Церковный справочник

Sacraments

Baptism

The sacrament by which a person enters the Church: threefold immersion in water in the name of the Trinity. It happens once and is never repeated.

Church utensils

Baptismal font

The large vessel of blessed water in which a person is immersed three times at baptism.

The church building

Baptistery

The room or separate building for baptism, containing the font.

Church utensils

Bells

Bell-ringing calls people to church and tells what is happening inside: four distinct kinds of ringing for four occasions.

The church building

Bell tower

The tower housing the bells; the ringing summons people to service and tells what is happening inside.

Vestments

Belt (zone)

The wide band the priest girds over the podriznik and epitrachelion — a sign of readiness.

Clergy and ranks

Bishop

The highest degree of priesthood: only a bishop ordains clergy and governs a diocese. Recognised by the omophorion, panagia and staff.

Ranks of sanctity

Blessed

One word with two senses: the title of the holy fools, and an honorific for certain ancient teachers such as Blessed Augustine.

Parish practice

Blessing

A blessing asked of a priest and given by him; it replaces an ordinary greeting.

Parish practice

Bows

Bows from the waist and to the ground; the latter are not made on Sundays or from Pascha to Pentecost.

Feasts and fasts

Bright Week

The week after Pascha, served as one unbroken day: the royal doors stand open, there is no fasting, and a procession follows the liturgy daily.