Glossary of Terms
Thomas the Apostle, Saint
Also called Didymus, the twin, Thomas is identified as an apostle in all the lists of the apostles (Mt 10:3, Mk 3:18, Lk 6:15, Acts 1:13), and he has an […]
Thomism
The theological system of St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/25-1275), embodied in his Summa Theologica. Adapting Aristotle's philosophy to Christian revelation, Thomas defined God as Primary Being, in whom alone essence and […]
Thompson, Hugh Miller
(June 5, 1830-Nov. 18, 1902). Bishop and theologian. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland. Thompson came to the United States when he was six years old and later studied at […]
Thomson, Elizabeth Mars Johnson
(Nov. 1807-Apr. 26, 1864). One of the first Episcopal foreign missionaries. She was born in Connecticut to former slave parents. She was a member of the Charitable Society in the […]
Three-Decker Pulpit
A structure in which the clerk's pew was on the lowest level, the officiant's reading pew was on the middle level, and the pulpit was on the highest level. It […]
Throne, Episcopal
The bishop's official and ceremonial seat. It is also known as the cathedra, from the Latin for chair. It is typically located in the cathedral of the diocese. The term […]
Thurible
A small metal pot on chains in which incense is burned during the eucharist and other liturgies. The thurible is also known as a censer. The term is derived from […]
Thurifer
The server or acolyte who carries and swings the thurible in which incense is burned during the eucharist and other liturgies. The thurifer, the celebrant, the deacon, or other ministers […]
Tiffany Window
A stained glass window by the American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933). Tiffany was a native of New York City. He used an original process for making opalescent glass which […]
Tiffany, Charles Comfort
(Oct. 5, 1829-Aug. 20, 1907). Episcopal Church historian. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Tiffany received his M.A. from Dickinson College in 1853. He studied at the Andover Theological Seminary. […]
Timothy
(1 Thes 3:2; see also Rom 16:21). He is credited by Paul with co-authoring Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, and Paul's Letters to the Philippians, the Colossians, and to […]
Tindal, William
(See Tyndale, or Tindal, William.)
Tippet
A large black scarf worn by clergy over surplice and cassock at the Daily Offices. It resembles a stole and is worn around the neck with the ends hanging down […]
Tithe
A tenth of a person's income, usually mandated for sacred purposes. Tithing was a practice in Israel but not unique to Israel. It was well known throughout the ancient Near […]
Titus
(2 Cor 8:23). Titus and Barnabas went with Paul to Jerusalem at the time of the apostolic council (c. 50) (Gal 2:1). This council decided to accept Gentiles as full […]
Tohuku, Missionary District of
The House of Bishops voted on Oct. 27, 1920, to divide the Missionary District of Tokyo and establish the Missionary District of Tohoku. In Apr. 1941 the Missionary District of […]
Tokyo, Missionary District of
The 1872 General Convention established the Missionary District of Yedo in Japan. In 1893 the name was changed to the Missionary District of Tokyo. On Oct. 15, 1925, the name […]
Tonsure
A traditional shaving of the head for monks and diocesan clergy. The tonsure was a point of friction between Celtic and Latin monks in the British Isles of the seventh […]
Tonus Peregrinus
A Latin title for a medieval psalm tone. In translation it means a foreign or wandering tone. In the psalm tone, Tonus peregrinus, there is a different pitch for the […]
Torah
A Hebrew noun coming from the verb “to teach.” It has the basic meaning of teaching or instruction, but it is usually translated law. Although in the OT it can […]
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.