Glossary of Terms

Conversion

An experience or process whereby an individual comes to belief in Christ as Savior and Lord. In Protestant Christianity, conversion usually emphasizes an adult experience of sudden or dramatic change. Nevertheless, many Christians are brought to belief in Christ as Lord through a gradual process of growth in the Christian life. In Benedictine monasticism, conversion […]

Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, The

The conversion of Paul to Christianity is so important that the story is told three times in Acts, and Paul mentions the experience three times in his letters. An observance of Paul's conversion is mentioned in some calendars from the eighth and ninth centuries. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) ordered that it be observed with great […]

Convocation

1) In the Episcopal Church, a meeting of clergy and lay representatives from a section or area of a diocese. The term may also indicate the section or area of the diocese that is represented by the assembly. The name may be used by other church gatherings or assemblies. 2) In the Church of England, […]

Convocation of American Churches in Europe

The convocation is under the jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop. Its history goes back to 1859, when an American Episcopal congregation in Paris, France, was recognized by the Episcopal Church as a parish. Over the years the number of Episcopal parishes in Europe increased. At various times the American churches in Europe were assigned to […]

Cooper, Susan Augusta Fenimore

(Apr. 17, 1813-Dec. 31, 1894). Author and churchwoman. She was born in Heathcote Hill, Mamaroneck, New York, and privately educated. She was the daughter of the novelist James Fenimore Cooper, who wrote The Last of the Mohicans (1826) and The Deerslayer (1841). In 1850 she published Rural Hours, which was a very successful nature diary, […]

Cornelius the Centurion

He and his household were the first known Gentile converts to the Christian faith. Cornelius was stationed at Caesarea in Palestine. The story of the conversion and baptism of Cornelius and his household is recorded in Acts 10:1-11:18. Their conversion and baptism served as a precedent in resolving the question whether a Gentile must first […]

Corporeal Presence

A term stating that Christ is physically present in the consecrated elements of the eucharist. It is not to be confused with the doctrine of the “real presence,” which holds that Christ is truly present in the consecrated elements but in a spiritual, nonphysical manner.

Corpus Christi, Feast of

This feast commemorates the institution of the eucharist by Jesus on the night of his betrayal and arrest. It is often associated with a festive procession that follows the celebration of the eucharist. A consecrated host in a monstrance is prominently displayed in this procession. It is treated as the triumphant Christ the King. […]

Corrigan, Daniel

(Oct. 25, 1900-Sept. 21, 1994). One of three bishops who first ordained women. He was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and received his B.D. from Nashotah House in 1925. He was ordained deacon on June 1, 1924, and priest on May 21, 1925. He was rector of St. John the Baptist Church, Portage, Wisconsin, 1925-1931; Zion […]

Costa Rica, Missionary District of

The House of Bishops created the Missionary District of Costa Rica on Sept. 18, 1967. It was a Missionary District of the Episcopal Church until Sept. 1976, when the General Convention voted to make it an Extra-Provincial Diocese related to Province 9.

Course of Ecclesiastical Studies

” As early as 1801, the House of Deputies had tried to standardize the academic preparation of candidates for ordination by requesting the House of Bishops to prepare an official course of theological studies. This was necessary since there were no Episcopal theological seminaries at the time. Presiding Bishop William White drew up such a […]

Court for the Trial of a Bishop

It has original jurisdiction to try all Presentments made against a bishop which have been approved for trial by the Board of Inquiry, which is a body serving to conduct a Preliminary Hearing on charges. The court consists of nine bishops, three of whom shall be elected at each General Convention by the House of […]

Court of Review of the Trial of a Bishop

The court has appellate jurisdiction to hear all appeals from a convicted bishop. In cases involving holding and teaching doctrine contrary to that of the church, it may hear appeals from the church attorney in cases of acquittal. In the latter case, the appeal is only as to questions of law and cannot reverse a […]

Covenant

A binding agreement that is freely entered into by two or more parties. The parties to this solemn agreement may be individuals or groups of people. They may be of equal or unequal status. A covenant also typically includes terms, oaths, and a ritual enactment (possibly a sacrifice, a meal, an exchange, or even a […]

Coverdale, Miles

(1488-Jan. 20, 1569). Reformation-era Bible translator. He was probably born in what is called Cover-dale in that part of Yorkshire known as Richmondshire. He studied at Cambridge and was ordained priest in 1514. He joined the Augustinian Friars at Cambridge, where Robert Barnes, later a Protestant, was the prior. Coverdale left the monastery in 1526. […]

Coverdale’s Bible

The first completed Bible printed in English, translated by Miles Coverdale. It was produced on the Continent and issued in 1535. This translation was based on the Vulgate, Luther's German translation of the Bible, and William Tyndale's translations of the Pentateuch, Jonah, and the NT. This Bible provided a basis for the Great Bible (1539), […]

Cowley Fathers

” See Society of St. John the Evangelist, The (SSJE) (Cowley Fathers).

Cowley Publications

The publishing ministry of the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE), an Anglican religious order for men. Cowley Publications was founded in 1979 by M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, and James Madden, SSJE, to revive the educational work of their order, which was then widely known as the Cowley Fathers. Cynthia Shattuck, a seminary-educated lay […]

Cowper, William

(Nov. 15, 1731-Apr. 25, 1800). British poet and hymn-writer. His life was marred by deep melancholy which began in his school days at Westminster School and oppressed him until his death. During Cowper's residency at Olney he established a creative, strong friendship with the Rev. John Newton who encouraged his hymn writing. Sixty-eight of his […]

Coxe, Arthur Cleveland

(May 10, 1818-July 20, 1896). Leading figure of the high church party. He was born in Mendham, New Jersey. He graduated from the University of New York in 1838 and then from General Theological Seminary in 1841. He was ordained deacon on June 27, 1841, and priest on Sept. 25, 1842. He was rector of […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms