1928 prayer book: The version of the Book of Common Prayer in use from 1928-79.
1979 prayer book: The version of the Book of Common Prayer now in use. It retains some of the components of the 1928 book. Those components are differentiated as “Rite I” or “traditional” and “Rite II” or contemporary.

A

Abbot: The superior of a monastery. See “monastery.”
Ablutions: The cleansing of the chalices, paten and other vessels after the administration of the Eucharist. See “chalice” and “paten.”
Absolution: The remission of sins pronounced by a priest. See “reconciliation” and “sacrament.”
Acclamation: A versicle and response of praise at the beginning of the Eucharist. See “versicle.”
Acolyte: Originally a minor clerical order but now a group of lay people, usually children or teens, who assist priests in the service.
Advent: The season of the church year in which we prepare for Christmas. It begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Its liturgical color is purple or Marian blue.
Advent wreath: A wreath containing five candles used in churches and homes as a reminder of the four Sundays before Christmas. Four of the candles – blue or purple – are arranged in a circle. The fifth candle – white – is placed in the center. One candle is lighted each Sunday.
Agnus Dei: One of the anthems at the breaking of the bread; also found at the conclusion of the Great Litany. Latin for “Lamb of God.” See “anthem.”
Alb: The white robe worn by priests over daily clothes and under other vestments.
All Saints’ Day: A feast day observed Nov. 1. It commemorates all the known and unknown saints.
Alleluia: An exclamation of praise and joy, used in various parts of the liturgy, except during Lent. Derived from the Hebrew, meaning “Praise the Lord.”
Alms basin: A large metal plate into which the offerings of the people are placed before they are presented to the officiant.
Altar: The table on which are placed the vessels for holding the bread, wine and water used in the Eucharist.
Altar cross: A cross that stands upon the altar or hangs above it.
Altar guild: A lay group that maintains and prepares the altar and its furnishings for services.
Altar rail: The rail or kneelers where the people kneel or stand to receive Communion.
Amen: From the Hebrew for “verily,” “it is so” or “I agree.” Response said or sung at the end of prayers, hymns and anthems.
Anglican: The word simply means “English.” Members of the Anglican Communion, including the Episcopal Church, are those that derived their origins from The Church of England, which split from the Roman church in the 16th century.
Anglican Communion: An assembly of churches throughout the world, including the Episcopal Church, that derived their origins from The Church of England and that are in communion with it.
Antecommunion: Another name for the Liturgy of the Word, the first half of the Eucharist. The other half is Holy Communion, or the Liturgy of the Table.
Anthem: Sacred vocal music sung by a choir but not the congregation.
Archbishop: A bishop who heads a group of dioceses or a national church. The Episcopal Church does not have an archbishop; its chief bishop is called the presiding bishop.
Archbishop of Canterbury: The primate of The Church of England, who is acknowledged as the spiritual, but not governing, head of the Anglican Communion. He is not an Anglican “pope” but is considered “first among equals” by other heads of Anglican Communion churches.
Archdeacon: A priest on a bishop’s staff who has some administrative duties.
Ascension: The feast commemorating the ascension of Christ to glory. This feast is 40 days after Easter and always occurs on a Thursday.
Ash Wednesday: The day that marks the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual discipline, fasting and moderation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. In the Ash Wednesday service, ashes are smeared onto the foreheads of parishioners by the priest or bishop.
Aspergillum: A branch, brush or perforated metal globe with a handle used for sprinkling holy water.

B

Baptism: The sacramental rite through which we are adopted into the Body of Christ through a ceremonial washing with water, either by sprinkling or immersion. See “font” and “sacrament.”
Bier: The stand upon which a casket rests during the burial of the dead.
Biretta: A square cap with three ridges on top worn by some clergy.
Bishop, assistant: A person who has the spiritual and liturgical rank of a bishop and who usually assists the bishop of a diocese. In the Episcopal Church, bishops may be male or female.
Bishop, co-adjutor: A person designated to become the next bishop of a diocese when the diocesan bishop retires.
Bishop, diocesan: The primary bishop of a diocese. Our bishop, the bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, is the Rt. Rev. Neff Powell. See Right Reverend, The.
Bishop, presiding: The elected episcopal head and primate of the Episcopal Church. Our presiding bishop is the Most Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold. Episcopal heads of many other Anglican Communion churches are called archbishops. See Most Reverend, The.
Bishop, suffragan: A working co-bishop in a diocese but without inherent right of succession when the diocesan bishop retires or resigns.
Book of Common Prayer: A collection of prayers, readings, Psalms, devotions and services used by the Episcopal Church.

C

Canon: The title of a priest who serves on the staff of a cathedral, except that the head staff priest is called the dean. Addressed as The Rev. Canon (Name). Also an ecclesiastical rule or law adopted by General Convention or by Diocesan Convention. See “General Convention.”
Canticle: A hymn, usually taken from scripture, that’s sung or said.
Cantor: A person who chants or sings; often a solo voice that begins the service.
Carillon: A set of church bells.
Cassock: The black robe worn by priests; bishops’ cassocks usually are purple. See “vestments.”
Catechism: A document that outlines the basic beliefs of the Episcopal Church. It is used to give an outline for instruction. It is a commentary on the creeds but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practice. Click here to read the catechism.
Cathedra: The bishop’s chair, or throne.
Cathedral: An Episcopal church that is the official church of a bishop of a diocese. Not all dioceses have cathedrals.
Catholic: Literally, “universal” or “found everywhere.” Usually a reference to the Roman Catholic Church, although the term also includes Anglican, Syrian, Greek, Coptic, Russian and other churches. The Episcopal Church is a catholic church as well as a Protestant one.
Celebrant: The main priest in a Eucharist, Mass or communion; the priest who performs the consecration of the bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ.
Chalice: A cup on a stem into which the Eucharistic wine is placed for administration to communicants; typically made of a precious metal such as silver. See “communicant” and “Eucharist.”
Chancel: The portion of a church between the pews and the altar where the choir members sit.
Chant: A musical recitation of words midway between reading and singing.
Chapel: A place of worship lacking a parish congregation.
Chaplain: The minister in charge of a chapel or a minister to a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church.
Chasuble: A priest’s Eucharistic vestment; a circular tunic. See “vestments” and “dalmatic.”
Choir: A group of singers who chant or sing during a worship service.
Chrism: Oil consecrated by a bishop for use at baptism, confirmation and ordination.
Chrismation: The act of anointing of a person with chrism.
Christmas: The season of the church year when we celebrate Christ’s birth. The liturgical color of Christmas is white or gold.
Cincture: A rope worn with an alb like a belt. See “vestments” and “alb.”
Clergy: The group of ordained ministers of a church or denomination; all ministers together as distinguished from lay people. When used in distinction from laity, the term includes both bishops and priests.
Clerical: An adjective referring to the ordained and their work.
Collar, clerical: A stiff, circular shirt collar worn by Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox and some Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and other clergy; widely regarded as sign or identifying mark of clerical status.
Collect: A prayer sung or said on behalf of the people by the celebrant or officiant at liturgical celebrations. Pronounced with the stress on the first syllable.
Columbarium: A series of niches, as in a wall or other structure, for the repose of cremated remains.
Communicants: The members of a local church; those who are eligible to receive communion.
Communion: The Christian sacramental meal, equivalent to the Lord’s Supper; now more commonly called the Holy Eucharist in Episcopal churches; also called the Mass. See “sacrament” and “wafer.”
Compline: An evening service to end the day; although the service is an old Christian usage, it has only recently been added to the Book of Common Prayer.
Confession: The common term for the sacrament of reconciliation; a rite through which one may confess one’s sins to a priest and receive absolution; not required in the Episcopal Church in the same way the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist are. See “absolution,” “reconciliation” and “sacrament.”
Confirmation: A sacramental rite during which a baptized person commits to his or her baptismal vows and makes a mature, public affirmation of his or her faith. A bishop confirms through prayer and the laying on of hands. See “sacrament.”
Consecration: A special service of dedication or ordination; a church without debt may be consecrated – made holy to God’s purposes; a service by which an ordained person becomes a bishop. See “deconsecration.”
Convent: A spiritual residential community for women; similar to a monastery. See “nun,” “monk” and “monastery.”
Convention, General: A gathering every three years of the national Episcopal Church; at General Convention, each diocese is represented by appointed or elected deputies. At General Convention the basic regulations and decisions that govern the church are made. The General Convention consists of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.
Convention: A meeting of a church body, as in a diocesan convention.
Cotta: A short white vestment often worn by choir members over a cassock.
Credence: A small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration for the Eucharist.
Creed: An affirmation of faith, as in the Nicene Creed.
Cross: Used in ancient times for executions. Christ was executed on a cross, or crucified, and the cross became a universal symbol of Christianity.
Crossing: In church architecture, the main intersection of aisles at the front of the church; if viewed from above, the aisles form a large cross. Sometimes the altar is located at the crossing. In a service, crossing refers to a hand gesture of making a cross pattern on one’s body; also a gesture made by a priest or bishop over a congregation or upon a person for a blessing, at death or at baptism.
Crozier: A staff resembling a shepherd’s crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of office.
Crucifer: A person in a religious procession who bears the cross and who leads the procession into the church.
Crucifix: A Christian symbol; a cross with a likeness of the body of Christ on it. Seen as a particularly “catholic” symbol.
Cruets: Glass or metal containers for the wine and water used at the Eucharist.
Curate: A deacon or other person not fully ordained who receives a fee for working in a small parish.

D

Dalmatic: Vestment worn by a deacon. Corresponds to the priest’s chasuble. See “vestments” and “chasuble.”
Deconsecration: A ritual for returning a former sacred building or site to a nonsacred status; church buildings no longer in use as churches are deconsecrated before being sold or destroyed. See “consecration.”
Deacon: The initial level of ordination in the Episcopal Church and other apostolic-succession churches. In some protestant churches, it is a lay order, but in the Episcopal Church, it is a clerical order. Deacons represent the church in the world and, by tradition, the Gospel is read by the deacon if one is on the staff of a church or chapel. See “diaconate.”
Dean: A title used for the resident clergyman of a cathedral; also used for the chief academic officer of a college or seminary. If the dean is ordained, the title “The Very Reverend” is used.
Diaconate: The state of being a deacon; also, the life of deacon-like service in the church.
Diocese: A unit of church organization; the spiritual domain under a bishop. A diocese may contain many parishes and churches.
Dismissal: Words said or sung by a deacon or priest at the conclusion of the Eucharist. An example: “Let us go forth in the name of Christ.” The answer from the people is: “Thanks be to God.” During the 50 days of Easter, alleluias are added. See “alleluia.”
Doxology: Words said or sung in praise of the Holy Trinity. See “Trinity, The.”

E

Easter: The season of the church year, in March or April, when the resurrection of Christ is celebrated; the liturgical color of Easter is white or gold. See “Good Friday.”
Epiphany: One of the seasons of the church year; Jan. 6; a feast celebrating the visit of the wise men, or Magi, to the infant Jesus; the end of the Christmas season.
Episcopal: From Greek, meaning “government by an overseer.” See “episcopos.”
Episcopos: The Greek word from which the English word “bishop” is derived.
Epistle, The: A reading from the New Testament other than from the Gospels; also any reading from the Bible other than the Gospels or Psalms.
Epistle side: The right side of a church when facing the altar. See “gospel side.”
Eucharist: A “good gift” or thanksgiving; the sacrament synonymous with Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper or Mass, the act of following the Lord’s commandment of consuming the consecrated elements of bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ.
Eulogy: A speech or homily in praise of a deceased person; brief remarks about the deceased at a funeral. See “requiem.”
Evensong: An evening worship service, often featuring a choir.

F

Father: A familiar way of referring to a male ordained priest. Formally, he should be referred to as “the Reverend.” Our priest is the Rev. Hamilton Fuller, or, familiarly, Fr. Ham. A female priest may be referred to as Mother, depending on her preference.
Feast: A day of celebration associated with the life of Christ or a saint.
Folk Mass: Communion in which the music is provided by instruments other than the organ, such as a guitar; a less-formal service that may incorporate contemporary music.
Font: A basin for water used in Holy Baptism. The Episcopal Church practices baptism by “sprinkling” rather than by full immersion. See “Baptism.”
Fraction, The: The point during the Eucharist when the bread is broken; the priest says, “Alleluia, Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,” and the people respond, “Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.”
Frontal: A covering for the altar, usually of the same material as the vestments or of the liturgical color of the season or feast. The altar cloth is spread over the frontal. See “altar” and “vestments.”

G

General ordination exams: Tests required of most seminarians before graduation from seminary.
Genuflection: The bending of the right knee when reverencing the altar and at other times of solemn reverence. Episcopalians sometimes bow instead of genuflecting.
Gloria in excelsis: Latin; a liturgical hymn having the verse form of the Psalms.
Good Friday: The Friday before Easter; observed as the anniversary of the crucifixion of Christ. See “Easter.”
Gospel, The: Any reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John in the New Testament.
Gospel side: The left side of the church facing the altar. See “epistle side.”
Gradual procession: The movement of the deacon or celebrant to the place of the proclamation of the Gospel. At Emmanuel, the Gospel is proclaimed at the center of the nave.
Great Thanksgiving, The: The major prayer of the Eucharist beginning with the salutation and preface and concluding with the Lord’s Prayer.

H

High church: Describes a church that emphasizes theological or liturgical formality; such churches may use incense and sing the service rather than speak it. See “low church.”
Holy orders: The sacrament of ordination, which marks the entry of the candidate into the ordained ministry. The orders of bishops, priests and deacons are termed holy orders.
Holy water: Water blessed by a bishop or priest. See “stoup.”
Holy Week: The period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Homily: A short sermon often on a single topic of devotion or morality.
Host: The Eucharistic bread. From the Latin word for sacrifice. See “Eucharist” and “wafer.”
House of Bishops: All the bishops of the Episcopal church sitting as a legislative and judiciary body of the church. See “Convention, General.”
House of Deputies: The lay and presbyter delegates to the General Convention sitting as a legislative body. See “Convention, General.”
Hymn: Sacred words set to music; church vocal music involving the congregation and distinguished from the psalm or anthem; sacred poetry set to music and sung during the liturgy.

I

Incarnation: The Christian doctrine that Christ took human form from his human mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was at once fully human and fully God.
Incense: Powder burned in a small dish or pot; used during the service or in the procession to recall one of the three gifts of the wise men to the Christ child. See “high church.”
Introit: The hymn, psalm, or anthem sung (or said) at the entrance of the ministers at the Eucharist.

J

Junior warden: The assistant to the senior warden, the chairman of the vestry, the governing body of a parish church. See “senior warden” and “vestry.”

K

Kneeler: A cushioned pullout or fold-down stool at a pew onto which the people kneel for prayer.

L

Laity: The nonordained members of a church; ordained members are referred to as clergy.
Lavabo: A ceremony during the Eucharist at which the celebrant washes his or her hands. From the Latin “lavare,” or “I shall wash.”
Lay: From the Greek laios, meaning “the people.”
Lay minister: One who is not ordained but who works closely with a church or religious program.
Lay person: Any nonordained person.
Lay reader: A nonordained person who reads part of a church service, who reads the prayers and who also may administer the chalice at the Eucharist.
Lectionary: The series of biblical readings used in the church throughout the year.
Lent: The 40-day period of fasting, sobriety and meditation following Ash Wednesday; ends on Palm Sunday. See “Ash Wednesday” and “Palm Sunday.”
Liturgy: A word that means “the work of the people;” generally refers to the full text of the words of a worship service or any ritual order for holding a church service.
Low church: Describes a church that is less formal; one that does not chant or sing its services. See “high church.”

M

Magnificat: The Song of Mary. Luke 1:46-55.
Mass: Synonymous with the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion; the holy meal of bread and wine. See “Eucharist.”
Maundy Thursday: The Thursday of Holy Week; the name is from the Latin word “mandatum” and refers to Christ’s commandment concerning foot-washing; the day on which the first Lord’s Supper was celebrated. See “Eucharist.”
Mission: An Episcopal congregation that has not yet attained the status of a church with a full-time priest. See “vicar.”
Miter or mitre: A triangular head covering sometimes worn by a bishop.
Monastery: A spiritual residential community for men; similar to a convent. See “monk” and “convent.”
Monk: A man who takes vows of poverty, obedience and chastity and who lives in a monastery. See “monastery,” “nun” and “convent.”
Monstrance: A vessel in which the consecrated host is exposed for the adoration of the faithful. From the Latin “monstrare,” or “to show;” a very high-church symbol. See “host” and “high church.”
Morning Prayer: A morning worship service without communion.
Most Reverend, The: The way of addressing the primate or archbishop of an autonomous member church of the Anglican Communion. The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States is the Most Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold. See “Bishop, presiding.”
Mother: A familiar way of referring to a female priest, depending upon her preference. See “father.”

N

Narthex: An enclosed space at the entry to the nave of a church; in some churches, it is called the vestibule.
Nave: The main part of a church where the people sit, called the sanctuary in some denominations. It is derived from the Latin word for ship, as in some churches, including Emmanuel, the beams of the roof resemble the beams and timbers in the sides of a ship.
Nun: A woman who takes vows of poverty, obedience and chastity and who lives in a convent. See “monk” and “convent.”
Nunc Dimittis: The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) normally used as one of the canticles at Evening Prayer and Compline; also used at Candlemas.

O

Oblations: Offerings to God at the Eucharist.
Offertory: The presentation, reception, preparation and offering of the gifts at the beginning of The Holy Communion, the second part of the Eucharist.
Offertory sentence: A passage of scripture that may be said or sung at the beginning or during the Offertory.
Offertory procession: At the Eucharist, the presentation of the bread, wine, and other gifts by members of the congregation.
Officiant: A person who officiates at the daily offices and other rites.
Ordination: A special service for inducting a person into holy orders; the ritual that makes a person a priest or deacon. See “sacrament.”
Ordo: A list of offices and feasts of the church for each day of the year. From the Latin word for order. See “lectionary.”

P

Pace: A small aisle or passageway off the main nave aisle in a church.
Pall: A stiffened square of linen placed over the chalice to keep objects from falling into the wine. The term also may refer to the cloth covering the casket or urn during the Burial of the Dead.
Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter. In an Episcopal Church, members of the congregation carry real palms during the service; in some churches, palms from one year are saved, dried and burned to make ashes used at the next year’s Ash Wednesday service. From the palm branches strewn in Christ’s way on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. See “Ash Wednesday.”
Parish: The group of people of a certain area organized into a local church; sometimes the word also refers to the geographic region around a church.
Parish hall: A gathering place for a local congregation.
Paschal candle: A large white candle decorated with a cross and other symbols. It is lighted at the beginning of the Great Vigil of Easter and burns for all services during the 50 days of Easter. At other times, it may be kept near the Baptismal Font and lighted for baptisms. It also may be placed near the casket or urn during Burial of the Dead.
Passover: A Jewish festival commemorating the escape of the Jews from Egypt.
Paten: A plate usually made of precious metal and used to carry the bread at the Eucharist.
Peace, The: A ritual in the Episcopal Church in which members of the congregation, including the clergy, greet one another. The priest says: “The Peace of the Lord be always with you,” and the congregation responds: “And also with you.” Immediately after, the people shake hands or embrace and bid each other peace.
Pentecost: The feast on the seventh Sunday after Easter commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles; also called Whitsunday; from the Latin pentecoste, literally, “50th day.” The liturgical color of Pentecost Sunday is red; the color of the season after Pentecost, the longest season of the church year and commonly called “ordinary time,” is green.
Postulant: A person admitted by the bishop into the formal preparation for the ordained ministry. See “ordination.”
Prie-dieu: An individual kneeling bench with shelf.
Priest: The ordained minister of a Roman Catholic, Episcopal or Orthodox church; one who administers the sacraments. In the Episcopal Church, priests may be male or female and may marry.
Procession: The line of choir members, clergy and others walking down the aisle of a church to begin a service. See “recession.”
Proper: The scripture readings and collect appointed for the day or occasion. See “collect.”
Psalms: A portion from the ancient Jewish hymn book found in scripture (the Book of Psalms) and in the Book of Common Prayer.
Pulpit: A raised platform used for the sermon or homily. Also called an ambo. See “homily.”
Purificator: A linen cloth used for cleansing the chalice during the ablutions or for wiping the chalice during the administration of communion. See “ablutions.”
Pyx: A container for the reserved host; especially a small round metal receptacle used to carry the Eucharist to the sick. See “Eucharist” and “host.”

R

Recession: The line of choir members, clergy and others walking out of the church after a service. See “procession.”
Reconciliation: The sacrament through which one may confess one’s sins in the presence of a priest and receive absolution; commonly called confession. See “absolution.”
Rector: The priest or minister of a local church or parish; the head priest of a parish.
Rectory: The residence of a rector.
Requiem: A funeral or memorial service. A High Requiem Mass is a funeral service with communion and singing of parts of the service. See “eulogy.”
Reredos: Decoration behind or above an altar.
Right Reverend, The: A way of addressing a bishop of a diocese. The bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia is the Rt. Rev. Neff Powell. See “bishop, diocesan.”
Rite I: A portion of the Book of Common Prayer that contains worship services using the older language of the 1928 edition; describes a service using that form of worship.
Rite II: A portion of the Book of Common Prayer containing worship services that use more modern language incorporated into the 1979 edition; describes a service using that form of worship.
Rosary: A string of beads anchored by a cross and used for prayer. An Anglican rosary has 33 beads – one for each year of Christ’s life on Earth – divided into four “weeks” of seven beads.

S

Sacrament: A rite through which we receive God’s grace. In the Episcopal church, the “essential” sacraments are Baptism and Eucharist. The catechism describes the sacraments as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” Other sacramental rites include matrimony, confession, unction and confirmation.
Sacristan: A liturgical assistant in charge of sacred vessels, vestments, etc.
Sacristy: The room near the altar where priests vest, or dress, for the service; the room where the communion vessels, vestments and other liturgical objects are kept.
Sanctuary: The portion of a church at the head of the chancel around the altar; the space immediately around the altar. See “nave.”
Sanctus: The acclamation “Holy, holy, holy ...” sung or said at the conclusion of the preface of the Great Thanksgiving.
Sanctus bell: A bell or set of bells in the sanctuary rung or struck during the sanctus, elevations, and at other times.
See: The ecclesiastical residence of a bishop; the see of our diocese is Roanoke.
Seminarian: A student in a seminary.
Seminary: An academic institution for the study of theology.
Senior warden: The chairman of the vestry, the lay governing board of a local church. See “junior warden” and “vestry.”
Sexton: One who is in charge of a church building or grounds; the head of maintenance and custodial services.
Sign of the cross: The tracing on one’s forehead, chest and shoulders of the outline of the cross.
Stations of the cross: See “Way of the Cross.”
Stole: A long, narrow strip of cloth worn around the neck of the priest and allowed to hang down the front of the clerical vestments; deacons wear stoles over the left shoulder only.
Stoup: A basin for holy water at the entrance to a church. One dips one’s fingers into the water and blesses oneself as a reminder of baptism.
Surplice: A white overgarment worn over other vestments; somewhat longer and fuller than a cotta. See “cotta” and “vestments.”
Sursum corda: Latin for the versicle during the liturgy at which the priest says “Lift up your hearts.” See “versicle.”

T

Tabernacle: A receptacle for the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, especially the Communion hosts. See. “Eucharist” and “host.”
Te Deum: A canticle used at Morning Prayer, as a song of praise at the Eucharist, or added to a service on days of special Thanksgiving.
Throne: A term sometimes used for the bishop’s chair.
Thurible: The container in which incense is burned. See “incense.”
Thurifer: The server whose duty it is to handle the thurible.
Torch-bearer: One who carries a candle in a religious procession. See “procession.”
Trinity, The: A fundamental symbol of the Christian faith and a very important doctrine in catholic Christianity; the trinity refers to the oneness and essential unity of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Twelve Days of Christmas: The time from Dec. 25 to Jan. 6, from Christmas day to Epiphany. See “Epiphany.”

U

Unction: A sacramental rite of healing involving prayer, the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. See “sacrament.”

V

Venerable, The: The way of addressing an archdeacon, as in the Ven. Jane Doe.
Venite: A liturgical chant composed of parts of Psalms 95 and 96. From the latin “venire, “to come.” See “liturgy.”
Verger: Someone who carries a ceremonial staff in procession. See “procession.”
Versicle: A short verse or sentence – as from a Psalm – said or sung and followed by a response from the people.
Very Reverend, The: The way of addressing one who holds the office of dean in a church or school.
Vestments: Special clothing worn by people who lead the services of a church, such as a chasuble, alb or dalmatic.
Vestry: The lay governing body of a parish church.
Vicar: One who is in charge of a mission. See “mission.”

W

Wafer: The bread part of the Eucharist; an unleavened, thin cracker imprinted with a cross. See “Eucharist.”
Warden: See “junior warden” and “senior warden.”
Way of the Cross: A Procession with stations commemorating the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Also called the Stations of the Cross. The classical stations correspond to 15 events that occurred in the last 24 hours Jesus was on the earth, beginning with his condemnation to death and ending with his resurrection.