Glossary

Advent Wreath. A wreath with four candles (three purple, one rose) around the outside, representing the four Sundays of Advent (the rose candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday). A white center candle is lit throughout the twelve days of Christmas (Christmas day through Epiphany or Dec. 25-Jan 6).

Alb. See Cassock-Alb, below.

Aumbry. A small cabinet for storing consecrated bread and wine (and holy oil). Normally, there is a candle nearby, signifying the presence of Christ in the sacrament. When this cabinet is physically attached to an altar, it is referred to as a tabernacle.

Breadbox. A box containing the communion bread.

Burse. A top-piece to the veiled chalice. It contains extra purificators inside (as well as the corporal, if it is not already set-up).

Cassock. Black vestment used by Assistants in a worship service (as well as by the Officiant in the Daily Office). Usually worn with a surplice over top.

Cassock-Alb. White vestment worn by the celebrant and the lead acolyte.

Celebrant. The priest or bishop leading the service of Holy Communion. When there is more than one celebrant (concelebrants), there is always one chief celebrant, who prays all the words of the Eucharistic Prayer.

Chalice. The communion cup.

Chancel. In gothic churches, the area between the nave and the sanctuary, where the choir normally sits, as well as the clergy for the first part of the service. Colonial churches have no chancel, though sometimes the sanctuary is (mistakenly) referred to with this term.

Chasuble. Outer vestment worn by the celebrant (and concelebrants) at communion. Its color matches that of the liturgical season or day.

Ciborium. A vessel containing consecrated bread. It looks like a chalice with a lid.

Cincture. Belt worn around the cassock-alb; often made of white rope.

Communicant. Baptized Christian who receives communion.

Concelebrant. A clergy person who celebrates the communion service with the chief celebrant.

Cope. Festival vestment worn by clergy at special celebrations.

Corporal. A white linen laid out underneath the chalice and paten on the altar.

Crozier. Bishop's staff, representing the bishop's role as shepherd of a diocese.

Cruet. A small flagon.

Dean. Overseer of a region. Addressed as "The Very Reverend . . .".

Diocese. An administrative area of the church overseen by a bishop.

Epistle Side. The right side, facing the altar.

Font. A large basin used for baptisms.

Flagon. A vessel containing either wine or water in a communion service.

Gospel Side. The left side, facing the altar.

Intinction. Receiving communion by dipping the host in the wine.

Lavabo bowl. Bowl used to wash the celebrant's hands.

Lectionary. A series of assigned readings for the Church year. There is a Sunday lectionary, for Sunday communion readings (see BCP p. 888ff), and a Daily Office lectionary for Morning and Evening Prayer services (see BCP p. 934ff).

Liturgical Colors. Colors reflecting the church calendar: Purple (penitence) for Lent and Advent (the latter might instead be Light Blue (for Mary)); White (purity, splendor) for Christmas, Easter, Saints' Days, Baptisms and other Holy Days; Red (fire, blood) for Holy Week, Pentecost, Ordinations and Martyrs Days; Green (growth) for "Normal time," i.e., the Sundays in Epiphany and Pentecost seasons.

Mitre. Pointed hat worn by bishops. Signifies the "tongues of fire" of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

Nave. The main body of the church where the congregation sits.

NRSV. New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Officiant. The leader of a non-eucharistic worship service.

Pall. The square cover placed on top of the chalice. It keeps insects from the communion wine. Also, the covering placed over a casket during a funeral.

Paschal Candle. Large Candle lit during Easter Season, Baptisms and Funerals. It represents of light of Christ.

Paten. The communion plate holding the bread.

Piscina. A special sink going straight into the ground. Excess consecrated wine is poured into it.

Proanaphora. Part of the communion service prior to the Eucharistic Prayer.

Purificator. A linen used for wiping the chalice during the administration of communion.

Pyx. A small container holding (usually consecrated) communion bread.

Region. In the Diocese of Virginia, a smaller area of the diocese overseen by a Dean.

Sacristy. Room where communion vessels and supplies are stored.

Sanctuary. The area inside the altar rail. In colonial churches, sometimes (mistakenly) called a chancel.

Stole. Narrow strip of fabric worn by clergy. Deacons wear theirs across the left shoulder, while priests and bishops wear theirs draped around their necks. When more than one clergy person is celebrating communion, sometimes the chief celebrant crosses the stole in the front. Stoles match the liturgical color of the season or day.

Surplice. Top, white vestment worn over a cassock by assistants in worship services (as well as by the Officiant in the Daily Office).

Synod. A gathering of bishops.

Tankard. Large flagon containing extra consecrated or unconsecrated communion wine.

Veiled Chalice. The communion set-up, which includes the chalice, purificator, paten, pall, covering veil and burse (in that order).

Words of Administration. Word spoken to communicants when given communion.