Glossary of Terms
Institution, Words of
See Institution Narrative.
Insufflation
Ancient liturgical practice of “blowing in” the Holy Spirit to the mouth of the candidate for baptism by the celebrant. It was preparatory to the baptism itself. The term is […]
Intention
Conscious or willful purpose to do something. One's intention is freely chosen and not forced. In terms of moral theology, intention is associated with moral responsibility for an action. For […]
Inter/Met
The term stands for Inter-faith Metropolitan Theological Education, Inc. This experiment in theological education was conceived by John Caldwell Fletcher, an Episcopal priest and associate professor of church and society […]
Intercession
Prayer for another or others. Intercession “brings before God the needs of others” (BCP, p. 857). Intercession is one of the seven principal kinds of prayer (BCP, p. 856). An […]
Intercessor
One who prays on behalf of another or others. An intercessor is one who prays an intercessory prayer. The term may indicate one who leads the prayers of the people, […]
Interim Bodies
A term of convenience used to described the committees, commissions, boards, and agencies of the General Convention. It is not a canonically defined term. If a group was created by […]
Interment
Burial, the placing of the body of a deceased person in a grave. From the Latin, meaning “in earth” or “in the ground,” the verb form of this term is […]
Intinction
Administration of the consecrated bread and wine of the eucharist at the same time, typically by dipping the bread in the wine and placing the moistened host in the mouth. […]
Intone
Reciting or chanting to begin a psalm, antiphon, canticle, or hymn. The intonation is done by a cantor who sets the pitch and leads the singing, which is often unaccompanied […]
Introit
A hymn, psalm, or anthem that is sung as the ministers enter to begin the eucharist. The term is from Latin, “to go in” or “enter.” The use of an […]
Investiture Struggle
Controversy in the latter part of the eleventh century and the early decades of the twelfth century between spiritual and temporal authorities over the installation of bishops. Feudal practice allowed […]
Invitatory
See Invitatory Psalm.
Invitatory Antiphon
See Invitatory Psalm.
Invitatory Psalm
The Venite (Ps 95:1-7), or the entire Ps 95, or the Jubilate (Ps 100), which precedes the appointed selection of Psalmody at Morning Prayer (BCP, pp. 82-83). The Rule of […]
Invocation
Among Anglicans the term “invocation” may refer to the epiclesis of the eucharistic rites, in which the presence of the Holy Spirit is invoked at the eucharist to bless and […]
Iowa, Diocese of
The primary convention of this diocese was held Aug. 17-18, 1853, at Trinity Church, Muscatine. The diocese has been in existence since then. On June 18, 1873, Grace Church Cathedral, […]
Irenaeus
(c. 130-c. 202). Bishop and patristic theologian. He was probably from Smyrna in Asia Minor. When Pothinus, the Bishop of Lyons in Gaul died in 177, Irenaeus was chosen to […]
Ives, Levi Silliman
(Sept. 16, 1797-Oct. 13, 1867). Bishop of North Carolina and convert to Roman Catholicism. He was born in Meriden, Connecticut. In 1816 Ives entered Hamilton College to prepare for the […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.