Coptic Centre, UK


The Official Website of the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre, United Kingdom Under the care of H.G. Bishop Angaelos

By Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malty

BALDACHIN	* An Italian term for the canopy or dome erected above the altar. It may be made of stone, metal, or wood.
BANNERS	* Banners embroidered with crosses and pictures of the Lord or the saints, which are carried in church processions.
BAPTISM	* A ceremonial rite instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and regeneration by water and the Holy Spirit. In baptism one is admitted into the fellowship of the church, becomes one of her well-known members, and becomes a child of God. * Baptism is regarded as the first and principal sacrament, without which none of the other sacraments can be administered. Its primary importance is manifested in the words of Jesus Christ: "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" John 3:5.
BAPTISMAL FONT	* It is oftenly found in a special room, at the north-west of the Church's nave. * During baptismal rites the priest recites certain prayers to sanctify the water and the baptized person. * The baptized person (or his godfather) renounces Satan, i.e. rejects him, declaring his faith in God, Church and resurrection of the dead. * The baptized person is immersed in water three times, in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, signifying that he is buried with the Lord for three days. * Receptacle for baptismal water, normally made of stone, more rarely of metal. From early times, baptism is by immersion. It was a large basin below ground-level in which the neophyte stood within the water.
BAPTISTERY	* The place where the baptismal font is located. * Egyptian baptisteries are usually square shaped or rectangular. As it is an integral part of the church, it is completely subordinated to the shape of the building. * See "Baptismal Font,"
BASIN AND EWER	* A basin and ewer are usually placed on a low wooden stand at the northern side of the altar.They are used to wash the priest's hands during the divine Liturgy.
BATHING CEREMONY	* This prayer is held on the eighth day of the child's birth, by which we thank God for His gift.
BELFRY (CHURCH-TOWER)	* It is the tower that holds a church's bell. * On top of it is a cross, symbolizing the church. * It signifies that the church is the world's light.
BELIEVERS LITURGY	* Following the first part of the liturgy, i.e that of the catechumens, church's gates were closed (in the early ages). Only believers were allowed to stay behind to participate together in hymning, praying and receiving Holy Communion.
BELL	* Church Bell rings with a joyous tone at the start of Eucharist (Mass), during Holy Communion, on feasts and on receiving a bishop. * It rings with a sad tone in the Holy Week, and in funeral services.
BENEDICTIOIN	* The blessing given to the congregation in God's name pronounced by a clergyman at the end of a service.
BETHLEHEM	So do we call the room where the holy bread (Oblation) is baked, out of these loaves the lamb is picked out (chosen). * This name reminds us of the village where our Lord Jesus Christ was born (Matt. 2:1).
BETROTHAL	A mutual contract for a future marriage, blessed by the Holy Trinity.
BISHUP (Episkopos)	* (Greek for "overseer"). The duties peculiar to the office of a bishop are to preside over his diocese as the spiritual father, ordain priests and deacons, administer Chrism, consecrate church buildings, participate in ordaining bishops and in making the Chrism (Myron) . * Bishops are successors to the apostles and, from the historical point of view, the episkopate is an extention of the apostolate. .
BISHOP'S THRONE (Synthrone)	* In the early ages the throne was put in the middle of the "tribune" inside the sanctuary. Nowadays the bishop's throne is put in the chancel.
BLESSING OF THE WATER	* A special prayer on water at the Epiphany, Holy Thursday and the Apostles feast. A special mandatum tank is used.
BOWING	* An expression of reverence to God in the doxology (gloria), before the sanctuary, besides in public and private worship. * The bodily posture appropriate for prayer, signifying humility and reverence. * In keeling down before God we debase ourselves asking His mercy and the forgiveness of our sins. * Abraham bowed to the Hittites (Gen 23:7) as a sign of his gratitude to them. Jacob too bowed to Esau (Gen. 33:3) to absorb his brother's anger and intentions to take revenge.
"BOWING" RITUAL (3 kneelings)	* Special prayers are recited while the whole church are kneeling on the day of the Pentecost, in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit.
BRONZE SERPENT	* In the presence of the bishop a golden serpent is held behind the altar, referring to the Cross. * See "Pastoral staff."

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W

BALDACHIN * An Italian term for the canopy or dome erected above the altar. It may be made of stone, metal, or wood.
BANNERS * Banners embroidered with crosses and pictures of the Lord or the saints, which are carried in church processions.
BAPTISM * A ceremonial rite instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and regeneration by water and the Holy Spirit. In baptism one is admitted into the fellowship of the church, becomes one of her well-known members, and becomes a child of God.
* Baptism is regarded as the first and principal sacrament, without which none of the other sacraments can be administered. Its primary importance is manifested in the words of Jesus Christ: "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" John 3:5.
BAPTISMAL FONT * It is oftenly found in a special room, at the north-west of the Church's nave.
* During baptismal rites the priest recites certain prayers to sanctify the water and the baptized person.
* The baptized person (or his godfather) renounces Satan, i.e. rejects him, declaring his faith in God, Church and resurrection of the dead.
* The baptized person is immersed in water three times, in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, signifying that he is buried with the Lord for three days.
* Receptacle for baptismal water, normally made of stone, more rarely of metal. From early times, baptism is by immersion. It was a large basin below ground-level in which the neophyte stood within the water.
BAPTISTERY * The place where the baptismal font is located.
* Egyptian baptisteries are usually square shaped or rectangular. As it is an integral part of the church, it is completely subordinated to the shape of the building.
* See "Baptismal Font,"
BASIN AND EWER * A basin and ewer are usually placed on a low wooden stand at the northern side of the altar.They are used to wash the priest's hands during the divine Liturgy.
BATHING CEREMONY * This prayer is held on the eighth day of the child's birth, by which we thank God for His gift.
BELFRY (CHURCH-TOWER) * It is the tower that holds a church's bell. * On top of it is a cross, symbolizing the church.
* It signifies that the church is the world's light.
BELIEVERS LITURGY * Following the first part of the liturgy, i.e that of the catechumens, church's gates were closed (in the early ages). Only believers were allowed to stay behind to participate together in hymning, praying and receiving Holy Communion.
BELL * Church Bell rings with a joyous tone at the start of Eucharist (Mass), during Holy Communion, on feasts and on receiving a bishop.
* It rings with a sad tone in the Holy Week, and in funeral services.
BENEDICTIOIN * The blessing given to the congregation in God's name pronounced by a clergyman at the end of a service.
BETHLEHEM So do we call the room where the holy bread (Oblation) is baked, out of these loaves the lamb is picked out (chosen).
* This name reminds us of the village where our Lord Jesus Christ was born (Matt. 2:1).
BETROTHAL A mutual contract for a future marriage, blessed by the Holy Trinity.
BISHUP (Episkopos) * (Greek for "overseer"). The duties peculiar to the office of a bishop are to preside over his diocese as the spiritual father, ordain priests and deacons, administer Chrism, consecrate church buildings, participate in ordaining bishops and in making the Chrism (Myron)
. * Bishops are successors to the apostles and, from the historical point of view, the episkopate is an extention of the apostolate. .
BISHOP'S THRONE (Synthrone) * In the early ages the throne was put in the middle of the "tribune" inside the sanctuary.
Nowadays the bishop's throne is put in the chancel.
BLESSING OF THE WATER * A special prayer on water at the Epiphany, Holy Thursday and the Apostles feast. A special mandatum tank is used.
BOWING * An expression of reverence to God in the doxology (gloria), before the sanctuary, besides in public and private worship.
* The bodily posture appropriate for prayer, signifying humility and reverence.
* In keeling down before God we debase ourselves asking His mercy and the forgiveness of our sins.
* Abraham bowed to the Hittites (Gen 23:7) as a sign of his gratitude to them. Jacob too bowed to Esau (Gen. 33:3) to absorb his brother's anger and intentions to take revenge.
"BOWING" RITUAL (3 kneelings) * Special prayers are recited while the whole church are kneeling on the day of the Pentecost, in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit.
BRONZE SERPENT * In the presence of the bishop a golden serpent is held behind the altar, referring to the Cross.
* See "Pastoral staff."