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

GATHLIEK	* Patriarch of Ethiopia. * See "Catholicos."
GHALILOUN	* It's an oil in which is boiled the remainder of Myron oil (Chrism) after clarifying it. It is used in anointing the baptized persons.
GIRDLE	* The girdle is a band of silk or linen embroidered with golden or silver crosses. Its use is nowadays restricted to bishops on certain ceremonial occasions, though in the past, it formed part of the liturgical vestments of priests and bishops alike. It is worn over the epitrachelion around the waist, with its two ends held together by means of a silver clasp. * The girdle stands for the concept of virtue and piety: "Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist and faithfulness the girdle of his loins" (Isa. 11:5). It also symbolizes vigilance and watchfulness: "Let your loins be girdled and your lamps burning" Luke 12:35. It is associated with the leather girdle that St. John the Baptist wore round his waist (Matt. 3:4) and with St. John's vision of Christ "clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast" Rev. 1:13.
GLORIFICATION	* A praise of God through the Virgin Mary, heavenly creatures, martyrs and saints.
GODFATHER (Godparent)	* The person who is responsible before God and the church of the newly baptized. * These responsibilities are most serious in the case of infant baptism, at which the godparents also make the promises of renunciation, faith, and obedience in the child's name. * He (or she) promises to supervise the religious education of the child. * The godfather has to pray on behalf of the baptized person and care for him.
GOOD FRIDAY	* The Friday before Easter; the anniversary of the Crucifixion of Christ. * "Good" because of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord as Saviour of the world.
GRACE	* A divine gift; divine mercy, forgiveness, and assistance freely given by God for man's regeneration, sanctification and glorification. * It is God's Self-giving to man, to enjoy adoption to the Father, the membership of the Body of Christ, and the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in man's soul.
GUARDING ANGEL	* Following baptism, the believer is accompanied by an angel to guard him.

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

GATHLIEK * Patriarch of Ethiopia.
* See "Catholicos."
GHALILOUN * It's an oil in which is boiled the remainder of Myron oil (Chrism) after clarifying it. It is used in anointing the baptized persons.
GIRDLE * The girdle is a band of silk or linen embroidered with golden or silver crosses. Its use is nowadays restricted to bishops on certain ceremonial occasions, though in the past, it formed part of the liturgical vestments of priests and bishops alike. It is worn over the epitrachelion around the waist, with its two ends held together by means of a silver clasp.
* The girdle stands for the concept of virtue and piety: "Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist and faithfulness the girdle of his loins" (Isa. 11:5). It also symbolizes vigilance and watchfulness: "Let your loins be girdled and your lamps burning" Luke 12:35. It is associated with the leather girdle that St. John the Baptist wore round his waist (Matt. 3:4) and with St. John's vision of Christ "clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast" Rev. 1:13.
GLORIFICATION * A praise of God through the Virgin Mary, heavenly creatures, martyrs and saints.
GODFATHER (Godparent) * The person who is responsible before God and the church of the newly baptized.
* These responsibilities are most serious in the case of infant baptism, at which the godparents also make the promises of renunciation, faith, and obedience in the child's name.
* He (or she) promises to supervise the religious education of the child.
* The godfather has to pray on behalf of the baptized person and care for him.
GOOD FRIDAY * The Friday before Easter; the anniversary of the Crucifixion of Christ.
* "Good" because of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord as Saviour of the world.
GRACE * A divine gift; divine mercy, forgiveness, and assistance freely given by God for man's regeneration, sanctification and glorification.
* It is God's Self-giving to man, to enjoy adoption to the Father, the membership of the Body of Christ, and the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in man's soul.
GUARDING ANGEL * Following baptism, the believer is accompanied by an angel to guard him.