Terminology - Glossary V

VAINGLORY – Elation or pride over one’s own achievements, abilities, etc.; boastful vanity.

VEIL – (Sl. Vozduh) Covering for the chalice and paten used at the service of Divine Liturgy.

VENERABLE-MARTYR – One of the various customary saint titles used in commemoration at divine services when remembering saints on the Church Calendar.  A martyred monastic.

VENERATION – The respect and honor given to the saints. The veneration which is given to the Most-Holy Virgin and the saints is different from the worship given to God alone.

VENERATION OF THE CROSS, SUNDAY OF – The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ’s redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but… Read More

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.

VERY CHRIST – (an appellation or Title of Jesus)   “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” Acts 9:22

VERY GOD OF VERY GOD – In the creed The words: “Very God of Very God” mean that just as the Father is true God, so is the Son also true God.

VESPERAL LITURGY – Vespers with Divine Liturgy This service  is prescribed only a few times each year.  It opens with the blessing used at Divine Liturgy: “Blessed is the Kingdom . . .”  The service continues similar to great vespers. There is no psalter reading, and there is an entrance with the gospel book. After… Read More

VESPERS – The evening prayer service in the Orthodox Church. (Gr. Esperinos) An important service of the Orthodox Church which is mainly a Thanksgiving prayer for the closing day and a welcome of the new one to come the following morning. On the eve of an important holiday, the Vesper Service includes Artoclasia or the… Read More

VESPERS OF HOLY FRIDAY – Vespers of Holy Friday (sometimes called the Un-nailing Vespers) follows the usual order of Great Vespers, but omits the kathisma and includes both an Epistle and Gospel reading after the Old Testament readings. During this service the clergy remove the corpus (soma) icon of Christ from the cross in the… Read More

VESPERS OF THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY – Vespers of the Sunday of Orthodoxy is served on the evening of the first Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy). Traditionally, this should follow the order of Sunday Lenten Vespers; however, it has become a popular custom in North America for all Orthodox parishes and missions in… Read More

VESSELS, SACRED – The chalice, paten, spoon and spear (these are also called the Eucharistic vessels). These are not handled by laymen.

VESTMENTS – (Gr. Amphia). The special garments worn by the clergy in the liturgy and the other church services. See also: Epigonation, Epitrachelion, Omophorion, Orarion, Rason, Sakkos, Sticharion, Zone.

VESTRY – At the right (South) side of the Altar is a space reserved for the sacred vessels, books and vestments, called the Vestry (or Diakonnikon, since the Deacons are usually in charge of these items). In ancient times this was a separate room and here the faithful would bring all sorts of edible gifts… Read More

VICE – A particular immoral, depraved, or degrading habit, as contrasted with virtue. Christians are called to flee from the vices and preserve their purity (Rom. 13:13; Eph. 4:17-24). See also VIRTUE.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT – (Sl. Memory eternal) This hymn is taken from the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Lord is crucified with two thieves one mocks Him with the crowd gathered to see Jesus on the cross, but the other repents of his sins and says to Jesus, “Remember me when You come in Your… Read More

VIGIL – (Gr. olonychtia). Spiritual exercises during the night preceding the feast day of a saint or another major feast, observed by various spiritual preparations, prayers and services.

VINE – (an appellation of the Theotokos) The Theotokos is the Vine which bore the Ripe Cluster (of Grapes), Christ our Lord.

VIRGIN-MARTYR – One of the various customary saint titles used in commemoration at divine services when remembering saints on the Church Calendar.  An unmarried, non-monastic, chaste female martyr.

VIRTUE – A righteous characteristic such as self-control, patience, or humility; the opposite of vice or passion. As a person grows spiritually, he or she grows in virtue while the passions are conquered by the grace of God. (Phil. 4:8; 2 Pet. 1:2-7.) See also PASSION, VIRTUES

VIRTUES – Christian virtues, which literally means those powers and possessions of the mind and the heart which all men should have if they are truly human, fulfilling themselves as created in the image and likeness of God. The three virtues : Faith, Hope, and Charity, set forth by St. Paul in I Cor., chapter… 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

VOTIVE LIGHTS – (lampada) Lights burning in a glass holder hanging before icons in memory of someone.