Glossary of Terms

Dort, Synod of

Assembly of the Dutch Reformed Church convened at Dordrecht, near Rotterdam, from Nov. 1618 to May 1619, to deal with the Arminian Controversy. The Arminians (Remonstrants) opposed the Calvinist doctrine of absolute predestination. The synod was strongly biased in favor of the strict Calvinist position from the beginning. The Arminians were treated as defendants on […]

Dossal

A large cloth or piece of fabric that is hung on the wall behind the altar. Its color may match the liturgical color of the day, and it may be decorated with religious symbols.

Double Procession

See Processions (Trinitarian).

Douglas, Charles Winfred

(Feb. 15, 1867-Jan. 18, 1944). Church musician and editor. He was born in Oswego, New York, and received his Bachelor in Music degree from Syracuse University in 1891. He also studied at St. Andrew's Divinity School, Syracuse; Matthew's Hall, Denver; and in England, France, and Germany, particularly with the Benedictines of Solesmes. He was ordained […]

Doxology

Words of glory (from the Greek doxa logos) or praise to God, usually in a trinitarian form. Christian tradition contains three main forms of doxology: 1) the Greater Doxology, the hymn “Glory to God in the highest,” originally sung at Morning Prayer in the eastern church and now, in the west, used in the entrance […]

Dozier, Verna J.

(1917-2006). Leading African American female lay theologian. She was born in Washington, D.C. Dozier received her B.A. and M.A. from Howard University. She taught English in the Washington public schools for more than thirty years, and from 1968 until 1972, was the curriculum specialist for the Urban Teachers Corps. From 1972 until 1975, when she […]

Drake, Sir Francis

(c. 1540-Jan. 28, 1596). Celebrated navigator. He was born near Tavistock, Devonshire, England. He probably anchored at San Francisco Bay on June 17, 1579. On June 21, 1579, Francis Fletcher, Drake's chaplain, celebrated the eucharist at Drake's Bay, near San Francisco, for the crew of the Pelican. This may have been the first BCP service […]

Dublin Agreed Statement

A statement issued in Aug. 1984 by the Anglican-Orthodox Joint Doctrinal Commission after the Episcopal Church began to ordain women to the priesthood. The Orthodox opposed the ordination of women, and there was considerable concern about the future of the consultation before the meeting. General agreement was noted in eucharistic doctrine, but differences in the […]

duBois, Albert Julius

(June 9, 1906-June 6, 1980). Influential opponent of the ordination of women and a leader of splinter groups. He was born in Neenah, Wisconsin. DuBois received his B.A. from Lawrence College in 1928 and his S.T.B. from the General Theological Seminary in 1931. He was ordained deacon on Apr. 12, 1931, and priest on Nov. […]

DuBose Memorial Church Training School, Monteagle, Tennessee

This school was one of the recognized theological seminaries of the Episcopal Church. It operated from Sept. 21, 1921, until Aug. 1944. It was founded by the Rev. William Sterling Claiborne (1877-1933) to train men for ordained ministry in rural areas. It was named in honor of William Porcher DuBose, late dean and professor at […]

DuBose, William Porcher

(Apr. 11, 1836-Aug. 18, 1918). Theologian and educator. He was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina. He graduated from The Citadel in 1855, and received his M.A. from the University of Virginia in 1859. His study for the ordained ministry at the Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina at […]

Dudley, Helena Stuart

(Aug. 31, 1858-Sept. 29, 1932). Peace and labor activist. She was born in Nebraska, probably in Florence. Dudley graduated with the first class of Bryn Mawr College in 1889. She was acquainted with the founders of the settlement house movement. She participated in the establishment of the College Settlements Association in 1890. She became head […]

Dulia

A term used in medieval theology to distinguish the reverence which may legitimately be paid to the saints from the worship (latria) which is paid only to God. Since both words can be translated as worship in English and most other languages, the distinction was important in the controversies concerning the veneration of saints, icons, […]

Duluth, Diocese of

The General Convention of 1895 voted to divide the Diocese of Minnesota and created the Missionary Diocese of Duluth. It consisted of the following counties: Aitken, Becker, Beltram, Benson, Big Stone, Carlton, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hahnomen, Hubbard, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, […]

Dun, Angus

(May 4, 1892-Aug. 12, 1971). Bishop and leading ecumenist. He was born in New York City. Dun received his B.A. from Yale University in 1914 and his B.D. from the Episcopal Theological School in 1917. He was ordained deacon on May 17, 1917, and priest on Nov. 20, 1917. Dun was vicar of St. Andrew's […]

Dunstan

(c. 909-May 19, 988). Monk, statesman, educator, Benedictine monastic reformer, and Archbishop of Canterbury. In 943 he became the Abbot of Glastonbury. He made Glastonbury famous for its asceticism and scholarship. In 957 he became the Bishop of Worcester. In 959 he became Bishop of London. That same year King Edgar of Mercia and Northumbria […]

Dyer, Herman

(Sept. 24, 1810-July 29, 1900). Nineteenth-century leader of the evangelical party. He was born in Shaftesbury, Vermont. Dyer graduated from Kenyon College in 1833 and studied at Bexley Hall. He was ordained deacon on Sept. 7, 1834, and priest on Sept. 11, 1836. Dyer taught school for a while. In 1840 he became a professor […]

Dykman, Jackson Annan

(July 11, 1887-Feb. 7, 1983). Canon lawyer. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. Dykman received his B.A. from Yale University in 1909, and his LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1912. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1913. Dykman was chancellor of the Diocese of Long Island, 1925-1952, and a member […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms