The Ultimate “Adiaphora” – The Words of Worship

In my theology studies, one of the strangest things I did was a dictionary study for worship. I came across the list (at least part of it) yesterday and decided to put it out here.

Absolution, remission of sin, a formal freeing from guilt, forgiveness.

Advent, 4 Sunday’s before Christmas, coming-second coming of Christ (blue/purple).

Agnus Dei, a canticle based on Jn 1.29, sung during distribution of the Holy Communion.

Alb, a white or off-white ankle length vestment with sleeves.

All Saints Day, November 1, remembrance and thanksgiving for faithful departed (white).

Altar, the table on which the Holy Communion is celebrated.

Ambo, a pulpit or a lectern.

Anamnesis, an act by which a person or event is commemorated and made liturgically present. A recollecting of past events, specifically the church’s response to Jesus’ command “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Antiphon, a verse from a Psalm or other source sung around the Psalm or a Canticle in worship.

Antiphonal, a way of singing Psalm or Canticles where two groups sing alternately.

Apostolic greeting, words of greeting that reflects a change from a period of preparation for worship, to a period of active worship, that lets us name God and invite God to join in the worship. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Ascension of Our Lord, 40 days after Easter (white).

Ash Wednesday, first day of lent (purple).

Baptisery, (1) an area around the baptismal font. (2) a large baptismal font for baptism by immersion.

Benediction, a divine blessing at the end of the liturgy.

Benedictus, “Blessed by the Lord God of Israel,” a blessing from the Song of Zechariah (Lk 1.68-79).

Burse, a flat stiff envelope in liturgical color, used to carry the corporal and purificators to and from the altar.

Canticle of Zechariah, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, focused on the future of God’s reign (Lk 1:68-79).

Canticle, a song, other than a Psalm, usually a Biblical text

Cantor, a leader of a song

Cassock, an ankle length black garment. It is not a vestment, but an undergarment.

Catechesis/Cathechumenate, religious formation and instruction for various stages of spiritual development.

Chalice, The cup used in Holy Communion to contain the wine.

Chancel, the space in the church where the altar is.

Chasuble, a vestment in liturgical colors worn over alb or surplice during the celebration of the Holy Communion.

Chrism, a mixture of oil and fragrance used in anointings.

Christ Candle, a large candle used during Easter to show the presence of risen Christ, also used in baptisms, and funerals (see Paschal Candle).

Christmas Day, December 25th, celebrated birth of Christ (white).

Christmas, celebrated for 12 days, feast of the Nativity (white).

Ciborium, (1) a vessel with a lid for the hosts used in the Holy Communion. (2) a canopy over the altar.

Cincture, a rope worn around the waist of an alb. Historically seen as a sign of celebacy.

Compline, evening prayer, prayed before going to sleep

Cope, a cloak or cape in liturgical color, worn over alb or surplice during processions or festival services.

Corporal, a square linen on which the sacramental vessels are placed on through the communion.

Credence, a table or a shelf where the sacramental vessels are kept in worship until they are brought to the altar.

Crucifix, a cross with Jesus crucified on it.

Cruet, a small pitcher made of glass to hold the wine for Holy Communion.

Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, coming of the Holy Spirit (red). Often a time of confirmation.

Dismissal, a sending usually at the end of the liturgy, often “Go in Peace, serve the Lord.”

East Wall, the direction of the altar in a church (not neccesary geographically east).

Easter Day, Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or after the day of the vernal equinox.

Easter Season, 7 weeks.

Easter Vigil, lessons from Hebrew Scriptures, lighting of first fire of Easter and Paschal candle (white/gold – or begin purple and switch to white at the Gloria).

Elevation, lifting up the bread and the cup during the great Thanksgiving.

Epiclesis, prayer for the Holy Spirit during the Great Thanksgiving.

Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6th, appearance or manifestation (Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (the Magi) (white/gold).

Eucharist Prayer, there are four Eucharistic prayers said during the service.

Ewer, a pitcher in which the baptismal water is brought to the font.

Exsultet, “Rejoice now, all heavenly choirs of angels…”

Fair Linen, a cloth covering the top of the altar.

Flagon, a pitcher in which the wine is kept before being poured in the chalice.

Flood Prayer, prayer over the water at a baptism

Font, a large basin, for holding water during baptism.

Fraction, physically breaking the bread at Holy Communion.

Frontal/Frontlet, a parament which hangs across the top of the front of an altar.

Good Friday, remembrance of Christ’s passion, no stole or chasuble is worn. Reading the passion narrative from John.

Great Thanksgiving, begins with “The Lord be with you” said during the Eucharist.

Holy Cross Day, September 14, a day that commemorates the day a basilica was dedicated, that was built on the sight that Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine “found” the “original” cross Christ was crucified on (red).

Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.

Holy Trinity (festival), celebration of God as Trinity, Athanasius Creed may be used (white).

Host, the bread used at Holy Communion.

Hymn of praise, sung after the Kyrie.

Kyrie, sung near the beginning of the service after Entrance Hymn.

Lavabo, actions of the Priest as he/she washes hands before the Preface of Holy Communion.

Lectern, a reading desk.

Lectionary, a list of readings used in the liturgy, based on the time of the church year. Lectionaries are often either based on a year or a three-year cycle.

Lent, 40 days, not counting Sundays (purple). Suppression of Alleluia (or not).

Litany, a liturgical prayer consisting of series of petitions, which the congretation responds to with a fixed response.

Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord,” from the Song of Mary (Lk 1.46-55)

Matins, morning prayer, either at midnight or combined with Lauds and said at daybreak)

Maundy Thursday, “mandatum” or commandment (white). A day of footwashing, commemorating of first Lord’s supper, stripping of altar at the end.

Mensa, the top of the altar.

Missal Stand, a stand for the service book on the altar.

Missal, a service book at the altar.

Narthex, the entryway of a church.

Nave, where the congregation sits in church.

Nunc Dimittis, “Lord, now let your servant go in Peace”

Octave, the eight day of a festival.

Offertory, verses from the psalms and other sources, usually assigned to a choir or cantor, sung after offering has been gathered and while elements are being prepared for the Holy Communion.

Orans, a prayer position, with hands out, slightly bended forwards (a picture is probably needed).

Ordinary Time, the Sundays after Pentecost until Advent.

Ordo, order of the service.

Pachal, from Pascha, celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Pasch implies both the Jewish Passover and the Christian Easter.

Pall, (1) a stiffened cloth used to cover the chalice during the Holy Communion when it is not in use. (2) a white cloth sued to cover the coffin during funerals as a symbol of the baptismal garment.

Palm/Passion Sunday, commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Palms often distributed, reading of passion narrative from Matthew, Mark or Luke (scarlet).

Paraments, a general name for all cloths used in liturgy, that are supposed to be in the color of the season.

Paschal Candle, large candle used during Easter to show the presence of risen Christ, also used in baptisms, and funerals (see Christ Candle).

Paschal Mystery, the redemptive life of Christ, lived by Christians through the sacraments.

Paten, a plate used to hold the bread of the Holy Communion.

Pericope, portions of the Bible appointed to be read in the service of the church.

Pew, benches with a back, that are fixed in rows in a church.

Piscina, a special drain in a church building for disposing baptismal water and unused wine, that does lead to the ground but not to the sewer system.

Prayer of the Day, said during service, after Hymn of praise and before scripture reading.

Preface, the beginning of the Great Thanksgiving, which opens with the dialog, “the Lord be with you…” and concludes with the Sanctus, “Holy, holy, holy Lord…”

Propers, ?part of the liturgy that is connected to a particular place in the church year.

Pulpit, a raised platform from where the sermon is read.

Purificator, a linen napkin used to wipe the rim of the chalice during the Holy Communion.

Reformation Day, October 31, commemorates posting of 95 theses in 1517 by Martin Luther. Often celebrated as Reformation Sunday on last Sunday in October (red).

Reredos, a shelf behind the altar.

Retable, a step-like shelf behind the altar, for candles, crucifix, and flowers.

Rubric, directions for conducting the service.

Sacristy, a room for vesting and preparation of the service (see vestry)

Sanctuary, an area around the altar and within the community rail.

Sanctus, part of the Preface, “Holy, holy, holy Lord…”

Sedelia/Sedilia, the chairs for those administering the worship.

St Michael & All Angels, September 29 (white).

Stole, a scarf of fabric in the liturgical color worn by ordained ministers. A stole is worn over both shoulders by priest or pastors, worn only on the left shoulder by deacons.

Surplice, a white vestment worn over the cassock by ministers of the service.

The Annunciation of Our Lord, March 25, Gabriel told Mary that she would bear Jesus (white).

The Name of Jesus, January 1, circumcision of our Lord (white).

The Presentation of Our Lord, February 2, originally “Purification of Mary” (white).

Thurible, a container where incense are burned.

Transept, the “arms” of the cross in a church building that is cross-shaped.

Triduum, three days, used for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.

Veil, a cloth covering the chalice and paten.

Verba, the words of institution of the Holy Communion.

Versicle, a short sentence spoken by a leader in liturgy, and usually followed by response

Vespers, evening prayer, sung at sunset

Vestry, a room for vesting and preparation of the service (see sacrasty)

Vigil, the eve of a feast where the church waits eagerly for the coming day.

Words of Institution, said during Great Thanksgiving, starting “In the night in which he was…”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.