Glossary of Terms
Aaronic Blessing
Prayer of blessing drawn from Nm 6:24-26. An optional blessing at the close of An Order of Worship for the Evening (BCP, p. 114). The form of committal in the […]
Abbess
Female leader or superior of a religious community, usually a community following the Benedictine Rule. In community matters, the abbess has the same authority as an abbot, but without the […]
Abbey
A monastic community of religious persons along with the buildings of the community. The abbey consists of monks ruled by an abbot, or of nuns under an abbess. Abbeys are […]
Abbot
Male leader or superior of a religious community. The title is derived from the Latin abbas or the Aramaic abba, “Father.” The abbot functions as the “father” of the community. […]
Abjuration
A solemn renunciation of any belief, thing, or person to which one was previously loyal. This formal retraction of errors, made before witnesses, often concerned matters of apostasy, heresy, or […]
Abjure
See Abjuration.
Ablutions
Liturgical and ceremonial cleaning of the paten and chalice with water, or with water and wine, following the communion of the people at the Holy Eucharist. If the consecrated bread […]
Absalom Jones Theological Institute
A unit of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, from 1972 to 1978. Named for the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church, it was to be a resource institution […]
Absolution
The formal act by a bishop or priest of pronouncing God’s forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. The absolution of sins reflects the ministry of reconciliation committed by Christ to […]
Abstinence, Days of
See Days of Abstinence.
Acclamation
A salutation or greeting in the opening dialogue of the eucharistic liturgy arranged by versicle and response and varied according to the liturgical season. The memorial acclamation is a congregational […]
Acolyte
In contemporary Anglicanism, a general term which covers not only servers, torchbearers, and lighters of candles but also crucifers, thurifers, and banner-bearers. Acolytes are mentioned as a minor order (along […]
Adams, William
(July 3, 1813-Jan. 2, 1897). One of the founders of Nashotah House, he was born in Monaghan, Ireland, and received his B.A. in 1836 from Trinity College, Dublin. In 1838 […]
Addison, James Thayer
(Mar. 21, 1887-Feb. 13, 1953). A leader and authority in overseas missionary work, Addison was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and received his B.A. from Harvard in 1909. He received his […]
Adiaphora
From the Greek, “things indifferent,” matters which can be accepted or rejected without prejudice to belief. Such practices or beliefs may be tolerated or permitted, but may not be required […]
Adonai
A Hebrew word literally meaning “my lord,” or simply “lord.” It is frequently used in the OT to refer to human lords. However, in the period following the Exile when […]
Adoptionism
The teaching that Jesus was born an “ordinary man” who lived an exemplary life pleasing to God and was consequently “adopted” by God as the divine Son. The moment of […]
Adoration
An expression of supreme love and worship for God alone. Adoration, one of the six principal kinds of prayer, “is the lifting up of the heart and mind to God, […]
Advent
The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for […]
Advent Festival of Lessons and Music
A service held during the pre-Christmas Advent season in which the reading of the scriptural history of salvation from the creation to the coming of Christ is interspersed with the […]
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.