Glossary
There are many words and terms that are used day to day in the Anglican Christian tradition that may be unfamiliar. This glossary is our attempt to make this language and terminology more accessible to all. Use the box to search for a term or browse by letter to find the explanation.
Parish
A parish is a geographical location with its own parish church. The parish is responsible for pastoral care of its parishioners and this is delegated by the bishop to the parish priest know as the vicar or rector. He or she is sometimes assisted by a curate.
Pastoral care
The Pastoral care of parishioners is a duty laid on the clergy at their ordination and reaffirmed when they are appointed to a parish. It is often shared with the laity of the congregations and seen as an extension of the local bishop’s ‘cure’ or care of that parish which he entrusts to the parish priest.
Paten
This is a dish or plate often of silver which is used in the Eucharist and upon which the bread is consecrated. It is also used for the distribution of the bread at Holy Communion.
Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost is originally a Jewish festival. The name derives from the Greek meaning ‘fifty days’ and originally fell on the fiftieth day after Passover. Its Christian association springs from the events associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles as described in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The name is now associated with the third most important feast of the Church, which is commonly called Whitsunday in the English calendar.
Perpetual Curate
A priest discharging the spiritual responsibilities in a parish where the benefice was held historically by a lay Rector. Since 1968 indistinguishable from a Vicar.
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is one who sets off on a spiritual journey in search of truth and meaning. This may be a physical journey to a holy place or shrine or it can be metaphorical journey through life as illustrated in John Bunyan’s classic ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’.
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimages were popular in the Middle Ages and were the first holidays. Groups of Christians would set off together on a spiritual journey to visit a holy place or shrine where they would pray together. The practice is regaining popularity and is undertaken by most faiths.
Prayer
The concept of prayer depends on the belief in a personal God who wishes to sustain and develop a loving relationship with his people. The practice of prayer may involve meditation, adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. Basically it is a conversation with God and is dependent on both parties wanting to cherish a relationship and be empowered to effect change in a fallen world. Intercessory prayer is perhaps the most popular form and many churches and cathedrals have found that in recent years intercessory prayers associated with the lighting of votive candles have become a widespread practice. Prayer aids such as the rosary have recently become popular as way of ordering or disciplining prayer life.
Precentor
This is the member of the clergy responsible for the direction of choral services in a cathedral.
Presbyter
This is a term used in the New Testament for one who, supervised by a bishop (episcopos or overseer), leads a local Christian congregation. Today it is used to mean a priest.