A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Word	Definition
ablegate	papal envoy or legate
absconce	lantern used in monasteries and night offices
accensor	acolyte
adiaphoron	tenet or belief on which a theological system is indifferent
adoptionism	belief that Christ was the adopted and not natural son of God
advowson	right of presentation to church living
adytum	sacred part of a temple or church
affusion	pouring on; as of baptismal water
agapeistic	characterized by Christian love
agapetae	churchwomen who live platonically with celibate men
aggiornamento	modernization of ideas of the Catholic church
agrapha	sayings of Jesus not found in the canonical gospels
alb	long white robe worn by priests
almoner	giver of alms; social worker in a hospital
altarage	payment to priest for mass; offerings at altar
ambo	early Christian raised reading desk or pulpit
ambry	recess for church vessels; cupboard or niche
ambulatory	aisle down the east end of a church
amice	strip of fine linen worn as cloak or wrap by priest at mass
ampulla	vessel for holy oil or wine for coronations or rituals
anamnesis	reminiscence; prayer recalling death and resurrection of Jesus
anchorite	one withdrawn from the world for religious reasons
ancress	female religious recluse
anele	to administer extreme unction to
angelus	prayer said in morning, at noon and at sunset
antechapel	anteroom to a chapel or church
antependium	covering or cloth over pulpit or altar
antilegomena	books of the New Testament not part of early Christian Bible
antipedobaptism	denial of validity of infant baptism
antiphon	anthem sung as a response during church service
apocrisiary	papal secretary
apologetics	defense and proof of Christianity or other doctrine
apse	rounded extention of church or other building
archimandrite	head of a monastery or convent
aspergillum	vessel for sprinkling holy water
aspersory	vessel for holding holy water
aureole	radiant light around head or body of holy personage
autocephality	ecclesiastical self-government
auto-da-fe	burning of a heretic
autotheism	belief that one is God incarnate or that one is Christ
baldaquin	covering or canopy over a throne or altar
baptistery	part of church reserved for performing baptisms
bardocucullus	hooded cloak worn by monks
basilica	Roman Catholic church given special privileges
beadle	church caretaker or usher
beadsman	monk or almoner who prays for benefactor
bema	raised part of an Eastern church containing the altar
benefice	ecclesiastical office to which revenue is attached
bethel	a place of worship for seamen; nonconformist chapel
biretta	square three-ridged cap worn by Catholic clergy
breviary	book containing daily church service
bulla	round seal attached to a papal bull
bullary	collection of papal bulls
bursary	treasury of a monastery or college
burse	square cloth case to carry the corporal during Communion service
caesaropapism	control of the church by a secular ruler
calefactory	a monastery sitting room
calotte	Roman Catholic skullcap
camerlengo	papal treasurer
campanile	freestanding bell tower on church property
canoness	woman living in a community under a religious rule
canticle	short holy song or sung prayer
cantorial	located on the north side of the choir in a church
capuchin	pointed hooded cloak worn by friars
cartulary	keeper of monastic records
cassock	close-fitting ankle-length clergyman's garment
catabaptism	belief in the wrongness of infant baptism
catechumen	one undergoing instruction prior to conversion to Christianity
cathedra	chair or throne of office for a bishop or other high official
cathisma	short hymn used as response
catholicos	primate of Armenian or Nestorian church
cellarer	monastery official in charge of provisions
cenacle	room where the Last Supper was eaten
cenobite	monk; member of religious group
cenoby	monastery or convent
censer	vessel for burning incense in religious rituals
cephalophore	decapitated saint depicted with head tucked under arm
chancel	part of church containing altar and seats for choir
chancery	church office dealing with legal matters and archives
chantry	chapel or altar built for prayers for its benefactor's soul
chaplet	circlet or wreath for the head; short string of prayer beads
chasuble	sleeveless ecclesiastical garment
chevet	east end of a church
chimere	loose sleeveless robes worn by Anglican bishops
chrism	consecrated or holy oil
chrismation	sacrament of baptism in Eastern churches
chrismatory	vessel for holding holy oil
chrisom	white robe put on newly baptised child
christophany	appearance of Christ to men
churching	church ceremony given to women after childbirth
churchism	devotion to church rules over religious precepts
ciborium	freestanding canopy to cover altar; vessel for holding eucharistic bread
cilice	haircloth worn as penance
cincture	to gird or surround; belt worn around ecclesiastical vestment
cingulum	girdle or girdle-like structure; priest's belt
circumincession	the reciprocal existence of three parts of the Trinity in each other
classis	a group; governing body of Reformed churches
clerestory	upper storey of a church
coadjutor	bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and having the right of succession
collegialism	theory that church is independent from the state
colporteur	peddler of religious tracts and books
compaternity	spiritual relationship between child's parents and godparents
compline	prayer service held just before bedtime
comprecation	prayer meeting
concelebrate	to jointly recite the canon of the Eucharist in unison with others
concordat	agreement between the pope and a secular government
confirmand	candidate for religious confirmation
confiteor	prayer of confession of sins
consistory	a solemn assembly or council; a church tribunal
consultor	advisor to a Catholic bishop
conventicle	secret or illegal church assembly
corporal	white cloth on which Communion bread and wine are placed
credence	small table for holding sacred vessels
crosier	pastoral staff or crook held by bishop or abbot
cruet	vessel used in religious ceremonies, especially to hold the Eucharist
curate	assistant to a parish priest
curia	papal court and its officials
custos	guardian, custodian or keeper, especially of convents or monasteries
dalmatic	ecclesiastical robe or other outer vestment
datary	papal officer who registers and dates bulls and edicts
decanal	located on south side of the choir in a church
decretal	papal decree deciding a point of church law
deiparous	bearing a god
deodate	a gift to or from God
diaconicon	sacristy for sacred vessels in Orthodox churches
diphysitism	belief in the dual nature of Christ
diptych	pair of pictures on hinged panels; register of bishops and saints
discalced	without shoes; barefoot; a religious order wearing no shoes
ditheletism	doctrine that Christ had two wills
donative	benefice presented to church without reference to bishop
dossal	ornamental cloth hung behind and above an altar
doxology	hymn or verse of praise to God
dulia	inferior veneration of saints and angels in comparison with God
ecclesiastry	affairs of the church
eirenics	theological doctrine of religious unification
enchiridion	theological or musical book carried in the hand for reference
encolpion	reliquary; cross worn on the breast
encyclical	letter sent by the pope to multiple bishops
eparchy	diocese of an Eastern church
epiclesis	calling on the Holy Spirit to consecrate the Eucharist
epistoler	reader of the epistle in Anglican service
eremite	hermit; religious recluse
eschatology	doctrine of life and afterlife
eschaton	end of the world; end time
euchology	prayer book
exarch	viceroy; rank below patriarch in Eastern church
exeat	permission from bishop for clergyman to work elsewhere
exedra	semicircular bench beside episcopal throne; outdoor bench or recess
exegetic	explanatory, especially of Scripture
exequy	funeral rites; procession
faldstool	desk from which the Litany is read at church service
fanion	cloth worn on priest's arm and used for handling holy vessels
fenestella	recess in church wall for storing communion vessels
feretory	shrine for relics during a procession or for a funeral bier
feria	weekday of a church calendar on which no holiday falls
festilogy	treatise on ecclesiastical festivals
flèche	narrow wooden spire on church roof
florilegium	anthology of writings, especially of church fathers
fossarian	clergyman moonlighting as a gravedigger
frankalmoign	land tenure requiring religious obligations on part of tenant
frontal	cloth hanging over front of altar
galilee	porch in front of church
glebe	church land granted to clergyman
gradual	part of mass between epistle and gospel
guimpe	wide cloth covering neck and shoulders worn by nuns
hagioscope	opening in wall to enable viewing of altar
hanap	chalice used in communion whose cover is a second chalice
hassock	kneeling cushion in a church
hearsecloth	cloth lain over coffin during funeral
hegumene	head of a nunnery
hieratical	priestly; bound by religious convention
holobaptism	belief in baptism with total immersion in water
homolegomena	books of the Bible used in early Christianity
housel	the eucharist; the act of taking the eucharist
hymnal	collection of church hymns
hymnody	hymns collectively; hymn-singing
hyperdulia	veneration of the Virgin Mary above saints and angels
iconostasis	screen or partition in Eastern churches with tiers of icons
incardination	acceptance by a diocese of clergyman from another diocese
indulgence	former Catholic pardon granted for remission of punishment for sins
indult	special temporary dispensation granted by the Catholic church
internuncio	messenger between two parties; low-ranking papal legate
intinction	administering communion by dipping bread into wine
introit	psalm or hymn sung at beginning of church service
invination	presence of Christ's blood in sanctified wine
invitatory	psalm or anthem sung before prayer during church service
jube	ornamental choir-screen
kenosis	Christ's rejection of his divine side upon assuming human form
kerygma	preaching of the Christian gospel
kerygmatic	of or relating to preaching the Gospel
kirking	first attendance of a couple at church after marriage
kyrie	religious petition for mercy
labarum	moral standard; ecclesiastical banner bearing Christ's monogram
laic	pertaining to lay people rather than clergy
laicisation	process of returning a clergyman to lay status
laicism	doctrine of opposition to clergy and priests
lappet	fold or flap on a garment or headdress worn by priest
latria	highest degree of veneration, assigned to God over saints
lauds	prayer service held at dawn following matins
lavabo	ceremony in which priest washes his hands; basin for the ceremony
lavatory	wash-basin for washing bodies of newly dead; room where lavabo kept
lavra	group of recluses’ cells
lectern	desk or stand from which church lessons are read
lection	reading; lesson read in church
lectrice	female reader in church
litany	prayer of supplication in responsive style
liturgician	one who studies or recites church rituals
locum	clergyman temporarily replacing regular priest
lustration	ritual washing; ablution
lychgate	roofed gate of a churchyard
magisterium	teaching function of the Catholic church
magnificat	canticle in praise of the Virgin Mary
manciple	steward of a college or monastery; purveyor
mandorla	oval panel containing a work of art; elliptical halo around holy person
mandriarch	founder or leader of a monastic order
maniple	clerical vestment worn on the left arm
Mariolatry	worship of the virgin mother
Mariology	study of the Virgin Mary
marrano	Jew converted to Christianity to avoid persecution
martyrium	shrine erected in memory of a martyr
martyrolatry	excessive devotion to martyrs
martyrology	study of martyrs
matins	prayer service held in early morning hours
mendicant	member of impoverished religious order
menology	register or calendar of saints’ days
mersion	dipping; as in baptism
messianism	belief in a single messiah or saviour
metropolitan	archbishop holding authority over other bishops
minster	church associated with a monastery
misericord	ledge or seat in church to lean against while standing
missal	book containing complete service for mass
miter	high headdress worn by bishop or archbishop
modalism	belief in unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
monergism	theory that the Holy Spirit alone can act
monial	a nun
monkery	monks in general; monasticism; behaviour of monks
monophysitism	belief that Christ was primarily divine but in human form
monotheletism	belief that Christ had only one will
monstrance	vessel used to expose the Eucharist
mozzetta	short cape with ornamental hood worn by Catholic prelates
mystagogical	relating to religious ritual initiation
naos	temple; inner cell of a temple
narthex	small entrance or porch to a church
nave	largest part of church where congregation sits
nipter	ecclesiastical ceremony of washing the feet
nones	prayer service held at 3 p.m.
novena	series of Catholic church services held on nine successive days
nuncio	one who brings tidings; high-ranking papal legate
obit	religious office for a dead person
oblate	layman living in a religious community under modified rule
oblation	act of offering; a sacrifice; anything offered in worship
oculus	round window, especially over main door in church
orant	representation of praying figure in early art
orarion	deacon's stole in Orthodox church
orarium	handkerchief; scarf attached to bishop's staff
orarium	book of private devotions
oratory	small chapel for private prayer; lectern for prayer
ordinal	book containing religious rites, especially for ordination
ordo	calendar with list of services for each day of the year
orison	prayer
orphrey	gold or other rich embroidery on clerical robes
osculatory	carved tablet kissed by priest during celebration of mass
ostensory	container for holding consecrated Communion wafers
paedobaptism	doctrine of infant baptism
pall	covering cloth laid upon Communion chalice
pallium	white woollen band symbolising archbishop's authority
panegyricon	collection of sermons for Orthodox church festivals
pannicle	thin sheet-like vestment
paraclete	advocate or intercessor; the Holy Spirit acting in such a role
parclose	railing in church enclosing altar, chapel or tomb
pardoner	one who raises money for religious works by selling indulgences
parousia	second coming of Christ
parvis	enclosed space at the front of a church
passalorynchite	one who takes a religious vow of silence
paten	plate; metal disk used to hold Communion bread
pax	tablet decorated with sacred figure and kissed by participants in mass
pentateuch	the first five books of the Old Testament
pericope	an excerpt or passage read during religious services
pernoctate	to pass the night in vigil or prayer
pieta	representation of Virgin Mary with dead Christ across her knees
pietism	unquestioning or dogmatic religious devotion
piscina	basin set in wall of church to drain away ceremonial water
pluvial	floor-length open-fronted ecclesiastical garment
pnematomachy	denial of the divinity of the Holy Ghost
pneumatophany	appearance of a spirit; especially the Holy Ghost
poppyhead	raised ornament on top of upright end of seats in churches
postlude	closing piece of music at end of church service
postulant	candidate for a religious order
postulator	official who presents case for canonization or beatification
prebend	stipend or salary paid to clergyman
prebendal	relating to stipends issued by a church
precentor	leader of the singing of a church choir
predella	platform for altar; portable altar or decoration upon it
prelacy	episcopal church government
prelate	bishop or abbot of superior rank
presbytery	part of church reserved for officiating clergy
prie-dieu	prayer stool or kneeling bench in a church
prime	prayer service held at 6 a.m.
procathedral	parish church serving as a cathedral
pronaos	vestibule in front of a temple
proseuche	place of prayer; oratory
prothonotary	chief registrar of a court; keeper of canonisation records
psalmodist	singer of psalms
psalmody	act of singing psalms in church services
pseudepigrapha	apocrypha; non-canonical books of the Bible
psilanthropism	denial of Christ's divinity
pulpitum	gigantic stone screen separating cathedral choir from the nave
purificator	cloth used to wipe Eucharist chalice
pyx	box or vessel in which coins or consecrated Eucharist are kept
quaestionary	religious pardoner
recusant	one who refuses to attend Catholic church services; nonconformist
refectory	dining-hall of a monastery or other institution
regula	rule of a religious order
reliquary	a small box or shrine used to hold relics
repository	side altar in Catholic church
requiem	lament or mass for the dead
requiescat	prayer for the dead
reredos	screen behind altar
rescript	answer of pope or emperor to any legal question; edict or decree
responsory	set of responses sung or said after liturgical reading
retable	shelf or ornamental setting for panels behind an altar
retrochoir	space in choir behind high altar
ridel	altar curtain
rochet	surplice-like vestment of a bishop or abbot
rogation	asking or supplication, especially in an ecclesiastical sense
rood	cross or crucifix at entrance to church chancel
sacerdotalism	belief that priests are necessary mediators between God and mankind
sacramentarianism	belief that sacraments have unusual properties
sacrarium	place where sacred objects are kept
sacristan	church official in charge of vessels and the sacristy
sacristy	room in church where sacred objects are kept
saltire	X-shaped cross
sanbenito	yellow or black sackcloth garment worn by heretics prior to execution
scapular	badge of monastic order worn on the shoulders
schola	church choir led by a cantor
scholasticate	preparatory college for those intending to enter Catholic order
scriptorium	writing room; room used by monastic scribes
sedilia	stone seats for clergy in wall of chancel
sepulchre	receptacle in an altar for holding religious relics
sext	prayer service held at noon
sexton	church caretaker or bellringer
shrive	to hear a confession from and give absolution
sigillum	seal of the confession
simony	buying or selling of ecclesiastical offices
sinecure	ecclesiastical office or other job requiring little work
situla	a holy bucket
solifidianism	doctrine that faith alone will ensure salvation
soteriology	study of theological salvation
soutane	priest's cassock
starets	Eastern Orthodox spiritual advisor
staurolatry	worship of the cross or crucifix
sticharion	vestment like an alb worn by Orthodox priests
sticheron	short hymn
stole	narrow ecclesiastical vestment or scarf
stoup	vessel for holding holy water
stylite	monk who spends much time on tops of pillars
suffragan	assistant bishop
superhumeral	ecclesiastical garment worn over the shoulders
synod	ecclesiastical assembly or council
tabernacle	ornamental container for storing Communion bread and wine
taperer	one who bears a taper during a religious procession
terce	prayer service held at 9 a.m.
tester	canopy over a bed, pulpit or altar
tetragrammaton	sacred word or acronym of four letters
theody	hymn in praise of God
theologaster	petty or shallow theologian
theophany	manifestation or appearance of a god to people
theotokos	title given to the Virgin Mary as bearer of God
thurible	censer
thurifer	altar boy who bears censer
tiara	three-tiered crown worn by or carried in front of the pope
tippet	long black scarf worn by Anglican clergy
tonsure	shaving of small area on the crown of head of a priest or monk
transept	part of a church off to one side of main structure
transubstantiation	miraculous changing of bread and wine into body and blood of Christ
triduum	period of three days of prayer preceding Roman Catholic feasts
triforium	gallery or arcade over an aisle; gallery over nave and choir
tritheism	belief that the members of the Trinity are separate gods
tropology	figurative language; moral interpretation of the Bible
tunicle	short ecclesiastical vestment worn by bishop or subdeacon
tympanum	space within an arch; arched recess at entrance of cathedral
ubiquitarianism	belief that Christ is everywhere
ultramontane	south of the Alps; supporting the Pope
unalist	priest holding one benefice
unaneled	without extreme unction
unction	anointing as right of consecration or healing; warmth of address
undercroft	crypt or vault under a church
unhouseled	not having received the Eucharist shortly before death
verger	church usher and attendant
vernicle	cloth with image of Christ's face impressed upon it
versicle	short verse in church service normally followed by response
vespers	prayer service held in early evening
vestry	priest's dressing room
vesturer	keeper of vestments
viaticum	money or provisions for journey; Eucharist for a dying person
wicket	small door forming part of larger door of a church or castle
wimple	cloth covering for head and neck worn by nuns
zeta	small room or closet in a church
zucchetto	round skullcap worn by Catholic clergy to indicate rank
zymite	priest using leavened bread during communion

I hope you have found this site to be useful. If you have any corrections or additions, please contact me (Steve Chrisomalis) at forthright@sympatico.ca. Comments and queries are welcome; however, I am not able to respond to all requests. Please consult a major reference dictionary before e-mailing your query.

This list has been compiled and is maintained by Steve Chrisomalis.

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