Terminology - Glossary T

TONE – The standard melody for versicles, tro-parions and prokimenons is arranged into Eight Tones, which are sung in a continuous cycle throughout the year.

TONSURE – The tonsure, which is the cutting of hair from the head in the sign of the cross, is the sign that the person completely offers himself to God — hair being the symbol of strength (Jud 16:17). Thus, until the fifteenth century the clergy of the Orthodox Church — the “professional Christians,” so… Read More

TRADITION, ORTHODOX– (Gr. Paradosis). The transmission of the doctrine or the customs of the Orthodox Church through the centuries, basically by word of mouth from generation to generation.

TRADITION, HOLY – That which is handed down, transmitted. Tradition is the life of the Church in the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit leads the Church “into all truth” (John 16:13) and enables her to preserve the truth taught by Christ to His Apostles. The Holy Scriptures are the core of Holy Tradition, as… Read More

TRANSFIGURATION – (1) A change or transformation. Christ was transfigured on Mt. Tabor, showing He is God in the flesh (Matt. 17:1-8). Christians are called to be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image and likeness of God (Rom. 12:1, 2). See also DEIFICATION. (2) (Gr. Metamorphosis). The transfiguration of Christ is a major… Read More

TRANSLATION – The removal of a Saint’s relics from one place to another; on the anniversary of such transference the saint’s feast is observed; e.g., Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas on May 9.

TRANSUBSTANTIANTION – In the exposition of the faith by the Eastern Patriarchs, it is said that the word transubstantiation is not to be taken to define the manner in which the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of the Lord; for this none can understand but God; but only thus much… Read More

TREZVON – The Peal (Trezvon). This is the ringing of bells in three modes, three times repeating a musical measure with a definite harmony of many selected bells. The Peal is used at the beginning of major services: Combined with the Announcement, the Peal is rung at the beginning of the All-Night Vigil, at Matins,… Read More

TRIBULATION (THE) – The Scriptures reveal that much trouble and violence?Great Tribulation?will engulf the world before the Second Coming of Christ (Matt. 24:4-29). See also ESCHATOLOGY, RAPTURE, and SECOND COMING.

TRIKERION – (Gr. three-candlesticks) A candlestick holding three candles coming to a point at the top. It is held in the right hand and represents the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity. It is used in Divine Services by a bishop.

TRINITY – God the Father and His Son and His Holy Spirit: one in essence and undivided. God revealed the mystery of the Trinity at Christ’s baptism (Matt. 3:13 17), but even before that event, numerous Old Testament references pointed to the Trinity. For example, the frequent use of plural pronouns referring to the one… Read More

TRIODION – (Gr. three odes or modes). 1) A Liturgical book containing the hymns, prayers and services of the movable feast before Easter, beginning ten weeks before Easter with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, until Easter Sunday. This includes the four weeks proceeding Great Lent, Great Lent, and Holy (Passion) Week. 2)… Read More

TRISAGION – (1) Literally, “Thrice Holy.” The biblical Trisagion, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” is the hymn of the angels before the throne of God (Is. 6:1-3; Rev. 4:8), and is one of the most important hymns of the Divine Liturgy. In the Tradition of the Church, this hymn has been amplified into the Trisagion frequently sung… Read More

TROPARION (pl., TROPARIA) – A short hymn sung after the small entrance at Divine Liturgy. For Sundays the subject is the Holy Resurrection; a different Troparion for each of the Eight Tones. Every feast has its particular Troparion describing the event or the virtues of the saint. It is one of the oldest titles used… Read More

TRUE GOD – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”… Read More

TRUE VINE – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” John 15:1

TRUTH – (an appellation or Title of Jesus)  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

TYPE – A historical event that has a deeper meaning, pointing to our salvation in Christ. For example, the three days that Jonah spent in the belly of the fish is a type of the three days that Christ would spend in the tomb (Matt. 12:40). The serpent that Moses lifted up on the staff… 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

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

TYPIKON – (Gr.for following the order; Sl. Sluzhebnik). Liturgical book which contains instructions about the order of the various church services and ceremonies in the form of a perpetual calendar. In monastery usage, the typikon of the monastery includes both the rule of life of the community and the rule of prayer.