Episcopal Glossary

- G -
General Convention - the national triennial meeting of the Episcopal Church; parishes send "deputies" or official representatives to General Convention.

Genuflection - The bending of the right knee when reverencing the Blessed Sacrament and at other times of solemn reverence (see Chapter 3).

Gifts - The offerings of Bread and Wine (and Alms) presented to the celebrant at the Offertory of the Eucharist.

Girdle - See Cincture.

Gloria in Excelsis - See Song of Praise; also, BCP, 52, 94, 324, 356.

Gloria Patri - The Doxology which concludes the recitation of a psalm at the beginning of the Eucharist; at the end of the psalms in the Daily Offices; and at other times as listed in the Prayer Book (see BCP,'63).

Good Friday - The Friday before Easter Day on which the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated (see BCP,276ff).

Gospel - The final lesson in The Word of God taken from one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. It is normally read by a deacon or priest, and as a sign of reverence, the people and assisting ministers stand when the Gospel is proclaimed (see BCP, 326 or 357).

Gospel Book - The book (usually with an ornamented cover) which contains the Gospel lessons appointed for use at the Eucharist. It is carried in procession (at the entrance) and at the proclamation of the Gospel by the deacon or other reader. "It is desirable that the lessons and Gospel be read from a book or books of appropriate size and dignity" (BCP, 406).

Gospel Side - an older usage for designating the interior of a church; originally, the Gospel Side was the north side [the left side facing the altar]. See Epistle Side.

Gospeller - See Deacon.

Gospel Procession - The movement of the deacon (or celebrant) with torches (incense and processional cross) to the place of the proclamation of the Gospel (the nave, the lectern, or the pulpit).

Gradual Psalm - The psalm appointed to be read or sung after the lesson at the celebration of the Eucharist (see BCP, 326, 357,& 889-931).

Great Thanksgiving, The - The major prayer of the Eucharist beginning with the salutation and preface and concluding with the Lord's Prayer (see BCP, 333ff., 36]ff.).