Glossary of Terms

Lambeth Palace

The London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for seven centuries. It is located on the Thames Embankment opposite the Houses of Parliament, and it has been the location of […]

Lamp, The

First published on Feb. 2, 1903, by the Rev. Paul James Francis Wattson of the Society of the Atonement, it was the voice of the pro-Roman high church party of […]

Lappets

In ecclesiastical usage, these are the pendant bands or flaps on a clerical vestment or headdress, especially a mitre.

Laramie, Missionary District of

The 1889 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of Nebraska and create the Missionary District of The Platte. From Oct. 20, 1898, until Oct. 10, 1907, it was known […]

Last Gospel, The

” The reading of a gospel passage, typically the prologue to the Gospel of John (1:1-18), at the end of the Latin Mass. The practice dates from medieval times. It […]

Sacramental ministry to a dying Christian, which may include confession and absolution, laying on of hands, anointing (extreme unction), and communion. The dying received communion as viaticum, or sustenance for […]

Last Supper

The term “Last Supper” does not appear in the NT. It is used to refer to the supper which Jesus ate with his disciples on the evening before his crucifixion. […]

Latimer, Hugh

(1490-Oct. 16, 1555). Bishop and Reformation leader. He was born in Thurcaston, Leicestershire, England, and studied at Cambridge University. At first he was a bitter opponent of the Reformation. Consecrated […]

Latitudinarian, Latitudinarianism

Spiritual descendants of sixteenth-century humanists like Erasmus and the ancestors of the nineteenth-century broad church party. The middle years of the seventeenth century in England were marked by religious civil […]

Latria

This technical term is for the worship which is rightfully given to God alone, as distinguished from the appropriate veneration of the saints (dulia) or of images such as icons […]

Laud, William

(Oct. 6, 1573-Jan. 10, 1645). Archbishop of Canterbury and the chief theological advisor of kings Charles I and Charles II of England. Laud was born in Reading, England. He studied […]

Lauds

The ancient service at daybreak in the monastic round of daily prayer. This morning service of praise always included Psalms 148-150, in which the Latin word “laudate” (praise) is frequently […]

Laurence

(or Lawrence), Saint (d. Aug. 10, 258). Deacon and martyr. Laurence was ordained a deacon by Pope Sixtus II. He was made chief of the seven deacons in Rome. When […]

Laus tibi

Praise to you, Lord Christ.” The term is from the opening words of the statement in Latin. It is the people's response to the gospel at the eucharist (BCP, p. […]

Lavabo

Ceremonial cleansing of the celebrant’s hands at the offertory of the eucharist. The term is from the Latin, “I will wash,” taken from the opening of Ps 26:6, “I will […]

Law, William

(1686-Apr. 9, 1761). Spiritual writer, priest, and Non-Juror. Law is most famous as the author of A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1728), which is a call […]

Lawrence, Charles Radford II

(May 2, 1915-Apr. 3, 1986). The first African American president of the House of Deputies. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Lawrence received his B.A. from Morehouse College in 1936, […]

Lawrence, William

(May 30, 1850- Nov. 6, 1941). Bishop, educator, fund-raiser, and primary founder of the Church Pension Fund. He articulated a theology of Christian stewardship known as the “Gospel of Wealth.” […]

Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM)

Lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration […]

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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.

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church