Academic Hood: A hood worn over the shoulders and down the back, denoting a college degree. It has ecclesiastical significance.
Acolyte: One who serves the celebrant at the altar, sometimes called the server or altar boy.
Alb: A long, white, linen vestment with straight sleeves which covers the cassock.
Alms Basin: Also spelled Bason. A large circular vessel of greater width than depth, usually made of wood, brass, or silver in which are placed the offerings of the people.
Altar: The Holy Table, the Communion Table.
Altar Bread: The wafers or bread used at the Holy Communion.
Altar Cloth: See Frontal and Superfrontal.
Altar Rail: The railing which enclosed the Sanctuary and at which communicants kneel to receive Holy Communion. Also known as the Chancel Rail.
Altar Stone: A small flat stone (usually square, approximately 6" x 6" to 12" x 12") consecrated by the proper high church official, and on which the Sacrifice of the Mass may be said. It may be placed and used on an altar not yet consecrated and thus becomes the true altar. (An optional piece not found in all churches.)
Amice: A vestment consisting of a hood or a large rectangle, square or oblong, of white linen or cotton upon which a cross is embroidered (in white). It is the first garment put around the shoulders, over the cassock by the priest (deacon or bishop) in vesting for mass. The upper part is first placed over the head that it may fall like a collar over the alb. It is tied with strings around the waist.
Ampulla: A cruet for wine or water.
Ante-Communion: That part of the Communion Service which precedes the oblation.
Antependium: A hanging before the altar, or for the pulpit or lectern; a frontal.
Apparels: Oblong pieces of colored sink or brocade, tacked above the hem on the front, back and sleeves of the alb., as well as on the collar of the amice.
Aspergill: An instrument containing holy water used in blessing people, vessels, vestments, etc.
Aumbry: A receptacle made either in the wall or attached to the wall of the chancel or sacristy to contain the consecrated elements, holy oils, or sacred vessels; or a locked cupboard for storing altar books, vestments, or sacred vessels.
Baldacchino: A canopy, which covers the altar.
Baptistry: Also, Baptistery. In liturgical churches, wherever the font is located, usually near the entrance of the church.
Bier: The carriage upon which the coffin is placed in the church.
Bier Lights: Tall candlesticks which stand on the nave floor at the chancel steps beside a coffin. There may be two, one on each side, or as many as six, three on each side.
Biretta: A stiff four-sided cap worn by the clergy. A priest or deacon wears black; an Archdeacon wears black trimmed in purple; a bishop or Archbishop wears purple.
Bishop Coadjutor: A bishop elected and given jurisdiction to assist and later to succeed the diocesan bishop.
Bishop, Suffragan: A bishop elected to assist the diocesan bishop, but without jurisdiction or right of succession.
Bishop's Chair: A special chair on the gospel side of the sanctuary, reserved for the diocesan bishop on his visitations.
Boat: A vessel, named by its shape, for holding incense before it is put in the censer or thurible.
Bread Box: A box, usually of silver, in which is kept the bread or wafers for the Holy Communion.
Burse: The case for the corporal.
Candles: See Eucharistic Lights, Office Lights, Paschal Candles.
Cassock: A long closely fitting garment reaching from the neck to the shoe tops, worn by the clergy, acolytes, and choir. It is usually black. There are two styles commonly in use. The Roman, which is buttoned down the front; and the Anglican, which is buttoned at the side.
Celebrant: The priest (bishop or deacon) who celebrates the Holy Communion. In the case of the deacon the pre-consecrated sacraments are used.
Celebration: The consecration and administration of the Holy Communion.
Censer: A swinging vessel on a chain, used for burning incense, usually made of brass or silver.
Cere-Cloth: One of the three traditional cloths laid upon the top of the altar. It is a waxed cloth, designed to protect the fair linen from the dampness and moisture of the stone altar top. In the case of more modern churches using wood altars without the altar stone, it protects the wood from any spills and acts as a slip guard for the fair linen.
Chalice: The cup used at Holy Communion.
Chancel: The east end of the church, raised above the floor of the nave, containing the choir (usually) and the sanctuary.
Chapel: A building or portion of one used for worship.
Chasuble: A loose vestment with neck aperture oval in shape made without sleeves and worn over the Alb.
Chimere: A long garment with arm holes, but without sleeves. It is worn by a bishop over the rochet and may be either black or red.
Choir: The choristers; also the part of the chancel between the nave and sanctuary, where the daily offices are said.
Choir Office: A service said in the choir instead of in the sanctuary, such as Morning or Evening Prayer.
Chrism: A consecrated oil used for ceremonial anointing.
Ciborium: A chalice-like covered cup to hold the Sacramental Bread; a canopy of wood or stone or marble, supported by four or more pillars covering an altar. Also used to hold the Reserved Sacrament.
Cincture: The girdle of a cassock.
Clergy: Men in Holy Orders; bishops, priests, deacons.
Compline: A special evening service, the last service of the day.
Cope: A long cloak of rich material, varying in color according to the church season, worn over the Alb by a bishop or a priest at processions on festival occasions. It has a clasp at the neck called a morse.
Corporal: A square, white linen cloth used upon the altar at Communion under the sacred vessels.
Cotta: A white garment similar to a surplice, but shorter and without a cross on the front. Worn by choir and acolytes over the cassock. It is not as long or as full as the surplice.
Credence: A shelf or table at the epistle side of the sanctuary upon which the Elements of the Holy Communion are placed until carried to the Altar.
Crozier: (Pastoral Staff) The staff of a bishop, patriarch, abbot or prior.
Crucifer: The one who carries the cross.
Cruet: The receptacle for wine and for water. Also known as an Ampulla.
Crucifix: The cross with the figure of our Lord upon it.
Curate: Usually indicates a clergyman who assists the rector in a parish church.
Dalmatic: The colored silk Eucharistic vestment worn by the deacon at a solemn celebration of the Holy Communion.
Deacon: The lowest of the three orders of the sacred ministry; also the minister who reads the gospel at a solemn celebration of the Holy Communion; whether he be a bishop, priest or deacon.
Dean: The chief of the clergy on the staff of a cathedral; also the clerical head of a seminary.
Diocese: The see or jurisdiction of a bishop.
Dossal: A tapestry or curtain which hangs behind the altar.
East End of a Church: The end where the altar stands, even if it is not actually in the east.
Elements: The materials used in the Sacraments appointed by Christ: Water, Wine and Bread.
Epistle Side: The side of the altar at which the Epistle is read, the right as the congregation sees it. Also the side where the Credence Shelf is located.
"Eucharistic Lights": Two candles placed at either end of the top of the altar.
Eucharistic Vestments: The Eucharistic Vestments differ from Choir Vestments in number and ornateness. They are worn by a Bishop or a Priest for the celebration of the Holy Communion and include: alb, amice, chasuble, cassock, cope, girdle, maniple, and stole.
Eucharist: One of the names for the Holy Mysteries; the Holy Communion.
Even or Eve: The day before a festival, i.e., Easter Even, Christmas Eve, designed to be a preparation for the feast it precedes.
Ewer: The pitcher for holding the water for the font and for the lavabo basin.
Fair Linen: The principal covering of the top of the altar. It hangs over the sides of the altar almost to the floor.
Flagon: A large covered glass or metal container for a reserve of wine.
Footpace: The platform upon which the altar rests, where the priest stands to celebrate the Holy Eucharist; also called the predella. The highest of three steps is known as the Priest's Step; the other two being the Deacon's (second step) and the Subdeacon's being the bottom or first step.
Frontal: A covering of cloth that hangs before the front of the altar, covering the entire front of the altar.
Frontlet: A short cover for the front of the altar, attached to linen on the altar top. Also known as a Superfrontal.
Genuflect: A brief bending of the right knee toward the altar when the Blessed Sacrament is present, as the cross or crucifix passes by, or during the Nicene Creed.
Girdle: A white cord, tied around the waist over the Alb. Also known as a Cincture. Black girdles are sometimes worn over the cassock.
Gospel Side: The side of the altar at which the Gospel is read, the left as the congregation sees it. Traditionally the side at which the pulpit is located.
Gradine: A retable; the shelf behind the altar.
Hassock: A stuffed cushion on which to kneel when praying.
Hood: The short cape or shield at the back of the cope. See also Academic Hood.
Host: The bread or wafer consecrated at the Holy Communion. The priest's host is larger than the wafers used to communicate the people.
IHS: The Sacred Monogram. The first three letters of the name JESUS in Greek. (In His Service)
Incense: A mixture of spices for ceremonial burning, symbolizing prayer.
Lavabo: The ceremony of cleansing the celebrant's hands before the offertory oblation in the Holy Eucharist. The word is also used to denote the bowl containing the water, and for the small towel accompanying it.
Lectern: A stand near the chancel on which rests the Bible.
Lectionary: A selected list of Scripture passages for daily readings throughout the Christian year.
Liturgical Colors: The colors used in the church during the course of the year: white, black, red, violet (purple), green, rose, and gold. See additional explanation on Liturgical Colors following Glossary.
Maniple: A short band or scarf which hangs on the left arm of the celebrant over the Alb as part of the Eucharist Vestments.
Mass: One of the names for the Holy Mysteries; the Holy Communion.
Mensa: The top of the altar.
Missal: Altar Book. The book containing the Communion Service, Collects, Epistles, and Gospels.
Missal Stand: The stand or desk upon which the altar service book rests.
Mitre: The headdress of a bishop or Archbishop; two pointed and cloven, worn with the cope or Eucharistic vestments. It symbolizes the "tongues of fire" at the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost.
Morse: A metal clasp, usually elaborate, for use in fastening the cope.
Mundatory: A lavabo towel.
Narthex: The vestibule or closed-in porch across the building at the rear of the nave.
Nave: The central division of the church in which the congregation is seated.
Oblation: The act of offering the elements to God in the Holy Eucharist. The "offertory oblation" when the unconsecrated bread and wine are placed on the altar.
Offertory: The offering of the bread and wine and alms at the Holy Communion.
Office: An authorized form of worship: Daily offices of Morning or Evening Prayer; an occasional office: Burial office.
Office-Lights: All lights used on the altar, other than the two Eucharistic Lights, are office lights.
Orders, Holy: The orders in the ordained ministry, namely, Deacon, Priest, Bishop, Archdeacon, and Archbishop.
Ordination: The conferring of Holy Orders by a bishop.
Orphrey: An embroidered band on a chasuble or other vestment or hanging.
Pall: The linen cover for the Chalice; also the cover for a coffin.
Paschal Candle: A candle which stands on the floor of the sanctuary on the gospel side, lighted on Easter Even and extinguished on Ascension. It symbolizes our Lord's forty days on earth after the Resurrection. It may also be lit during baptisms, from which the baptismal candles are then lit.
Paten: The silver or gold plate for the bread used at the Holy Communion.
Pectoral Cross: The large cross worn by a bishop.
Pentecost: Whitsunday.
Piscina: A basin with a drain directly to the ground where water used in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is poured; or where the first water used in cleaning the vessels and linens of the Holy Communion is poured.
Predella: See Footpace.
Prie-Dieu: The prie-dieu is more commonly called a prayer desk. It originates from French and literally means pray to God.
Priest: The second of three orders of the sacred ministry one who has been ordained by a bishop to administer the Sacraments of the Church.
Processional Cross: A cross affixed to the end of a staff which is carried at the head of a procession.
Protecting Cloth: A cloth placed over the fair linen when there is not a service, designed to protect the linen from dust and dirt. Also known as an altar cover.
Purificator: A small linen napkin used to wipe the Sacred Vessels after Holy Communion.
Pyx: A covered receptacle of precious metal for the Sacrament used to carry the Consecrated Elements of the Holy Eucharist to the sick.
Rail: The altar rail between the choir and the sanctuary.
Rector: (Latin: to govern) A priest permanently in charge of a parish.
Reredos: A decorated panel behind an altar. It is usually of wood or stone. The reredos is often made elaborate with sculpture, carvings and painting.
Retable: A shelf at the back of the altar (pronounced raytable); also called a gradine.
Riddels: Curtains hung at each side of an altar.
Rochet: A long white linen vestment with wide sleeves tied at the wrists, worn by a bishop under the chimere. It may have lace at the hem and on the cuffs. It generally is worn under a cope or on occasions when the bishop does not wear the chimere. A bishop may also wear a short rochet with close fitting sleeves like an alb.
Rood: A cross or crucifix.
Rood Beam: A beam between the nave from the chancel and having the rood upon it.
Rood Screen: A screen separating the nave from the chancel and having the rood upon it.
Rubric: A rule or direction in the Book of Common Prayer governing the conduct of services.
Sacristan: The person in charge of the Sacristy and its contents.
Sacristy: The room in the church building where the vestments, books and sacred vessels are kept.
Sanctuary: The sacred portion of the church in which the altar stands.
Sanctuary Lamp: The lamps suspended in front of the altar. One, three or seven.
Sedilia: The seats for the clergy within the sanctuary, on the south (Epistle) side and on the north (Gospel) side for the acolytes and layreaders.
See: The diocese or jurisdiction of a bishop.
Server: An acolyte.
Shell: A scallop-shell, or metal vessel of this shape, used for taking water from the font to pour over the head of a person to be baptized.
Stole: A long, narrow band of silk or brocade worn over the shoulders of the clergy.
Subdeacon: The minister who reads the epistle at a solemn celebration of the Holy Communion, whether he is a bishop, priest, deacon, or layman.
Surplice: A white linen vestment worn by the clergy over the cassock.
Tabernacle: A locked safe used for the reservation of the Sacrament.
Thurible: A vessel in which incense is burned. Also known as a censer and swings on a chain. The "boat" is the metal container in which the incense is reserved.
Thurifer: The one who swings the censer containing the burning incense.
Tippet: A black scarf, wider than a stole, worn about the neck, with ends hanging down in front. It is worn by the clergy at choir offices.
Tunicle: The colored silk Eucharistic vestment worn by the subdeacon at a solemn celebration of the Holy Communion.
Use: A term meaning the way things are done.
Veil: A covering for the Chalice.
Vestment: An ecclesiastical garment worn for church services; also, coverings for the altar.
Viaticum: (Latin: pertaining to a journey) Any rite or attention which gives spiritual comfort to the dying in preparation for the journey to the next life. A name sometimes given to the portable vessels used for administering the Holy Communion.
Vicar: The priest, or sometimes a deacon, placed in charge of a mission church or chapel, he may or may not become the Rector when the mission attains Parish Church status.
Vigil: The eve of a feast; a fast before a feast and a watch, as before the Blessed Sacrament on Maundy Thursday.
Vigil Light: A lamp, other than that before the Reserved Sacrament, which burns perpetually before a shrine, image or altar.
Votive Lights: Candles lighted before an altar or shrine to honor the memory of some loved one, or for some special request in prayer or in thanksgiving.
Wafer: A thin disk of unleavened bread used in the Communion.
Zuchetto: The red or purple skull cap worn by a bishop. If worn by a priest, deacon or chorister it is black.
LITURGICAL COLORS
The assigning of a particular color of vestment for a particular feast or celebration has varied widely throughout the centuries, especially in the early days of the English Church. The following is a list of the most "popular" use of colors at present in the Church.
White: Feasts of Christmas, Easter and all those of our Lord except Good Friday. Also for confessors, widows, virgins, all saints who have died a natural death, angels and the Holy Eucharist.
Green: The "common" Sundays or Sundays after Whitsunday (Pentecost).
Purple: Lent and Advent.
Red: Pentecost (Whitsunday), the Feast of the Holy Cross, Martyrs, Votives of the Holy Spirit and in some uses for Palm Sunday.
Rose: For the fourth Sunday in Lent and the third Sunday in Advent.
Gold: May be used in place of white and be the permanent color of the veil on the tabernacle or aumbry containing the Blessed Sacrament.
Black: The traditional color for funerals, offices of the dead, Good Friday, and Requiem Mass.