Talk Like A Priest

pall

1) A square, thick cardboard covered with cloth that is used to veil the chalice at the Eucharist. 2) A large, rectangular, embroidered white or gold garment used to vest, or cover, a casket during the Burial service. A smaller one is used for the container for the cremains of a person who has been cremated. Burial of the Dead (See BCP p. 468). "The colors of white or gold, associated with Easter and resurrection, are especially appropriate for the pall" (episcopalchurch.org).

offertory

2 meanings: the period between the two halves of the service when the altar is prepared for communion, as well as the hymn sung during that time, which may be called the offertory anthem if sung by soloists.

sanctuary

Also called the chancel; the part of the church behind the altar rail. It contains the altar, choir, and seating for the altar party as well as the East altar and the tabernacle.

altar

Also called the holy Table or the Lord's Table. The table in the sanctuary that the priests face during services and upon which communion is prepared.

All Souls' Day

Also known as the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, this is the Feast day commemorating all who have died, particularly in the preceding year. It is an extension of All Saints' Day normally, observed on Nov. 2, but often combined with All Saints' Day.

Altar of Repose

An altar other than the main altar, often in a chapel if available, upon which the consecrated host and wine are reserved (the Reserved Sacrament) and often prayed before during the time from the stripping of the altar at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service to the Easter Vigil. It may be decorated with flowers and candles.

Reserved Sacrament

Consecrated hosts and wine saved from previous Eucharists. On Good Friday, communion may be taken from the reserved sacrament, but any not used at that time is to be disposed of in a reverent way in a piscina or buried/poured upon the ground.

Annunciation (Feast of the)

Feast day celebrated on March 25 (nine months before Christmas Day) which remembers the appearance of the Angel Gabriel before Mary recounted in Luke 1: 26-38. Mary responded with the song of praise known as the Magnificat. It is signified as a Feast of Our Lord.

All Saints' Day

Feast day commemorating all the saints of the Church, observed on Nov. 1 or the Sunday thereafter. Along with Pentecost, Easter, and the Sunday after All Saints' Day , one of four days recommended especially for the celebration of baptism.

Maundy Thursday

From the Latin mandatum novum ("new commandment" in John 13:34), a service in Holy Week in which the institution of the Holy Eucharist is particularly remembered. Foot washing is also often a part of this service as part of the commandment of Jeuss that we should serve and love each other. At this service, extra consecrated bread and wine may be consecrated and set aside for use as the Reserved Sacrament during Good Friday services.

Daily Office

In the Episcopal Church, this most commonly consists of Morning or Evening Prayer; a worship service that can be led by lay people at home or in the parish, consisting of the reading of prayers, scripture passages, canticles, and the Apostle's Creed.

Triduum

Latin term most commonly used to name the Three Holy Days before Easter beginning with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. It can also be used for any three day period of preparation before a feast

bishop

The Greek word (episkopos) for "supervisor;" a consecrated successor to the Apostles, usually given charge of the pastoral and catechetical care of a particular jurisdiction, or diocese; who is called to teach, sanctify, and govern the faithful of his own diocese, and also to work together in caring for the worldwide Church.

Ash Wednesday

The first of the 40 Days of Lent. It is customary to impose ashes created from the burning of palms upon the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of penitence and reminder of mortality. It is a fast day in the Episcopal Church (optional).

Advent

The first season of the liturgical year, begins four Sundays before Christmas Day (soon after Thanksgiving Day in the US) through the day before Christmas. Combines a penitential mood esp. in the first two weeks as well as a more celebratory mood as Christmas Day approaches. This season is meant to both anticipate Christ's nativity, or birth, and his return again in glory. The liturgical colors are either purple or Sarum blue.

Ante-Communion

The portion of the worship service from the Liturgy of the Word through the Lord's Prayer.

Liturgy of the Hours (Canonical Hours)

Traditionally in monastic settings, eight prayer services held every three hours throughout the day: Matins, Lauds (3 am), Prime (sunrise), Terce (9 am), Sext (noon), None (3 pm), Vespers (6 pm), and Compline (9 pm).

Lent

a 40-day (excluding Sundays) season of penitence and fasting in preparation for the Paschal feast or Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and runs through Holy Week and ends at the easter Vigil. Its liturgical colors are purple/violet or unbleached linen.

cruet

a glass or silver flask containing water or wine. There is a stopper of either glass or cork at the top to prevent evaporation.

veil

a heavy, usually embroidered covering for the chalice when it is on the altar during the first part of the service. Its color usually matches the color for the season of the church year

processional cross

a large cross on a long staff approximately 6 feet tall. Carried by the crucifer.

Paschal candle

a large white candle on a stand that is lit during the Easter season and during baptisms and funerals.

priest host

a larger version of a communion wafer that is broken before the congregation as part of the service of the Eucharist

alb

a long white garment, sometimes hooded, worn by liturgical participants. Often worn with a cincture at the waist.

stole

a long, scarf-like garment worn by deacons and priests over their albs. These are usually the color of the Church season. Deacons wear their stoles diagonally, while priests wear their stoles around their necks as pictured.

thurible

a metal container which holds hot charcoal and incense, which is attached to the end of a chain. It produces a fragrant smoke used to cense the altar the gospel book, or the congregation.

chasuble

a poncho-like garment worn by the celebrant during the Communion. This is heavy, often embroidered, and is usually the color of the current church season.

ambo

a raised platform for reading the gospel or preaching; now is often synonymous with "pulpit." In early church buildings, it was meant to signify the mountain upon which Moses received the 10 Commandments.

host

a round wafer used as the bread during communion. There are two sizes: a large one, called the priest host, is held aloft, consecrated and broken during the Communion service; and smaller ones to be distributed individually to communicants.

chalice

a silver, gold, glass or pottery cup used to administer the wine during communion.

burse

a square folder covered in cloth that sits on top of the veiled chalice. It usually contains an extra purificator, (rhymes with purse, which it's somewhat similar to)

lectern

a stand on the right side of the altar that holds copies of the first two readings. In Episcopal churches it is often shaped like a large brass eagle.

purificator

a thin linen towel; used to wipe the chalice after each person takes communion and for the celebrant to dry his or her hands after you have helped wash them.

antiphon

a verse, usually dram from the psalms, sung before or after the reading of a psalm or canticle as a responsorial during Holy Eucharust or the daily office. For instance, this is the one used in Morning Prayer during Pentecost: "Alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord renews the face of the earth: Come let us adore him. Alleluia." See anthem and O Antiphons.

surplice

a white linen flowing garment reaching to the waist or the knees worn over a cassock by liturgical participants.

altar rail

a wooden railing that separates the sanctuary from the nave. There is sometimes a gate in the middle so that the altar party can move about freely between the sanctuary and the nave.

torchbearers

acolytes who carry the torches in processions and recessionals.

Compline

also called Night Prayer, the last of canonical hours or service for it (usually after the evening meal recited at the end or "completion" of the day, just before bedtime.

Pentecost

also called Whitsunday; feast day celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, considered to be the birthday of the Church. Its liturgical color is red.

host box

also called a ciborium; a square or rectangular silver box containing wafers.

narthex

also called a vestibule; an entryway into a church inside the main doors to the church building; the area where the ushers greet worshipers before they move into the nave. The doors leading out of the church are often here.

altar cloth (Fair Linen)

also called the Fair Linen, a long white cloth that covers the top of the altar as the bottom layer of many layers of cloth. It often extends over the sides (but not the front or back) of the altar. It may be emroidered with five crosses- one on each corner, and one in the center.

anthem

also called the antiphon, the choral singing of a responsorial liturgical text; it is often done in a "call and response" format in which a cantor or choir leads and the congregation responds.

celebrant

also called the presider; the priest or bishop who presides at the Eucharist.

frontal

also called the the antependium or frontlet, the special decoration that hangs from the front of the altar. Its color changes with the season of the church year.

O Antiphons

also known as the Advent Antiphons, these are each based upon a name of Christ and are traditionally sung at vespers from December 17 to December 23. They comprise the verses of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

priest

an ordained minister of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Church having the authority to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments, such as holy communion, pronouncing absolution for sin, and baptism. From the Old English word "prebyter," which means "elder." In the Methodist church, the equivalent is called "minister" or "elder."

deacon

an ordained person dedicated to ministry and service; the first martyr of the Christian Church was Stephen, who was a deacon (see Acts 7).

unction

anointing someone with consecrated oil (see anointing). Extreme Unction is a rite performed when someone is gravely ill (called Last Rites in the Roman Church).

Evensong

another term for Evening Prayer; a daily evening service in the Anglican church. If it includes a choir, it is called Choral Evensong.

torches

candles on long wooden staffs carried by acolytes in the procession and recessional. When not being carried they are placed in stands by the lectern.

Easter Vigil (Great Vigil of Easter)

commencing with sunset on the Saturday of before Easter (Holy Saturday), this is the earliest celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. At this service, a new Paschal Candle is lit from a new flame.

Eucharist

from the Greek for "thanksgiving;" also known as Holy Communion, or the general term for the main service in the Episcopal Church

anaphora

from the Greek word for "carrying back" or "lifting up"; the main prayer of the Eucharist of Great Thanksgiving, including the consecration, the anamnesis, and the communion itself.

liturgy

from the Greek word leiturgia, meaning "work or duty of the people." the Church's official, public, communal prayer. The Church's most important liturgy is the Eucharist, or the Mass.

Agnus Dei

from the Latin for "Lamb of God;" the fraction anthem based on John 1:29 that may be used at the breaking of the bread in the Eucharist, either said or sung or during the Great Litany (BCP 159): "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Grant us peace."

Vespers

from the Latin vesper, which means "evening," also called "An Order of Worship for Evening," traditionally held at twilight in candlelight. An evening prayer service, part of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Christmas

from the early English "Christes masse;" also known as "the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ;" observed on December 25 each year, celebrates the Incarnation through the birth of Jesus Christ. As a season, not just a day, it lasts 12 days from Christmas Day through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Its liturgical color is white or gold.

Epiphany

from the word for "sudden insight;" feast day on January 6 which commemorates the arrival of the Magi and the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles; the celebration of the manifestation or revelation of God in human form; the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles or non-Jews. Its liturgical color is white.

East altar (high altar)

in older churches, this is the altar that is attached to the back wall of the sanctuary, even if it is not actually attached to the east wall. After the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, many Roman and Anglican churches either moved these away from the wall if possible or built another altar toward the front of the sanctuary so that the priests could face the people during the Holy Communion.

cassock

in the Anglican tradition a long, black or red, ankle-length garment, worn by acolytes or priests, that either buttons up the front or is double-breasted, fitted to the waist then flaring from the hips to the ankle. Also called a soutane. These things are so cool that Neo wore one in the Matrix.

genuflect

kneel from a standing position with one knee briefly touching the ground while the other leg bends. It is a sign of respect often done in front of the altar.

Gospel Book

large book containing a copy of the gospels. May be covered in a gold binding.

service book

large book on a stand that the priest uses to conduct the service. Also called the Missal.

alms basin

large silver or brass plates used to collect the monetary offerings from the congregation during the offertory.

fair linen

long, rectangular linen cloth that covers the top of the altar.

oblations

offerings of bread and wine brought from the congregation.

acolyte

one who serves and assists the other liturgical participants during the worship service, often by carrying torches, crosses, or the gospel book, etc.

Candlemas

originally the end of the Christmas season, the feast on the 40th day after Christmas (February 2)

Holy Week

period of time beginning with Passion/Palm Sunday, and including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil; the week before Easter Day. Its liturgical color is red.

Fair Linen

see altar cloth.

paten

small plate used to hold the bread or wafers during communion.

levabo

small silver or glass bowl used when washing the celebrant's hands after the setting of the altar at the start of the Holy Communion part of the service.

vestments

special clothing worn during worship services. Includes albs, cassocks, chasubles, stoles, etc.

corporal

square white cotton cloth placed under the chalice on top of the fair linen.

credence table

table where the unconsecrated wafers and wine for the communion service, plus other things that may be needed, such as a second chalice, the lavabo bowl, a cruet of water and purificators may be placed to be at the ready during the worship service.

Easter

the Feast of the Resurrection celebrated after Lent, on the third day after Good Friday. It is also a season that lasts for 50 days (also known as the Great Fifty Days or Eastertide). Its liturgical color is white or gold, which symbolizes resurrection.

Good Friday

the Friday of Holy Week before Easter Day, in which the Passion and death of Jesus (as told in the gospel of John) is particularly remembered. It is a fast day (optional). The service also includes the Solemn Collects (which are often sung) and veneration before the cross. Because "Eucharist" means thanksgiving, it is inappropriate to celebrate the Eucharist on this day, although Holy Communion may be distributed from the Reserved Sacrament.

crucifer

the acolyte who carries the processional cross.

anointing

the application of consecrated oils, especially for healing, initiation at baptism, or ordination.

pectoral cross

the cross on a chain or cord that acolytes, choir members, readers, priests, and bishops may wear on their chests.

processional

the entrance hymn played while the altar party processes into the nave.

absolution

the formal pronouncement by a priest or bishop of the forgiveness of sins by God, pronounced after the General Confession during the Eucharist, or during the ceremony for the Reconciliation of a Penitent.

sequence (hymn)

the hymn sung before the reading of the Gospel, often used so that the Gospel may be processed out into the midst of the congregation in the nave.

epiclesis

the invocation of the Holy Spirit over the elements of bread and wine, asking that they be made the Body and Blood of Christ. There is an explicit one of these in Eucharistic prayers A, B, and D.

nave

the part of the church where the worshippers in the congregation sit.

Ordinary Time

the part of the church year that is not connected to either the Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter seasons; the longest litugical season in the calendar. It used to be called "the season after Epiphany" or "the season after Pentecost." The "season after Epiphany can be very short, depending upon where Lent and Easter fall in the calendar. Its liturgical color is green, which is why it is known colloquially as "the long green season."

Proper

the part of the liturgy that can vary from week to week; for instance, the readings in the lectionary change from week to week. During Ordinary Time, readings in the Revised Common Lectionary are denoted by both a season and a number of the week as well as a "proper" number. For instance in Year C in 2013, the second Sunday after Pentecost was also Proper 4.

thurifer

the person who carries and uses the thurible during worship (for a video of how to perform this function, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY59IUggkrE)

fraction

the point in the service when the bread or large host is broken. In the Episcopal tradition, an anthem is sometimes sung or chanted at this point.

anamnesis

the remembrance of the main events of Jesus's ministry including the institution of the Eucharist that forms a part of the Holy Communion prayers to remind the congregation of the salvific work of Jesus especially in his death and resurrection.

sacristy

the room used to store materials used during the service. It usually contains all the vestments.

cincture

the rope worn around the waist when wearing an alb. This is doubled and tied in a simple knot. The knot should be at your left side if one is a lay person, or at the right side if ordained.

Great Thanksgiving

the second half of the worship service after the Litrugy of the Word; from the Sursum Corda, through the administration of communion, through the dismissal. The word for Thanksgiving in Greek is "Eucharist."

elements

the unconsecrated bread or wafer and the wine that is used during Communion.

reserved sacrament

these are wafers and wine that have already been consecrated at a previous Communion service. They are stored in a host box and a cruet in the aumbry or tabernacle that is located along the rear wall of the sanctuary.

Ember Days

three days which occur four times a year: the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after St. Lucy's Day (Dec. 13), Ash Wednesday, the Day of Pentecost, and Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14). The name comes from the Latin title Quattuor tempora, meaning "four times." In ancient Italy the times (originally three) were associated with sowing, harvest, and vintage, for which one prayed, fasted, and gave alms. Later the four times became occasions for ordination, for which the Christian community prayed and the candidates prepared themselves by prayer and retreat. The BCP appoints proper collects and readings for this observance under the title "For the Ministry (Ember Days), including propers "For those to be ordained," "For the choice of fit persons for the ministry," and "For all Christians in their vocation" (BCP, pp. 256-257, 929). (definition from episcopalchurch.org)

orans (position)

traditionally the position all Christians assumed during prayer, now used mainly by the celebrant while engaged in prayer while standing at the alter, with hands extended away from the body facing toward the congregation (tilted slightly upward) with arms slightly bent at the elbow so that hands are approximately at eye-height.

Advent Wreath

used during Advent season, it consists of a wreath of greenery with four candles (three purple or blue, and one pink or rose) spaced atop the greenery. After Christmas Day, the candles are often changed to all white candles and are all lit throughout the Christmas season.

ablutions

using water to rinse out the chalice after communion has concluded, or to wash the hands of the priest and/or deacon after the setting of the table before communion.