GLOSSARY OF LITURGICAL TERMS. A. I. (Latin and English.) Actio (Rom.). The Canon of the Mass. The title Infra actionem is commonly prefixed to the paragraph Communicantes (p. 328). Infra and intra appear to have been used almost interchangeably in early ecclesiastical writers. [Bona, de Reb. Liturg., lib. ii. c. xi. § 1, note 3, ed. Sala ] Alb. An ecclesiastical vestment, which seems to have been at first universally of linen. as it still is in the Western Church. The corresponding vestment in the East is the Stoicharion (σToixáplov, q. v.). It also seems to have been more full and flowing in early times than it afterwards became. In its normal form it is a long, close-fitting, linen vestment, with tight sleeves, confined at the waist by a girdle: and it is worn under all the other vestments, except the amice. Alia oratio (Moz.). The second prayer, i. e. that which follows the oratio missae, in the Mozarabic Liturgy, in the part answering to the beginning of the Missa Fidelium. Alleluia. The special liturgical use of this exclamation of praise seems to be connected with the Gospel. It is true that in the Greek Liturgies (S. James, S. Mark, and S. Chrysostom) it is also found in connexion with the Great Entrance, forming the conclusion of the Cherubic Hymn; but this is over and above its chief use. In the Liturgies of Group I and of the Roman family, and in S. Mark's, it was sung before the Gospel: in the Mozarabic, and therefore probably in the Gallican (though of this we cannot be absolutely certain), it was sung after it. In the Coptic Liturgies however, and in the Ethiopic, the Tersanctus is found before and after the Gospel respectively in place of the Alleluia; and in the Eastern Syrian Group other hymns of praise hold the same place. There were different customs too as to the seasons when it should be sung. In some churches its use was confined to the great festal season between Easter and Pentecost in others it was sung all the year round, except during Lent. Ambo, a raised desk, or pulpit, from which the Lections, and sometimes other parts of the service, were read or chanted. Amice (amictus). A square piece of linen worn upon the neck and shoulders, put on before all the other vestments. Anaphora. The more solemn portion of the Liturgy, the central point of which is the Great Oblation. It commences with the words 'Sursum Corda,' or their equivalents, which occur in all Liturgies, and includes the rest of the service to the end. In the sacrificial language of the LXX. προσφέρειν is used of the offerer bringing the victim to present before the altar, ἀναφέρειν is used of the Priest offering up the selected portion upon the altar (see for instance Lev. ii. 14, 16; iii. 1, 5). Anba (Copt.). i.q. Abba, Father; the title given to a Bishop. Antidoron. In the Greek Church what remains of the five Oblates, after the portions intended for consecration have been cut out and placed on the Paten (see pp. 84-88), is distributed to the people. This hallowed, though unconsecrated, bread is called the Antidoron. A similar custom seems to have prevailed in France and Spain, and to exist still in the Armenian and Coptic Churches. Antiphona. In its most familiar meaning this name is given to the verse which is said at the beginning and end of Psalms and Canticles in the Daily Offices, and which serves to give them a special significance appropriate to particular days or seasons. In reference to the Eucharistic Liturgies however it has either a general meaning equivalent to anthem,' or a special meaning applying to the Introit. A notion of alternate singing, or of repetition, is involved in the word. The Roman Introit consists of a verse (often called specially the Introit '), followed by a verse of a Psalm and the Gloria Patri, after which the first verse is repeated (cf. p. 292). The Greek ἀντίφωνον, three of which together, having each an appropriate prayer (see pp. 92, 93), answer to the Roman Introit, consists of several versicles with a constant response interpolated (see under ἀντίφωνον). [For further information see Smith's Dict. of Christian Antiquities, s.v.; and Dissert. I. on The Psalms as employed in the Offices of the Church' in Neale's Commentary on the Psalms, vol. i. P. 34.] Antiphonarium. (a) The book containing the parts of the mass sung by the choir, i. e. Introits, Offertories, etc.; another name for which was 'the Gradual.' (B) The book containing the Antiphons of the Daily Offices, and the Responsories; which was also called Cantatorium.' Apertio aurium. The ceremony of touching the ears and eyes of a Candidate for Baptism, pronouncing at the same time the word Ephphatha. In preparation for this, some days before, a formal instruction on the Gospels was publicly given: the old form of which may be seen in the Gelasian Sacramentary. [Muratori, de Lit. Romana, col. 537.] Apologia (Sacerdotis). The Confession of the Priest. Apostolus. The Epistle (in the Liturgy). Sometimes also the book containing the Epistles. Apparitio. The Epiphany, or manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ark (Eth.). It seems uncertain exactly what this vessel is. Renaudot says (vol. i. p. 498), 'Fortasse ... vas majus aliquod, quo discus et calix contineretur.' Rodwell, in his translation of the Liturgy (p. 4, note o), says that the Ethiopic word is the same as is used in Heb. ix. 4 of the pot in which the manna was preserved. It is here to be understood' (he proceeds) of the vessel in which the bread intended for consecration is placed, together probably with the paten.' May it be a vessel for the Reserved Sacrament? Audientes (see under ἀκροώμενοι). B. Baini (Copt.) The tenth month of the Coptic Calendar, answering to parts of our May and June. Their year commences with the 29th or 30th of August. Benedictio. (a) In the general sense of the term, which we may take to be, as defined by S. Ambrose (de Bened. Patriarc. c. 2), Sanctificationis et gratiarum votiva collatio, Benedictions Occur in all Liturgies, and often at more points than one of the service. The two most noticeable occasions are (i) in connexion with the Communion of the People, either before or after it; (ii) at the Dismissal. (B) In the Gallican Church Benedictio is often used as the name of the Benedicite, or Canticum trium Puerorum. C. Calix. The Chalice. Canon. A fixed formula. The term admits of many ecclesiastical applications, but in the foregoing Liturgies it will be found used in two senses only, viz. (a) (Rom.), that part of the Liturgy which includes the Consecration, Great Oblation, and Intercession, beginning with the words Te igitur and ending with the Lord's Prayer and its Embolismus. It is divided into ten portions or paragraphs, known usually by their first words. It is often popularly taken as if it included the whole of the remaining portion of the service, but this is not strictly correct. must the word be understood as synonymous with 'Anaphora,' which is more comprehensive, including the Preface and Triumphal Hymn before the Canon and the Communion with its preparatory ritual, and Post-Communion, after it. The name is sometimes given to the corresponding part of the Nor Gallican and Mozarabic Liturgies; but improperly, inasmuch as here the forms were variable, all but the formula of Consecration. (B) (East-Syr.) In this family the invariable doxology at the end of the Prayers, or elsewhere, is called the Canon.' Catechumen. One under training for admission to the Church by Baptism. (For full information see Smith's Dict. of Christian Ant. s. v.; or Bingham, Bk. x. ch. i. ii.) Catholica (W. Syr.). A sort of address or exhortation said by the Deacon, while the Priest was performing the Fraction, etc. (see P. 77). Catholicon (Copt.). The Lection taken out of the Catholic Epistles. Chalice. The cup in which the wine (or wine mingled with water, in all ancient Liturgies but the Armenian 1) is consecrated. Chasuble (in the West, casula; in the East, φελώνιον oι φαινόλιον). The upper and principal vestment of the Priest. Its early shape appears to have been circular, with a hole in the centre through which the head was passed; and adorned before and behind with a Y-shaped cross, or yoke. Cherubic (Hymn). See 'Hymn.' Cinerum Feria Quarta. AshWednesday. Cochlear. The spoon with which in the Eastern Churches the consecrated elements are administered together to the communicants. Collecta. The primary meaning of this word seems to be the assembling of the people for divine 1 It has been inferred that the ancient Church of Ireland did not practise this rite, on the strength of the absence of any reference to it in the Stowe (Irish) Missal. Such evidence is of course noteworthy, but perhaps hardly conclusive by itself for the prac tice of the whole early Irish Church. worship.' It is also the name of those short, nervous, prayers which as a rule distinguish the Western from the Eastern Liturgies. In this sense the form collectio is used in the Gallican Sacramentaries. Two explanations have been given of the term, (i) that it is the prayer said at the assembling of the people, which however could only well apply to the first prayer in the service; (ii) that in it the Priest collects, and presents to God in a compendious form, the petitions, spoken and unspoken, of the congregation. Comes (Comitis Liber). (a) A Lectionary of Missal Lections, attributed to S. Jerome. (B) an equivalent for Epistolare, the book of the Epistles used in the mass. Commixture (commistio). A rite to be distinguished both from the Mixture and the Intinction (q.v.) It consists in placing a small portion of the consecrated Bread, or Wafer, into the Chalice, symbolizing the restoration in the Resurrection of the union of Body and Soul which had been severed in death, in a word, pointing to the Risen Life. Though probably not a primitive rite, it became nearly universal at an early date. Communio. (a) The act of partaking of the consecrated elements. (B) That section of the Liturgy which contains the ritual belonging to this act. (Y) (Rom.) An anthem sung originally during the communion of the people, but in later times after the communion. Competentes (Gr. pwrisóμevoi). The highest order of Catechumens; candidates for immediate Baptism. Confirmation. When more chalices than one were used, it was the custom to consecrate one, and from this one to pour a little of the consecrated wine into the others, which was held to serve for consecration to the wine in them. This was called Confirma tion. In the Greek S. James' Liturgy (see p. 50) this seems to have been effected by placing a portion of the consecrated Bread into the Chalices (Renaudot, vol. i. P. 339). Confractorium (Ambros.). An Anthem sung by the Choir during the Fraction. Consignation. In some Churches it was part of the ritual of the Fraction to dip one half of the broken Bread in the Chalice, and with it to make the sign of the cross upon the other half (Renaudot, vol. i. p. 240). Contestatio (Gall.). The name in the Gallican Liturgy for the Preface, i. e. the part beginning Vere dignum et justum est, etc. Corporale (Gr. eiλŋtóv). The linen cloth on which the Holy Vessels are placed, and on which the consecration is performed. Corporatio (Moz.) The Incarnation. D. Deipara. The Latin equivalent of OEоTÓKOS, the Mother of God. Despoticon (Copt.). In the elaborate ritual of the Fraction in the Coptic Liturgy this is the name given to the largest and central particle. Diptychs. The lists of names, living and dead, to be commemorated during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The custom of commemorating the living seems to have had its origin in reading out the names of those who had made offerings of bread and wine for the consecration: to these were added by degrees names of Bishops, rulers and others. A commemoration of the names of members of the other great division of Christ's Body, the Church Triumphant,(diptycha mortuorum),was naturally joined to the former. Disk (Gr. diokos). The Paten. Doors (Holy). See oúpaι. E. Elevation. The lifting up of the consecrated Bread. There is an essential difference between the meanings of this rite as practised in the Greek Church and in the Roman respectively, at least in later times. In the Greek Church it takes place in the Bema, out of sight of the people, the Holy Doors being still closed: it is an ávádegis to God. In the Roman Church it is a showing to the people for the purpose of adoration. The place of the rite is also different: in the Roman Liturgy it comes immediately after the words of consecration; in the Greek, just before the Communion. Embolismus. Literally 'an insertion.' The name of the short prayer which in almost all ancient Liturgies follows the Lord's Prayer, and is in fact an expansion of the last petition of that Prayer against temptation and evil. Energumen. A demoniac: one under the influence of an evil spirit. Entrance (oodos). (a) The Little Entrance, an oriental rite, is the solemn procession when the Book of the Gospels is brought from the Prothesis to the Holy Table. The Deacon carries it, accompanied by the Priest and taperbearers. The procession passes out at the northern door of the Iconostasis, makes the circuit of the northern side of the Church, and enters the Bema by the Holy Doors. The Book, after being laid on the Holy Table, is again taken to the ambo, where the Gospel is read. There is an analogous Procession of the Gospel in solemn Masses in the Western Church. (B) The Great Entrance is a similar procession, but accompanied by incense and conducted with greater pomp, when the pre pared Elements are carried from the Prothesis to the Altar. In the Liturgy of Constantinople it takes place near the beginning of the Missa Fidelium; in Syrian and Coptic Liturgies at the commencement of the service. There is nothing corresponding to it in the West. Ephod (p. 134). See 'vagas.' Ephremiticum (carmen). A kind of heptasyllabic metre in which some of the Syrian Hymns are written, the invention of which is attributed to S. Ephrem. Evangelistarium. A book taining the collection of the (Liturgical) Gospels for the whole year. F. Fan (see under pimídiov). con Filiola (Moz.). The Chalice-Veil. Fraction. The solemn Breaking of the Bread. There are four different points of the service at which a Fraction is found, though not at all four in any one Liturgy; viz. (i) in the Preparation of the Paten, as in the Liturgy of S. Chrysostom (see pp. 84-87), in which the particles cut from the five Oblates are arranged on the Paten in the order here indicated, No. I |