Episcopal Glossary

Candlebearer - See Torchbeare.

Candle Lighter/Extinguisher - A long pole with a two-pronged end. One side is a tube into which is inserted a taper; a knob is used to raise or lower the taper for lighting of candles. The other side is a bell-shaped snuffer used to extinguish the candles.

Candlemas - The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, February 2nd. The term comes from the tradition of blessing candles on this feast and carrying them in procession as a symbol of the "Light to Lighten the Nations" (see Nunc Dimittis).

Canon - the title of a priest who serves on the staff cathedral, except that the head staff priest of the cathedral is the dean; the canon is addressed as "The Rev. Canon Jane A. Doe" Salutation in letter: "Dear Canon Doe" or "Dear Ms. Doe".

Cantor - a person who chants or sings; often a solo voice that begins the service. The Festival of Lessons and Carols begins with the solo of the cantor.

Canticle - A hymn, usually taken from Scripture, sung or said after the lessons at Morning or Evening Prayer, or as the Song of Praise at the Eucharist (see BCP 144-145 for list).

Carillon - a set of church bells; generally found only in churches large enough to have a tower or steeple strong enough to support the weight of the many bells; some of the bells may weigh a ton or more.

Cassock - A long garment with sleeves, normally black, worn over street clothes when one serves at the altar. It buttons in the front, and should be long enough to cover the ankles. Worn by lay readers, vergers, chalice bearers (and others "serving" during a worship service), and priests; bishops' cassocks are usually purple.

(Photo courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Cassock-Alb - A combination of the amice and alb worn in place of cassock and surplice or amice, alb, and cincture. It is normally white and should be long enough to cover the ankles. A cincture around the waist should be worn with this vestment, although it is not essential. A surplice is not worn over the cassock-alb, but a tunic may be.

Catechism - The catechism (found in the Book of Common Prayer) is primarily intended for use by parish priests, deacons, and lay catechists, to give an outline for instruction. It is a commentary on the creeds, but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practice; rather, it is a point of departure for the teacher, and it is cast in the traditional question and answer form for ease of reference; a second use of this catechism is to provide a brief summary of  the Church's teaching for an inquiring stranger who picks up a Prayer Book.

Cathedra - the special chair that a bishop sits in during a church service: The Bishop's Cathedra. The cathedra is sometimes moved to a prominent place for special occasions--as for the conferring of honorary degrees.

Cathedral - an Episcopal Church which is the official church of a bishop of a diocese; sometimes such churches are indicated by the word Cathedral in their name, but not always. Cathedrals are usually in the charge of a priest who is referred to as the Dean of the Cathedral; such Deans are referred to as "The Very Reverend...". Not all large churches are cathedrals; not all cathedrals are large.

Catholic - literally, "universal" or "found everywhere"; usually, however, a reference to the Roman Catholic Church although the term also includes Anglican, Syrian, Greek, Coptic, Russian and other churches. The Episcopal Church is a catholic church. Catholic churches generally accept the teachings of tradition as well as scripture and usually accept the validity of one or more ancient creeds as the summary of the Christian faith.

Celebrant - The principal officiant at the Eucharist and other Sacraments. The bishop is the normal celebrant, or, if the bishop is not present, a priest. The priest who performs the consecration of the bread and wine; the celebrant may be assisted by other priests, deacons, chalice bearers, acolytes, etc.

Celebrant's Chair - See Sedilia.

Censer - See Thurible.

Chalice - A metal or ceramic cup into which the wine (and a little water) for the Eucharist is poured.

(Photo courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Chalice Bearer -  One who is licensed by the diocese to administer the chalice at communion.

Chalice Veil - A square piece of material (of the same liturgical color as the vestments) used to cover the chalice and paten when they are not in use. The burse (with the corporal inside) rests on top of the veiled chalice.

(Photo courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Chancel or Choir -The area of the church between the nave and the sanctuary (the portion of a church between the front row of pews and the altar; usually the place the choir sits; sometimes also called the "choir").

Chancellor - the spiritual head of a clerical house, order, college, or university; in some dioceses the chancellor is the chief administrative assistant to the bishop;

Chant - a musical recitation of words midway between reading and singing; in some churches, the Psalm in the worship service is often chanted.

Chapel - a place of worship lacking a parish congregation [although chapels may have a permanent clergyman]; chapels may be large or small, private or institutional. A term for a place of Episcopal worship associated with a college, university, or seminary. A small place of worship attached to a larger structure.

Chaplain - the minister in charge of a chapel or a minister to a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church; the minister of a hospital of nursing home is a chaplain.

Charcoal - Substance upon which incense is burned in the thurible. There are various types of "self-lighting" charcoals.

Chasuble - A long, wide sleeveless vestment, worn by the celebrant at the Eucharist. It is usually oval when laid out flat, with an opening in the center to accommodate the celebrant's head. It is of the liturgical color of the day or season and usually worn over all other vestments (see Eucharistic Vestments).

(Photos courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Choir - A group of singers who assist in the celebration of the liturgy. They may be either in the chancel or in some other part of the church; also, the part of the church where the choir sits.

Chrism - Oil consecrated by a bishop for use at Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination (BCP, 307).

Chrismation - The anointing of a person with chrism at Baptism (BCP, 308).

Christmas - The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ celebrated on December 25th. The Christmas season extends through January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.

Church Annual - The Episcopal Church Annual: the yearbook of the Episcopal Church containing names and addresses of all Episcopal organizations, dioceses, churches, a list of all clergy, etc. Sometimes also called the "Red Book".

Church of England - the name of the Episcopal Church in England.

Church, local - the smallest social division of the Episcopal Church; above the church is the diocese; above the diocese is the province; above the province is the national church. Sometimes church refers to the local building; sometimes to the local congregation. See also parish, congregation, communicants.

Church Year - See BCP, ]5ff.

Ciborium - A covered metal or ceramic vessel in which the Blessed Sacrament is kept when reserved in a tabernacle or aumbry.

Cincture - A rope, usually white, worn with the alb or cassock-alb, tied with a slip knot at the right side of the waist and allowed to hang down the right side. The ends of the rope may have either knots or tassels. This rope is sometimes called a girdle.

(Photo courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Clergy - the group of ordained ministers of a church or denomination; all ministers together as distinguished from lay persons. When used in distinction from laity, the term includes both bishops and priests; sometimes the term refers to all priests except the bishops: as in the expression, "All bishops and other clergy..."

Clerical Directory - The Episcopal Clerical Directory: a biennial listing of all Episcopal clergy with short biographical paragraphs about each person including schooling, ordination, churches served, family information, address, service to the Episcopal Church.

Clerical - an adjective referring to ordained persons and their work.

Co-adjutor Bishop - see Bishop Co-adjutor.

Coals - The burning charcoal in the thurible.

Collar, clerical - a stiff round shirt collar worn by Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, and some Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and other clergy; widely regared as a sign or identifying mark of clerical status.

Collect - A prayer that is sung or said on behalf of the people by the celebrant or officiant at liturgical celebrations.

Colors, Liturgical - By tradition, various colors are used for the vestments and altar hangings for the different seasons and feasts of the Church Year. In Western use the tradition is:

Commendation - The rite at the conclusion of the Burial of the Dead (BCP, 482 or 499).

Communicants - the members of a local church; those who do or who are eligible to receive communion; loosely identified with the roll of the local church: "St. Mark's has 300 communicants [=official members]." But, "There were 37 communicants at the Eucharist at the early service [=37 people received the Lord's Supper]."

Communion - the Christian sacramental meal, equivalent to the Lord's Supper; now more commonly called 'eucharist' in Episcopal churches; also called Mass in Roman Catholic churches.

Communion Rail - See Altar Rail.

Communion Rail Gates - See Altar Rail Gates.

Compline - an evening service to end the day; although the service is an old Christian usage, it has only recently been added to the Prayerbook of the Episcopal Church.

Concelebrant - An ordained bishop or priest who celebrates the Eucharist with the principal celebrant.

Confession of Sin - A public prayer of penitence at the Eucharist (BCP, 330, 360, & 393), the Daily Offices and other times. Also, the Reconciliation of a Penitent (see BCP, 447ff.).

Confirmation - A mature public affirmation of the faith and commitment to the responsibilities of one's Baptismal vows, and, the laying on of hands by the bishop (see BCP, 412ff.); Sacramental act whereby, through the laying on of hands by a bishop, the strengthening gifts of the Holy Spirit are bestowed on those affirming their commitment to Christ made in Baptism.

Congregation - the group of people who attend church; the members present for the worship service.

Consecrate -  The setting apart of anything for God's service.  The Prayer of Consecration invokes God's Presence on the elements of bread and wine whereby they become the body and blood of Christ.

Consecration - a special service of dedication or ordination; a church [without debt] may be consecrated-- made holy to God's purposes; a service by which an ordained person becomes a bishop.

Convent - a disciplined spiritual residential community for women; similar to a monastery.

Convention, General - a gathering every three years of the national Episcopal Church; at General Convention each diocese is represented by appointed or elected deputies. At General Convention the basic regulations and decisions that govern the church are made. For voting, the General Convention consists of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.

Convention - a meeting of a church body, as in a diocesan convention: "Georgia is having its convention this weekend at Saint Paul's" =The Diocese of Georgia is gathering as a dicocese at Saint Paul's church.

Convocation - a special gathering of a religious or academic group, usually marked by use of special vestments, ceremony, procession, etc. Also the name of a special group of ordained persons. Some dioceses meet as a convocation. Sometimes the meeting of all the clergy of a diocese is called a convocation.

Cope - A long cape, worn over the shoulders by the celebrant and others at various liturgies (processions, the Burial of the Dead, etc.), or by a bishop. It is usually of the liturgical color of the day or season, has a clasp at the chest and is worn over alb and stole or over cassock and surplice.

Corporal - A large square white cloth, usually linen, that is placed on the altar at the time of the Offertory and upon which the chalice and paten are placed. The corporal may be kept in the burse when not in use on the altar.

(Photo courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Cotta - a short robe often worn by choir members over cassocks.

(Photos courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Council/Diocesan Council - a group for diocesan government; and appointed or elective group that advises the bishop; at the diocesan level similar to the vestry at the parish level; sometimes referred to as "Bishop-and-Council".

Credence or Credence Table - A shelf or table, usually to the right of the altar, on which the vessels and other items for celebration of the Eucharist are kept.

Creed - The affirmation of the faith of the Church (see BCP, 53 for "Apostles' Creed"; BCP, 326-327 for "Nicene Creed"; and, BCP, 864 for "Athanasian Creed").

• Apostles' Creed -  Originally used for baptismal instruction, outlining the faith of the Apostles; currently used in the Daily Office.
• Nicene Creed -  Statement of Christian faith dating from the 4th century.  It was composed to fight heresy and is used regularly at the Eucharist.

Crossbearer - See Crucifer.

Crossing - in church architecture, the main intersection of aisles at the front of the church; if viewed from above, these aisles form a large cross. Sometimes the altar is located at the crossing. In a service, crossing refers to a hand gesture of making a cross pattern on one's body; also a gesture made by a priest or bishop over a congregation or upon a person at death or baptism.

Crozier - The bishop's staff representing a shepherd's crook.

Crucifer - a person in a religious procession who bears the cross and who leads the procession into the church.

Crucifix - a kind of Christian symbol which is a cross with a likeness of the body of Christ on it (either crucified or in eucharistic vestments); usually thought of as a "very Catholic symbol" by some protestants.

Cruciform - Constructed in the form or shape of a cross.

Cruets - Glass or metal containers for the wine and water used at the Eucharist. Cruets have handles and tops (either a removable stopper or a lid that can be raised). If the cruets are metal, it is helpful if the wine cruet has a "V" engraved upon it (for 4 4 vino"-Latin for wine) and the water cruet an "A" engraved upon it (for "aqua"-Latin for water). This makes for easy identification of the contents. Cruets should be held in the palm of the hand with handles facing out when the celebrant or other person will be pouring (as at the Offertory). When the server is to pour from a cruet (as at the lavabo or ablutions) it should be held by the handle.

Curate - a deacon or other person not fully ordained who receives a fee for working in a small parish; the parish a curate works with is his 'cure'; sometimes a curate is the newest assistant to a senior minister at a large parish. Curates generally work under the supervision of a senior minister and do not have full responsibility for their parish. Equivalent to a vicar.

Cursillo - a contemporary, popular movement of Christian renewal in the Episcopal Church; usually involves a very close-knit group of people in an intense retreat for a weekend, followed by spiritual disciplines and gatherings.