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Terminology
Within The
Episcopal Church
You can scroll down view each listing or click on the following headings.
Ecclesiastical Titles
Other Positions Within the
Church
Architectural Terms
Other Architectural Terms
The following are explanations of some of the terms utilized within the
Episcopal Church. Taken from Forward Movement Publications.
Ecclesiastical Titles
Bishop
Along with priests and deacons, bishops are in historic Holy Orders, the
ordained ministry of the Church. A diocesan bishop (or Ordinary) is the
chief pastor and administrator of his or her diocese. A bishop coadjutor
serves under the authority of the diocesan and will succeed the diocesan when a
vacancy in the office occurs. A suffragan bishop serves under the
authority of and assists the diocesan. A bishop's ecclesial title is "The
Right Reverend John Jones" and is greeted as "Bishop Jones."
Deacon
An ordained minister who serves both in the church and from the church.
From the Greek, deacon means "servant." In the church, a deacon assists
the Eucharist by preparing the altar for the celebration, reading the Gospel and
performing other liturgical actions. he or she may also have teaching and
preaching functions. From the church, the deacon represents the church to
the world through ministries to the poor, sick and troubled. A deacon may
be addressed simply as "Deacon Jones," or by other appropriate titles (Miss,
Mrs., Mr., Dr., etc.), depending on the deacon's personal preference. The
titles Father or Mother are traditionally reserved for priests and are not
usually applied to deacons.
Dean
The head of a theological school or the priest in charge of a cathedral.
The person should be addressed as "Dean Jones," their title is "The Very
Reverend John Jones."
Minister
From Latin meaning servant. In baptism all of us become servants of God
and all of us are to be ministers of God's love and reconciliation in the world.
Some minister are set apart through ordination for servant hood as bishops,
priests, and deacons.
Preacher
Preaching is but one function of ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.
A priest is a "preacher" when he or she delivers a sermon. Thus, a deacon,
priest, or bishop may be the preacher at one particular service, but not at
another. This term is not an appropriate form of address.
Priest
The etymology of priest in English is a contraction of the Greek word for elder
(presbuteros) with the clearly implied understanding of sacerdos (L. for the
Greek iereus). By the authority of the bishop, a priest is enabled to
administer all the sacraments with the exception of Confirmation and Holy Orders
which are traditionally and exclusively Episcopal sacraments (those administered
only by a bishop). Courtesy indicates the priest should be addressed by
his or her personal preference: Mother, Father, Ms., Mr., first name, etc.
Rector / Vicar
A priest in charge of a fully self-supporting parish is the rector. A
priest in charge of a mission or congregation financially supported by the
diocese or other source is called the vicar.
Reverend
"The Reverend" is an appropriate title to precede the full name of a deacon or
priest. "The Right Reverend" is appropriate for a bishop. "Reverend"
is an adjective, not a noun. The article "the" should always precede it.
(Statesmen are sometimes addressed as "the Honorable." "Reverend" is the same
type designation as "Honorable." No one would think of calling "the
Honorable John Jones" Honorable Jones! By the same token, "The Reverend John
Jones" should not be addressed as Reverend Jones.)
Other Positions within the Church
Taken from
Acolyte
The Acolytes assists the ordained and licensed ministers at worship
services. Their responsibilities include lighting the altar candles,
carrying the candles in procession, preparing the wine ands water for the Mass,
and assisting the Sacred Ministers in Mass. Acolytes include the Banner
Bearer, Flag Bearer, Clergy Crucifer, Torch Bearer, Thurifer, Servers, Altar
Boys, and Altar Girls.
Banner Bearer
The Banner Bearer is the Acolyte responsible for carrying the Banner in the
procession.
Celebrant
The Celebrant is the Priest or Bishop who leads the celebration of, or presides
at, the Holy Eucharist.
Chalice Bearer
The Chalice Bearer is the Eucharistic Assistant licensed by the bishop to
administer the wine during Holy Communion.
Clergy
The Clergy includes the Deacons, Priests, and Bishops of the church.
Clergy Crucifer
The Clergy Crucifer is the Acolyte who carries the processional cross
immediately before the Clergy.
Crucifer
The Crucifer is the Acolyte who carries the Processional Cross.
Flag Bearer
The Flag Bearer is the Acolyte who carries the flag in the procession.
Head Crucifer
The Head Crucifer is the Acolyte who carries the processional cross at the
beginning of the procession.
Lay Reader
The Lay Reader is the member of the laity. They are licensed by the Bishop
to read the lessons and to conduct certain services in the absent of the Deacon
or Priest. They can also administer the Chalice at Holy Communion when
licensed.
Lector
The Lector is the person licensed to read a lesson during a worship service.
Officiant
The Officiant is the person who conducts or leads a worship service, other than
the Holy Eucharist, as in the Morning or Evening Prayer.
Parish
The Parish is the congregation that is financially independent.
Server
The Server is the Acolyte who serves at the Altar.
Thurifer
The Thurifer is the Acolyte who carries the Thurible.
Torch Bearer
The Torch bearer is the Acolyte who caries the Torch.
Vestry
There are two meanings for Vestry. The Vestry in this category is the
group of elected members of the Parish responsible for the temporal affairs of
the congregation.
Architectural Terms
Choir of Chancel
In classical Gothic church design, a divided area of pews, seats,
stalls, or prayer desks facing each other between the nave and the sanctuary.
Also known as the choir since the choristers usually sit in that area.
Narthex
An entrance hall or foyer. This area may also be referred to by some as a
vestibule.
Nave
The area where the congregation sits, stands, or kneels during the public
worship.
Sanctuary
The area immediately surrounding the altar rail. While many protestants
refer to the entire church building as "the sanctuary," we do not.
Our usage stems from the ancient understanding of Temple practice of setting the
"Holy of Holies" apart from other sacred spaces in the edifice, as well as the
ecclesial understanding of the sacredness of the altar area.
Other Architectural Terms
According to
Altar
The Altar is the large wood or stone table located in the central part of the
Sanctuary. It is where Holy Communion is celebrate and is the focal point
of the liturgical Church.
Altar Rail
The Altar Rail is where Episcopalians traditionally come to receive Holy
Communion.
Altar Rail Gate
The Altar Rail Gate is located in the Altar Rail. When open, the Altar
Rail Gate provides access to the Altar area. It is usually closed during
the administration of Holy Communion, providing a continuous Altar Rail.
Epistle Side
The Epistle Side is, facing the Altar, on the right side of the Altar.
Traditionally, this is the side the Epistle is read.
Gospel Side
The Gospel Side is, facing the Altar, on the left side of the Altar.
Traditionally, this is the side the Gospel is read.
Lectern
The Lectern is a large wooden or metal stand from which the Scripture lessons
are read. The Lectern is usually on the Epistle side.
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