Glossary of Liturgical Terms (With Pictures!)
These are terms and words that you may often hear being ICly or OOCly referenced to when it comes to Liturgy. These are terms and definitions that everyone in the guild should be familiar with and understand their significance.
Altar- The altar stands in the center of the Dais. It is the "table" through which the church offers blessings and communes with the Holy Light. The utmost respect and reverence is shown to the altar during Liturgy by Genuflecting or bowing before approaching.
Celebrant - The Celebrant is considered the leading figure of Liturgy. The Celebrant is usually an ordained priest, bishop or archbishop. The Celebrant is responsible for speaking the Introductory Rite, Collect of the Day, the Sermon/Homily, and the Concluding Rite.
Codex of Rites -
This is the "how-to book" we follow to conduct rites and ceremonies that has been approved by the Council of Bishops and the Archbishop. This is the book that we refer to when teaching Liturgy to our students. Here is the official source for the Codex of Rites verified by Moorwhelp and Mellar.
Codex of Scripture - This is the collection of official holy texts, epistles (letters), spiritual stories and narratives from past saints, bishops and priests. This is similar to the "bible" in Christianity. When the Lection is read during Liturgy, it is read from the Codex of Scripture. During Liturgy, the Lector holds the Codex of Scripture. Here is the official source for the Codex of Scripture verified by Moorwhelp and Mellar.
Collect - The Collect is a short prayer said by the Celebrant during Liturgy. It's purpose is to "collect" the parishioners by gathering them for worship. The Collect is taken from a predetermined list based on the month and week.
College of Canons - This is the In-Character title of our guild. While the word "Clergy" is often related to our guild members, the official title for who we are as a guild is The College of Canons.
Concluding Rite - These are the closing prayers/rites that the Celebrant speaks in Liturgy. Basically another term to mean "Let's wrap this thing up."
Congregation - This term may refer to a official committee or council (i.e. Congregation for Sacred Texts) or it may refer to the church audience as a whole.
Dais - The Dais is the raised "stage" so-to-speak in the Cathedral. When you step on the stairs to ascend to the altar, you are stepping on the Dais. The altar sits atop the Dais. During Liturgy, the Dais becomes the Sanctuary of the Temple.
Genuflect/Bow - To Genuflect is a way of showing your reverence or respect for the Light and the Sanctuary of the Temple before entering it. To execute this properly, you align yourself at the bottom of the Dais or before the Altar, type /kneel and then quickly stand again, so that it is a kneel for a few seconds.
Habit - Your holy uniform. While you are not expected to wear your habit at all times, you are expected to wear your habit during Liturgy and any other official ceremonies. If you are unsure of what your habit is, please refer to the Guidelines and Regulations page.
High Liturgy - This is ceremony which we celebrate every Sunday evening at 8pm server time. This ceremony is meant to be inviting to the public and inviting to all. High Liturgy requires at least a Celebrant, Lector and Thurifer.
Introductory Rite - This is meant to be the "opener" of the ceremony. Kind of like saying "Hello everyone. Let's get started." This includes acknowledging the Congregation, a moment of silent prayer, and reading aloud the Collect of the day.
Lection - The Lection is the reading from the Codex of Scripture that is read by the Lector in Liturgy. The Lection should be chosen before Liturgy (usually by whomever is giving the Sermon) so that the Lector can prepare on what to recite. The Lection is short in nature and always chosen from the Codex of Scripture.
Lector - The one who reads the Lection. The Lector is usually the second (middle) in the Procession and always carries the Codex of Scripture. If/when you are acting as Lector and reading the Lection, please remember to type /read while you're standing before the Congregation.
Low Liturgy - This is a form of Liturgy reserved for private members of the Church. We do not currently partake in Low Liturgy, but when referred to in-character, it is meant to be for an exclusive and private audience.
Nave - The Nave is the main hall of the Church. It is where the aisle from the doors lead up to the Dais. This is where the Congregation of parishioners gather and stand during Liturgy.
Ordained Priest - An ordained priest is a priest that has completed their education and training and may take the title of "Mother" or "Father". It is required that the Celebrant in any Liturgy is an ordained priest. A priest may only be ordained by a bishop or archbishop.
Procession - The procession is the term for the line or assembly of the Sacred Ministers (Celebrant, Lector, Thurifer) that proceed to and from the Dais and Altar during Liturgy. The procession always begins with the Thurifer/Acolyte in the front, followed by the Lector and ending with the Celebrant.
Quire/Choir - This refers (for Liturgical purposes) the order that the clergy assembles during Liturgy. When you're asked to stand in Quire, you are being asked to stand in the center of the diamond tiles that line the Nave. While others of the Congregation may stand haphazardly, you will be asked to stand in Quire.
Rite - A Rite is a procedure or ritual. Rites, whether they refer to Liturgy or not, are already defined and act as a blueprint for that specific purpose.
Sacred Ministers - This is a name for the members of the Procession during Liturgy. They are meant to represent the varied offices or ranks of the priesthood.
Sanctuary of the Temple - The Sanctuary of the Temple is what is referred to the space upon the Dais in the Cathedral. During Liturgy, this space becomes sacred and divine. This is why the Sacred Ministers Genuflect before entering the Sanctuary as a sign of reverence.
Sermon/Homily - The Sermon is the "editorial" portion of Liturgy. This is not a pre-defined rite, but a message crafted by the Celebrant as a way of communicating the message they want to share. The Sermon typically refers back to the Lection that was read aloud, which is why the Celebrant often informs the Lector before Liturgy which reading to use.
Thurible - The Thurible is the instrument, also known as a censer, through which holy incense is burned and the smoke billows from. It is usually made of brass or other shiny metal, and suspended by chains, as to swing back and forth while the Thurifer carries it.
Thurifer - The Thurifer (also known as an Acolyte) is the one that leads the Procession of Sacred Ministers and swings the Thurible back and forth, as to spread the smoke of the holy incense. The Thurifer has no other duties during Liturgy other than to lead the Procession to the Dais and bring up the rear when the Procession leaves the Dais.
Transept - The Transept is the room adjacent to the Nave of the Cathedral where the Sacred Ministers of the Procession gather before Liturgy, and enter into upon the close of Liturgy. You will often hear this room referenced to during role-playing situations.
Clergy of the Holy Light
