Some Orthodox Words

Abbot—the head of a monastery. His office includes maintaining the authentic spiritual life of the monastery, enforcing the traditions of the Church and property management. His rank is usually an archimandrite or a hegumen. He has general authority! jurisdiction in his community.

Alms—Works of mercy or monetary gifts given to help the poor. Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people are called to help those less fortunate than themselves (see Matthew 25:3 1-46). As alms giving relates to monetary gifts, they are usually beyond the tithes given to the church.

Celebrant—The term refers to the clergyman who presides over a sacred ceremony. Specifically, though, it denotes the priest or bishop who celebrates the Eucharist as the supreme sacrament and the chief liturgical act of the Christian Church.

Epitrachelion—This is the Orthodox vestment equivalent to the stole of the Western clergymen. It is worn only by priests and bishops. Its equivalent for the deacon is the "orarion", a very long ribbon, that the deacon wears around his shoulders. The epitrachelion seems to have developed from the orarion, reaching down to the full length of the tunic, sticharion. It is adorned with crosses and a fringe at the bottom.

There are many allegorical interpretations as to the meaning of the epitrachelion. It seems, though, that the most acceptable one derives from the verse the priest recites when he blesses it and kisses the cross sewn on the top before he puts it on: ‘blessed be out God, who pours His grace on His priests.’ This points out the liturgical importance of this part of the priest’s vestment by which the Grace of priesthood is bestowed upon the ordinant. Hence the priest can officiate in no liturgical ceremony without wearing his epitrachelion as the visible instrument of his priesthood.

Horologion— (from the Greek ‘hora’ for hour) is the liturgical book containing the recurrent portions of the ecclesiastical ceremonies throughout the year. It contains the Hours of the day, Vespers, Apodeipnon, Orthros, other self-contained services on various personal occasions, such as preparation for Holy Communion, Paraklesis, and a complete calendar together with the Apolytidia (see word) of the most important saints. It also contains tables of Easter dates and other material useful to priests, cantors, and laymen alike.

Prokeimenon—usually consists of two verses before a particular reading is commenced in the Liturgy or other services. The term signifies the text=keimenon and pro=before. In today’s Liturgy the Apostolic reading is always preceded by a two-verse prokeimenon. These verses are, in most cases, Psalmic sayings that bear relevance to the meaning of the text of the Apostolic reading to follow.