Glossary of Terms

Penance

In the sacramental rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent, penance is a task assigned by the priest to the person who has confessed his or her sins. It is something to be said or done as a sign of penitence and an act of thanksgiving for God's forgiveness (BCP, p. 446). The penitent may be […]

Penitence

Prayer in which we confess our sins and make restitution where possible, with the intention to amend our lives (BCP, p. 857). The Prayer Book Catechism identifies penitence as one of the seven principal kinds of prayer (p. 856). In the sacramental rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent, those who repent of their sins may […]

Penitent

A person seeking the church's ministry of reconciliation by making a confession to a confessor. The Reconciliation of a Penitent is one of the sacramental rites of the Episcopal Church (BCP, p. 860). Through reconciliation, penitents are restored to full fellowship in the Christian community and may receive “the assurance of pardon and the grace […]

Penitential Order

The eucharist may begin with a penitential order (BCP, pp. 319-321, 351-353). The Penitential Order includes an acclamation and the confession of sin and absolution. It may also include the decalogue, and one or more appropriate sentences of scripture. These sentences of scripture include the Summary of the Law, Mt 22:37-40 or Mark 12:29-31; 1 […]

Penitential Psalms

In the Christian liturgical tradition seven psalms have been singled out as penitential psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143. They express human penitence for sin before God and are particularly appropriate for the penitential season of Lent. For example, Ps 51 begins “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in […]

Penitentials (Penitential Books)

Manuals or guides for confessors, including prayers, lists of questions to be asked by the confessor, and penances to be assigned for various sins. The practice of private penance, or reconciliation of a penitent, began in the Celtic Church and later spread through Europe with the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon missions. Penitentials for use by confessors […]

Penniman, Charles Frederic

(July 14, 1893-Aug. 16, 1963). Priest and educator. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina, and studied at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Harvard University. He received his Master in Engineering from Lehigh University in 1914 and his B.D. from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1924. Penniman was ordained deacon on June 6, 1924, and priest […]

Pennington, Edgar Legare

(Jan. 15, 1891-Dec. 10, 1951). Historian of the Episcopal Church. He was born in Madison, Georgia. Pennington received his B.A. in 1911 and his LL.B. in 1914, both from the University of Georgia. He was an ensign in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He gave up the practice of law for the ordained […]

Pennsylvania, Diocese of

Organized at Christ Church, Philadelphia, on May 24, 1784, the diocese was divided in 1865 and again in 1871. The Diocese of Pennsylvania includes the following counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia. On Jan. 1, 1992, the Church of the Saviour, Philadelphia, was designated the Cathedral Church of the Saviour.

Pentateuch

The biblical books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The term is from the Greek for “five” and “book.” The Pentateuch is traditionally called the Five Books of Moses. The Hebrew term Torah is also used to indicate the Pentateuch. It recounts the history of ancient Israel from Creation to the death of Moses […]

Pentecost

The term means “the fiftieth day.” It is used in both the OT and the NT. In the OT it refers to a feast of seven weeks known as the Feast of Weeks. It was apparently an agricultural event that focused on the harvesting of first fruits. Josephus referred to Pentecost as the fiftieth day […]

Pentecost (Season)

The season after Pentecost, according to the calendar of the church year (BCP, p. 32). It begins on the Monday following Pentecost, and continues through most of the summer and autumn. It may include as many as twenty-eight Sundays, depending on the date of Easter. This includes Trinity Sunday which is the First Sunday after […]

Pentecostalism

The term refers to a wide variety of churches and movements that claim to re-experience the spiritual gifts associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, most notably the gift of tongues (see Acts 2:1-11). The experience is usually referred to as “Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” Although instances of these gifts recur […]

Per Saltum (Ordination)

See Direct Ordination.

Perichoresis

This term means interpenetration and mutual indwelling of the three Persons of the Trinity. This understanding maintains the distinction and unity of the divine Persons. It avoids the trinitarian heresies of modalism and tritheism. See Trinity.

Pericope

This Greek word used by scripture scholars refers to a certain portion of a text. The word literally means “cut around.” A pericope is a section of text that, if removed from the writing, could be recognized as a tradition that could stand on its own. It may have circulated orally before it was included […]

Perkins, Frances

(Apr. 10, 1880-May 14, 1965). First woman cabinet member in the United States. She was born Fannie Coralie Perkins in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her B.A. at Mount Holyoke College in 1902. While a student at Mount Holyoke College, Perkins heard a speaker vividly describe the nation's growing urban and industrial problems. She was deeply […]

Perpetua and her Companions

(d. c. 202). Catechumen and martyr. Perpetua and her companions Felicitas, Revocatus, Saturninus, Secundulus, and Saturus were Christians imprisoned in Carthage under Emperor Septimius Severus. All of them may have been catechumens. Some accounts indicate that Saturus was their catechist or a priest. Felicitas and Revocatus were slaves. Perpetua was a young woman, about twenty-two, […]

Perquisite, Perquisites

Payment or benefits in addition to a regular salary. They are known informally as “perks.” The term may be applied to benefits in the compensation package for a member of the clergy or other paid members of the church staff, including provided housing or a housing allowance, life and health insurance, retirement benefits, travel or […]

Perry, James DeWolf

(Oct. 3, 1871-Mar. 20, 1947). Eighteenth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Perry received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1891 and then received another B.A. from Harvard University in 1892. He received his B.D. from the Episcopal Theological School in 1895. Perry was ordained deacon on […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms