Church of Gwynedd

The Church of Gwynedd

Parts of a cathedral w Glossary Terms w Sacred Vessels Needed for Mass

Terms relating to the Eastern Orthodox church in Torenth can be found in the Alphabetical listing.

Parts of a cathedral

Except from the chapter-house and cloisters, the plan of a monastic cathedral is very
similar to a standard cruciform shaped church. Cruciform means in the shape of a cross.

Cathedral Floor Plan
The traditional cathedral floor plan is cross-shaped. The congregation faces east to the rising sun. The nave (Latin for "ship") is where the congregation sits. There may also be seating areas in the transepts. The choir is seated in the chancel.

Source: http://www.stonecircle.com/~wegast/symbols/flrpln.htm

Gloucester Cloisters
Cloisters
The cloisters are rectangular covered walkways around a central garden or garth. They were used by the occupants for exercise, study and movement under cover between the different parts of the cathedral. The construction of the ceilings of many cloisters can be very complex.

Wells Chapter-house

The Chapter House
is where the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral meet to discuss the running of the cathedral. The Chapter-house is usually built on the outside of the cloisters on the south side of the cathedral and consists of a single large room commonly being octagonal in shape. Some have ten sides, such as Hereford, while Abbey Dore had twelve sides. The roof of the Chapter-House is commonly supported by a central column and the roof can be elaborately vaulted.

Source: The Medieval Cathedral

Glossary Terms

Alb linen vestment with narrow sleaves, worn chiefly by priests Source [4]

Ambulatory aisle a sheltered place (as in a cloister or church) for walking Source [2]

Anathema a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication Source [2]

Antiphon 1 : a psalm, anthem, or verse sung responsively 2 : a verse usually from Scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgy Source [2]

Apse a projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted Source [2]

Aspergillum a brush or small perforated container with a handle that is used for sprinkling holy water in a liturgical service Source [2]

Basilica an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects Source [2]

Breviary a book of the prayers, hymns, psalms, and readings for the canonical hours Source [2]

Cassock a close-fitting ankle-length garment worn especially in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches by the clergy and by laymen assisting in services Source [2]

Censer See Thurible.

Chasuble a sleeveless outer vestment worn by the officiating priest at mass Source [2]

Cincture a belt or girdle Source [4]

Canonicals the vestments prescribed by canon for an officiating clergyman Source [2]

Canonization to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint Source [2]

Cloister 1 a : a monastic establishment b : an area within a monastery or convent to which the religious are normally restricted c : monastic life Source [2]

Cope a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment Source [2]

Cotta a short surplice, sleeveless or with short sleeves, worn esp. by choristers Source [4]

Cowl a hood or long hooded cloak especially of a monk Source [2]

Crozier a staff resembling a shepherd's crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of office Source [2]

Crucifer a person who carries a cross, as in ecclesiastical processions. Source [4]

Curia a court: either a judicial body or simply an entourage about a ruler. Source [5]

Dais a raised platform (as in a hall or large room) Source [2]

Diocese All congregations within a given geographical area under the authority of the same bishop and are organized in accordance with the canons of the Church. Source: [1]

Episcopal An adjective meaning "of or pertaining to bishops." From the Greek word "episcopoi" (overseers). The "Episcopate" is the office of a bishop, the period of time during which he or she holds the office, or bishops as a group. Source: [1]

Excommunication an ecclesiastical censure depriving a person of the rights of church membership Source [2]

Interdict a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical censure withdrawing most sacraments and Christian burial from a person or district Source [2]

Liturgy The ritual, ceremonial, and other activities associated with formal worship. Source: [1]

Mitre A kind of folding cap, consisting of two like parts, each stiffened by a lining and rising to a peak, these are sewn together on the sides, but are united above by a piece of material that can fold together. Two lappets trimmed on the ends with fringe hang down from the back. The right to wear the mitre belongs by law only to the pope, the cardinals, and the bishops. The giving of the mitre is a ceremony in the consecration of a bishop. A large number of mitres of the later Middle Ages have been preserved, of which many have very costly ornamentation: embroidery, rich bands (aurifrisia), pearls, precious stones, small ornamental disks of the precious metals. A late medieval mitre in St. Peter’s at Salzburg is ornamented, besides several hundred large and small pearls, with about five hundred more or less costly precious stones; it weighs over five and a half pounds. Similar mitres are also mentioned in the inventory of Boniface VIII. Mitra preciosa is a special kind of mitre used for most solemn occasions; cf. also tiara.

Braun, Joseph. “Mitre.” Transcribed by W. S. French, Jr. In The Catholic Encyclopedia on-line, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10404a.htm

Office a prescribed form or service of worship Source [2]

Orans (Orant) a representation of a female figure, with outstretched arms and palms up in a gesture
of prayer, in ancient and early Christian art. Source [4]

Narthex 1 : the portico of an ancient church 2 : a vestibule leading to the nave of a church
Source [2]

Nave The main body of the church in which the congregation sits during worship services. Source: [1]

Oratory a place of prayer; especially : a private or institutional chapel Source [2]

Paean a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph Source [2]

Pontificals 1 : episcopal attire; specifically : the insignia of the episcopal order worn by a prelate when celebrating a pontifical mass -- usually used in plural
2 : a book containing the forms for sacraments and rites performed by a bishop Source [2]

Prelate an ecclesiastic (as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank Source [2]

prie-dieu a kneeling bench designed for use by a person at prayer and fitted with a raised shelf on which the elbows or a book may be rested

Source [2]

Primate The Bishop with pastoral and administrative responsibility and authority for a group of dioceses that constitute a Church. A primate is sometimes called a metropolitan. The Presiding Bishop in the case of the Episcopal Church, and the Archbishop of Canterbury in the case of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. Source: [1]

Provost the chief dignitary of a cathedral or collegiate church. Source [4]

Pyx the box or vessel in which the reserved Eucharist or Host is kept. Source [4]

Rector A full-time priest elected by a Vestry with the Bishop's approval, thereby having tenure. The
responsibility for the conduct of worship and the spiritual jurisdiction of the Parish are vested in the
Rector, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of the
Episcopal Church and the Diocese, the pastoral direction of the Bishop, and the Religious
Corporation Laws of the State of New York. Source: [1]

Rectory The residence provided for the rector. Source: [1]

Refectory a dining hall (as in a monastery or college) Source [2]

Rood screen a screen, often of elaborate design and properly surmounted by a rood, separating
the nave from the choir or chancel of a church. Source [4]

Sacring hallowing; consecration; ordination. sacring bell, bell rung at moment of elevation of the Host. Source [8]

Sacristy a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept and where the clergy vests Source [2]

Sanctuary The part of a church around the altar. Source: [1]

Stole an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a long usually silk band worn traditionally around the neck by bishops and priests and over the left shoulder by deacons Source [2]

Surplice a loose-fitting, broad-sleeved white vestment, worn over the cassock by clergy and choristers. Source [4]

Synod A meeting of church authorities. Source: [1]

Tabernacle an ornamental receptacle for the reserved Eucharist, now generally found on the altar.
2. a canopied niche or recess, as for an image or icon. Source [4]

Te Deum abbreviation of te deum laudamus, 'we praise thee, O God'; n. ancient Christian hymn sung at morning service; any song of praise or thanks. Source [6]

Thurible (Censer) vessel for burning incense; especially : a covered incense burner swung on chains in a religious ritual

Censer Source [2]

Tonsure the shaven crown or patch worn by monks and other clerics Source [2]

Transept the part of a cruciform church that crosses at right angles to the greatest length between the nave and the apse or choir Source [2]

Vestry The rector, wardens and vestry members of a parish. The Wardens and Vestry are the official representatives of the parish in the absence of a Rector. The Wardens have special roles and need the firm support of their Vestry colleagues. Source: [1]

Wimple a cloth covering worn over the head and around the neck and chin especially by women in the late medieval period and by some nuns Source [2]

The Sacred Vessels Needed for Mass

Chalice A cup of precious metal (the inside must be gold or gold-plated), that holds the wine consecrated at Mass. Source [3]

Paten A small plate of precious metal that holds the sacred Host. Source [3]

Ciborium A large cup of precious metal with a cover of the same material, that contains the hosts
consecrated for distribution to the Faithful in Holy Communion. Source [3]

Purificator A small linen cloth used by the priest to dry his fingers and the chalice, when he has washed and purified them after Communion. Source [3]

Corporal The linen cloth spread by the priest on the altar at the beginning of Mass. The chalice and host rest upon this cloth. Source [3]

Pall A small square of stiffened linen, or of cardboard covered with linen, used to cover the chalice. Source [3]

Chalice Veil A cloth covering, of the same color as the Chasuble, that conceals the chalice and paten up to the Offertory and after Communion. Source [3]

Burse A flat, square container of cloth, the same color as the vestments, in which the corporal is carried to and from he altar. It is placed over the veil on top of the chalice. Source [3]

Source: http://saintpauls.org/vestment.htm

Canonical hours (Divine Office)

The bells of abbeys and cathedrals rang the hours of Divine Office. The hours begin with Vigils or Matins in the middle of the night (split into three parts, at 9 pm, midnight, and 3 am), Lauds at daybreak, then the four "little hours": Prime (around 6 am), Tierce (around 9 am), Sext (around noon), and Nones (around 3 pm), then the evening Vespers (around 5-6 pm), and the final office of Compline (around 7-8 pm). For the monastic this was the true work of God (opus dei), fulfilling the mandate to 'pray without ceasing.'

Liturgical year

The liturgical year begins with Advent, which starts four Sundays before Christmas
(December 25). The mood of this season is anticipation and preparation, with an underlaying thread
of penitence, awaiting the coming of the Savior. The Immaculate Conception of Mary is celebrated
December 8.

Christmastide begins with Christmas Eve (the liturgical day actually begins with Vigils or Matins, the nighttime office). The darkest day of the year, the winter solstice (December 22), also marks the beginning of longer days. In northern latitudes where the seasonal changes in light are profound, it has ancient pagan roots as a celebration of light. Christmas Day is followed by a
number of feast days: St. Stephen (Dec 26), the Holy Innocents (Dec. 28), the Circumcision of
Christ (Jan. 1), and Epiphany (Jan. 6), the "twelfth night" of the long Christmas celebration.

Septuagesima is a period of three weeks of preparation before Lent. The most interesting feast days likely to fall during this time is The Presentation of Our Lord, also known as the Purification of
the Virgin or Candlemas (Feb. 2).

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (40 days before Easter), between Feb. 4 and Mar. 10). The ashes, made from burning the palms from the previous year, are smeared on the faithful as a reminder of mortality. Lent is a season of fasting and penitence. No meat can be eaten.
Lent culminates in Holy Week, which celebrates in great detail Christ's final days on earth. It begins
with Palm Sunday and Christ's entry into Jerusalem, celebrated with the blessing and distribution of
palms. These were kept in houses as a blessing for the rest of the year. On Maundy Thursday the
Last Supper is celebrated. Good Friday, the most solemn day of the year, commemorated the
crucifixion. The vigil on Holy Saturday was a rich liturgical celebration, with the blessing of the huge Pascal candle (destined to burn continuously for 40 days). At daybreak on Easter Sunday morning, the bells erupted with joy.

Eastertide is the most joyous of Christian holidays, beginning with the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday (between Mar. 22 and April 25). The Easter season lasts 40 days until Ascension Thursday.

Pentecost (Whitsunday) occurs seven weeks after Easter and celebrates the descending of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the beginning of the Christian Church. This holiday was important to Protestants, who took the gift of the Holy Spirit as symbolizing the "priesthood of all believers." The time after Pentecost is the longest liturgical season, lasting from now until Advent. It is the "ordinary time" of the church and coincides with the ordinary business of rural life: sheep-shearing, haymaking, the harvest, as well as prime campaign season for making war.

[Lammas (August 2) is another of the major pagan Celtic holidays.]

Michaelmas (Sept 29), the feast of St. Michael and all the angels, was the traditional start of the academic year and often the end of the campaign season. It is the start of the hunting season for deer and other large game.

The last Sunday in October is the feast of Christ the King. This is followed by All Saints' Day (All
Hallows' Day) on November 1, another of those old pagan quarter days (Samhain). For the Celts,
this day was the end of summer and the start of the new year.

Source (heavily edited): The Liturgical Year

Sources:

[1] The Diocese of New York
[2] Britannica.com
[3] The Domestic Church
[4] Infoplease.com
[5] Gossary of Medieval Terms
[6] Dictionary of Difficult Words

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