The Eastern Cross/Guides/Orthodox glossary

From Akathist to Xerophagy

The Orthodox glossary

The words you'll hear in an Orthodox church, with the Greek they come from, how to say them, and what they really mean.

154words, from the altar to the Typikon

Greekoriginal for each, with Slavonic where it helps

Say ithow each word sounds, stress in capitals

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A

Afterfeast

μεθέορτα

meh-THEH-or-ta

The days after a great feast when its celebration continues, with its hymns sung at every service, until the Leavetaking.

Akathist

Ἀκάθιστος

ah-KAH-thee-stos

A long hymn of praise sung standing ("akathistos" means "not seated"). The original honours the Theotokos; many others have been written for Christ and the saints.

Altar

Ἱερὸν Βῆμα

The sanctuary behind the iconostasis, where the Eucharist is offered. Only clergy and altar servers go inside.

In Slavic churches, the rounded platform at the centre of the solea, in front of the Royal Doors, from which the Gospel is read and the litanies are led. In Greek churches the ambo is usually a raised pulpit in the nave, used for preaching.

Anaphora

ἀναφορά

ah-nah-fo-RAH

The great prayer of thanksgiving at the heart of the Divine Liturgy, during which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.

Antidoron

ἀντίδωρον

an-DEE-tho-ron

"Instead of the gifts": blessed bread given out at the end of the Liturgy. It is blessed, though not consecrated, and visitors can usually receive it.

Antimension

ἀντιμήνσιον

an-dee-MEEN-see-on

A silk cloth bearing an icon of Christ's burial, signed by the bishop and often containing relics. The Liturgy is celebrated on it, as a sign of the bishop's blessing.

Apodosis

ἀπόδοσις

ah-PO-tho-sis

The Leavetaking of a feast: the last day of its celebration, when its hymns are sung one final time.

Apophatic theology

ἀποφατικὴ θεολογία

ah-po-fah-tee-KEE

Speaking of God by saying what He is not, because God is beyond every human idea. It keeps theology humble before the mystery of God.

Apostles' Fast

Νηστεία τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων

The fast before the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29. It begins the Monday after All Saints' Sunday, so its length changes every year with the date of Pascha. On the New Calendar it is sometimes very short, and some years it disappears altogether.

Archimandrite

ἀρχιμανδρίτης

ar-hee-man-DREE-tees

A title of honour for a senior priest-monk, often the head of a monastery or a respected cleric.

Artoklasia

ἀρτοκλασία

ar-to-kla-SEE-ah

The blessing of five loaves, wheat, wine and oil at Vespers on a feast, recalling the feeding of the five thousand.

Artos

Ἄρτος

AR-tos

The large loaf blessed at Pascha, kept in church through Bright Week and shared with the faithful on Bright Saturday (in many parishes, on Thomas Sunday).

Ascension

Ἀνάληψις

ah-NAH-leep-sees

The feast of Christ's ascent into heaven, forty days after Pascha, always on a Thursday. One of the Twelve Great Feasts.

Asterisk

ἀστερίσκος

ah-ste-REES-kos

Two crossed metal arches set over the diskos so the veil does not touch the bread. They recall the star over Bethlehem.

Autocephaly

αὐτοκεφαλία

af-to-ke-fa-LEE-ah

"Self-headed": a Church that chooses its own head and governs itself while sharing one faith with the others, such as the Churches of Greece, Romania or Serbia.

Axios!

Ἄξιος!

AX-ee-os

"He is worthy!": the cry of the clergy and people when a bishop, priest or deacon is ordained.

B

Baptism

Βάπτισμα

VAP-tees-ma

The Mystery of new birth in Christ. Orthodox baptism is by threefold immersion in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and is followed at once by Chrismation and Holy Communion.

Bishop

ἐπίσκοπος

eh-PEE-sko-pos

The chief shepherd of a local Church, a successor of the Apostles, who ordains clergy and keeps the faith.

Bless, Father

Εὐλογεῖτε · Благословите

ev-lo-YEE-teh

How Orthodox Christians greet a priest, asking his blessing. He makes the sign of the cross over them, and they often kiss his right hand.

Bright Week

Διακαινήσιμος Ἑβδομάδα

The week after Pascha, celebrated as one long day of the Resurrection. There is no fasting, and the Royal Doors stay open.

C

Canon

κανών

ka-NON

Either a rule of the Church set by a council, or a long hymn of nine odes sung at Matins and other services.

Catechumen

κατηχούμενος

ka-tee-HOO-me-nos

Someone preparing to be received into the Orthodox Church through instruction, prayer and the life of the parish.

Censer

θυμιατήριον

thee-mee-ah-TEE-ree-on

The metal vessel on chains in which incense is burned. The bells on it stand for the preaching of the Apostles.

Chalice

Ἅγιον Ποτήριον

AH-yee-on po-TEE-ree-on

The cup in which the wine becomes the Blood of Christ, and from which the faithful receive Communion with a spoon.

Chanter

ψάλτης

PSAL-tees

One who leads the singing of the services. In Greek parishes chanters sing Byzantine chant; in Slavic parishes a choir often leads.

Cherubic Hymn

Χερουβικὸς Ὕμνος

he-roo-vee-KOS

"Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim…": the slow hymn sung during the Great Entrance.

Chrismation

Χρῖσμα

HREES-ma

The Mystery of the gift of the Holy Spirit, in which the priest anoints the newly baptized with Holy Myron, saying "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Christ is born!

Χριστὸς γεννᾶται! · Христос рождается!

hree-STOS ye-NAH-teh

The Christmas greeting, answered with "Glorify Him!" (Δοξάσατε! · Славите Его!).

Christ is in our midst!

Χριστὸς ἐν μέσῳ ἡμῶν! · Христос посреди нас!

hree-STOS en MEH-so ee-MON

The greeting of clergy at the Kiss of Peace, used by many Orthodox at any time. The answer is "He is and ever shall be!" (Καὶ ἔστι καὶ ἔσται! · И есть, и будет!)

Christ is risen!

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! · Христос воскресе!

hree-STOS ah-NES-tee

The Paschal greeting, used from Pascha until the Ascension. The answer is "Truly He is risen!" (Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη! · Воистину воскресе!).

Church Fathers

Πατέρες τῆς Ἐκκλησίας

The holy teachers of the early and later Church, such as Athanasius, Basil, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, whose writings guide Orthodox faith.

Clean Monday

Καθαρὰ Δευτέρα

ka-tha-RAH thef-TEH-ra

The first day of Great Lent. In Greece it's a holiday of kite-flying, lagana bread and fasting picnics.

Compline

Ἀπόδειπνον

ah-PO-thee-pnon

The evening service said "after supper". During Great Lent, Great Compline includes the Canon of St. Andrew in the first week.

Confession

Ἐξομολόγησις

ex-o-mo-LO-yee-sis

The Mystery of repentance, in which a person confesses their sins before Christ in the presence of a priest and receives forgiveness.

D

Deacon

διάκονος

thee-AH-ko-nos

An ordained minister who serves at the Liturgy, leads the litanies and reads the Gospel. Deacons wear the orarion.

Deisis

Δέησις

THEH-ee-sis

"Supplication": an icon of Christ enthroned, with the Theotokos and St. John the Baptist on either side, praying for the world.

Diskos

δίσκος

THEES-kos

The small plate on which the Lamb, the bread for the Eucharist, is placed.

Divine Liturgy

Θεία Λειτουργία

THEE-ah lee-toor-YEE-ah

The main Orthodox service, in which the Eucharist is celebrated. It is usually the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and the Liturgy of St. Basil on certain days.

Dormition

Κοίμησις

KEE-mee-sis

"Falling asleep": the feast of the repose of the Theotokos and her taking up to heaven, on August 15 (August 28 on the civil calendar for Old Calendar Churches). One of the Twelve Great Feasts.

Dormition Fast

Νηστεία τῆς Θεοτόκου

The two weeks of fasting from August 1 to 14 before the Dormition, when the Paraklesis to the Theotokos is sung.

E

Ecumenical Council

Οἰκουμενικὴ Σύνοδος

ee-koo-me-nee-KEE

A gathering of bishops from the whole Church to settle questions of faith. The Orthodox Church accepts seven, from Nicaea in 325 to Nicaea in 787.

Elder

Γέροντας · Старец

YEH-ron-das · STAH-rets

A monk or priest known for holiness and spiritual wisdom, whom many seek out for guidance. Geronda in Greek, Starets in Russian.

Energies

ἐνέργειαι

e-NER-yee-eh

God's uncreated activity and grace, through which we truly know and share in God, while His essence remains beyond reach. The teaching comes from the earlier Fathers and was defended by St. Gregory Palamas in the 14th century.

Epiclesis

ἐπίκλησις

eh-PEE-klee-sis

The calling down of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine during the Anaphora.

Epistle reading

Ἀπόστολος

ah-PO-sto-los

The reading from the Epistles or Acts at the Liturgy, read by a reader from a book called the Apostolos.

Epitaphios

Ἐπιτάφιος

eh-pee-TAH-fee-os

An embroidered cloth icon of Christ laid in the tomb, brought out on Holy Friday and carried in procession. In Greek practice it lies on a flower-covered bier that is carried through the streets that evening.

Epitrachelion

ἐπιτραχήλιον

eh-pee-tra-HEE-lee-on

The stole a priest wears around his neck. No priest celebrates a service without it.

Equal-to-the-Apostles

Ἰσαπόστολος

ee-sa-PO-sto-los

A title for saints who spread the faith like the Apostles, such as Constantine and Helen, Mary Magdalene, Nina of Georgia and Vladimir of Kiev.

Eucharist

Εὐχαριστία

ef-ha-rees-TEE-ah

"Thanksgiving": the Mystery of Holy Communion, in which the faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

F

Fasting

νηστεία

nee-STEE-ah

Setting aside certain foods (meat, dairy, and often fish, wine and oil) to pray with a lighter body and a softer heart. Fasting goes together with prayer and almsgiving.

Filioque

fee-lee-OH-kweh

Latin for "and the Son": a phrase added to the Nicene Creed in the West, first in Spain in the 6th century and in Rome by 1014. The Orthodox Church keeps the Creed as the councils wrote it, saying the Spirit proceeds from the Father, and objects both to the change and to the teaching behind it.

Forerunner

Πρόδρομος

PRO-thro-mos

St. John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Christ. His icon stands beside Christ's on the iconostasis.

G

Glory to God for all things

Δόξα τῷ Θεῷ πάντων ἕνεκεν

THO-ksa to theh-O

The last words of St. John Chrysostom, said in good times and hard ones alike.

Godparent

ἀνάδοχος

ah-NAH-tho-hos

The sponsor at a baptism, who promises to help the newly baptized grow in the faith. Called nonós (godfather) and noná (godmother) in Greek.

Great Entrance

Μεγάλη Εἴσοδος

The procession in which the bread and wine are carried through the church to the altar, during the Cherubic Hymn.

Great Lent

Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή

The forty days of fasting and repentance before Holy Week and Pascha, beginning on Clean Monday.

Great Schism

Μέγα Σχίσμα

The break between the Church of Rome and the Orthodox East, usually dated to 1054, after centuries of growing apart over the papacy, the Filioque and other questions.

H

Hegumen

ἡγούμενος

ee-GOO-me-nos

The abbot of a monastery. A woman who leads a convent is a hegumeni or abbess.

Hesychasm

ἡσυχασμός

ee-see-haz-MOS

The tradition of inner stillness and unceasing prayer, especially the Jesus Prayer, kept above all on Mount Athos.

Hieromonk

ἱερομόναχος

ee-eh-ro-MO-na-hos

A monk who is also a priest.

Holy Table

Ἁγία Τράπεζα

ah-YEE-ah TRAH-pe-za

The altar table at the centre of the sanctuary, on which the Gospel book, the antimension and the tabernacle rest.

Holy Tradition

Ἱερὰ Παράδοσις

pa-RAH-tho-sis

The life of the Holy Spirit in the Church, handed down from the Apostles: the Scriptures, the councils, the Fathers, the services and the icons, read as one whole.

Holy Unction

Εὐχέλαιον

ef-HEH-leh-on

The Mystery of anointing with oil for healing of soul and body, served for the sick and, in Greek practice, for all the faithful on the evening of Holy Wednesday. Many Slavic parishes hold a general Unction during Lent.

Holy Water

Ἁγιασμός

ah-yee-az-MOS

Water blessed by the priest, above all at Theophany. The faithful drink it, bless their homes with it and keep it at the icon corner.

Holy Week

Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάδα

The week before Pascha, from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday, when the Church follows Christ to the Cross and the tomb day by day.

Hours

Ὧραι

Short services of psalms and prayers for the first, third, sixth and ninth hours of the day. The Third and Sixth Hours are often read before the Liturgy.

Hypostasis

ὑπόστασις

ee-PO-sta-sis

A person. God is three Hypostases (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in one essence, and Christ is one Hypostasis in two natures.

I

IC XC NIKA

ΙΣ ΧΣ ΝΙΚΑ

"Jesus Christ conquers": letters found on icons, crosses and the seal stamped on prosphora bread.

Icon

εἰκών

ee-KON

A holy image of Christ, the Theotokos, the saints or a feast, painted (traditionally "written") by prayerful rules. Icons are windows to heaven, and the honour given to them passes to the person shown.

Icon corner

εἰκονοστάσι

ee-ko-no-STAH-see

The place at home, usually facing east, where the family keeps its icons and an oil lamp and says its prayers. Called the "beautiful corner" in Russian.

Iconostasis

εἰκονοστάσιον

ee-ko-no-STAH-see-on

The wall of icons in front of the sanctuary, with the Royal Doors at its centre and Christ and the Theotokos on either side.

Incarnation

Ἐνανθρώπησις

e-nan-THRO-pee-sis

The Son of God becoming fully human, born of the Virgin Mary, while remaining fully God.

Incense

λιβάνι

lee-VAH-nee

Fragrant resin burned in the censer, a sign of prayer rising to God ("Let my prayer arise as incense").

J

Jesus Prayer

Εὐχὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner": a short prayer repeated slowly and often, usually with a prayer rope.

K

Kliros

ἀναλόγιον · клирос

KLEE-ros

The chanters' stand at the front of the nave, where the singing is led.

Koliva

κόλλυβα

KO-lee-va

Boiled wheat with sugar, nuts and spices, blessed at memorial services. The wheat is a sign of the resurrection: a seed buried that rises again.

Kontakion

κοντάκιον

kon-DAH-kee-on

A short hymn that sums up the meaning of a feast or the life of a saint.

Kyrie eleison

Κύριε ἐλέησον · Господи помилуй

KEE-ree-eh eh-LEH-ee-son

"Lord, have mercy": the most repeated prayer of the Orthodox Church, sung in answer to the petitions of the litanies and many times over in the services.

L

Lamb

Ἀμνός

am-NOS

The square centre cut from a prosphora loaf, stamped IC XC NIKA, which becomes the Body of Christ in the Liturgy.

Lampada

καντήλι · лампада

kan-DEE-lee

A small oil lamp kept burning before icons at home and in church.

Litany

συναπτή · ἐκτενής

A series of petitions led by the deacon or priest, each answered by the people with "Lord, have mercy" or "Grant this, O Lord".

M

Many years!

Χρόνια πολλά! · Многая лета!

HRO-nya po-LAH

The wish for a long and blessed life, sung or said on name days, feasts and birthdays.

Matins

Ὄρθρος

OR-thros

The morning service, full of psalms, hymns and the canon. Called Orthros in Greek, and often served right before the Liturgy.

Memorial

Μνημόσυνον

mnee-MO-see-non

A short service of prayer for the departed, sung on the third, ninth and fortieth days after death and on anniversaries, with koliva. "Memory eternal!"

Memory eternal!

Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη · Вечная память

eh-o-NEE-ah ee MNEE-mee

Sung at the end of a funeral or memorial for the departed: may God remember them forever.

Metanoia

μετάνοια

meh-TAH-nee-ah

Repentance: a change of mind and heart, turning back to God. The same word names a bow or prostration made in prayer.

Metropolitan

Μητροπολίτης

mee-tro-po-LEE-tees

A bishop who leads a metropolis, the Church of a major city and its region. In Slavic Churches a metropolitan often presides over other bishops; in Greece nearly every diocesan bishop holds the title.

Monastery

μοναστήρι

mo-na-STEE-ree

A community of monks or nuns living a life of prayer under an abbot or abbess. Many monasteries welcome visitors and pilgrims.

Monk

μοναχός

mo-na-HOS

A man (or, as a nun, a woman) who leaves the world to live in prayer, chastity, obedience and poverty, usually in a monastery.

Mount Athos

Ἅγιον Ὄρος

AH-yee-on OR-os

The "Holy Mountain": a peninsula in northern Greece with twenty monasteries, a centre of Orthodox monastic life for over a thousand years.

Myron

Ἅγιον Μύρον

MEE-ron

Holy chrism: oil mixed with dozens of fragrant substances, consecrated, usually on Holy Thursday, by a patriarch or the head of a self-governing Church (the Church of Greece, for example, receives it from Constantinople). It is used in Chrismation.

Myrrhbearers

Μυροφόροι

mee-ro-FO-ree

The women who brought spices to Christ's tomb and were the first to hear of the Resurrection. Remembered on the second Sunday after Pascha.

Mystery

Μυστήριον

mee-STEE-ree-on

The Orthodox word for a sacrament: a holy act in which God's grace is truly given through visible things like water, oil, bread and wine. Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders and Holy Unction are the best known.

N

Name day

ὀνομαστικὴ ἑορτή

o-no-ma-stee-KEE

The feast of the saint you are named after, celebrated with "Χρόνια πολλά!" In Greece it's often a bigger celebration than a birthday.

Narthex

νάρθηξ

NAR-thix

The entrance hall of a church, between the doors and the nave, where people greet each other and light candles.

Nativity

Χριστούγεννα

hree-STOO-ye-na

Christmas, the birth of Christ in the flesh, on December 25 (January 7 on the civil calendar for Old Calendar Churches).

Nativity Fast

Σαρανταήμερο

sa-ran-da-EE-me-ro

The forty days of preparation for Christmas, from November 15 to December 24. Also called St. Philip's Fast.

Nave

ναός

na-OS

The main body of the church, where the people stand to pray.

Nepsis

νῆψις

NEEP-sis

Watchfulness: keeping guard over the heart and thoughts in prayer.

New Calendar

Νέο Ἡμερολόγιο

The Revised Julian calendar, used since the 1920s by the Churches of Constantinople, Greece, Romania, Antioch and others, which keeps fixed feasts on the same dates as the civil calendar. Pascha is still reckoned the old way.

Nicene Creed

Σύμβολον τῆς Πίστεως

SEEM-vo-lon

The Symbol of Faith from the councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), said at every Divine Liturgy: "I believe in one God…"

O

Octoechos

Ὀκτώηχος

ok-TO-ee-hos

The cycle of eight tones (musical modes) that changes each week, and the book of hymns that goes with it.

Old Calendar

Παλαιὸ Ἡμερολόγιο

The Julian calendar, kept by the Churches of Jerusalem, Russia, Serbia, Georgia, Mount Athos and others. Its dates now run 13 days behind the civil calendar, so Christmas falls on January 7.

Omophorion

ὠμοφόριον

o-mo-FO-ree-on

The wide band a bishop wears over his shoulders, a sign of the shepherd carrying the lost sheep.

Orarion

ὀράριον

o-RAH-ree-on

The long, narrow stole a deacon wears over his left shoulder, lifted when he leads the people in prayer.

Orthodox cross

The three-bar cross, used especially in Russian and Slavic tradition (Greek churches more often use a plain cross). The top bar is for the sign "King of the Jews", and the slanted lower bar is the footrest, pointing up toward the repentant thief and down toward the other.

Ousia

οὐσία

oo-SEE-ah

Essence or nature. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit share one essence.

P

Panagia

Παναγία

pa-na-YEE-ah

"All-holy": the most common Greek name for the Theotokos. A bishop's round medallion icon of her is also called a panagia.

Pantocrator

Παντοκράτωρ

pan-do-KRAH-tor

"Ruler of all": the icon of Christ holding the Gospel and blessing, often painted inside the central dome.

Paraklesis

Παράκλησις

pa-RAH-klee-sis

A service of supplication asking the Theotokos or a saint for help, sung above all in the first two weeks of August.

Pascha

Πάσχα

PAS-ha

Easter, the Resurrection of Christ, the Feast of Feasts. "Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!"

Paschalion

Πασχάλιον

pas-HAH-lee-on

The tables and rules for working out the date of Pascha each year, using the Julian calendar.

Patriarch

Πατριάρχης

pa-tree-AR-hees

The bishop who heads one of the great historic Churches, such as Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem or Moscow.

Pentecost

Πεντηκοστή

pen-dee-ko-STEE

The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, fifty days after Pascha, and the birthday of the Church. One of the Twelve Great Feasts.

Pentecostarion

Πεντηκοστάριον

pen-dee-ko-STAH-ree-on

The book of services from Pascha to the Sunday of All Saints, and the name of that joyful season.

Phelonion

φελόνιον

feh-LO-nee-on

The large outer vestment, like a cape, worn by a priest at the Liturgy.

Philokalia

Φιλοκαλία

fee-lo-ka-LEE-ah

"Love of the beautiful": a collection of writings on prayer and watchfulness by Fathers from the 4th to the 15th centuries, gathered in 1782.

Prayer rope

κομποσκοίνι · чётки

kom-bo-SKEE-nee

A loop of knotted wool, often of 33, 50 or 100 knots, used to say the Jesus Prayer.

Presanctified Liturgy

Προηγιασμένη

pro-ee-yee-az-MEH-nee

An evening service of Vespers and Communion, served on weekdays of Great Lent, with Holy Gifts consecrated at an earlier Liturgy, usually the Sunday before.

Presvytera

Πρεσβυτέρα · Матушка · خورية

pres-vee-TEH-ra

The title of a priest's wife: Presvytera in Greek, Matushka in Russian, Khouria in Arabic.

Priest

πρεσβύτερος · ἱερεύς

pres-VEE-te-ros

An ordained elder who serves the Mysteries, preaches and cares for a parish. Addressed as "Father".

Prokeimenon

προκείμενον

pro-KEE-me-non

A psalm verse sung before the readings, answered by the people, that sets the tone of the day.

Proskomedia

προσκομιδή

pros-ko-mee-THEE

The quiet service of preparing the bread and wine before the Liturgy, when the priest also prays for the living and the departed by name.

Proskynetarion

προσκυνητάριον

pros-kee-nee-TAH-ree-on

The stand near the entrance holding the icon of the feast or saint of the day, which people kiss as they arrive.

Prosphora

πρόσφορα

PROS-fo-ra

"Offering": the round leavened bread, stamped with a seal, baked for the Liturgy. Part of it becomes the Lamb, and the rest is shared as antidoron.

R

Rason

ῥάσον · ряса

RAH-son

The black outer robe with wide sleeves worn by clergy and monastics.

Reader

ἀναγνώστης

ah-na-GNO-stees

A man tonsured by the bishop to read the Epistle and other readings in the services.

Red eggs

κόκκινα αὐγά

KO-kee-na av-GAH

Eggs dyed red for Pascha, a sign of Christ's blood and of new life breaking from the sealed tomb. People crack them against each other, saying "Christ is risen!"

Relics

λείψανα

LEEP-sa-na

The bodies or remains of saints, honoured because the grace of God dwelt in them. Many churches keep relics in the Holy Table.

Royal Doors

Ὡραία Πύλη

o-REH-ah PEE-lee

The central doors of the iconostasis, used by the clergy at the key moments of the service. Called the Beautiful Gate in Greek.

Royal Hours

Μεγάλαι Ὧραι

The solemn Hours with special readings, served on the Eves of Christmas and Theophany and on Holy Friday.

S

Saint

ἅγιος

AH-yee-os

A person made holy by God's grace, glorified by the Church and honoured as one who now prays for us.

Sign of the Cross

σταυρός

stav-ROS

Joining the thumb and first two fingers for the Holy Trinity, and touching forehead, chest, right shoulder and left shoulder.

Solea

σολέα

so-LEH-ah

The raised step in front of the iconostasis, where Communion is given.

Spiritual father

Πνευματικός

pnev-ma-tee-KOS

The priest who hears a person's confession and guides their spiritual life.

Sunday of Orthodoxy

Κυριακὴ τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας

The first Sunday of Great Lent, which celebrates the restoration of the icons in 843 with a procession of icons.

T

Theophany

Θεοφάνεια

the-o-FAH-nee-ah

The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, on January 6 (January 19 on the civil calendar for Old Calendar Churches), when the Holy Trinity was revealed and the waters are blessed. One of the Twelve Great Feasts.

Theosis

θέωσις

THEH-o-sis

Deification: the goal of the Christian life, to become by grace what God is by nature, united to God through Christ in the Holy Spirit. "God became man so that man might become god." (St. Athanasius)

Theotokos

Θεοτόκος

the-o-TOH-kos

"God-bearer": the Virgin Mary, mother of God the Son in the flesh. The title was affirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

Transfiguration

Μεταμόρφωσις

me-ta-MOR-fo-sis

The feast of Christ shining with divine light on Mount Tabor before Peter, James and John, on August 6 (August 19 on the civil calendar for Old Calendar Churches). First fruits are blessed that day: grapes in Greek practice, apples in Russian.

Trinity

Ἁγία Τριάς

ah-YEE-ah tree-AHS

One God in three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal and inseparable.

Triodion

Τριῴδιον

tree-O-thee-on

The book of services for the weeks before Lent, Great Lent and Holy Week, and the name of that season.

Trisagion

Τρισάγιον

tree-SAH-yee-on

"Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us", sung three times at the Liturgy and said in many prayers. A short memorial service has the same name.

Troparion

τροπάριον

tro-PAH-ree-on

A short hymn for a feast or saint, such as the Paschal troparion: "Christ is risen from the dead…"

Twelve Great Feasts

Δωδεκάορτον

tho-the-KAH-or-ton

The twelve major feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, from her Nativity to the Dormition. Pascha stands above them all.

Typikon

Τυπικόν

tee-pee-KON

The book of rules for how the services are put together through the year, including the rules of fasting.

U

Uncreated Light

ἄκτιστον φῶς

AK-tee-ston fos

The divine light seen by the Apostles at the Transfiguration, and by saints in prayer: God's own glory, His uncreated energy.

V

Vasilopita

Βασιλόπιτα

va-see-LO-pee-ta

A Greek custom: St. Basil's bread or cake, cut on January 1 with a coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the coin is said to be blessed for the year.

Veneration

προσκύνησις

pros-KEE-nee-sis

The honour shown to icons, relics and the cross, by bowing and kissing them. Worship (latreia) is given to God alone.

Vespers

Ἑσπερινός

es-pe-ree-NOS

The evening service that begins the liturgical day, with the psalm of creation and "O Gladsome Light".

Vigil

Ἀγρυπνία

ah-gree-PNEE-ah

The All-Night Vigil: Vespers and Matins served together on the eve of Sundays and feasts, central in Russian practice.

W

Wedding

Γάμος

GAH-mos

The Mystery of Marriage. The couple is crowned, shares a common cup, and walks three times around the table in the "Dance of Isaiah".

X

Xerophagy

ξηροφαγία

ksee-ro-fa-YEE-ah

"Dry eating": the strictest common fast, without oil or wine, kept on many weekdays of Great Lent.

Test yourself

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Questions

Why does the Orthodox Church use so many Greek words?

The New Testament was written in Greek, and the services, hymns and great councils of the early Church took shape in the Greek-speaking East. Many of those words passed straight into Slavonic, Arabic and English, so you'll hear "Theotokos", "Kyrie eleison" or "Pascha" in parishes of every background.

What is the difference between a Mystery and a sacrament?

They are two names for the same thing. The Greek Fathers called holy acts like Baptism and the Eucharist "Mysteries" (mysteria), and the Latin West translated the word as "sacraments". Orthodox Christians use both, and "Mystery" puts the stress on God's action, which is beyond our understanding.

How do you answer "Christ is risen"?

With "Truly He is risen!" (Alithos anesti! in Greek, Voistinu voskrese! in Russian). Orthodox Christians greet each other this way from Pascha until the feast of the Ascension, forty days later.

How should I pronounce these words?

The guides on this page use modern Greek pronunciation, which is what you will hear in most Greek and Antiochian parishes. The stressed syllable is in capitals. Slavic parishes often say some words a little differently (Pascha as "PAS-ha" in Greek and "PAS-kha" in Russian, for example), and both are right.

Sources

Sources and further reading

Where these definitions come from, and where to read more.

The faith and the services

Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith (Orthodox Church in America)Doctrine, worship, the Mysteries, the Church year and spiritual life
Timothy (Kallistos) Ware, The Orthodox Church (Penguin, new ed. 2015)The councils, the Great Schism, the Filioque, the energies of God and the Church today
Michel Najim and T. L. Frazier, Understanding the Divine LiturgyThe Liturgy, its vessels, vestments and the parts of the church
The Lenten Triodion, trans. Mother Mary and Archimandrite Kallistos Ware (Faber & Faber, 1978)The Triodion, Great Lent, Holy Week and the rules of fasting

The Fathers

St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation 54“He was made man that we might be made god”
The Philokalia, trans. G. E. H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard and Kallistos Ware (Faber & Faber, 1979–1995)Hesychasm, watchfulness and the Jesus Prayer

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