Terminology - Glossary A

APOSTOLIC CHURCH – The word apostolic describes that which has a mission, that which has “been sent” to accomplish a task. Christ and the Holy Spirit are both “apostolic” because both have been sent by the Father to the World. It is not only repeated in the Scripture on numerous occasions how Christ has been… Read More

APOSTOLIC FATHERS – Men who lived during the first century of Christianity, for the most part the disciples of the Apostles; their teachings and writings are of great spiritual value to Christians. Major fathers are St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Polycarp of Smyrna, St. Clement of Rome and the unknown author of Didache.

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION The direct, continuous, and unbroken line of succession transmitted to the bishops of the Church by the Apostles. The bishops, who form a collective body (that is the leadership of the Church), are considered to be successors of the Apostles; and, consequently, the duties and powers given to the Apostles by Christ are… Read More

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.

ARK – (an appellation of the Theotokos) The Theotokos is often called an Ark, for the Glory of God settled on her, just as the Glory of God descended on the Mercy Seat of the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:10-22).

ARK OF SALVATION – The Church is the ark of salvation and we are all gathered into that ark. Just as one could not survive outside of Noah’s ark, the same goes for the  Church. It is truly the Ark in which mankind may be saved from the flood of corruption and sin.

ARM OF THE LORD – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters… Read More

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.

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

ASCENSION – The ascent of Christ to Heaven following His Resurrection as Son of God in the flesh (Luke 24:50, 51; Acts 1:9-11). Christ’s Ascension completes the union of God and humanity, for a Man who is God now reigns in Heaven.

ASCETIC THEOLOGY – A theological field studying the teachings and the writings of the ascetics of the Church (see also mysticism).

ASCETICISM (from Gr. askesis, “athlete”) A life of struggle – the crucifixion of the desires of the flesh, through a life of prayer, fasting, and self-denial. Through asceticism the Christian fights temptation to sin and thereby grows in spiritual strength. Such spiritual classics as The Philokalia and The Ladder of Divine Ascent give directions for… 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.

ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America (formerly known as the Episcopal Assembly of North and Central America) is one of twelve bishops’ assemblies which have been established in different geographical regions throughout the world. It is made up of all the active, canonical Orthodox bishops of… Read More

ASSEMBLY OF THE FAITHFUL – It is the very meaning of the word  “Church,”  those on earth and those in heaven, with the angels before the throne  of God.  The liturgy begins with the gathering of the faithful with their shepherd in one place at the same time. The assembly of the faithful in one… Read More

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.

ATHEISM – the belief that there is no God. Condemned by the Orthodox Church for being a belief in error for denial of the truth of God and Jesus Christ.