Religious glossary

Also called: call to prayer

The call to prayer recited by the muezzin five times a day.

Services & rites

A hymn of praise and supplication to Christ, the Mother of God or a saint, said standing.

Services & rites

Also called: vigil

The long night service on the eve of great feasts and patronal days, combining Vespers and Matins.

Services & rites

Also called: Botezul

The rite of entry into the Church, by immersion in water or pouring, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Services & rites

Also called: Bat Mitzvah

The coming of age at which a Jewish boy (13) or girl (12) becomes responsible for the commandments.

Services & rites

Also called: baptism by immersion

Baptism given to those who profess faith themselves, rather than infants, by full immersion.

Services & rites

Also called: psaltic music, eight tones

The traditional monophonic chant of the Orthodox Church, organised in eight modes ("tones").

Services & rites

Also called: holy chrism

The sacrament given right after Baptism, by anointing with holy chrism; it seals the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Services & rites

Also called: repentance, penance

The sacrament in which the believer confesses sins before a priest and receives forgiveness.

Services & rites

Also called: Mir (catolic), Confirmația

The rite in which young people personally affirm the faith into which they were baptised.

Services & rites

Also called: holy matrimony

The sacrament of marriage; crowns are placed on the couple, who walk three times around the table.

Services & rites

Also called: Liturgy

The main service of the Church, in which the Eucharist is celebrated; held on Sundays and feast days, usually in the morning.

Services & rites

Also called: Ajunul, Iordanul

In the days before Epiphany, the priest visits homes and blesses them with holy water.

Services & rites

Also called: jumu’a

The congregational midday prayer on Friday at the mosque, with a sermon.

Services & rites

Also called: pilgrim (hajji)

The pilgrimage to Mecca every Muslim should make once in a lifetime if able.

Services & rites

Also called: Eucharist

Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine, after fasting and confession.

Services & rites

Also called: sacraments

The seven sacred acts through which the faithful receive God’s grace: Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Ordination, Marriage and Unction.

Services & rites

Also called: anointing of the sick

The sacrament of prayer for healing, ideally celebrated by seven priests, with anointing with blessed oil.

Services & rites

Also called: lesser blessing of water

A short service blessing water, used to bless a home, a new building or a new beginning.

Services & rites

Also called: Friday sermon

The sermon given by the imam from the minbar at Friday prayer and on Bayram.

Services & rites

Also called: Holy Communion, breaking of bread, Memorial

Among Protestants, communion with bread and wine in memory of the Last Supper.

Services & rites

Also called: Holy Mass

The main service of the Roman Catholic Church, in which the Eucharist is celebrated; daily and, solemnly, on Sundays.

Services & rites

Also called: Orthros

The morning service, held in parishes before the Sunday Liturgy.

Services & rites

Also called: panikhida

The service of remembrance for the departed, with koliva, bread and wine.

Services & rites

Also called: pilgrim

A journey of faith to a holy place: a monastery, the relics of a saint, Jerusalem, Mecca or the tomb of a tzaddik.

Services & rites

Also called: prayer rope

A deep bow to the ground with the sign of the cross; also the knotted prayer rope used to count prayers.

Services & rites

Also called: ritual prayer

The ritual prayer Muslims perform five times a day, with fixed postures.

Services & rites

Also called: homily

The talk by the priest or pastor explaining the biblical readings; in Protestant churches it is the central part.

Services & rites

Also called: glossolalia, baptism in the Spirit

For Pentecostals, prayer in unknown tongues is the sign of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Services & rites

Also called: Way of the Cross

A prayer in 14 stations following Jesus’ path to the crucifixion; Catholic churches have 14 images on their walls.

Services & rites

Also called: Old Believer sign of the cross

Old Believers cross themselves with two fingers, following the tradition before the 17th-century Russian reforms.

Services & rites

Also called: evening service

The evening service that begins the liturgical day.

Services & rites

Also called: ablution

The ritual washing of hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and feet before prayer.

Services & rites