Terminology -

ARMENIAN CHURCH – A monophysite denomination which broke from the Orthodox Church in the fifth century (451 A.D.). Communities which belong to the Armenian Church exist in the United States and other parts of the world.

ZEAL – Devotion; enthusiastic obedience to God; a quality of divine diligence or fervor. Christians are called to follow Christ with enthusiasm and zeal (Acts 18:25; Rom. 12:10, 11) and –  warned against misguided enthusiasm, a zeal “not according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:2).

SEVENTY APOSTLES – The Seventy Apostles are those whom the Lord chose (described in Luke 10:1-16) in addition to the Twelve and sent forth to assist in the work of preaching. Over time, the Twelve added others to their number, who were sent out with the original Seventy to preach the gospel. Although this number… Read More

QUINISEXT COUNCIL – The Quinisext Ecumenical Council was held in 692 and is regarded as supplementing the Fifth Ecumenical Council of 553 and the Sixth Ecumenical Council of 681. This council is often referred to as the Council in Trullo. The work of the council was mainly legislative, ratifying 102 canons and decisions of the… Read More

MEGALYNARION – (MAGNIFICATION Sl: Velichaniye) – The Greek word Megalynarion means “magnification“.-  It is used to describe several hymns in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The most common megalynarion is the one used at the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most blameless and… Read More

ZADOSTOINIK -The hymns that replace “It is truly meet…” in the Divine Liturgy are called in Slavonic the “Zadostoinik,” or in Greek the “anti tou Axion Estin”, both which mean “Instead of ‘It is truly meet.’” These hymns come from the refrain and irmos of the ninth ode of the Canon of the Feast, which… Read More

APOSTICHA – (singular apostichon) These are hymns (stichera) sung between verses of selected psalms, thus the Greek meaning: hymns on the verses (stichos), found at vespers and weekday matins. Aposticha are unique in that they start with a hymn, rather than a verse as stichera usually do. The aposticha at Sunday Vespers form an alphabetical… Read More

STICHERA – (singular: sticheron) are hymns used mainly in Vespers and Matins. A sticherarion is a book containing the stichera for the morning and evening services throughout the year. Stichera are also found in the Menaion and Octoechos.

APOCRYPHA – The word apocrypha comes from a Greek meaning “hidden.” Apocrypha may have different meanings depending on how it is applied to the Old or New Testaments and whether it is being used by Catholics, Protestants or Orthodox Christians. Because of this confusion, the term is not used much by Orthodox writers. For the… Read More

PSEUDOEPIGRAPHA –  At the turn from the first century, many false writings about Christ were produced. These were the so-called apocryphal writings (not to be confused with the Deuterocanonical Old Testament books, also called pseudoepigrapha by some). These false writings carried the names of the apostles and introduced into Christian circles many fanciful and legendary… Read More

Deuterocanonical Books  of the Old Testament that are accepted by the Orthodox Christian Church but are not accepted by Protestants as part of its official canonical contents, but of close association with the Bible. They are included in the Orthodox Bible because they were included in the Septuagint which was in use at the time… Read More

ANAVATHMI – A series of short hymns, based on the Psalms of Ascents (Greek Anavathmi), nos. 119-133, which are sung at Matins on Sundays, and Feasts with a Gospel. On Sundays they are divided into three Antiphons, except for Tone Eight, which has four. They are sung immediately before the Prokeimenon. On Feasts the first… Read More

TYPIKA – The Typika ( Reader’s Service) is a brief service that is appointed by the Typikon for certain occasions but may also be conducted when a priest or bishop is not present. There are various modifications that are made to this service to incorporate elements from the Divine Liturgy, some of which are designed… Read More

TYPICAL PSALMS – The Typical Psalms are Psalms 102 (103) and 145 (146), which may be included in either the Divine Liturgy (in Slavic practice, and in Byzantine monastic practice) or the Typika. In the context of the liturgy, these Psalms form the first two antiphons along with Saint Justinian’s Hymn. The third antiphon (which… Read More

KATAVASIA (KATABASIA, ‘Song of descension.’ ) – in Greek this word implies the act of “descending” or “coming down.” It is the name given to the hymn that concludes the ode of a Canon. During the singing of the Katavasia the two choirs are to “descend” from their places (the kliros) and assemble in the… Read More

GOSPEL STIKHERA – hymns sung during Resurrectional Matins at “Glory” of the Verses on the Praises. There are eleven Gospel Stikhera, and they vary from week to week depending upon which of the eleven Gospel lessons for Sunday Matins is read.

VERSES ON THE PRAISES – stikhera inserted at those places appointed by the Typikon during the chanting of the Psalms of Praise (148-150) at Matins.

DOGMATIKON – those Theotokia that conclude the stikhera on “Lord, I call” at Great Vespers on the eves of the Lord’s Day. Their title comes from the fact that they are usually succinct presentations of the dogma of the Incarnation, with particular stress on the ever-virginity, motherhood of Mary, and the two natures of Christ.

RADONITSA – (“Day of Rejoicing“, Krasnaya Gorka ) is a holiday in the Orthodox Church which falls on the Monday or (more commonly) Tuesday of Saint Thomas Week – eight or nine days, respectively, after Pascha (Easter). The day is a general memorial for the departed. Because of the importance of the last few days… Read More

MASTER – 1)When speaking with a Bishop, you should say “Bless, Despota [Thés-po-ta]” (or “Vladika [Vlá-dee-ka]” in Slavonic, “Master” in English). It is also appropriate to say, “Bless, Your Grace” (or “Your Eminence,” etc.). You should end your conversation by asking for a blessing again. This is in respect to the bishop’s teaching ministry  (ie,… Read More

VLADIKA – When speaking with a Bishop, you should say “Bless, Despota [Thés-po-ta]” (or “Vladika [Vlá-dee-ka]” in Slavonic, “Master” in English). It is also appropriate to say, “Bless, Your Grace” (or “Your Eminence,” etc.). You should end your conversation by asking for a blessing again. This is in respect to the bishop’s teaching ministry  (ie,… Read More

DESPOTA – When speaking with a Bishop, you should say “Bless, Despota [Thés-po-ta]” (or “Vladika [Vlá-dee-ka]” in Slavonic, “Master” in English). It is also appropriate to say, “Bless, Your Grace” (or “Your Eminence,” etc.). You should end your conversation by asking for a blessing again. This is in respect to the bishop’s teaching ministry  (ie,… Read More

STAVOPEGIAL – A stavropegial (stavropigial or stavropighial) institution, usually a monastery, is one which falls directly under the omophorion of the primate of a church rather than under the local diocesan bishop.

PASCHAL HOURS – During Bright Week the Hours (as well as certain other services of the Daily Cycle) are replaced by the festive Paschal Hours. The Paschal Hours are intended to reflect the joy and celebration of Pascha. The hymnography and prayers center on Christ’s victory over sin and death and our hope for salvation.