Terminology -

BYZANTINE STYLE – The manner of church building and decoration of Greek or Russian origin. The model is the church of the Holy Wisdon (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople, consecrated in 562. Many Western churches have been patterned after the Byzantine Style.

CALENDAR – The calendar in use at the time when Christianity began was the Julian, devised by Julius Caesar. The Russian Orthodox Church follows this calendar to this day in keeping the feasts and saints’ days and fasts. The new calendar (Gregorian) was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII and is used in the… Read More

CANDLES – Candles are used on the altar and on candle stands before icons. The candle expresses the warmth of devotion to the Savior, the Mother of God or the Saint to whom we pray. Candles on the altar are symbols of Christ as the “Light of the World.”  Candles are used in many ceremonies,… Read More

CANONIZATION – The ceremony by which a deceased Christian is declared by the Church to be regarded as a saint. The word canonization means that a Christian has been found worthy to have his name placed in the canon (list) of saints of the Church. This canon is read during the services of the Church…. Read More

CANTOR (or Lector) – A layman who sings or leads the congregation in singing the responses at services. He also reads the Epistle.

CAROL– (Sl. Kolyada) A vernacular hymn adopted for popular singing at a festival, usually Christmas.

CASSOCK – (Sl. ryassa) A long black garment reaching from the shoulders to the ankles, worn by the clergy.

CATECHISM – Elementary instruction in Christian doctrine in the form of questions and answers.  An Orthodox Catechism is an instruction in the orthodox Christian faith, to be taught to every Christian, to enable him to please God and save his own soul. It is a Greek word, signifying instruction, or oral teaching, and has been… Read More

CATECHUMEN – In the early Church a person undergoing training and instruction preparatory to Christian Baptism. They were assigned a place in the church and remained there during the first part of the Liturgy, then they were solemnly dismissed when the priest exclaimed: “Depart all ye catechumens…”

CATECHUMENS, LITURGY OF – The second of three parts of the Divine Liturgy. The first part is the Proskomedia, or Preparation, the second is the Liturgy of the Catechumens which begins with censing of the altar and the people and the exclamation “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father. . ..” and continues to the… Read More

CATHEDRA – (a) An elevated place in the center of the church where a bishop is robed and where he remains until the Little Entrance. (b) The chair for the sole use of the bishop in the sanctuary of a cathedral. It is a sign of the bishop’s authority.

CATHEDRAL – The church of a diocese in which the bishop has his permanent throne or cathedra; usually and properly the cathedral is found in the town from which the diocese takes its name and where the bishop lives.

CATHOLIC – The word is derived from Greek and simply means universal, or all-embracing. It is one of the marks of the Orthodox Church, signifying that the Church of Christ is for all ages, for all nations and is the Ark of Salvation for all mankind. In the Slavonic version of “The Creed,” the word… Read More

CELEBRANT – Person who celebrates the Holy Eucharist – priest or bishop. A deacon may not celebrate the Holy Eucharist, but may assist.

CELEBRATION – Sacred performance of the Divine Liturgy.

CELIBACY -The state of being unmarried.? In the Orthodox Church candidates for the Holy Orders may be married or unmarried. After ordination a deacon or priest cannot marry. Bishops are chosen from celibates or widowers who have taken the monastic vows.

CENSER – (Thurible). (Sl. Kadillo) Vessel with cover hung on chains used for burning incense in church ceremonies.

CENSOR – A person appointed by the bishop to pass judgment regarding the correct teaching of faith or morals in a book or other writing prior to publication.

CENSURE – A spiritual and corrective penalty imposed by the Church on a church member for the correction of an offense. The censure deprives one of spiritual advantages or benefits connected with spiritual matters. Living in a married state without the blessing of the Church deprives one of Holy Communion (an example). Absolution from censures… Read More

CEREMONIAL – The formalities, rules, customs, and usages of worship services or administration of Sacraments.

CHALICE – The cup-shaped sacred vessel used in the Divine Liturgy in which the wine is consecrated. It should be of gold or silver, or the cup should be of silver and gold lined. A chalice may be handled only by the clergy.

CHALICE VEIL – (Sl. Vozduh-Aer) A square piece of material, same color as the vestments, used to cover the chalice and paten on the Table of Oblation and after the transfer to the altar the chalice and paten are covered to the time of singing of The Creed.

CHANCEL – The area around the altar, also called the Sanctuary, separated from the body of the church by the Iconostas.

CHANT –  (Sl. Glas, Gr. echos) There are eight chants for the singing of Troparions, the versicles at Vesper service and the Canon of the Matins. The chants change every week and follow in progressive order and keep the cycles throughout the year.? There are eight tones or modes in the Orthodox Byzantine chant, chanted… Read More