Terminology - Glossary R

RABBI, RABBONI – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:49 “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” John 20:16

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

RANSOM – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Tim 2:6

RAPTURE – The gathering of the Church on earth in the presence of Christ when He comes again to judge the living and the dead (1 Thess. 4:15-17). Orthodox theologians reject the recent minority view that the Church will be taken out of the world before the time of trouble preceding the Second Coming. Christ… Read More

RASO – (Gr Cassock? Sl. ryassa). The long black garment with large sleeves worn by the Orthodox clergy as their distinct attire. Another such cassock with narrow sleeves (Gr. Anteri; Sl. Podrasnik) is worn under the cassock. It symbolizes the death of a clergyman to this world, and his burial and subsequent dedication to God… Read More

READER — A reader, also called a lector (in Greek, ??????????, anagnostis or anagnostes; in Slavonic, ?????, chtets) is one of the minor orders of the Orthodox Church, a sub-clerical order to which a man is tonsured, setting him apart as blessed by the bishop to read the epistle readings in the Divine Liturgy. He… Read More

RECONCILIATION – The removal of hostility and barriers between humans and God, and between individuals, accomplished by Christ (Rom. 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:18, 19).

RECTOR – (Lat. to guide, govern) A priest who is in charge of a parish and hence ex-officio head of all its organizations. He is the presiding officer at all Parish meetings, Supervisor of the Church School. These offices he may delegate to others. All work that may be done in the Parish is done… Read More

RECTORY – The residence provided for the rector.

REDEEMER – (an appellation or Title of Jesus)  “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.” Isa 59:20

REDEMPTION – 1) (Sl. Iskupleniye) The deliverance of humanity from sin and death by Christ, who assumed humanity by His Incarnation, conquered sin and death by His life-giving death and glorious Resurrection, releases those who are in captivity to the evil one, and unites humanity to God by His Ascension (Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:15). See… Read More

RELICS – The bodies of saints, or particles of their bodies, which the Church venerates, because of the position of the person in sanctity and virtue and because these may bring a person to the imitation of the saint. Relics are placed in the altar at the time of consecration, and parts of relics are… Read More

REMEMBRANCE – (Gr. anamnesis) Making present by means of recollection. The Eucharist is not merely a calling to mind but a remembrance of and mystical participation in the very sacrifice of Christ, His Resurrection, His Ascension, and His coming again (1 Cor. 11:23 26).

REMISSION – The forgiveness and putting aside of sins. As the faithful are released from their sins through the sacramental life of the Church, they in turn are called to remit the sins of any who have offended them (John 20:23; Acts 2:37, 38.).

REPENTANCE – Literally, “a change of mind” or attitude, and thus of behavior. God is the author of repentance, which is an integral part of baptism, confession, and ongoing spiritual life. Repentance is not simply sorrow for sins but a firm determination to turn away from sin to a new life of righteousness in Jesus… Read More

REQUIEM – (Paneheda, Pannikhida) A service for the repose of the souls of the departed faithful.

RESPONSES – The answers made by the people or the choir in the services. The people are not just to observe but to participate.

RESURRECTION – The reunion of the soul and body after death which will revitalize and transform the physical body into a spiritual body. Jesus Himself is the first fruits of perfect resurrection; He will never again be subject to death. Because He conquered death by His Resurrection, all will rise again: the righteous to life… Read More

RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE, THE – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

RESURRECTIONAL – “Resurrectional” and “Sunday” are equivalent; thus “Sunday Troparion” and “Resurrectional Troparion” and “Troparion of the Resurrection” are equivalent expressions. “of the Resurrection” means “taken from the service of the Resurrection in the Tone of the Week.”  

RETREAT – A period of time during which a person withdraws from his ordinary life and occupation in order to pray, meditate and receive instruction in the spiritual life.

REVELATION – (1) Making known the hidden things concerning God and His divine truths through God chosen men who put these things in writing which make up the books of the Old and the New Testaments. (2) The last Book of the New Testament, a prophetic book written by St. John the Divine. It is… Read More

REVEREND – (Lat. worthy of respect) A title applied to the clergy. Higher ranks of clergy are “Very,” and “Right” for the mitred clergy.

RIGHT REVEREND – The title given to bishops. “Most Reverend” to Archbishops and the Metropolitan.