Episcopal Glossary

Taper - A long narrow wax-covered wick that is put into the candle lighter; or, a small candle for use by members of the congregation at vigils and other services; also, any candle.

Te Deum - A canticle used at Morning Prayer, as a Song of Praise at the Eucharist, or added to a service on days of special Thanksgiving (see BCP, 52 or 95).

Throne - A term sometimes used for the Bishop's Chair.

Thurible - The container in which incense is burned.

Thurifer - The server whose duty it is to handle the thurible and boat.

Tippet - A black scarf worn by the priest during some services other than the Eucharist.

Tongs - A two-pronged hand-held device for holding charcoal when lighting).

Torch - A candle on a pole or stand that is carried by an acolyte.

Torch Bearer- a person (Acolyte ) who carries a candle in a religious procession; often the Crucifer is followed by two "Torches"--two persons each carrying a candle mounted on a short staff.

Towel - A cloth used to wipe the celebrant's hands, also called the lavabo towel.

Tract - A sentence of scripture sung or said in place of the alleluia verse during Lent.

Trinity, The - a fundamental symbol of the Christian faith and a very important doctrine in catholic Christianity; the Trinity - refers to the oneness and essential unity of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Tunic or Tunicle - A vestment with ample sleeves worn over an alb or cassock alb of the same liturgical color as the vestments of the celebrant or some other festive color. This vestment is usually worn by the subdeacon, and may be worn by the crucifer on festive occasions.

(Photo courtesy - Robert Gaspard Co.)

Twelve Days of Christmas - the time from December 25th to January 6th, that is from Christmas day to Epiphany. The time from the first Sunday in Advent until Christmas Eve is, properly, Advent; the time from December 25th to January 6th is the Christmas season or the "Twelve Days of Christmas."

Twenty-eight Book (Twenty-eight Prayer Book) - a way of referring to the edition of the Book Of Common Prayer approved by the Episcopal Church in 1928; a version of the prayerbook which retained older forms of language; sometimes the phrase is shortened with reference to the persons who prefer this prayerbook and they are referred to a "twenty-eighters." This was the prayerbook in use in the Episcopal Church until 1981; it was used at the eight o'clock All Saints' service until the late 1980's.