Episcopal Glossary

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Baptism - The sacrament of initiation by which a person is born anew by Water and the Holy Spirit and made a member of Christ's Body (see BCP, 299ff.; also, Chapter 16).

Baptismal Font - The basin or tub for the administration of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Baptismal Water -  The water blessed by a bishop or priest for use at Baptism (BCP, 306).

Bells - See Sanctus Bell; Sacristy Bell.

Benediction - Any blessing by a bishop or priest; or, a service of devotion to Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Bible -  See BCP p. 853.

Bier - The stand upon which a casket rests during the Burial of the Dead.

Bier Lights - Two or more candles that are placed around the coffin or urn at the Burial of the Dead.

Bishop - A successor of the apostles, the chief pastor of a diocese, and (when present) the principal celebrant at sacramental liturgies (see BCP, 5]Off.).

Bishop's Chair - A chair set apart in cathedrals and some churches, reserved especially for the bishop (sometimes called the Bishop's Throne). Also, a moveable chair or stool (faldstool) used when the bishop is present and sits for various parts of the liturgy (confirmation, ordinations, etc.).

Bishop and Council - a type of diocesan government; the council is a governing or advisory body usually selected from several sub-divisions of a diocese.

Bishop, Assistant - a specially ordained or otherwise specially designated person who has the spiritual and liturgical rank of a bishop and who usually assists the Bishop of a diocese; some retired diocesan bishops become assistants to other bishops; some assistant bishops are specially ordained for their work. Assistant Bishops can perform most functions performed by other bishops.

Bishop, Co-adjutor - an ordained person consecrated to become the next bishop of a diocese when the diocesan bishop retires; when the bishop retires or resigns, the Co-adjutor becomes the Diocesan and the term Co-adjutor is dropped. Suffragan bishops do not automatically become diocesan bishops.

Bishop, Diocesan - the primary bishop of a diocese; sometimes referred to as "The Diocesan".

Bishop, Suffragan - a working co-bishop in a diocese but without inherent right of succession when the diocesan bishop retires or resigns. Suffragan bishops are sometimes called by another diocese to become their Diocesan bishop.

Blessed Sacrament - The consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist which are the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessing - Bestowal of God's favor.

Boat - A small container, with a lid and spoon, in which incense is kept before it is placed in the thurible.

Book of Common Prayer (1979), The - The official liturgy of the Episcopal Church (BCP); a collection of prayers, readings, Psalms, devotions, and services used by the Episcopal Church; the worship book used by Episcopalians. Nearly all services in any Episcopal Church will be printed in this book.

Bread - Basic food; some form of grain food has been a part of human diet in every culture.  Early in the Old Testament there emerged two "breads"-a natural one and a heavenly one related to the will of God.  In the Eucharist, Jesus brings the two together: "This (natural bread) is my body (heavenly food) given for you." Either leavened (raised) or unleavened bread can be used in the Eucharist.  Unleavened bread is used in the Jewish Seder of Passover and therefore became the common bread of the Eucharist.  In this form it is often recognized as a small dish-shaped wafer cut from a specially baked and prepared loaf.

Bread Box - The container in which the bread or hosts for the Eucharist are kept. This is presented to the celebrant at the Offertory by the server or a member of the congregation.

Bucket - A container, equipped with a handle, for Holy Water.

Burse - A pocket or envelope of stiff board covered with material of the same liturgical color as the vestments, in which the corporal is kept when not in use on the altar.