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| Advent |
The four week
season prior to Christmas, commencing on the Sunday nearest St Andrew's
Day, 30th November. Beginning of the Christian "Year". The
theme for the season is preparation for Christmas. |
| Agnus Dei |
Literally "Lamb
of God", a reference to Jesus. Part of the Gloria during the service of Holy Communion where mercy and peace are requested. It is said, intoned or sung immediately before the celebrant invites the congregation
to come to the altar rail to receive the Sacraments. Commences "Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us." |
| Alb |
Full length, sleeved white vestment worn by clergy. |
| Annunciation |
A Feast commemorating the announcement by Gabriel to the
Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. Also known as
Lady Day, it is nine months prior to Christmas Day, and is fixed on 25th
March.
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| Apostles' Creed |
An affirmation of Faith based on a creed formulated to
contain the faith of the Apostles. Commences: "I believe in God,
the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth."
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| Archbishop |
Metropolitan; Chief Bishop. Person holding spiritual
power over one of the Provinces into which the Anglican Church is divided in the
world. Frequently a Province correlates with the boundaries of a
country, but the Church in Aotearoa, N.Z. and Pasifika contains a vast area of the South
Pacific. The senior Archbishop of the Worldwide Anglican Communion is
the Archbishop of Canterbury. |
| Archdeacon |
A person who superintends one of several areas into
which a bishopric is divided. |
| Ascension Day |
A principal feast
of the Church, 40 days after the Resurrection, recognising the ascent of
Christ. |
| Ash Wednesday |
One of two
Principal Holy Days. First day of Lent, 40 weekdays (Monday to Saturday)
prior to Easter. A special service is held on this day where the ashes
of palm crosses from the previous Palm Sunday are used to mark the
forehead with a cross and worn for the day. |
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| Baptism |
The rite of
admission into the Christian Church, and one of the two Sacraments
dating from the time of Jesus. Consists of immersion in, or sprinkling
with water as a sign of purification and naming. Anglicans recognise
that Baptism is not into a denomination, but into the body of the
Christ and the church. |
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Bishop |
The highest level
of priesthood. A leader who has all the functions and
responsibilities of a Deacon and Priest and may also ordain.
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Canon |
Member of a
Cathedral Chapter. The unqualified title of Canon is used by clergy
installed as Canons of a Cathedral. Clergy may also become Honorary
Canons, but have no membership of the Chapter. Non-clergy may be made
Lay Canons, and have a stall in the Cathedral. |
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Canonical Stalls |
Named seating,
usually in the Choir or Chancel, reserved for the use of Canons of the
Cathedral on formal occasions. |
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Cassock |
Long tunic,
commonly of black or dark red, worn by clergy, servers and choristers. |
| Catechism |
The set of
questions and answers which form the foundation for instruction on the
beliefs of the Church. Formerly, was required learning for all who
wished to be confirmed. |
| Cathedral Church |
A church containing
a Cathedra, or official throne of a Bishop. |
| Catholic |
Literally "universal". Has the same meaning when someone is said to have "catholic tastes". Liturgically, it is found in the Apostles' Creed, where belief is affirmed in "the holy catholic Church". The initial
letter is in lower case, and does not refer to the Roman Catholic
Church, commonly known as the "Catholic Church". |
| Censer |
A vessel in which
incense is burned, usually on a long chain or handle, carried and swung
by a thurifer in procession and during parts of a service. Rarely used
in the Anglican Church or the Cathedral. |
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Chancel |
Eastern end of a
church, containing the Sanctuary and Choir, and still known in many English cathedrals by its former name of "Quire". It is usually separated from the body (nave) of the church by a rail or screen, or symbolically by a
step or change of flooring. In a cruciform church, it comprises the "head" of the cross. |
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Chaplain |
A member of clergy
who officiates in an institution, and usually has a Chapel available for
that purpose. E.g. Hospital Chaplain; Army Chaplain; etc. |
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Chapter |
The membership
which makes up the meeting by which a Cathedral is managed and directed. |
| Christmas |
A season of the
Church which begins with the principal feast of the Birth of our Lord
Jesus Christ on 25th December, and continues to the second
Sunday after Christmas. The theme is the celebration of the birth of
Jesus Christ. |
| Cincture |
Also known as a girdle: the belt, sash or rope worn around the waist of an alb by clergy and altar assistants |
| Clyp |
Literally, to
embrace. An act of worhip where the congregation, joining hands,
encircles a church while the choir and clergy process around the
building inside the circle. It symbolises encircling the building with
the love of its congregation. |
| Collate |
Appoint a priest to
a position which contains a degree of direct authority. A priest
is "Collated" to the position of Archdeacon. |
| Collect |
A short prayer,
specific to the day, said at services of worship. (Pronounced "collect"). |
| Confirmation |
Affirmation of
Baptism, especially if performed in infancy, seen as being a conscious decision of
commitment to Christ by a person of an age to understand their decision. While many Anglican churches prefer a communicant member to be confirmed, it is not compulsory. |
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Consecrate |
To make holy; to
dedicate to God. Churches are consecrated, and the service of elevating a priest to bishop is a consecration. |
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Cope |
The long cloak or
cape, often heavily decorated, or of decorative fabric, worn by clergy
in procession. |
| Creed |
A summary of doctrine of belief. See also Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed. |
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Curate |
Assistant to a
parish priest.
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Deacon |
The first level of priesthood into which a person may be
ordained, calling for service in the name of Christ and ensuring that
those in need are cared for with Christlike compassion and humility. A
deacon may baptise, preach, teach the faith, read the Scriptures, lead
prayers and distribute bread & wine. The Deacon cannot preside
at Eucharist. Priests and Bishops have additional responsibilities, but
remain Deacons. |
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Dean |
Member of the
clergy who heads a Cathedral. Sometimes recognised as holding an
unofficial civic position through having the title of the City in which
the Cathedral stands - as in "Dean of Auckland". |
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Diocese |
One of several areas into which a Province of the Church
may be divided, headed by a Bishop, and containing a Cathedral,
Cathedral Church or pro-Cathedral. |
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| Easter |
The season of
the Church which begins on Easter Eve and ends on Whitsunday, the Day of
Pentecost. The theme of the season is the resurrection and ascension of
Jesus Christ. |
| Easter Day |
One of six principal feasts of the Church, celebrating
the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Day is the first Sunday after
the full moon on the day of the Vernal Equinox or of the 28 days which
follow. It can fall between 22nd March and 25th
April.
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| Epiphany |
A season of the Church commencing with the Feast of the
Epiphany on 6th January, a principal feast of the Church
which celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (the three
Wise Men). The season continues throught the Baptism of the Lord on the
First Sunday after Epiphany, to the Quinquagesima, or ninth Sunday after
Epiphany. The theme is the Revelation of Christ.
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Eucharist |
Also known as Holy Communion,
Mass, the Lord's Supper. The service is based in the Last Supper of Christ with His disciples and is seen as the central service of worship in the Anglican Church.
Sung Eucharist: sung and/or chanted by clergy and congregation.
Choral Eucharist: hymns are led and certain congregation parts are sung by a choir: the Kyries, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. |
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Evensong |
Literally, "evening song". A late afternoon or
evening liturgical service including prayers, sermon and sung worship.
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