absolution
The formal act of a bishop or priest pronouncing the forgiveness of sins by Christ to penitent sinners. A formula of absolution is included in many liturgical acts of worship, but according to ...
acolyte
The first in rank of the two Lesser Ministries in the RC Church. Until 1972 acolytes formed one of the four Minor Orders. First mentioned c.251, they were specially dedicated to the service of the ...
agape
In Christian theology, Christian love, especially as distinct from erotic love or simple affection; a communal meal in token of Christian fellowship, as held by early Christians in commemoration of ...
Agnus Dei
(Lat., ‘Lamb of God’).The hymn derived from John 1. 29 sung or said during or after the breaking of the bread at communion in W. churches.
Albert Hardenberg
(c.1510–74), Reformer. He entered the monastery of Aduard c.1527. He later came into contact with J. Laski and other Reformers, whom he openly joined in 1542. He went to Cologne to help Abp. Hermann ...
Alger of Liège
(c.1070 - before 1136)Monk and theologian. Formerly deacon and scholasticus at Liège, he was called to the service of the cathedral in 1101 by Bishop Otbert who made him ...
altar
The table in a Christian church at which the bread and wine are consecrated in communion services; a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual, especially for making ...
amice
A square or oblong linen cloth, with strings attached, which in the W. Church may be worn round the neck by the cele-brant of the Eucharist and by other ministers who wear the alb. See also almuce.
Amnos
(ἀμνóς, “lamb”), term that refers esp. to the sacrificial lamb. In the Old Testament the lamb was a common sacrificial victim, esp. the paschal lamb; in the New Testament and ...
Anamnesis
The commemoration of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ, which in most liturgies is included in the Eucharistic Prayer after the Words of Institution.
Anaphora
The name used in the E. Church of the central prayer in the Eucharistic liturgy, known in the W. as the Eucharistic Prayer (q.v.).
anchorite
(m.),( f.).A person who withdraws from the world to live a solitary life of silence, prayer, and mortification. The word is used especially of one who lives in confined quarters (his or her ‘cell’).
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission
(ARCIC).A joint commission of the RC Church and the Anglican Communion, intended to further the goal of visible unity between the two bodies. Set up after a meeting in 1966 between Pope Paul VI and ...
antidoron
(Gk., ‘instead of the gift’). The remains of the loaves from which the Eucharistic Bread is cut in the E. Church. It is distributed at the end of the Liturgy, in theory only to those who have not ...
antiphon
(from Gr., ‘sounding across’).1 A versicle or phrase sung by one choir in reply to another.2 In the RC Church the antiphon is intoned or sung during the recitation of Divine Office, before and after ...
Apostolic Fathers
A title given since the 17th cent. to those Fathers of the age immediately after the NT period whose works survive in whole or part. They are Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Hermas, Polycarp, and Papias, ...
Armenian Church
An independent Christian Church established in Armenia since c.300 and influenced by Roman and Byzantine as well as Syrian traditions. A small Armenian Catholic Church also exists (see Uniate).
art
It has been said that while the Greeks taught the holiness of beauty, the Hebrews taught the beauty of holiness. This is an unfortunate generalization, although it is true to say that the ancient. ...
Articles, Act of Six
An Act imposed in June 1539 by King Henry VIII and interpreted by many as a curb on the spread of Protestantism. The Six Articles confirmed transubstantiation and communion in ...
Asterisk
(Gk., ‘a star’).A metal (usually gold or silver) instrument used in Greek Orthodoxy to cover the paten so that the covering veils do not touch the consecrated bread during the eucharist.[...]
