Glossary

The first Native American ordained in The Episcopal Church. An Ojibwe ordained deacon in 1859, his name means “He that prays for his people while standing.” Feast day: June 12.

A fourth-century Syrian theologian, author, and prolific hymn writer. Feast day: June 10.

Jan. 6, after the 12 Days of Christmas, commemorating the arrival of the Magi bearing gifts for the Christ child.

A season of four to nine weeks, from the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6 through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The Gospel readings during this time emphasize the divinity of Jesus.

Colloquially known as the Red Book, a reference book published annually by Church Publishing Incorporated containing current statistical, organizational, and contact information for The Episcopal Church.

The headquarters for The Episcopal Church, located in New York City, including the executive office of the presiding bishop. Referred to colloquially as “815” because of its address on Second Avenue.

The 1967 General Convention adopted “The Episcopal Church” as an approved alternate for the official name, which remains “The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.” The acronym “TEC” refers to this name of the church.

Formerly located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after the merger of Episcopal Theological School and Philadelphia Divinity School in 1974. No longer a residential or degree-granting seminary, EDS transitioned in 2023 to providing theological education, justice formation, and leadership development through partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

A bishop’s official pastoral visit to a congregation of the diocese, mandated by the Canons to occur at least once every three years.

The episcopate refers to the office of bishop in general or to all those serving as bishops as a whole. A person’s tenure as a bishop is known as an episcopacy.