Glossary

Theological and spiritual terms used in this book, with short definitions and back-links to every occurrence.

apostolic tradition

The teaching and practice handed down from the apostles, preserved and transmitted in the Church. This concept is foundational to Orthodox ecclesiology, emphasizing continuity with apostolic faith and practice.

Occurs in: 2. Concerning the Veneration of the Faithful for the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, and That it is an Apostolic Tradition to Mark Oneself With the Sign of the Cross and to Depict and Inscribe it Everywhere (2.2.1).

bishops and deacons

Greek ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos, ‘overseer’) and διάκονος (diakonos, ‘minister, servant’). The two settled, local offices of the early Church, attested already in the Pauline epistles (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3) and in the Apostolic Fathers (Didache 15; Ignatius, To the Smyrnaeans 8); the bishop presides over the eucharistic assembly while the deacons assist in its celebration and in service to the community. In Orthodox ecclesiology these offices, together with the presbyterate, constitute the threefold apostolic ministry transmitted by the laying-on of hands.

Occurs in: 9. Letter of Constantine the Great to Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem, Concerning the Building of the Divine Temple (9.6.4); 14. Concerning the Feast of the Finding and the Exaltation of the Precious Cross (14.7.6).

confession of sins

The act of acknowledging and confessing one’s transgressions before God and the community, required as preparation for worthy participation in the Eucharist so that the sacrifice may be pure.

Occurs in: 19. Why We Should Honor the Precious Cross (Continued): Second (19.4.2).

disobedience

The act of disobedience to God’s command, particularly referring to the Fall of Adam and Eve; contrasted with obedience (ὑπακοή) and central to patristic discussions of sin and redemption.

Occurs in: 20. From the Homilies of Our Father Among the Saints Gregory, Archbishop of Thessalonica, Palamas (20.1.7, 20.1.9).

doxology

A short formula of praise glorifying God, typically appended to a prayer. The early Christian doxological formula ‘for yours is the power and the glory forever’ is attached to the Lord’s Prayer in the Didache (8:2) and to the post-Eucharistic thanksgiving (10:5); the trinitarian doxology ‘Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit’ became the standard ending of psalmody and prayer in the Byzantine liturgical tradition.

Occurs in: 15. The Procession of the Precious Cross (15.1.2).

Eucharist

Greek εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), ‘thanksgiving’. The central sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; the apostolic-era extra-biblical writings (Didache 9–10; Ignatius, Eph. 20:2 — ‘medicine of immortality’) already use the word both for the rite itself and for the consecrated elements. In patristic and Orthodox theology the Eucharist is the fullest participation in Christ, in which the Church becomes what she is.

Occurs in: 4. Testimonies From Sacred Tradition (4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3).

Gospels

The four canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) that proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The ‘faith of the Gospels’ refers to the apostolic witness to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

Occurs in: 9. Letter of Constantine the Great to Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem, Concerning the Building of the Divine Temple (9.6.17).

Lord’s Day

Greek Κυριακή (kyriakē), short for Κυριακὴ ἡμέρα (‘the Lord’s day’). Sunday, the weekly memorial of Christ’s resurrection and the day on which Christians gather for the Eucharist (Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10; Didache 14:1). The Lord’s Day is the earliest organising rhythm of Christian time, displacing the Jewish sabbath as the day of the assembly already in the apostolic period.

Occurs in: 14. Concerning the Feast of the Finding and the Exaltation of the Precious Cross (14.2.3).

mysteries

The hidden divine realities or secrets of creation and salvation. In this context, refers to the cosmic mysteries faithfully kept by the elements of creation under God’s governance.

Occurs in: 4. Testimonies From Sacred Tradition (4.2.4).

parousia

Greek παρουσία (parousia), ‘arrival, presence’. In secular Greek the word for the official arrival of a king or magistrate; in the New Testament and patristic literature it is the technical term for the Second Coming of Christ in glory at the end of the age (Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:4).

Occurs in: 6. Concerning the Statue of Constantine Holding a Cross and the Inscription, Chapter 40 (6.5.1); 20. From the Homilies of Our Father Among the Saints Gregory, Archbishop of Thessalonica, Palamas (20.1.3, 20.1.5).

Prophets

The Old Testament prophets who spoke God’s word and foretold the coming of Christ. In patristic theology, the ‘grace of the prophets’ refers to their divinely inspired proclamation and their role in salvation history.

Occurs in: 9. Letter of Constantine the Great to Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem, Concerning the Building of the Divine Temple (9.6.31).

saints

The holy ones, the sanctified members of the Church. In early Christian usage, refers to all baptized believers who are set apart for God and participate in His holiness.

Occurs in: 17. Concerning the Power of the Precious Cross (17.3.5).

virgin

In patristic literature, often refers to the Virgin Mary or to the state of virginity as a spiritual ideal. In this context, contrasted with Eve’s corruption, likely alluding to Mary as the New Eve who is ‘believed’ or ‘trusted.’

Occurs in: 19. Why We Should Honor the Precious Cross (Continued): Second (19.4.1).