell” (606) are sung with antiphons.
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.