| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ESSENCE | ESSENCE (Gr. ousia) Also translated as substance, nature or being. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are “of one essence.” Jesus Christ is “of one essence” with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in His divinity, and “of one essence” with all human beings in His humanity. God’s essence is beyond… Read More |
| ESTHER | ESTHER – One of the books known as the historical books of the Old Testament. Forms part of a larger history which includes 1st and 2nd Chronicles. The theme of these books are the religious and political reorganization of Judah after the Return from the Babylonian Exile in the time of the Persian Empire (Kings… Read More |
| ETERNAL LIFE | ETERNAL LIFE 1) Life of the soul which continues without end after the death of the body. It is a life of blessedness for those who are saved, and suffering for those who are condemned. 2) (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given… Read More |
| ETERNITY | ETERNITY – The attribute of God by which He is without beginning and without end. |
| ETHNOPHYLETISM | ETHNOPHYLETISM – The name of a heresy saying that Church governance should be based on ethnic divisions, rather than geographic. |
| EUCHARIST | EUCHARIST – Taken from a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving,” Eucharist designates Holy Communion, the central act of Christian worship. At the Last Supper Christ gave thanks (Matt. 26:27; 1 Cor. 11:24), and embodied in the communion service is our Own thanksgiving. The word came into use very early, as exemplified by its use in the… Read More |
| EUCHOLOGION | EUCHOLOGION – (Book of Needs, Sl. Sluzhebnik) A book containing the texts of the Liturgies and prayers required for the administration of Sacraments and other offices. The Book of Needs includes the order of service for the various Sacraments. Other services found in the Book of Needs are the Burial Service, the Blessing of Water,… Read More |
| EVANGELIST | EVANGELIST – One who preaches the gospel; used especially of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who wrote the four NT Gospels. |
| EVANGELIYE | EVANGELIYE (Sl.) – (Gr. Good News) The book containing the four Gospels from which the appointed lessons are read at Divine services. |
| EVERLASTING FATHER | EVERLASTING FATHER – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isa 9:6 |
| EVLOGISON DESPOTA | EVLOGISON DESPOTA – Greek for : Bless, Master! |
| EVLOGITARIA | EVLOGITARIA – These are Troparia sung at Matins and Funeral services, accompanied by: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes”. |
| EXAPOSTILARION | EXAPOSTILARION – (PHOTAGOGIKON, Svetilen, lit. Hymn of Light) – A brief hymn, similar to a troparion, performed at Matins after the kanon. There are three types of Exapostilarion: resurrectional, which follow the cycle of 11 resurrectional Gospel readings and Gospel stichera; festal, which pertain to the feast being celebrated; and trinitarian, which are sung at… Read More |
| EXAPTERYGA | EXAPTERYGA (Gr. “six-winged angels”). Metallic banners (fans) adorned with representations of angels carried at various processions of church services. |
| EXCLAMATION | EXCLAMATION – A prayer said aloud by a priest or bishop, which in most instances is the conclusion of a longer prayer said in a softer voice; one of the forms of ekphonesis. |
| EXCOMMUNICATION | EXCOMMUNICATION – Literally, “out of communion.”? This judgment is pronounced by the Church on willfully heretical, immoral, or divisive persons who refuse to repent of their sins, it excludes them from the sacramental life of the Church (1 Cor. 5:1-5) Excommunication is not viewed as eternal damnation but a discipline pertaining only to this life…. Read More |
| EXODUS | EXODUS – The history of religion in the time of the Prophet Moses, and the Law given through him from God. Book of the Old Testament, one of the five books written by Moses. This book speaks of the deliverance of the People of Israel from bondage in Egypt and the making of a Covenant… Read More |
| EXORCISM | EXORCISM – Forbidding the devil to have any power over the newly baptized in the Sacrament of Baptism. The desire to be joined to Christ, confession of faith and worship of the Holy Trinity. |
| EZEKIEL | EZEKIEL – One of the books known as the prophetical books of the Old Testament. This book is the work of Ezekiel the Priest, whose ministry extended from 593 to 563 B.C., when he was in Babylon with the Exiles. As Prophet to the Exiles, he assured his listeners of the abiding presence of God… Read More |