Barnabas the Apostle
A missionary who traveled with Paul and founded the church in Cyprus, where tradition holds he was martyred in 61. Feast day: June 11.
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Glossary
An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church
Glossary definitions adapted from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, edited by Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY.
Bartholomew the Apostle
One of the 12 apostles, also known as Nathanael, believed to have been martyred by being flayed alive. Feast day: Aug. 24.
Basil of Caesarea
A fourth-century Cappadocian monastic and bishop, and one of the earliest theologians to insist on the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Feast day: June 14.
BCP
See Book of Common Prayer.
Becket, Thomas
A 12th-century archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. Tradition holds he was murdered after King Henry II said, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Feast day: Dec. 29.
Bede
An eighth-century English monk, priest, theologian, and historian, who wrote the seminal “Ecclesiastical History of the English people.” Also known as Bede the Venerable. Feast day: May 25.
Benedict of Nursia
A sixth-century Italian monastic and author of the Rule of Benedict, the foundation for Benedictine spirituality. Feast day: July 11.
Benedictine Spirituality
A guide for monastic living based on the Rule of St. Benedict, emphasizing a balanced rhythm of contemplative and communal prayer alongside work that benefits the community.
Benediction
A blessing pronounced by a bishop or priest at the conclusion of a worship service.
Berkeley Divinity School
An Episcopal seminary within Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1854 and became a full partner with Yale in 1971.