An Anglican Dictionary Trivia Quiz

Answer: Communion Service

The word Eucharist comes to us from the late Middle English by way of the Old French "eucariste", which is in turn derived from the Greek "eukharistia", meaning thanksgiving. This in turn comes from the Greek "eukharistos", meaning grateful or, more literally, offer graciously ("eu" meaning well and "kharis" meaning grace.) Eucharist is the focal point of the Anglican/Episcopalian church service and refers to the entire communion liturgy.

Answer: Lobby

The word narthex comes from the Greek meaning "a large fennel." This might be descriptive of the shape of a typical church lobby. It is used to refer to the enclosed space at the entry of the building, just inside the doors. It is typically covered to provide protection against the weather and may be a lobby or a covered porch.

It is in the narthex where the priests and acolytes typically gather prior to the procession.

Answer: Janitor

This is the title given to a person in charge of the custodial maintenance of a church building and sometimes, if there is one, the graveyard. The sexton may also be tasked with ringing the church bell.

Answer: Governing Board

The term comes from the Latin for "to clothe" or "to put on." The vestry is the committee or governing board of a local Anglican/Episcopal parish. It includes the rector, wardens, and other lay members and serves as a representative body for the church in decision making.

It makes decisions about church management and the budget and other such affairs. Wardens are lay members chosen to serve in a special capacity and the title of senior warden is typically used to refer to the top lay person.

Answer: Head priest

Rector comes from a Latin word meaning ruler. A rector is a priest who has charge of a parish and is like the senior or head pastor in many Protestant churches. If there are other clergy members, they will typically be labeled as assistant or associate rectors.

In contemporary usage, vicar and rector are sometimes used interchangeably, though parishes that are more prominent or historical often use the term rector. Historically, when the Anglican church was supported by local taxes, the distinction was that a rector received payment from the greater and lesser tithes of his parish, while the vicar received payment only from the lesser tithes.

Answer: Altar boy

In the Anglican church, both boys and girls can serve as acolytes. The term acolyte comes from a Greek word meaning "to follow." Acolytes are volunteers, typically but not always youth (adults also serve as acolytes), who assist the priest in worship by lighting candles, participating in the procession and recession, and helping to prepare communion.

The term crucifer is used to refer to the person who carries the cross in the procession and recession.

Answer: Cathedral priest

From the Greek "kannon", this term means ruler. It can also mean measuring rod. Canon is the title given to a priest (or sometimes a layperson) who serves at a cathedral. It may also be given to a priest who has displayed exemplary service to a diocese.

Answer: Prayer

The term comes from the Latin "collecta", which means assembly. A collect is often used toward the start of the service, prior to the reading of the lessons. It is so called because it presumably "collects" the ideas behind the lessons and ties them together.

Answer: Kneel briefly

In an Anglican church, you will sometimes see people practicing genuflection when entering or leaving their pews on the way to take communion or the way back. Genuflection is a sort of deep curtsy or bowing where the right knee touches the ground. The term comes from the Latin "genu", which means knee, and "flectere", which means bend.

Answer: Podium

The lectern is a raised platform or podium used to hold the scriptures or prayers when they are being read as part of the service. It comes from the Latin word "lectrum", which means reading desk. The lectern is typically situated on the opposite side of the church as the pulpit.