Церковный справочник

Books and chant

Canon

The longest hymn of the service: nine odes, each with an irmos and several troparia, read at Matins.

Ranks of sanctity

Canonization

The Church's decision that a person may be openly venerated as a saint — it does not make anyone holy, it testifies to holiness already evident.

Sacraments

Catechumenate

Preparation for baptism — the talks explaining what a person is about to enter. In the Russian Church they are required before an adult is baptised.

Church utensils

Censer

A metal bowl on chains where incense burns over hot charcoal, used to honour the holy things and the people.

Church utensils

Chalice

The footed cup in which the Blood of Christ is consecrated and from which the faithful receive communion.

Church utensils

Chandelier (panikadilo)

The great chandelier hanging under the dome, lit at the most festive moments of the service and extinguished for the penitential ones.

The church building

Chapel (chasovnya)

A small building with icons but no holy table; prayers and memorial services are served there, but not the Liturgy.

Books and chant

Cherubic Hymn

The Liturgy hymn sung while the Gifts are carried to the altar table, divided in two by the Great Entrance.

Sacraments

Chrismation

The sacrament that follows baptism at once: the priest anoints forehead, eyes, ears, breast, hands and feet with holy myrrh, saying 'The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit'.

Parish practice

Christian (baptismal) name

The name given at baptism — the one said at the Chalice and written in notes.

Icons

Christ Pantocrator

The principal image of Christ: the right hand blessing, the Gospel in the left. Found in the dome, to the right of the royal doors and at the centre of the deisis.

Parish practice

Church candle

A wax candle set before an icon or on the memorial stand — a visible sign of prayer and a small offering.

The church building

Church porch

The raised platform and steps before the church doors, still outside the building.

The church building

Church (temple)

A building consecrated for divine service, divided into narthex, nave and sanctuary, with the sanctuary facing east.

Clergy and ranks

Church warden

A layman responsible for the parish's practical affairs — the building, finances and property — elected by the parish assembly.

Clergy and ranks

Clergy

Those ordained to serve in the Church — deacons, priests and bishops — divided into married (white) and monastic (black) clergy.

Parish practice

Commemoration note

A slip of names handed in at the church shop so that those people are commemorated at the service.

Sacraments

Communion

The central sacrament of the Church: at the Liturgy bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, received by the faithful from the chalice.

Church utensils

Communion spoon

The long-handled spoon, topped with a cross, used to give communion to the laity.

Divine services

Compline

A short service before sleep, read after supper; in parishes it is heard mainly during Great Lent and on the eves of Nativity and Theophany.

Sacraments

Confession

The sacrament of repentance: a person names his sins aloud before God, with the priest as witness rather than judge, and receives forgiveness.

Ranks of sanctity

Confessor

One who openly confessed the faith under persecution and suffered for it — prison, exile, torture — but survived.

Vestments

Crozier

The bishop's staff — a sign of pastoral authority, held by a subdeacon during services.