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St Peter's church, Ealing - Religious glossary Category: People and society > Christianity Date & country: 19/01/2008, UK Words: 167

Abba
An Aramaic word for father, typically used by a child when addressing their own parent. Jesus used the term when addressing God.

Acolyte
(From a Greek word for ' follower ') A layperson who performs minor duties during a religious service. Acolytes serve in pairs, and carry candles at the beginning and end of the Mass, as well as at the gospel.

Agnus Dei
From two Latin words: agnus, meaning 'lamb' and dei, meaning 'of God.' The term refers to a three-part litany frequently said or sung after the fraction in the Holy Communion part of the Eucharist.

All Saints Day
A Christian day of remembrance of the saints of the faith- both recognized and unknown. It has been observed since 609 CE . The Western church celebrates it on Novermber 1st; Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate All Saints Day in the springtime -- on the Sunday after Pentecost.

Altar
A table, usually in the sanctuary, on which the bread and wine used in the Communion service are consecrated.

Amen
The word is related to ' Emunah ' in Hebrew, which means faith and/or belief. Adding 'Amen' at the end of a blessing or a prayer demonstrates a statement of affirmation that the blessing is true and hope that the prayer will be answered . 'Amen ' is also a near acronym; its four letters stand for the three Hebrew words: ' Aiy'l Melech Ne-eman ' whi …

Angel
The English word comes from the Greek 'angelos' (messenger). In the Bible they were described as an intelligent and immortal species. They delivered messages from God, and either harmed or helped humans.

Anglicanism
The beliefs and organization of the Church of England and the national churches that together form the Anglican Communion . The Communion includes the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and the Anglican Church of Canada. The denomination is theologically diverse, having members whose beliefs range from Fundamentalism to liberal Christianity. The Communio …

Apocalypse, apocalyptic
A style of mainly Jewish and Christian writing that was common from about 200 BCE to 200 CE . The writings prophesized the destruction of evil and triumph of good. Sometimes narrowly used to refer to the Book of Revelation in the Bible.

Apostle
A Christian term to refer to Jesus' immediate followers. An apostle must generally a man was personally chosen by Jesus, and to have seen him. Sometimes, the term is used to refer only to the twelve disciples, or to the twelve disciples and Paul. Other times, it has been used to refer to the 70 disciples selected by Jesus. In Romans 16:7, Paul ref …

Apostle's Creed
A summary of Christian beliefs. Many Christians believe that the Apostles personally wrote the creed so that they could coordinate their missionary efforts as they spread out through the known world. However, there is evidence that the creed was written near the end of the second century CE , about a century after the time of the apostles.

Archangel
a member of the highest rank of angels. Only two are mentioned in the Bible: Gabriel and Michael.

Archbishop
(Derived from a Greek word for 'chief overseer'). A bishop who has administrative responsibilities over an archdiocese.

Archdiocese
A diocese - a geographical area - that is particularly large or has an important past. Its priests are under the direction of a single archbishop. The term is used by the Roman Catholic church, the Greek Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion.

Armageddon
A battle that is prophesized to occur in the plain of Megiddo, Israel. Jesus and Satan, and their armies, will fight a final battle (as stated in the biblical Book of Revelation ).

Ascension
This refers to the Christian belief that Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at God's right hand. According to two gospels, Mark and Luke, Jesus ascended to heaven on the same day as his resurrection. Acts explained that it occurred 40 days later.

Ascension, feast of
A Christian holy day celebrating Jesus' ascension up to heaven. It is celebrated on a Thursday, 39 days after Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday
This is the first day of Lent, observed by Christians. It is held on the Wednesday which is 40 days prior to Easter.

Atonement
In general, an act that unites enemies as friends. In Christianity, the doctrine that Christ's death has the power of canceling the sins of those Christians who are ' saved. '

Baptism
Derived from a Greek root: ' baptizo, ' which means ' to immerse,' 'to dip under, ' or ' to wash. ' Within Christianity, it is usually performed by a member of the clergy in a church setting, thus welcoming an individual into the church.

Bible
The holy text used by Christians. It is includes Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament), Christian Scripture (New Testament). Some faith groups also include a group of writings called the Apocrypha. The word originated in the Greek word ' biblos ,' which means ' book .'

Bishop
(From the Greek word episkopos: supervisor). In the early church, he was a chief priest at a church. Later, the role became that of a priest with administrative duties over a group of churches within a geographical area called a diocese.

Blasphemy
Swearing in the name of God, denying the existence of God, saying evil things about God etc.

Book of Common Prayer
The worship book of the Anglican Church since its inception in 1549. Commonly called the 'prayer book,' commonly abbreviated as the BCP, the Book of Common Prayer is a collection of classic and contemporary prayers, devotions, services and psalms designed to allow the entire Church to worship in common union.

Canon
The Canon of Scripture in Christianity refers to the set of books selected from among the books of the Hebrew Scriptures, the dozens of gospels, and many dozens of epistles, to form the Bible. Some canons contain just the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and 27 books in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Other canons include …

Cassock
A black robe worn by priests or deacons, and are usually worn with a white over-garment called a surplice.

Catechism
From the Greek 'katecheo' - to sound aloud. A training program to educate a person in the fundamentals of Christianity. It is often organized in a question and answer format.

Catholic
This came from the Greek word Katholikos which means 'throughout the whole' or ' universal .' This implies a world-wide faith, rather than a local one. The Nicene Creed, recited in the churches of many Christian denominations, speaks of ' one holy catholic and apostolic church .'

Celebrant
A minister or priest - or in some denominations, a member of the laity - who leads a worship service which includes communion.

Chalice
A special drinking cup used in Christian communion services to hold wine.

Chancel
The front part of the church from which the service is conducted, as distinct from the nave where the congregation sits. It is usually an elevated platform, three steps up from the nave.

Chapel
Can either be an alcove with an altar in a large church, or a separate building that is smaller than a full-sized church. Chapels have the same function as church buildings and are equipped in the same way, but are usually dedicated to a special use.

Choir
From Latin, chorus, meaning a group of singers. A choir is group of lay people that help lead the singing during a worship service and sometimes offer special anthems to enhance worship.

Christ
It refers to a Hebrew word (Messiah in English) that means 'an anointed one,' e.g. a king of Israel or a prophet.

Christian
Person believing in, professing or belonging to the religion of Christ.

Christmas
Held on December 25th to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a nominal date. The western church uses the Gregorian calendar and the eastern church uses the Julian calendar. So Christmas is celebrated on two different days.

Church
The Greek word ekklesia (to call out) in the Bible is generally translated as 'church.' It may refer to all those, living or dead, who are Christians. it may refer to a specific Christian group in a specific area.

Church of England
The official name of the original Church in England, the Anglican Church. During the reign of King Henry VIII, the Church, in England, broke formal ties with Rome.

Clergy
Those people who are appointed to work in the church. The three types of clergy are deacons, priests and bishops.

Collect
From the Latin word collecta, meaning 'assembly.' The word is normally used to refer to the prayer near the beginning of the Eucharist that precedes the lessons.

Coming, second
The belief that Jesus will descend to earth as described in the biblical book Revelation , leading a massive army.

Commandments
Rules given by God. The most famous are the 10 commandments given to Moses.

Communion
A Christian ritual, sometimes called the Eucharist, or Mass, or Lord's supper. The sharing of bread and wine (or a wine substitute) during a Christian service of all those baptised.

Confirmation
When people who were baptised as babies confirm the promises made by their parents.

Congregation
The groups of people who make up the local church, or the members of a local church who are present for worship.

Council, ecumenical
A series of meetings of the bishops of the Christian Church to settle doctrinal and organizational matters, in which the decisions were accepted by the entire Church.

Creed
Fropm the Latin word ' credere ' -- to believe. A short statement of religious belief, usually motivated by a desire to emphasize church teaching as opposed to a heresy.

Cross-bearer
The server, who carries the processional cross at the beginning and end of the service.

Crucifix
A religious symbol representing Jesus nailed to the cross. Many show a partly clothed man though the Romans crucified people naked.

Curate
In the Anglican communion, an assistant pastor.

Daily Office
Another name for Morning and Evening Prayer.

Deacon
From the Greek word diakonos (servant). Originally a church administrator. Currently, the term may refer to a member of the clergy, a lay minister, or a lay administrator.

Dean
Most commonly used as an assistant to the bishop who runs the cathedral.

Demon
Originally an angel, it joined with Satan to oppose God.

Diocese
A geographical area under the jurisdiction of a bishop.

Disciples
Followers of Jesus. At one time, Jesus had 12 disciples; at another time, 70 are mentioned.

Disestablishment
Cancellation of the official status of a faith group as a country's official church.

Doctrine
From the Latin word ' doctrina ' (doctor) and the Greek 'didaskolos' (teaching). A body of beliefs that is taught.

Dual Covenant
This is the theological concept that God has continued his covenants with the Jewish people, and has established a new, parallel covenant with the followers of Christianity.

Easter
This is the most important holy day of the Christian calendar. Easter Sunday commemorates the day in the springtime when the resurrection of Jesus is believed to have occurred. Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 20th, the nominal date of the Spring Equinox. It can be on any Sunday from March 22nd to April …

Epiphany
Christians recall the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus on January 6th.

Equinox
The date and time when the sun crosses the equator. On that day, the daytime and nightime are both very close to 12 hours. This happens about March 21 and September 21. Many religious holy days are synchronized to the equinoxes, including the Jewish Passover, and Christian Easter.

Eucharist
Means a 'good gift' or 'thanksgiving.' See Communion.

Exodus
A mass movement of people from an area or country. It often refers to the departure of Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.

Fast; Fasting
The act of doing without food and/or water for an interval of time -- generally to attain a spiritual goal.

Font
The place in the church where babies and others are baptised.

Foreknowledge
An attribute of God that he is able to know all things: past, present and future.

Free will
When used by Christian theologians, means the ability of an individual to freely choose to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Fundamentalist
: Within Christianity, this is a term used since the 1920's to refer to the most religiously conservative group within Protestant Christianity.

Garden of Eden
The original home of Adam and Eve before the fall.

Gentile
Any non-Jewish nation or group.

Genuflection
From the Latin words genu, meaning 'knee,' and flectere, meaning 'to bend.' A bow where the right knee touches the ground.

Godparents
Godfathers and godmothers, persons who sponsor an infant or young child at his or her baptism. Godparents make vows that they will, by their example, help the child know what it means to be a Christian, so that later in his or her life the child can confirm that fact for himself or herself at Confirmation.

Good Friday
The Friday before Easter Sunday. This commemorates the execution of Jesus by the Roman Army.

Good works
Activities that are legal, pure of motive, and helpful to other persons.

Grace
An Christian expression meaning the free and unmerited assistance or favour or energy or saving presence of God in his dealings with humanity. Grace is a gift of God and is not considered to be deserved by the individual.

Hallelujah
A shout or song of praise to God. 'Hallel' means 'praise.' 'Jah' is an abbreviation of 'YWVH.' It appears in many places throughout the last third of the book of Psalms.

Heaven
In Christianity and Islam it is the abode of God, the Father's House, where selected individuals go after death to be with God.

Hell
one of two destinations for an individual after death in the Christian, Muslim and some other religions. Various groups within Christianity believe that a person goes there because of some of their beliefs or their actions. Some believe it is a place of eternal punishment and torment, others it describes an isolation from God.

Heresy
beliefs that are forbidden by the policy-deciding body of a faith group.

High Church
High Church worship emphasizes theological or liturgical formality.

Holy Spirit (a.k.a. Holy Ghost)
The third person in the Christian Trinity. Some faith groups consider him to be an active force. Historically, Christianity has taught that the Holy Spirit is a person, along with God the Father, and Jesus Christ.

Hymn
From the Greek word, hymnos, meaning 'song of praise.' A hymn is a poem or other metrical composition adapted for singing in a church service.

Idol
Anything in life that takes a position of priority over one's relationship with God.

Incarnation
The concept that God became a man and dwelt among other humans.

Incense
It signifies prayer and sacrifice, and is also a sign of honour and respect. The rising smoke is symbolic of prayers rising to God.

Intercession
An activity of Christ in which he advocates to God the Father the in favour of saved individuals.

Interfaith
An attempt to initiate dialogue, cooperation, and understanding among individuals of two different faiths.

Jews
The people of Abraham. Jesus was a Jew.

Joseph
The earthly father of Jesus.

Justification
A Christian term that refers to the forgiveness and total elimination of a believer's sin on the grounds of Jesus' righteousness and shed blood at his crucifixion. An individual is 'justified' when 'they are brought into right standing and into a right relationship with' God.

Kneelers
: Pads along the pew on which the congregation can kneel during prayer.

Kyrie
From the Greek for the actual name, Kyrie Eleison, which means, 'Lord have mercy.' The Kyrie serves as a reminder to us that we cannot, by our own effort, keep the commandments. It is a plea for grace by fallen sinners.

Laity
From the Greek word, laos, meaning 'people,' the laity are the non-ordained members of a church, as distinguished from 'the clergy'.

Last supper
The meal that Jesus and his disciples took just before Jesus' arrest. The term is also used to refer to communion.

Lay reader
Any non-ordained person who participates in reading part of a church service.

Lectern
A stand upon which the Bible is placed for reading in a service of worship. The word lectern derives from the Latin word legere which means 'to read.'

Lectionary
A series of Bible passages that are read throughout the year in a church service. Often, the sermon is based on the passage just read.

Lent
A period of spiritual preparation for Easter. It starts 40 days before Easter Sunday.

Liturgy
From the Greek word 'leitourgia' meaning 'service.' Forms and content of pulbic service for church worship.