Terminology -

ANTIMINSION – (Sl. Antimins) A combined Greek-Latin word meaning in place of a table. It is a silk or linen cloth with a sketch of the Entombment of Christ. A part of a saint’s relic is sewn into it. It is consecrated by a bishop and kept on the “prestol” (altar) at all times to… Read More

APOCALYPSES – The last book of the Bible, also called Revelations. The prophetic book of the New Testament written by the beloved Apostle John.

APODOSIS – (Sl. Otdaniye) The end of a feast of our Lord or the Mother of God which has lasted more than one day. It corresponds to the Western octave-day.   ‘Giving back’ or ‘return’ – It is the last day of the after-feasts on which the feast finally ends. Also called the leave-taking.

APOLOGETICS – The science of the defense and explanation of the Christian religion.  Apologetics is a field of study concerned with the systematic defence of Christianity. The term “apologetic” is derived from the Greek word apologia, which means in defense of (also means “reply” or “answer”).

APOSTOLIC CANONS – (Sl. Apostolskiya Pravila) A collection of eighty-five ecclesiastical decrees believed to have been drawn up by the Apostles. They are concerned chiefly with the discipline of the clergy and ordination.

ARCHANGEL – An angel of higher rank. Three archangels mentioned in the Bible are: Michael, the captain of the heavenly host (Jude 1:9); Gabriel, who announced to the All-Holy Virgin that she was to be the Mother of Jesus Christ (LUKE 1:26) ; and Raphael, who accompanied the young Tobias (Tobit 5:4).

ARCHBISHOP – The bishop of an archdiocese, where there may be several dioceses in his territory.

ARCHDEACON – A higher rank of deacon (if the deacon is married the equivalent is “protodeacon“). The first archdeacon was the Martyr Stephen, who was chosen as one of the seven deacons by the Apostles. The other six deacons were: Philip, Prochor, Nikanor, Timon, Parmen and Nicholas (Acrs 6:3-7).

ARCHDIOCESE – An ecclesiastical territory governed by an archbishop.

ARCHIMANDRITE – In Greek the word means “the head of a monastery.” A monastic rank just below the bishop. An Archimandrite has the right to wear the mitre and the mantia.

ARCHPRIEST – (Sl. Protoeierei) A title of dignity given to a priest as an award for his long and fruitful service to the Church.

ARIANISM – The name of a heresy saying which denied the true Divinity of Jesus Christ, so-called after its author, Arius, a presbyter in the Church of Alexandria. This heresy was condemned at the first Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in 325.

ARTOS – A loaf of bread, with an icon of the Resurrection of Christ on it, representing the Bread of Eternal Life, which during Easter Week is placed on the analoy. The custom of having this bread in church dates back to the time of the Apostles, who always left an empty place at the… Read More

ASPASMOS – (Sl. tselouaniye salutation). The action of kissing the Gospel Book, an icon, the hand of the bishop or priest. At Easter the celebrant bestows the sign of Christian joy to the members of the congregation.

ASSUMPTION of the MOTHER OF GOD   (Dormition) (Sl. “Falling Asleep”) of the Most Holy Virgin. According to Tradition the body of the All Holy Mother of God was taken into heaven soon after her death. The Feast is observed August 15. See DORMITION.

ASTERISK – (Sl. Zvezditsa-star) A part of the Sacred Vessels used in the Divine Liturgy, made of two pieces of metal crossed and bent on two sides. It is placed over the diskos and serves to prevent the veil from touching the particles when the diskos is covered.

SEPTUAGINT (LXX) NUMBERING OF PSALMS – The Orthodox Church uses primarily translations from the Greek version of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint rather than translations from the Hebrew editions. The Septuagint (also known as the LXX) is the version of the Old Testament used in the many quotations of the Old Testament found… Read More

SEPTUAGINT – The Septuagint (LXX) is the name given to the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. The Septuagint has its origin in Alexandria, Egypt and was translated between 300-200 BC. Widely used among Hellenistic Jews, this Greek translation was produced because many Jews spread throughout the empire were beginning to lose their Hebrew language…. Read More

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS – The Elevation of the Cross, (or Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross), celebrated on the fourteenth of September, commemorates the finding of Christ’s Cross by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine in the fourth century; and, after it was taken by the Persians, of its recovery by the Emperor… Read More

NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS – One of the three major feasts in the Church honoring Mary, the Theotokos. Her nativity is calibrated on the eighth of September.

ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE -(Presentation in the Temple) One of three great feasts of the Theotokos is the celebration of her entrance as a child into the Jerusalem Temple which is commemorated on the twenty-first of November. Mary was brought as a small child to the temple by her parents in order… Read More

MEETING OF THE LORD – Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord. Forty days after Christmas, on the second of February, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation. Forty days after Christ was born he was presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well… Read More

COMPLINE – Compline is called the “after-dinner” service of the Church. Its name, both in Greek and Slavonic, indicates this. It is a service of psalms and prayers to be read following the evening meal; after Vespers has been served. On days when Vespers are connected to the Divine Liturgy, such as the eves of… Read More

NOCTURNE – Nocturne is the midnight service of the Church. In monasteries it usually begins the all-night vigil of the monks. It contains a number of psalms together with the normal prayers found in other services, such as the call to worship, the Thrice-Holy, the Our Father, the Troparion, etc. Its theme is obviously the… Read More