Religious glossary

Also called: vagaraguyr

In Armenian churches the raised sanctuary is closed not by an iconostasis but by a curtain drawn at certain moments.

Architecture & spaces

Also called: side apses

The semicircular or polygonal end of the church, usually to the east, where the altar stands.

Architecture & spaces

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: belfry

The tower or structure in which the bells hang; it can be attached to the church or stand separately.

Architecture & spaces

Also called: hierarch

The spiritual leader of a diocese; ordains priests and consecrates churches.

Clergy & community

Also called: lumânărar

The faithful light candles on entering the church: separately for the living and for the departed.

Sacred objects

Also called: Catholicos of All Armenians

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, residing at Etchmiadzin in Armenia.

Clergy & community

Also called: thurible

The metal vessel on chains in which incense burns; the priest censes the icons and the faithful.

Sacred objects

Also called: caliciu

The consecrated cup, usually of precious metal, holding the wine for the Eucharist.

Sacred objects

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: Nativity

The feast of the Nativity of Christ on 25 December (or 7 January for those who keep the Old Style).

Feasts & fasts

Also called: repentance, penance

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

Services & rites

Also called: archdeacon, protodeacon

The first degree of ordained ministry; the deacon assists the priest, leads the petitions and reads the Gospel.

Clergy & community

Also called: paten

The consecrated plate on which the bread for the Eucharist is placed.

Sacred objects

Also called: Resurrection

The feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the greatest of the Christian year; Orthodox and Catholic dates sometimes differ.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: interchurch dialogue

The effort towards rapprochement and dialogue among Christian Churches; the name "Ecumenica" comes from it.

Other

Also called: mural painting

Painting done on wet plaster; the colours bond with the wall and last for centuries.

Art & iconography

Also called: Lent

The period of fasting and prayer (seven weeks for the Orthodox) before Easter.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: List of Historic Monuments

A building protected by law for its historic or artistic value; it has a code in the national List of Historic Monuments.

Other

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

A sacred image painted according to ancient rules on wood, glass or a wall; the faithful venerate it rather than worship it.

Art & iconography

Also called: frankincense

Aromatic resin burned in the censer; its smoke symbolises prayer rising to God.

Sacred objects

Also called: Armenian cross-stone

A carved stone slab bearing a cross surrounded by plant and geometric motifs, emblem of Armenian art.

Art & iconography

The headdress of a bishop (and, as an honour, of some priests), worn at solemn services.

Vestments

Also called: monastic

A man or woman who has taken vows (obedience, poverty, chastity) and lives in a monastery.

Clergy & community

Also called: vestibule

The room at the entrance of the church, before the nave, where candles are lit and catechumens once stood.

Architecture & spaces

The central part of the church where the faithful stand during services, between the narthex and the sanctuary.

Architecture & spaces

Also called: Christ the Almighty

The image of Christ the Almighty painted in the main dome, blessing with the right hand and holding the Gospel in the left.

Art & iconography

Also called: parish priest, parishioner

The community of believers in a village or neighbourhood, with its church and its priest.

Clergy & community

Also called: Patriarchate

The bishop who leads an autocephalous Orthodox Church; the Romanian Orthodox Church has been a Patriarchate since 1925.

Clergy & community

Also called: patron saint, dedication

The saint or feast to which a church is dedicated; on that day the community holds a great celebration.

Feasts & fasts

Also called: Whitsun, descent of the Holy Spirit

The feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, 50 days after Easter.

Feasts & fasts

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: Father

The cleric ordained by a bishop who celebrates the sacraments and shepherds a community; called "Father".

Clergy & community

Also called: Book of Psalms

The book of the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament, read and sung in every tradition.

Books & texts

Also called: ambo

The raised place from which the Gospel is read and the sermon preached; in Protestant churches it is the focal point.

Architecture & spaces

Also called: Law 489/2006

A religious community officially recognised by the Romanian state; Romania has 18 under Law 489/2006.

Other

Also called: holy relics

The bodies or parts of the bodies of saints, kept with honour in reliquaries.

Sacred objects

Also called: Holy Altar

The holiest part of the church, facing east behind the iconostasis, where the Liturgy is celebrated.

Architecture & spaces

Also called: homily

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

Services & rites

The tower rising above the church, usually over the nave; inside, Christ Pantocrator is painted at its top.

Architecture & spaces

Also called: oil lamp

A small vessel with oil and a wick that burns before icons in church and at home.

Sacred objects