|
|
|
» HOME
»ABOUT ME
»THE CHURCH YEAR
»LITURGICAL GLOSSARY
»MY BLOG
»PRAYER
»FUN LINKS
»SOURCES
»MY SCHOOL CALENDAR
»CONTACT ME
»MY GUESTBOOK
|
Liturgical Glossary
Acolyte: Usually a young man or boy who lights and extinguishes the altar candles. The acolyte is vested in cassock and cotta (or surplice).
Agenda: One of the names given books containing the orders or rights of the divine services, primarily intended for the use of the clergy.
Agnus Dei: Lamb of God.
Alb: A long white linen vestmant properly owrn at teh celebration of Holy Communion and usually worn over a cassock.
Alleluia: Praise the Lord (Greek).
Amen: So be it.
Amice: A linen clerical vestment worn about the neck and shoulders over a cassock and under an alb.
Antiphon: A piece of devotional verse or prose responsively sung.
Apse: The semicircular or polygonal space at the end of the nave, chancel, or the end of an aisle or transept.
Athanasian Creed: The third ecumenical creed, ascribed to Athanasius.
Baptistry: The place containing the font, where baptism is administered; it is often built near the entrance of churches in a separate bay or apse which is below the level of the Church itslef; in Italy some of the Churches have separate buildings as baptistries.
Benedicamus: Bless We; The portion of the Liturgy which occurs right before the Benediction.
Benedictus: Latin for 'blessed'; The Song of Zacharias, Luke 1:68-79.
Bidding Prayer:: Prayer with petitions for specified objects or classes of persons.
Breviary: The book(s) for praying the Divine Office, or canonical hours.
Burse: A container for storing the corporal, purificators, and other linens and for carrying them to and from the alter for Holy Communion.
Cantate: Latin opening of Introit: Oh, sing.
Capitulum: "Little Chapter": the verse or brief passage of Holy Scripture read at certain canonical hours
Cassock: A long black garment worn by clergy and others.
Cathedral: (from cathedra, Latin: chair) the sear of a bishop; hence the principal church of a diocese; not simply a large church.
Celebrant: The officiating minister of the Eucharist.
Censer: The vessel in which incense is burned during the services of the Church, or out of service-time; the other name for it is "thurible"; cf Rev 8:3-5, where incense is symbolical of the "prayers of the saints".
Cerecloth: A wax-treated linen cloth placed over the first mensa of the altar and under the altar cloths.
Ceremonial: The prescribed action(s) or movement(s) which accompany a rite or a part of the Liturgy; or, the total actions which accompany the service.
Chalice: The liturgical cup used in the celebration of the Holy Communion; where small cups are used for giving communion to the people, there ought always to be a chalice on the altar for the consecration of the sacrament; for the communion of the people their should also be a chalice with a pouring lip.
Chalice Veil: The small cloth with which the Communion chalice is vested, or covered, before and after the consecration and distribution of the elements.
Chancel: The east end of a church, above and beyond the nave and beyond the chancel rail.
Chancel Rail: The rail separating nave and chancel or choir and sanctuary where worshipers kneel to receive Holy Communion.
Chantry: A chapel or altar which as been endowed "for the maintenance of priests who shall perform services"; a small chapel annexed to a church.
Chasuble: The principal vestment traditionally worn at the celebration of the Holy Communion; over alb and stole.
Chrisom: A white cloth, robe, or mantle thrown over a child when baptized; a sign of innocence, the innocence of Christ, appropriated in Holy Baptism.
Ciborium: 1) A vessel used for storing or in distributing the host in Holy Communion; 2) A canopy above the altar.
Cincture: A cord or band with which alb and cassock are girded.
Collect: A short prayer of the Church with a fixed form or pattern.
Complin: The service which completes the day; see Prayer Offices page for a history of Complin.
Cope: An ornaments cloak usually made in the liturgical colors and worn over an alb or surplice.
Corpus: A carved figure attached to a cross in representation of Christ, which emphasizes that Christ became man to be our Redeemer and Lord.
Cotta: A vestment like a surplice, but shorter, and worn over a cassock.
Credence: A table or shelf on the south wall of the sanctuary for use in the Communion service.
Creed: A statement of faith.
Crosier: A pastoral staff or crook of a bishop or abbot.
Crucifer: One who carries a processional crucifix or cross.
Cruet: A crystal or glass vessel used as a container for wine or water in the Communion service.
Day Hours: Thos of the canonical hours said in the daytime, viz., Terce (9:00), Sext (noon), and Nones (3:00).
Day Offices: A term denoting Matins and Evensong in the Church of England, where their daily recitation is incumbent upon the clery; by analogy, Matins and Vespers of the Common Service Book.
Deacon: 1) Liturgical: The principal assistant to the celevrant at a liturgical function; his ministerial grade may be the same as his liturgical office; or, as is more generally the case, he may be of the grade of presbyter or fully-ordained clergyman; 2) A member of the vestry or Church-council in a local church; 3) in Europe; a lay-servant of the church, engaged in merciful work; analogous to a deaconess.
Deprecation: A prayer that evil may be removed or turned away from us.
Descant: A melody which is complementary to the principal melody in plain chant or other forms of music; some of the more familiar hymn tunes are occasionally preformed with a descant (also spelled Discant).
Dorsal: A permanent hanging back of and above the altar.
Dossal: A permanent hanging back of and above the altar.
Doxology: An exultant hymn or psalm of praise to God, especially to God as triune.
Eleison: Have mercy.
Embolism: The liturgical expansion of the last petition of our Lord's Prayer in the Mass: e.g., "Deliver us from all evils, O Lord, past, present, and to come; and ...mercifully grant peace in our days..." the Embolism follows the Amen said after the last petition of the Lord's Prayer (Used in the Roman rite).
Epiclesis: A greek word: "invocation"; used of the prayer in the Dicine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church in which the Holy Spirit of God is invoked upon the elements "that they may become the Body of the Lord and His precious Blood. It is by the Epiclesis, rather than by the recitation of the Verba, that the consecration is effected, although the Orthodox do not like to point to any one time of consecration; they prefer to ascribe this to the whole action of the Divine Liturgy.
Epiphany: The word for manifestation in Greek.
Epistle Side: The right, or south, side as you face the altar.
Eucharist: Greek for 'thanksgiving;' The Holy Communion Service, the Holy Eucharist.
Exaudi: Latin opening of Introit "Hear, O Lord."
Exorcism: In Holy Baptism, the ceremonial act of casting out the devil by prayer and the sign of the cross.
Exultemus: Let us sing.
Fair Linen: The top linen on the altar, symbolizing the winding sheet used in the burial of our Lord's body.
Fall: A name sometimes used for the paraments on altar, pulpit, and lectern.
Flagon: A covered vessel into which wine is poured for use in the Holy Communion Service.
Frontal: An ornamented hanging or parament covering the entire front of the altar.
Gaudete: Latin opening of Introit "Rejoice."
Genuflection: A bending of the right knee to the floor in reverence to Christ, but distinguished from kneeling.
Gloria in Excelsis: Glory in the highest; the Greater Doxology.
Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father; the Lesser Doxology.
Gospel Side: The left, or north, side as you face the altar.
Gradine: A step or shelf behind and higher than the altar mensa, on which the crucifix, candlesticks, and flowers may stand.
Gradual: Response fo praise between the Epistle and Gospel.
Hallelujah: Praise the Lord (Hebrew).
Hosanna: Save now, we pray (Hebrew). An exclamation of praise.
Intercession: A prayer in behalf of others.
Introit: Entrance, or opening psalm or sentences.
Invitatory: Psalm sung at the beginning of Matins.
Invocavit: Latin opening of Introit "He shall call upon me."
Jubilate: Latin opening of Introit "Make a joyful noise."
Judica: Latin opening of Introit "Judge Me."
Kyrie: O Lord.
Laetare: Latin opening of Introit "Rejoice ye."
Lauds: The second of the "canonical hours"; it was frequently said with Matins, eventually forming one office.
Lavabo: 1) 'I shall wash' comes from words out of the 26th Psalm which the Pastor recites during the ceremony, 'I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD'; 2) A ceremonal wash basin in which the Pastor washes his hands before the Eucharist.
Lectern: A stand at which the lessons are read in worship services.
Lection: A lesson or reading from Holy Scripture, appointed for the services of the Church; the lections are indicated in the Lectionaries.
Lectionary: The table of Lessons from Holy Scripture for the Sundays and Festivals of the Church Year.
Litany: A form of liturgical prayer, related to the General Prayer.
Little Hours: Another name for three of the Canonical Hours: Terce, Sext, and Nones; the name derives from the brevity of these prayer-services.
Liturgy: Greek: "a public work"; 1) the whole system of services, seasons, ceremonies, etc, of a Church; 2) the Book containing the church-services; 3) the service of the Eucharist; the "Divine Liturgy," the Mass; this might easily be counted No. 1.
Magnificat: Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55.
Mass: The Holy Communion service.
Matins: The early morning service.
Mensa: The top of the altar.
Misericordias Domini: Latin opening of Introit "The goodness of God."
Missal: A book containing the propers and ordinary for the church year and intended for use at the altar.
Missal Stand: The desk on which the service book rests on the altar during public worship.
Miter: The liturgical hat of a bishop.
Narthex: The vestibule or entrance hall of a church building.
Nave: From the Latin word for "ship," referring to the ark of salvation; hence, the body of the Church, where the faithful are during the public liturgy; approaching the church from the entrance the divisions are: narthex, nave, choir, and sanctuary.
Nicene Creed: Creed adopted by the Council of Nicaea, AD 325.
Nunc Dimittis: Simeon's song, Luke 2:29-32.
Oblation: An offering or sacrifice.
Octave: The first and following seven days for the celebration of a major feast.
Oculi: Latin opening of Itroit "Mine eyes."
Offertory: Offering (Latin); having received the Word, we offer ourselves to God.
Officiant: The conductor or leader of a minor service.
Ordinary: The invariable parts of the liturgy.
Orphrey: An ornamental band or border of a parament or vestment.
Pall: A cover for a chalice or a coffin.
Palmarum: Sunday of Palms (Palm Sunday); the Sunday of Holy Week.
Paschal candle: A special candle lighted on Easter Eve and extinguished on the feast of the Ascension.
Paten: A plate for distribution of the host in the Holy Communion service.
Pax: 1) Name for the alutation after the words of Institution in the Eucharist, "The Peace of the Lord be with you alway;" 2) the ceremonial kiss of peace in the earliy Liturgies.
Pax Domini: The peace of the Lord.
Penitential Psalms: Those Psalms of a penitential spirit: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143; they are specially appointed for use in Lent, and at other times of penitence.
Pentecost: Fiftieth Day; The major festival which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church; the seventh Lord's Day afer Easter; another name for Pentecost is Whit-Sunday; Pentecose corresponds to a Jewish Feast of the same name, as Easter does to Passover.
Pericope: A system of lessons appointed for the Sundays and festivals of the Church year.
Preces: Prayers in the form of versicles and responses, such as the suffrages.
Preface: The introduction of the Communion Service.
Propers: The variable parts of the liturgy.
Purificator: A small napkin used to cleanse the rim of the chalice during the distribution of Holy Communion.
Pyx: Another type of ciborium, or vessel for the Host.
Quadragesima: Forty; another Latin name for the season of Lent, which is about forty days in length.
Quasimodogeniti: Latin opening of Introit "As newborn babes."
Quicunque Vult: The proper name for the creed attributed to Athanasius, the Athanasian Creed.
Quinquagesima: Fiftieth; the last Sunday before Lent.
Reminiscere: Latin opening of Introit "Remember, O Lord."
Reredos: An architectural ornament of wood or stone erected behind the altar.
Responsory: A response sung after or during a lesson.
Riddels: Curtains at both sides of the altar.
Rituale: A book containing the rites of minor church services or the rites of occasional services.
Rogate: Latin, "Pray ye." A reference to the Gospel for the Day.
Rood Screen: An ornamental and symbolic screen supporting a crucifix (rood) and separating the nave and choir.
Rubrics: Directions for the conduct of church services.
Salutation: Greeting of pastor and congregation's response.
Sanctuary: The part of a church where the altar is located.
Sanctuary Lamp: A constantly burning lamp in the sanctuary.
Sanctus: Holy! Song of the Angels, Isaiah 6:3.
Sedilia: Seats in the chancel for clergy.
Septuagesima: Seventieth; the first Sunday in pre-Lent.
Sequence: Hymn sung after the Epistle and Gradual.
Server: One who assists an officiating minister.
Sexagesima: Sixtieth; the second Sunday in pre-Lent.
Sext: The noonday office or service of the church.
Stole: A sacramental clerical vestment as distinguished from a stole of ordinary dress which is worn over an alb or surplice.
Suffrage: A petition to God.
Surplice: A white linen vestment falling almost to the ankles, having a round yoke and long wide sleeves.
Te Deum Laudamus: We praise Thee, O God.
Terce: On of the "canonical hours;" it is associated with the hour of nine o'clock in the morning.
Theotokos: Greek "God bearer," An ancient title for the Blessed Virgin Mary as the bearer of God, more commonly used in Eastern Churches.
Thurible: A covered incense holder hung by chain meant to be carried; similar to a censer.
Tract: Tractus, the verses of Scripture sung in pre-Lent and Lent after the Gradual instead of the Hallelujah.
Transept: The part of a cruciform church comparable to the horizontal bar of a cross.
Tryptych: A three-paneled ornament behind the altar, the two side panels of which can be folded in to cover the central panel.
Unisonal: Type of singing done in one voice or melody, without harmony or accompaniment; this was the manner of performing the Gregorian Chant and Plain-song melodies.
Use: 1)The particular body of ceremonies, customs, and usages employed in the Church in one place; e.g., the Use of the Church of Toledo, Salisbury, etc 2) a particular custom which prevails in a certain place.
Vacant Day: A day with no special propers appointed to it.
Variables: Parts of the service which change with the Sunday and season; the propers.
Vase: A vessel for flowers to be placed on the gradine of the altar.
Venite: O Come.
Versicles: Brief responsive verses from the Psalms, employed in public services; a typical feature of churchly worship.
Vespers: The service for late afternoon; at the Reformation, Vespers was made the daily evening prayher-service; it now has some features from Compline (Nunc Dimittis, when used as Canticle).
Vestry: The place in which ministers vest, similar to a sacristy.
Vicar: (Deputy) 1)The clergyman in charge of a parish in place of the rector; 2) the incumbant of a parish in which the tithes are otherwise assigned; 3) in European Lutheran Churches the term is frequently applied to the assistant minister, or curate, of a parish; one who serves under the pastor .
Vigal: 1) The "eve" of a festival or greater holy day; 2) the service held on the eve of a festival, which concluded with the holy communion: e.g., the service on Christmas Eve.
Votum: An apostolic blessing from Philippians 4:7, which is said by the minister at the conclusion of the sermon.
Whitsunday: White Sunday; Pentecost (50th day after the Resurrection).
|
|
All information contained on this site is Copyright © 2005-2010 aaronfenker.net unless otherwise stated under sources, and may not be reproduced without permission. |
|
