| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| RULE | RULE – (Sl. Pravilo] The order and regulation of life followed by the monks and nuns. |
| RYASA | RYASA – The black cassock worn by the priest or bishop. Usually, it is black, but it may be any other shade or color. It has wide sleeves. Another cassock, with narrow sleeves (podryasnik) is often worn under the ryasa. |
| OUR FATHER | OUR FATHER – The prayer taught by our Lord to His Apostles (MATT. 6:9-13; LUKE kk:2-4). It is said and sung in nearly all the services. As the model of all prayers, given by our Lord Himself, this prayer is honored, loved and used above all others by all Christians. Lord’s Prayer |
| OUR LADY | OUR LADY – The most usual expression in English, when speaking or writing informally, for the Most Holy Ever-Virgin Mary. |
| PALITSA | PALITSA – (Epigonation) Part of the sacred vestments – a diamond-shaped piece worn by the protopriest or bishop on the right side. It is given to the protopriest as an award for devoted service to his priestly duties |
| PALM SUNDAY | PALM SUNDAY – (Sl. Verbnoye Voskresenye) The Sunday before Easter when the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem is celebrated. In the Russian Church willow branches are blessed and the people hold the branches with lighted candles during the service. |
| PANAGIA | PANAGIA – (Gr. All Holy) 1) A round or oval image of the Savior or the Mother of God, usually on enamel, richly decorated, worn by the bishop on the breast. 2) The Virgin Mary is known by many names that are both descriptive and honorific. One of the most popular of these is Panagia,… Read More |
| PANEHEDA | PANEHEDA – (Pannikhida, Pannykhida) A service for the repose of the souls of the departed faithful. |
| PARASTAS | PARASTAS – A solemn service for the repose of departed as a memorial to them, longer and more complete than the Paneheda. |
| PARISH | PARISH – Group of faithful united under a properly ordained priest to form a unit of a Diocese, acceding to the Canons, Traditions, Doctrines, discipline and Divine Sacraments of the Orthodox Church. |
| PARISH REGISTER | PARISH REGISTER – Records of Baptisms, Marriages and deaths occurring in the parish. |
| PARTICLES | PARTICLES – Small pieces taken out of the prosphora and placed on the paten at the Proskomedia. The particles are in honer of Most Holy Virgin Mary, nine ranks of saints, and those commemorating the faithful living and dead. |
| PASCHAL WEEK | PASCHAL WEEK – The week following the Day of Resurrection. |
| PASCHALIA | PASCHALIA – The table of dates for Easter and the movable feasts. |
| PASSION WEEK | PASSION WEEK – The week preceding Easter, each day commemorates the suffering of our Lord. Thursday evening at Matins the twelve Passion Gospels are read. |
| PASTORAL LETTER | PASTORAL LETTER – A letter of instruction or admonition from a Bishop or Council of Bishops to the faithful. |
| PATEN | PATEN – (Sl. Diskos) A round, flat plate of gold or silver on which the species of bread is placed at the celebration of the Eucharist. |
| PATRIARCH | PATRIARCH – (1) The highest bishop rank (of honor) in the Orthodox Church. In the early Church there were five jurisdictional territories each headed by a Patriarch. These patriarchates were: Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Constantinople and Rome. After Rome broke away from the unity of the Church in 1054 A.D. other territories were raised to partriarchates… Read More |
| PATRON SAINT | PATRON SAINT – (Sl. Nebesny Pokrovitel’) A Saint chosen by a nation, society or any religious or lay organization to be a special advocate, guardian and protector. The saints have special spheres of activity and tasks of love. St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of sailors. St. George – Patron of those in military service. |
| PECTORAL CROSS | PECTORAL CROSS – (Sl. Naperstny Krest) A cross on a chain worn by Priests and Bishops as a mark of their office, and a reminder that they are servants of Christ and preachers of the Cross of salvation. |
| PENANCE | PENANCE, Sacrament of – (Sl. Pokayaniye) Properly the Sacrament of Penitence. A Sacrament by which sins are forgiven when the penitent acknowledges and confesses his sins and receives absolution. |
| PENITENTIAL PSALM | PENITENTIAL PSALM – The 50th Psalm of David: “Have mercy on me, O God.” (English version Psalm 51). |
| PENTECOSTARION | PENTECOSTARION – (also known as the Flowery Triodion or Festal Triodion) The liturgical service book which contains all the variable prayers and parts of services for the season between Easter (Pascha) , through the feast of All Saints (the Sunday following Pentecost). |
| PEW | PEW – A bench or seat with a fixed back for use of members of a congregation. |