Vestments
Panagia
A small icon of the Theotokos worn on a bishop's breast, paired with the pectoral cross.
Церковный справочник
Что означают слова, которые звучат в храме: облачения, богослужения, таинства, устройство храма.
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Divine services
Panikhida (memorial service)
A memorial service for the departed that may be served any number of times — on the third, ninth and fortieth day, on anniversaries and memorial Saturdays.
Divine services
Parastas
The great memorial service on the evening before a memorial Saturday — an extended panikhida at which the seventeenth kathisma is read in full.
Feasts and fasts
Pascha
The Resurrection of Christ, the feast of feasts. Its date moves between 4 April and 8 May on the civil calendar.
Ranks of sanctity
Passion-bearer
A saint killed not for the faith but innocently, usually by fellow Christians, and meeting death without resistance in imitation of Christ.
Clergy and ranks
Patriarch
The primate of a local Church: first among bishops, yet a bishop by degree; recognised by the white kukol and two panagias.
Feasts and fasts
Patronal feast
The chief day of a church — the memory of the saint or event to whom its altar is dedicated. Our cathedral keeps two, both of St Alexis of Moscow.
Vestments
Pectoral cross
The cross worn on the breast by priests and bishops, offered to the faithful to kiss.
Books and chant
Pentecostarion
The book for the paschal season, from Pascha to the Sunday of All Saints.
Vestments
Phelonion
The priest's outermost liturgical garment: a wide sleeveless mantle covering the whole body.
Vestments
Podriasnik (inner cassock)
A long ankle-length garment with narrow sleeves — the everyday dress of clergy and monastics.
Vestments
Podriznik
The priest's undermost vestment — a sticharion worn beneath the phelonion or sakkos.
Divine services
Polyeleos
The most festive part of Matins: all the lamps are lit, the clergy come out into the middle of the church, the magnification is sung and the Gospel is read.
Parish practice
Prayer rule
The prayers a Christian reads at home every morning and evening; its extent is set with one's confessor.
Clergy and ranks
Precentor (regent)
The director of the church choir, who chooses the chants and keeps the singing in step with the altar; usually a layperson.
Clergy and ranks
Priest
The second degree of priesthood: celebrates the Liturgy and all sacraments except ordination. Recognised by the epitrachelion and pectoral cross.
Ranks of sanctity
Prophet
Not a foreteller of the future but one who speaks on God's behalf. The prophets are saints of the Old Testament; the last of them is John the Forerunner.
Divine services
Proskomedia
The first part of the Liturgy: in the sanctuary the priest prepares the bread and wine and takes out particles for the living and the dead.
Clergy and ranks
Protodeacon
The title of a senior married deacon, marked by the double orarion that crosses the right side as well.
Books and chant
Psalter
The book of the 150 psalms — the most-read book in church, divided into twenty kathismata.
Church utensils
Pyx
A small ark in which a priest carries communion to the sick at home or in hospital, worn on the breast.