Orthodox Christianese

The four weeks before Christmas, kept as a season of waiting and preparation — for the celebration of Jesus' birth and for His return.

A summary of Christian teaching in question-and-answer form, used to instruct new believers and the young (catechism); and a person being instructed in preparation for baptism (catechumen).

Telling one's sins to a priest and receiving God's forgiveness through him — a sacrament in Catholic and Orthodox practice, also available in Anglican and Lutheran churches.

Set prayers — psalms, scripture readings, and prayers — said at fixed times through the day, in a pattern the church has kept for over 1,500 years.

January 6, the feast marking the arrival of the Magi to worship the infant Jesus — Christ revealed to the nations — and, in the Eastern church, the baptism of Christ. It ends the twelve days of Christmas.

A formal rite of prayer to drive an evil spirit out of a person or place — in the Catholic Church, performed only by a priest with the bishop's permission and after other explanations are ruled out.

A day on the church calendar honoring a saint or an event in the life of Christ or Mary — marked with special readings, sometimes a Mass or Liturgy, and often, despite the name, no feast.

Two physical gestures of reverence — a brief kneel on one knee toward the altar (genuflecting), and the hand motion touching forehead, chest, and shoulders (the sign of the cross).

Two physical elements of liturgical worship: water blessed by a priest, used for blessings and for the sign of the cross on entering a church; and incense burned as a symbol of prayer rising to God.

The week before Easter, walking day by day through Jesus' last days — Palm Sunday (His entry into Jerusalem), Maundy Thursday (the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion), and Holy Saturday — ending at Easter.

A sacred painted image of Christ, Mary, or a saint, made in a traditional style and honored — not worshipped — in Orthodox and some Catholic worship.

A short prayer — "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner" — repeated slowly and continually, central to Orthodox spirituality.

The roughly forty days before Easter, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, kept as a season of repentance, fasting, and preparation — often by giving something up.

A set, repeated order of worship with written prayers, readings, and congregational responses, followed the same way every week.

The Thursday before Easter, remembering the Last Supper — when Jesus washed His disciples' feet, instituted communion, and gave the "new commandment" to love one another. It opens the three holiest days of the year.

A local Catholic, Anglican, or Orthodox church community and, traditionally, the geographic area it serves — everyone living within its boundaries belongs to it.

The moment in a church service when everyone turns and greets the people around them, usually with a handshake and the words "Peace be with you."

Orthodox evening prayer (Vespers), usually Saturday evening, and the main Sunday service (the Divine Liturgy), centered on the Eucharist — long, sung, standing, and ancient. Vespers also names evening prayer in Catholic and Anglican use.