Religions Glossary / Terminology Flashcards
Eastern Orthodox
One who assists the priest
Cantor
Subordinate officer in a Christian church
Deacon
Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Orthodox churches
Divine Liturgy
In Eastern Orthodox faith
A holy picture; usually mosaic or painted on wood
Icon
Partition that extends across the front of an Eastern Orthodox church separating the sanctuary from the solea
Iconstasis (Iconstation)
The watch or all-night vigil over the deceased in the Eastern Orthodox community
Parastas
Doors in the center of the Iconstation leading directly to the alter: only ordained clergy go through these doors
(Eastern Orthodox)
Royal Doors
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the open area (sometimes raised) before the alter
Solea
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, three short services or blessings that are part of the funeral rite
Trisagion
Jewish
Hebrew meaning container
A casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts
Aron
One who assists the Rabbi
Cantor
Jewish
“Holy Society”
A group of men or women who care for the dead
May be referred to as the “washers”
Chevrah Kadisha
In Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally ‘God full of compassion’;
Usually last prayer of the funeral service
El Malei Rachamin
A eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that’s a part of a Jewish funeral service
Hesped
In Jewish faith, a prayer recited for the deceased by direct mourners for first time at the conclusion of the interment service
It’s subsequently recited by children for parents at every service for 11 months and on yahrzeits
Kaddish
Jewish
The grave; holy resting place
Kever
Jewish
The burial; shoveling earth onto the casket
Kevurrah
Jewish
A tear in the upper corner of the garment; a symbol of grief
Kriah
In the Jewish faith, the funeral procession
Levaya
Jewish
A candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles; the oldest symbol in Judaism
Menorah
Jewish
Hexagram formed by the combination of 2 triangles
May be called the Jewish star
Star of David
It symbolizes a new hope for the Jewish people
Mogen David
Jewish
A teacher or ordained leader
Rabbi
Jewish
Begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday
Shabbat
In Jewish faith, 7 day mourning period
Shivah
Jewish
30 day mourning period
Sholoshim
Jewish
A watcher; one who sits with the deceased reading Psalms until burial
Shomer
Jewish
Hand sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members are dressed
Tachrichim
Jewish
Ceremonial washing the deceased before the burial
Ritual purification or cleansing of the deceased which should be performed by the Chevrah Kadisha
Taharah
A prayer shawl worn by Jewish males during the morning prayer service
Tallith
Jewish
Prayers said before the funeral by a group of friends and the shomer
Tehillim
Jewish
The anniversary of the death
Yahrzeit
Jewish
Kippah; Yamaka
The skull cap worn by males at temple and funeral services
Yarmulke
Jewish
A memorial service recited 4 times a year
Yizkor
Islamic
God
Allah
Islamic
Leader of local congregation
Imam
Religion of Muslims that began at the time of Mohammed
Muslims believe that it stands for purity, peace, submission to Allah’s will, and obedience to his laws
Islam
Islamic
Funeral or funeral prayer
Jinazah
Islamic
Holy book
Qu’ran
Koran
Prophet of the Islamic religion born in 571CE; considered by Muslims to be Allah’s messenger but he’s not worshipped or considered divine
Mohammed
Masjid
Local Islamic religious facility containing no icons, statues, symbols, pews, chairs, or musical instruments
Worship place
Mosque
Name given to a member of the Islamic faith
Muslim
Burial garments utilized by Muslims in Islamic faith
Kafan
Practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased Muslim in Islamic faith
Al-Guhsl
Islamic
Direction of Mecca
Quibla
The officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church
Celebrant
A letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for the burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery
Christian Burial Certificate
Catholic
One who carries the crucifix / cross during an ecclesiastical procession
Crucifer
Catholic
A cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (corpus)
Crucifix
Roman Catholic
A geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a bishop
Diocese
Roman Catholic
The consecrated elements of Holy Communion
Eucharist
In Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass
Final Commendation
Roman Catholic
The act of bending the knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility
Genuflect
Roman Catholic
A symbolic cloth placed over the casket
Pall
A card with the name of the decedent and a prayer or verse, which may or may not include the dates of birth and death, in Roman Catholic faith
Prayer Cards
Catholic
A small bench placed in front of the casket or urn to allow a person to kneel for prayer
Prie Dieu
A chain of adjoining beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers
Roman Catholic
Rosary Beads
A series of prayers in the Roman Catholic faith
Rosary Prayers
Roman Catholic
A service at which rosary prayers are recited
Rosary Service
Part of the church surrounding the alter, inside the chancel
Sanctuary
In the Roman Catholic faith, a piece of cloth or a medal having religious significance usually worn around the neck
Scapular
Vigil
a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral establishment the evening before the funeral
Wake Service
Water blessed by a priest
Holy Water
In the Roman Catholic faith, set of 2 candles that may be placed, one at the head and one at the foot of the casket, during the visitation period
Vigil Lights
In the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass, signifies the everlasting light of Christ
Paschal Candle
Of the written request for a Mass for a specific intention
Mass Cards
In the Roman Catholic and other faiths, a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity
Sacrament of Sick
Name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church
Funeral Mass
A symbolic sign of the Cross, made with the right hand
Sign of the Cross
Layperson sanctioned to administer Holy Communion and other assigned tasks
Eucharist Minister
An honorary title conferred upon a Roman Catholic priest
Monsignor
The head of a diocese (Roman Catholic)
Bishop
In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of an archdiocese
Archbishop
In the Roman Catholic faith, Bishops who have the right to participate in a papal election
Cardinal
The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome
Pope
INRI
Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews
IHS
Jesus, savior of humankind
Nun
In the Roman Catholic faith, a woman who is a member of a religious order, especially one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
Sister
In the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained
Brother
A prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination, which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element
Liturgical Worship
A form or order of worship which has the scriptures as its central element; the actual form or order of the worship service is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister
Non-Liturgical
Compensation or recognition for services performed
Honorarium
Ritual garments worn by the clergy
Protestant
Vestments
An alter attendant
Acolyte
The portion of the church surrounding the alter, usually enclosing the clergy; area behind the alter or communion rail
Chancel
A Christian symbol without the corpus
Cross
The entry way into a church, funeral establishment, or other public building; Entrance hall
Narthex
Vestibule
Lobby
Foyer
The seating or auditorium section of a church
Nave
In liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination
Rubrics
Wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services
Transepts
Someone who will not be able to carry the casket but is still recognized in some way; walk alongside active pallbearers
Honorary Pallbearer
The title of the Buddhist priest
Bonze
A term used in the Buddhist faith to describe a calendar that is used to determine an accurate time for casketing the deceased, services, and disposition
Book of Dates
First 2 and last 2 verses of a Buddhist hymn sung at the funeral service
Gatha
Traditionally, in the Buddhist faith, a bedside prayer which may be performed by the bonze before funeral arrangements are made
Makuro-Gyo
The Buddhist idea of heavenly peace or Pure Land
Nirvhana
The Buddhist place of worship
Pagoda
In Buddhist faith, a service performed as part of casketing the body
Encasketing Service
A brief expression of gratitude to the congregation for their presence at the Buddhist service
Words of Appreciation
Table or altar placed at a right angle to the deceased alter; Contains an image of Buddha, incense, candles, flowers, and fruits
Buddha Alter