Descriptionary

Eastern Orthodox Church the churches of Eastern Europe, Russia, and the eastern Mediterranean. Also known as the Orthodox Church.

ecclesiastic a priest or minister; a clergyman.

ecumenical pertaining to the unity of the Christian Church around the world.

Epiphany a festival held on January 6 in the Catho­lic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches to commemo­rate the visit of the wise men at Christ's birth.

Episcopal Church the Anglican Church in the United States, Canada, and Scotland. Unlike other Protestant churches, Episcopal churches are governed by bishops.

epistle one of the letters written by the Apostles in the New Testament and recited as part of a service.

Eucharist the main sacrament commemorating the Last Supper. The bread and the wine, as the body and blood of Christ, are eaten and drunk by worshipers. Also known as Communion, Holy Communion, and Mass.

evangelism spreading the word of Christ through­out the world through missions.

evangelist one who spreads the word of Christ.

evensong an Anglican evening service similar to Catholic vespers.

ex cathedra "from the chair"; referring to a pro­nouncement made by the authority of one's office.

excommunication the cutting off from or exclusion from the Catholic Church membership or from reli­gious rites, especially that of receiving Holy Commu­nion, due to certain transgressions against the church.

faith healing the healing of a sick person through prayer and faith in God rather than through medical intervention.

Franciscans the order of Anglican and Roman Catholic friars, founded by St. Francis of Assisi.

friar similar to a monk, but not bound to a single community. A Franciscan, Dominican, or Carmelite.

fundamentalism the 20th-century Protestant move­ment that holds that the Bible is infallible and should be taken as the literal truth, despite scientific or his­torical evidence to the contrary.

genuflect to get down on one knee in worship.

glossolalia speaking in tongues, a gift of the Holy Spirit. An unknown language spoken to communicate visions or prophecies, especially in the Pentecostal Church.

Good Friday the day on which Christ's Crucifixion is commemorated.

Gospels the four accounts of the life and death of Christ by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

hagiarchy a country governed by holy men. Also, a hierarchy of saints.

hands, laying on of healing someone by channeling God's power through touch.

Hebrew Bible the Old Testament.

heresy anything against traditional religious doc­trine or dogma.

heretic one who dissents from his religion's doctrine or dogma.

Holy Communion the service of the Eucharist.

Holy Innocents Day a festival held on December 28 commemorating the murder of Bethlehem's male children under two, as ordered by King Herod.

Holy Land Israel or Palestine.

holy orders the rite of ordination to the priesthood.

Holy week the last week of Lent.

host the round wafers of unleavened bread used in Holy Communion.

Immaculate Conception in the Roman Catholic Church, the doctrine that holds that the Virgin Mary was free from original sin since her conception.

infidel a member of another religion, in regard to Christianity or Islam. Also, one with no religious beliefs.

intercession the Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian's prayer to a saint requesting that they pray directly to God on their behalf. Prayers made through saints or angels are believed to be more effective.

Isa Arabic for Jesus.

Jesuit a member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order.

King James Bible the translation of the Bible into English ordered by King James I; it was first published in 1611.

kiss of peace a greeting kiss in the Roman Catho­lic Mass, the Orthodox Eucharist, and the Lutheran Communion.

laity the nonclergy members of a congregation.

lauds the hour of morning worship in Catholic divine office.

lectionary a book containing lessons from the Bible to be read at services.

Lent the 40-day period, beginning with Ash Wednes­day, before Easter Sunday.

litany a prayer of supplications recited by a clergy alternating with replies from the congregation, either sung or spoken.

liturgy the rite of the Eucharist. Also, public wor­ship or any religious ritual. Also, the Book of Com­mon Prayer.

Lutheran Church the Protestant Church that fol­lows the teachings of Martin Luther.

Madonna the Virgin Mary. Also, any depiction, such as a painting, of the Virgin Mary.

martyr one killed for his religious beliefs.

Mass the Roman Catholic term for the Eucharist or Holy Communion.

Maundy Thursday the day of the Last Supper and the day Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.