Glossary of Terms
Habit
The garment worn by members of classical religious communities. It derives from various forms of male or female dress in the middle ages. Later communities adopted a variant of the […]
Hagiography
The writing of the lives of the saints. It involves studying and comparing the sources, assessing their historical validity and importance, and relating them to their context in contemporary secular […]
Hail Mary
Prayer addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first two of its three parts are drawn from the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary at the Annunciation, “Hail, O […]
Haiti, Diocese of
On Nov. 3, 1874, the House of Bishops gave its consent to the consecration of James Theodore Holly as Bishop of Haiti and signed a covenant with the Protestant Episcopal […]
Hakluyt, Richard
(c. 1552-Nov. 23, 1616). Priest who developed the theoretical rationale for British colonization of America. He was born in Herefordshire, England. Hakluyt received his B.A. in 1574, and his M.A. […]
Hale, Sarah Josepha
(Oct. 24, 1788-Apr. 30, 1879). Editor, poet, and advocate for social justice. She was born in Newport, New Hampshire. In 1813 she married a lawyer, David Hale, and they had […]
Hall, Arthur Crawshay Alliston
(Apr. 12, 1847-Feb. 26, 1930). Leader of Anglo-catholicism, committed ecumenist, and author of twenty books, including The Virgin Mother (1894) and The Doctrine of the Church(1909). He was born in […]
Hall, Francis Joseph
(Dec. 24, 1857-Mar. 12, 1932). Called the “most notable of Anglo-Catholic theologians” in the Episcopal Church, he was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. Hall received his B.A. in 1882 and his […]
Hallelujah
Ancient Hebrew praise-shout. It means “Praise Yah,” which is a shortened form of the word “Yahweh.” It is translated into Latin as “Alleluia,” and translated into English as “Praise the […]
Halloween
See All Hallows' Eve.
Hankow, Missionary District of
The General Convention of 1901 voted to divide China into the Missionary District of Shanghai and the Missionary District of Hankow. On Oct. 11, 1910, the House of Bishops voted […]
Hannington, James
(Sept. 3, 1847-Oct. 29, 1885). Missionary bishop and martyr. He was born in Hurstpierpoint, England. Hannington received his B.A. in 1873 and his M.A. in 1875, both from St. Mary's […]
Hanson, Francis R.
(Mar. 27, 1807-Oct. 21, 1873). One of the first two Episcopal missionaries to China. He was born in Durham, Charles County, Maryland. Hanson graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary in […]
Happening
A renewal weekend for youth in high school. In some places, early college youth and/or adults who work with youth may attend. It was created in the Diocese of Dallas […]
Hardy, Edward Rochie
(June 17, 1908-May 26, 1981). Church historian. He was born in New York City. Hardy received his B.A. in 1923, his M.A. in 1924, and his Ph.D. in 1931, all […]
Hare, William Hobart
(May 16, 1838-Oct. 23, 1909). Bishop and missionary to American Indians. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey. Hare studied at the University of Pennsylvania but never graduated. He studied […]
Harris, Barbara Clementine
(b. June 12, 1930). First female bishop in the Anglican Communion. She was born in Philadelphia. Harris studied at the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism at Villanova […]
Harrisburg, Diocese of
The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania was named the Diocese of Harrisburg from Nov. 29, 1904, until Apr. 30, 1971.
Harrowing of Hell
The medieval English term for Christ's descent to hell and victory over Satan. Christ's descent to hell or the place of the dead after his death on the cross is […]
Hart, Samuel
(June 4, 1845-Feb. 25, 1917). Secretary of the House of Bishops and dean of the Berkeley Divinity School. He was born in Saybrook, Connecticut. Hart received his B.A. from Trinity […]
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.