Church Glossary

The senior bishop who leads a province of the church. In the Church in Wales, the Archbishop is elected by the bishops and serves as the head of the church. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

A senior priest who supports the bishop in overseeing clergy and ministry areas within a specific area called an archdeaconry. Archdeacons handle practical matters like church buildings, clergy welfare, and pastoral care.

A senior priest who has been ordained to oversee a diocese. Bishops confirm new members, ordain priests and deacons, and provide spiritual leadership. The word comes from the Greek “episkopos,” meaning “overseer.”

An honorary title given to senior clergy, often those attached to a cathedral. Canons may have specific responsibilities within the cathedral or diocese and typically have a stall (assigned seat) in the cathedral choir.

A priest or minister who serves in a specific institution or community such as a hospital, school, university, prison, or military unit, rather than in a church.

A lay person elected by the congregation to represent the church and assist with practical matters such as property maintenance, finances, and supporting the clergy.

A newly ordained priest who serves in a ministry area under the supervision of a more experienced priest (often called the incumbent) to gain pastoral experience.

A person ordained to serve the church in ministry focused on service and outreach.

The senior priest in charge of a cathedral. The Dean oversees the worship, ministry, and administration of the cathedral community and works closely with the bishop.

A licensed lay person (not ordained) who is authorised to lead worship, preach, and assist in services. Lay readers undergo training and are a vital part of ministry in many ministry areas.

Also known as: Reader

The governing body of a ministry area, made up of the incumbent, churchwardens, and elected lay members. The MAC is responsible for the financial and practical affairs of the ministry area and works with the clergy on mission and ministry.

An ordained minister authorised to celebrate the Eucharist and provide pastoral care. Priests can serve as vicars, rectors, curates, or in other specialised ministries.

A church official who acts as a caretaker and ceremonial attendant, often carrying a staff called a verge. Vergers assist with services, care for the building, and help welcome visitors.

The priest in charge of a church. Historically, a vicar received a salary rather than the parish tithes (which went to the rector), but today the term is essentially synonymous with rector and describes the incumbent of a church.

A geographical area within a diocese overseen by an archdeacon. An archdeaconry typically contains several ministry areas.

The principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop’s throne (cathedra). Cathedrals are centres of worship, mission, and ministry for the wider diocese.

A geographical area under the pastoral care of a bishop. The Church in Wales is made up of six dioceses: Bangor, St Asaph, St Davids, Llandaff, Monmouth, and Swansea & Brecon.

A grouping of churches that work together to share resources, clergy, and mission. Ministry areas are a key part of the Church in Wales’ strategy for collaborative ministry.

A large area of the church overseen by an archbishop. The Church in Wales is a single province, while the Church of England has two provinces: Canterbury and York.

A prayer of forgiveness spoken by a priest, declaring God’s pardon for sins confessed. Absolution is part of the confession in regular worship and can also be given privately.

A blessing, usually given at the end of a service. The word comes from Latin meaning “good words.”

The final service of the day in the traditional pattern of daily prayer, said before going to bed. Compline is a short, reflective service often including psalms, a Bible reading, and prayers.

The central act of Christian worship, in which bread and wine are consecrated and shared in remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper. The word comes from Greek meaning “thanksgiving.”

Also known as: Holy Communion, Mass, Lord’s Supper

An evening service of prayer, psalms, Bible readings, and canticles, often sung to beautiful music. Evensong is part of the Anglican tradition of daily worship.

Another name for the Eucharist, emphasising the act of sharing bread and wine together as a community united in Christ.

See also: Eucharist

A short sermon or reflection, often given during a Eucharist or service. The word comes from Greek meaning “conversation.”

Prayers offered on behalf of others, asking God to hear the needs of the church, the world, the sick, and the departed. Intercessions are a regular part of most services.

The set form and structure of a service, including prayers, responses, and readings. The word comes from Greek meaning “public work” or “service.”

Another name for the Eucharist, more commonly used in Catholic and some Anglo-Catholic traditions.

See also: Eucharist

A morning service of prayer and praise, including psalms, Bible readings, and canticles. Matins is part of the Anglican tradition of daily worship.

Also known as: Morning Prayer

The part of the service when offerings (money, bread, and wine) are brought forward and presented to God, representing our lives and work.

The service in which someone is made a deacon, priest, or bishop through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Ordination is a sacramental act that confers authority for ministry.

An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, instituted by Christ. Anglicans recognise two sacraments as necessary for salvation: Baptism and the Eucharist. Other rites such as Confirmation, Marriage, and Ordination are sometimes called sacramental rites.

A talk or address given during a service, usually based on the Bible readings for that day, helping explain scripture and relate it to daily life.

The four-week season before Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. A time of preparation and expectation for both Christmas and Christ’s second coming.

The day commemorating Jesus’ ascension into heaven, forty days after Easter. It’s always celebrated on a Thursday.

The first day of Lent, when many Christians receive a cross of ashes on the forehead as a sign of penitence and mortality. The ashes are traditionally made from palm crosses from the previous year.

The most important festival in the Christian year, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

6 January, celebrating the visit of the wise men and the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season.

The Friday before Easter, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s called “good” because it brought about humanity’s redemption.

The week leading up to Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday and including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It traces Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem.

The forty-day period (not counting Sundays) before Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday. A season of reflection, repentance, and preparation, often marked by fasting or giving something up.

The seasons of the year outside the major festivals (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost), focusing on Jesus’ ministry and teaching. “Ordinary” comes from “ordinal,” referring to numbered Sundays.

The festival celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples fifty days after Easter; sometimes called the birthday of the church.

Also known as: Whitsun, Whit Sunday

Days of prayer for God’s blessing on crops and the work of farmers, traditionally in the days before Ascension. “Rogation” comes from the Latin “to ask.”

The Sunday after Pentecost, celebrating the doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A long white robe worn by clergy and servers during worship. From Latin “albus” (white), symbolising purity.

The holy table where the Eucharist is celebrated, often at the east end of the church.

Also known as: Holy Table, Communion Table

A long garment worn by clergy, servers, and choir members. Usually black; bishops often wear purple.

The cup used to hold the wine during the Eucharist, often made of precious metal and treated with reverence.

The outer vestment worn by the priest when celebrating the Eucharist. Chasubles change colour according to the season.

The basin or bowl used for baptism, often of stone and near the entrance to symbolise entry into the Christian community.

The plate used to hold the bread during the Eucharist, often of precious metal.

An elevated platform from which sermons are preached; often an ornate wooden structure in older churches.

A long narrow strip of cloth worn around the neck by clergy as a sign of ordination. The colour changes with the church season.

A loose white garment with wide sleeves, worn over a cassock by clergy and choir members during worship.

A metal container for burning incense, suspended on chains and swung during worship; symbolises prayer rising to God.

Also known as: Censer

The belief that the authority of the apostles has been passed down through an unbroken line of bishops from the time of Christ, expressed through laying on of hands in ordination.

The historic prayer book of the Anglican Communion (first 1549, revised multiple times), containing liturgies, prayers, and the Psalter. Modern liturgies are often used alongside it.

The Christian belief that God became human in Jesus Christ. From Latin meaning “in flesh.”

A fourth-century statement of Christian belief, affirming core doctrines about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Often said during the Eucharist.

The belief that Christ is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist (understood in different ways within Anglicanism).

The belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, and the hope that believers will also be raised to new life.

The process of being made holy and growing in likeness to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine that God is one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, yet there is only one God.

The 1920 process by which the Church in Wales was separated from the Church of England and ceased to be the established church of Wales, gaining independence to govern itself.

The governing body of the Church in Wales, made up of bishops, clergy, and lay members. It meets regularly to discuss and decide matters affecting the whole church.

Many churches in Wales offer services in Welsh (Cymraeg) as well as English, reflecting Wales’ bilingual heritage. The Church in Wales supports Welsh-language ministry.