Glossary of Terms
Talbot, John
(1645-Nov. 29, 1727). Leading advocate for a bishop for the American colonies. He was born in Wymondham, Norfolk, England. Talbot studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he received his B.A. […]
Talbot, Joseph Cruikshank
(Sept. 5, 1816-Jan. 15, 1883). Missionary Bishop of the Northwest. He was born in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1835 Talbot moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1837 was confirmed in the […]
Tallis, Thomas
(c. 1505-1585). Musician and composer, often called the “father of English Church music.” Tallis was possibly born in Kent, England. His early years as a musician were spent in the […]
Tantum Ergo
See Pange Lingua.
Taylor, Jeremy
(Aug. 15, 1613-Aug. 13, 1667). Leader among the “Caroline Divines.” He was born in Cambridge, England. Taylor studied at Gonville and Gaius College, Cambridge. He was ordained in 1633. He […]
Te Deum laudamus
Canticle of praise named for its opening words in Latin. It appears as Canticles 7 and 21 in the BCP (pp. 52-53, 95-96). The traditional language Canticle 7 is also […]
Team Ministry
A cooperative approach to parish ministry in which the entire ministry team shares responsibility for formulating the overall vision of ministry. The ministry team may include youth ministers, Christian education […]
Temple, William
(Oct. 15, 1881-Oct. 26, 1944). The only son of an Archbishop of Canterbury to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was born in Exeter, England. Temple was educated at Rugby […]
Temporale
The section of a service book such as a missal or breviary that provided the variable portions of services for seasons of the church year that were centered on the […]
Ten Commandments, The
The commands, also known as the decalogue or Ten Words, given by God at Sinai in connection with the making of the covenant (Ex 20:1-17). Another slightly different version appears […]
Tenebrae
This form of the monastic office (matins and lauds) is commonly adapted for congregational use during Holy Week. The office is structured around psalms, readings, and responsories. A distinguishing characteristic […]
Tennessee, Diocese of
The primary convention of the Diocese of Tennessee was held in Nashville on July 1-2, 1829. The 1982 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of Tennessee into the dioceses […]
Terce, Sext, None
Traditional monastic offices that were recited at 9 a.m., “the third hour” (terce), 12 noon, “the sixth hour” (sext), and 3 p.m., “the ninth hour” (none). These canonical hours of […]
Teresa of Avila
(Mar. 28, 1515-Oct. 4, 1582). Monastic reformer. She was born in Avila, Spain. In 1534 Teresa entered the monastery of the Incarnation of the Carmelite nuns in Avila. While a […]
Tertiary
A member of a third order of a religious community. See Third Order.
Terwilliger, Robert Elwin
(Aug. 28, 1917-June 3, 1991). Bishop and founding director of Trinity Institute, New York. He was born in Cortland, New York. He received his B.A. from Syracuse University in 1939, […]
Tetragrammaton
A word from Greek meaning “four letters.” It refers to the four consonants of the biblical name of God, Yahweh, YHWH. From ancient times it was considered too sacred to […]
Texas, Diocese of
From Dec. 8, 1838, until Oct. 16, 1841, the Republic of Texas was under the episcopal jurisdiction of Leonidas Polk, Missionary Bishop of Arkansas and the Indian Territory. Texas was […]
Th.D.
( The Doctor of Theology degree presupposes a first theological degree and is to equip persons for teaching and research in theological seminaries, colleges, and universities.
Th.M.
The Master of Theology degree presupposes the M. Div. degree and is an academic program stressing fuller mastery of resources in one of the theological disciplines.
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.