Search the Dictionary

ving its own head; independent of episcopal or patriarchal jurisdiction, as certain Greek churches.

salutation and prayer to the Virgin Mary, as mother of God; -- used in the Roman Catholic church. To number Ave Maries on his beads. Shak.

hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church. Bacon. Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. Prior.

ed the Eucharist with unleavened bread; -- a name of reproach given by those of the Greek church to the Latins.

A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London. [R.]

Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in church. See Banns (the common spelling in this sense).

Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in a church, or other place prescribed by law, in order that any person may object, if he knows of just cause why the marriage should not take place.

a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.

n early times, a separate building, usually polygonal, used for baptismal services. Small churches were often changed into baptisteries when larger churches were built near.

With head uncovered; bareheaded. When once thy foot enters the church, be bare. Herbert.

A church building of the earlier centuries of Christianity, the plan of which was taken from the basilica of the Romans. The name is still applied to some churches by way of honorary distinction.

, relating to, or resembling, a basilica; basilical. There can be no doubt that the first churches in Constantinople were in the basilican form. Milman.

a military feature, afterwards copied on a smaller scale with decorative features, as for churches.

ield is the world. Matt. xiii. 38. The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev. i. 20.

ior parish officer in England having a variety of duties, as the preservation of order in church service, the chastisement of petty offenders, etc.

The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp., in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and declaring that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," or has attained the second degree of sanctity, -- usually a stage in the process of canonization. "The beatification of his spirit." Jer. Ta…

A bell tower, usually attached to a church or other building, but sometimes separate; a campanile.

That part of an early Christian church which was reserved for the higher clergy; the inner or eastern part of the chancel.

of which begins with this word) which may be used in the order for morning prayer in the Church of England. It is taken from an apocryphal addition to the third chapter of Daniel.

An ecclesiastical living and church preferment, as in the Church of England; a church endowed with a revenue for the maintenance of divine service. See Advowson.