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Pace - A small aisle or passage way off the main nave aisle in a church.
Pall - A stiffened square of linen (or other) white cloth that is placed over the chalice to keep objects from falling into the wine. The term may refer also to the cloth covering the casket or urn during the Burial of the Dead.
Palm Sunday - The Sunday of the Passion (see BCP, 270-73); the Sunday before Easter. In an Episcopal Church, members of the congregation carry real palms during the service; in some churches, the tradition is that palms from one year are saved, dried and later burned to make the ashes used at the next year's Ash Wednesday service.
Palms - Branches blessed at the Palm Sunday Liturgy and carried by the people in procession.
Parish hall/house - a gathering place for a local congregation separate from the church building.
Parish - A local congregation that is in union with the diocese. The group of people of a certain area who are organized into a local church; sometimes the word also refers to the geographic region around a church. In the South many of the present-day counties were once referred to as parishes [as is still the case in Louisiana]; mostly a reference to the local congregation.
Parson - Now rare in Episcopal usage. Any priest or minister; often a reference to low-church or non- Episcopal clergy. Sometimes a term of affection for an older clergyman especially of rural background.
Paschal Candle - A large white candle, which may be decorated with a cross, the year of blessing, A (alpha) and 91 (omega), grains of incense, and other symbols of the resurrection. It is lighted at the beginning of the Great Vigil of Easter and burns for all services during the Fifty Days of Easter. At other times, it may be kept near the Baptismal Font and lighted for Baptisms. It may also be carried in procession at the Burial of the Dead, and placed in its holder near the casket or urn.
Paschal Candlestand - A large wooden or metal stand in which the Paschal candle is placed. The stand rests on the floor, and is of such height that the candle is prominent.
Passion Week - See Holy Week.
Passover - A Jewish festival commemorating the escape of the Jews from Egypt.
Paten - A metal or ceramic plate on which the bread for the Eucharist is placed after it is presented by the server or a member of the congregation.
Peace, The - Also known as Passing the Peace; a ritual in the Episcopal Church in which members of the congregation, including the clergy, greet one another. The priest says, "The Peace of the Lord be always with you." The congregation responds, "And also with you." Immediately after these words people shake hands or speak or sometimes embrace in the church.
PECUSA - Initials of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America
Penance - See Confession of Sin; also BCP, 446-52.
Penitence - See BCP P. 857.
Pension Fund - The Church Pension Fund; the retirement program for clergy and other church workers of the Episcopal Church
Pentecost, Day of - The conclusion of the Fifty Days of Easter and the commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
Pentecost, Season of - The Sundays and Weekdays following the Day of Pentecost and ending on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent.
Phos Hilaron - See Invitatory; also BCP, 64, 112, & 118.
Piscina - A sink for washing the vessels used at the Eucharist and for reverently disposing of Wine that has been consecrated. The piscina does not drain into a sewer or disposal system, but directly into the ground.
Place of Reservation - The altar or other place apart from the main altar of the church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved on Maundy Thursday for use at the Good Friday Liturgy. Also called Altar of Repose (see Chapter 18; also, Aumbry, Tabernacle).
Post Communion - The Prayer of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion (see BCP, 339, 365-66). There are also proper Post Communion prayers appointed for various occasions.
Postulant - A person admitted by the Bishop into the formal preparation for the ordained ministry.
Prayer - See BCP P. 856.
Prayer Book - A short way of referring to the Book of Common Prayer, the worship book of the Episcopal Church containing services, psalms, prayers, etc.
Prayers of the People - See BCP, 328, 359, and 383ff.
Preface - The first part of The Great Thanksgiving up to the Sanctus. Proper Prefaces are appointed for certain occasions (see BCP, 344-49 or 377-82).
Presbyter - See "Priest." The term "priest" is a contraction of the term "presbyter."
Presiding Bishop - the elected episcopal head of the Episcopal Church in America [PECUSA]; the chief administrator and spiritual head of the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church does not refer to its head bishop as an archbishop.
President's Chair - See Sedilia.
Prie-Dieu - An individual kneeling bench with shelf.
Priest - A presbyter; a cleric in one of the three orders of ordained ministry. The ministry of a priest is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to share with the Bishop the overseeing of the Church; to proclaim the Gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God. A special term for the minister of a Roman Catholic or Episcopal or Orthodox church; originally the term mean someone who performed a sacrifice; later the term referred to those who said Mass; now often synonymous with minister although the older terminology is still familiar in some churches.
Primate - The Bishop with pastoral and administrative responsibility and authority for a group of dioceses that constitute a Church. A primate is sometimes called a metropolitan. The Presiding Bishop in the case of the Episcopal Church, and the Archbishop of Canterbury in the case of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Procession - The line of choir, clergy, acolytes, crucifer, torchbearers and others walking into a church to begin a service.
Processional Cross - A metal or wooden cross or crucifix affixed to a pole and carried in processions. See also Lenten Cross.
Proper - The scripture readings and Collect appointed for the day or occasion.
Province - An organizational and geographical unit of the Episcopal Church consisting of several dioceses. In the case of Province II, the Convocation of American Churches in Europe is included. One of the major organizational divisions of the Episcopal Church; a group of dioceses usually under the parliamentary direction of a diocesan bishop who serves as president of the province.
Psalm - A portion from the ancient Jewish hymn book found in Scripture (The Book of Psalms) and in The Book of CommonPrayer (see BCP, 585-808).
Pulpit - A raised platform with railing used for the sermon or homily and from which the Gospel may be read; generally located to one side [usually the right side facing the altar] of the front of the nave, not in the center as in most protestant churches. Also called an Ambo.
Purificator - A linen (or other) white cloth used for cleansing the chalice during the ablutions, or for wiping the chalice during the administration of Communion.
Purple - This color, or some shade of violet, in vestments usually indicates that the wearer is a bishop.
Pyx - A receptacle for reserving the Blessed Sacrament for use in Communion of the Sick.
Quiet Day - Usually Ash Wednesday; a day of prayer and meditation often in conjunction with a retreat.
Reader - Anyone who reads a lesson, psalm or prayer in a service. Lay persons may read any lesson but the Gospel reading is usually done by an ordained person. See Lector.
Recession - A procession out of a church.
Rector - A full-time priest elected by a Vestry with the Bishop's approval, thereby having tenure. The responsibility for the conduct of worship and the spiritual jurisdiction of the Parish are vested in the Rector, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese, the pastoral direction of the Bishop, and the Religious Corporation Laws of the State of New York.
Rectory - The residence provided for the rector.
Red Book - see Church Annual.
Requiem - A celebration of the Eucharist for the commemoration of the dead; a funeral service or memorial service. Sometimes the word is preceded by the word 'solemn': Solemn Requiem. Sometimes the word is preceded by 'high': High Requiem--which only indicates that portions of the service will be sung or chanted. A High Requiem Mass is a funeral service with communion and singing of parts of the service.
Reredos [rear-re-doss] - Any decoration behind or above an altar; may be in the form of statues, screens, or tapestries.
Reverend Doctor - Any ordained person [hence Reverend] who also holds some degree at the doctorate level [hence Doctor]; a way of referring to a priest who was also a professor or to a priest who held an honorary doctorate; a bishop who held a doctorate would be referred to as the Right Reverend Doctor.
Reverend Father - An affectionate, devotional or pietistic way of referring to a priest who accepted the term Father.
Reverend Mr./Mrs./Ms. - See Mr./Mrs./Ms.
Reserved Sacrament - The consecrated Bread and Wine reserved for administration to the sick or others who could not attend the celebration of the Eucharist.
Reverence - ... of the Altar or the Blessed Sacrament. A genuflection or solemn bow.
Rite I - A portion of the Book of Common Prayer which contains worship services using the older, traditional language of the 1928 edition of the prayerbook; sometimes the phrase "Rite One" is used as a derogatory reference to older or more "conservative" Episcopalians: "He is a Rite One type." The liturgies in The Book of Common Prayer that are in traditional language.
Rite II - A portion of the Book of Common Prayer containing worship services which use more modern language.
Rubric - The ceremonial and other directions found printed in italics in The Book of Common Prayer. The word comes from the Latin for "red" since the directions were traditionally printed in that color.
Sacrament - See BCP p. 857.
Sacrament Lamp - A clear or white container with oil or a candle that burns in front of or near the place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. This candle is never extinguished when the Sacrament is present. The Sacrament Lamp may also be known as the Sanctuary Lamp or Light. The light can also be electric.
Sacristan - Liturgical assistants who have charge of sacred vessels, vestments, etc.
Sacristy - A room or rooms where the vessels, vestments, and other liturgical objects are kept, and where the celebrant, officiants, and assistants vest before the liturgy.
Sacristy Bell - A bell in the sacristy rung at the entrance of the ministers.
Sanctuary - The part of a church around the altar; the portion of a church at the head of the chancel around the altar. Sometimes used to refer to the whole interior of the church, but this is not the usual Episcopal usage.
Sanctuary Lamp or Light - See Sacrament Lamp.
Sanctus - The acclamation "Holy, holy, holy . . ." sung or said at the conclusion of the Preface of the Great Thanksgiving (BCP, 334, 341, 362ff.).
Sanctus Bell - A bell or set of bells in the sanctuary (or in a tower) that is rung or struck during the sanctus, elevations, and at other times.
School of Theology - The graduate division of the University of the South consisting of the Seminary (residential) and the Extension Program (non-residential).
Sedilia - The chair from which the celebrant presides at the Word of God. In some places, this may be called the President's Chair. It is usually flanked by chairs for the assisting ministers and others.
See - Generally Roman Catholic usage referring to the ecclesiastical residence of a bishop; occasionally used by Episcopalians.
Seminarian - A student in a seminary; a student in residence in a school of theology.
Seminary - A school or college for the training of ministers. A residential academic program for the study of theology.
Senior Warden - The chairman of the vestry; the lay person who heads the governing board of the local church.
Sequence Hymn - A hymn sung between the Epistle and Gospel (after the Alleluia Verse or Tract) which normally relates to the lessons appointed for the day.
Sermon - A talk, usually based on a Bible text, generally delivered the pulpit, to give religious instruction and encouragement.
Server - One who assists at the altar.
Sexton - An older English title for the person in charge of the church building, or a special portion of it, and grounds; in America the Sexton is also commonly head of maintenance and custodial services and may perform additional duties such as ringing the church bell.
Shell, Baptismal - The metal or ceramic cup or dish used to pour water during the administration of Holy Baptism.
Sign of the Cross - The tracing on one's forehead, chest and shoulders of the outline of the Cross.
Simple Bow - The inclination of one's head and shoulders as a sign of respect .
"Smells & Bells" - A way of describing a "high" church" - a church that frequently uses incense, bells, candles, chimes, vestments all together in worship services.
Solemn Bow - An inclination from the waist as a sign of reverence.
Song of Praise - The hymn or canticle at the beginning of the Eucharist following the Acclamation (see BCP, 324 or 356).
SPCK - Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; one of the oldest missionary organizations of the Anglican Church. SPCK specializes in publications and other media for promoting Christian knowledge. The North American office of SPCK is located in Hamilton Hall at the School of Theology.
Spoon - A utensil used with the boat to place incense on the hot coals in the thurible.
Staff, Pastoral - See Crozier.
Stand - See Missal Stand.
Standing Committee, The - In addition to serving as a Council of Advice to the Bishop, the functions of the Standing Committee are: to approve or disapprove applications of all persons seeking Candidacy, Diaconate or Priesthood; to approve or disapprove all parish applications to encumber or dispose of property; to approve or disapprove elections in this and other dioceses of all Bishops; in the absence or disability of the Bishop, the Standing Committee acts as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.
Station - In a solemn procession, a place where a pause is made for a versicle, response, and collect, such as at the creche at Christmas, at the entrance to the church on Palm Sunday (BCP 271-72), or at the Baptismal Font on the Day of Pentecost.
St. Luke's Cross - The distinctive cross and circle given to graduates of the School of Theology. See Crossing.
St. Luke's Journal- The earlier name of the Sewanee Theological Review.
Stations of the Cross - See Way of the Cross.
Steps, Altar - The one or more steps leading up to the altar.
Stole - A long strip of material worn by bishops, priests, and deacons when officiating at the Eucharist or other sacramental functions. The priest wears the stole around the neck and hanging down in front (either crossed or straight) over an alb or surplice. The deacon wears the stole over the left shoulder and crossed under the right arm, again either over an alb or surplice. The stole is of the liturgical color of the day and matches the material of the other vestments (see Eucharistic Vestments); some stoles are decorated with parish, diocesan or school insignia near the lower ends.
Stripping of the Altars - On Maundy Thursday.
Subdeacon - A role performed in the full ceremonial celebration of the Eucharist. While the deacon sits and stands to the right of the celebrant, the subdeacon sits and stands to the left. When full eucharistic vestments are available, the subdeacon wears a tunicle. In the early days of the Catholic and Anglican Church, the subdeacon was an ordained office (like the deacon), but that is no longer true. The subdeacon is now usually a layperson, probably a licensed layreader and chalice bearer who reads the epistle, carries and holds the Gospel Book, leads the intercessory prayers, and/or assists the priest or deacon in the setting of the "Eucharistic Table". It should be noted that today - the term Subdeacon is a "job description" rather than the designation of a person. Almost anyone can serve as a subdeacon - including a Lay Reader, Licensed Eucharistic Minister, Deacon, or Priest - as needed. A powerful mechanism of the church is to have a bishop or priest as celebrant, a deacon as deacon, and a layperson as subdeacon, so that all the orders of ministry are represented around the altar. Occasionally, the title Subdeacon is given to a Lay Reader or Licensed Eucharistic Minister in a church to indicate that he or she is the "head" Lay Reader or Licensed Eucharistic Minister.
Suffragan - See Bishop, Suffragan.
Sunday of the Passion, The - Palm Sunday.
Surplice - An ample white vestment worn over a cassock or other vestments. It has full sleeves, a round or square yoke (neck), and is at least midcalf in length; somewhat longer and fuller than a cotta.
Synagogue - A building or place of meeting for Jewish worship and religious instruction.
Synod - A meeting of church authorities.
Tabernacle - A box or receptacle for the Reserved Sacrament located on an altar (see also Aumbry).
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; 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.
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.
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