Glossary

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

apostles, prophets, and teachers

Greek ἀπόστολος (apostolos, ‘one sent’), προφήτης (prophētēs, ‘one who speaks for God’), διδάσκαλος (didaskalos, ‘teacher’). The three itinerant ministries of the early Christian movement (Didache 11–13). Apostles travel from community to community and may stay no more than two days; prophets speak in the Spirit and may settle and be supported by their host community; teachers transmit the doctrine. The Didache devotes three chapters to discerning genuine prophets from impostors by their conduct — ‘it is by their conduct that the false prophet and the true prophet can be distinguished’ (11:8). By the mid-second century these itinerant offices had largely given way to the settled bishops and deacons of chapter 15.

Occurs in: 1. The Life of St. John the Baptist (1.2.35, 1.2.39, 1.2.48); 20. Sermon on the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity (20.2.21, 20.3.2); 21. How the Church Cares for Her Sheep and Lambs (21.3.4, 21.11.5).

baptism

Greek βάπτισμα (baptisma), from βαπτίζω (baptizō, ‘to dip, immerse’). The sacrament by which a person is incorporated into the Body of Christ through threefold immersion (or, where immersion is impossible, by pouring water three times on the head) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Didache (chapter 7) is the earliest extra-biblical source describing the rite, and the only ancient witness to permit affusion as a substitute for immersion when running cold water is unavailable — a concession that shaped Latin sacramental practice for the next two millennia.

Occurs in: 1. The Life of St. John the Baptist (1.2.12); 4. St. Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Unmercenary Physician (4.3.27); 6. The Life of St. Nina, the Missionary of Georgia (6.12.20); 10. The Life of St. Pelagia (10.2.22, 10.2.29, 10.2.33); 17. Sincere Religion (17.6.3); 21. How the Church Cares for Her Sheep and Lambs (21.2.3).

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: 5. The Life of Saint Nicholas (5.1.30, 5.1.34, 5.1.38); 6. The Life of St. Nina, the Missionary of Georgia (6.12.21); 10. The Life of St. Pelagia (10.2.6, 10.2.11, 10.2.15, 10.2.21, 10.2.25); 11. Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles of the Slavonians (11.5.36, 11.7.22, 11.7.26, 11.7.31, 11.9.9, 11.9.14, 11.11.6, 11.11.14); 12. St. Sabbas, the First Archbishop of the Servians (12.2.11); 14. The Life of St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow (14.9.44, 14.16.6, 14.16.7).

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: 18. Sermon Preached on Orthodox Sunday (18.5.7).

contemplation

Direct apprehension of divine reality, distinguished by the Fathers from rational knowledge (γνῶσις) and conceptual reasoning; the highest degree of prayer in the hesychast tradition.

Occurs in: 17. Sincere Religion (17.6.16).

fasting

Greek νηστεία (nēsteia), from νηστεύω (nēsteuō, ‘to abstain from food’). Voluntary abstinence from food undertaken as spiritual discipline. The Wednesday/Friday weekly fast (attested in the Didache, ch. 8) and the four canonical fasting seasons — Great Lent, the Apostles’ Fast, the Dormition Fast, and the Nativity Fast — together structure the Orthodox liturgical year. Fasting is paired with prayer and almsgiving as the principal ascetic practices.

Occurs in: 3. The Life of St. John the Evangelist (3.3.8); 5. The Life of Saint Nicholas (5.1.31); 10. The Life of St. Pelagia (10.2.33); 11. Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles of the Slavonians (11.7.3).

first-fruits

Greek ἀπαρχή (aparchē), the first portion of produce, livestock, baked goods, wine, oil, and possessions set aside for God; the same term used in the Septuagint for the firstfruits offerings of the Mosaic law (Exod 22:29; Deut 18:4). In the Didache (chapter 13) the firstfruits are given to the itinerant prophets — who ‘are your high priests’ — or to the poor when no prophet is present, transposing the Temple economy directly onto the early Christian community.

Occurs in: 2. St. Mary Magdalene, the Co-Equal With the Apostles (2.6.6).

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: 5. The Life of Saint Nicholas (5.1.59); 18. Sermon Preached on Orthodox Sunday (18.2.13, 18.3.23).

Kingdom of God

The reign of God in the heart and in the age to come; in patristic and ascetic theology, an inner reality cultivated through prayer and ascesis and not merely a future state (cf. Luke 17:20–21).

Occurs in: 20. Sermon on the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity (20.4.15); 21. How the Church Cares for Her Sheep and Lambs (21.8.13).

Lord’s Prayer

The prayer Christ taught his disciples (Matt 6:9–13). The Didache (chapter 8) commands its threefold daily recitation and gives an early form of the doxology — ‘for yours is the power and the glory forever’ — appended to the petitions.

Occurs in: 7. A Sainted Brother’s History of a Sainted Sister (7.1.5).

makrothymia — long-suffering, patience

Divine attribute denoting God’s patience and forbearance toward humanity; a fundamental characteristic of God’s mercy in patristic theology, often paired with philanthropia.

Occurs in: 3. The Life of St. John the Evangelist (3.1.19, 3.2.2); 4. St. Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Unmercenary Physician (4.7.1); 11. Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles of the Slavonians (11.11.2); 13. St. Alexander Nevsky (13.2.48, 13.3.4); 14. The Life of St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow (14.16.11, 14.19.2).

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: 1. The Life of St. John the Baptist (1.2.1); 18. Sermon Preached on Orthodox Sunday (18.2.17).

Sabbath

The seventh day of the week, observed as a day of rest in Jewish tradition. In early Christian literature, often discussed in relation to the Lord’s Day (Sunday) and the distinction between Jewish and Christian practice.

Occurs in: 2. St. Mary Magdalene, the Co-Equal With the Apostles (2.3.6).

Sacraments

The Holy Mysteries of the Church: Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick; channels of grace that unite the believer to Christ and his Body.

Occurs in: 13. St. Alexander Nevsky (13.4.4); 15. Why Orthodox Christians Bring Loaves to the Divine Liturgy (15.4.1); 20. Sermon on the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity (20.4.6).

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: 5. The Life of Saint Nicholas (5.1.56); 7. A Sainted Brother’s History of a Sainted Sister (7.1.1, 7.1.3); 13. St. Alexander Nevsky (13.1.3); 15. Why Orthodox Christians Bring Loaves to the Divine Liturgy (15.4.2, 15.4.11, 15.6.11, 15.6.14, 15.7.3); 17. Sincere Religion (17.5.1); 19. Sermon for the Fifth Sunday After Trinity (19.6.9); 21. How the Church Cares for Her Sheep and Lambs (21.7.5).

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: 1. The Life of St. John the Baptist (1.1.2, 1.2.39); 3. The Life of St. John the Evangelist (3.1.7, 3.1.13); 6. The Life of St. Nina, the Missionary of Georgia (6.4.1).