Church Definition, Prefix, Suffix, Ologies and Isms, Church Information and Meaning
See also CHRISTIANITY; RELIGION
- collegialism
- the belief that the church as an organization is independent of and equal to the state, with its highest authority lying in its collective membership.
- diaconate
- the rank or office of a deacon.
- ecclesiarch
- Eastern Church. sacristan.
- ecclesiasticism
- an excessive adherence to the doctrines and practices of the church. —ecclesiastic, n., adj. —ecclesiastical, adj.
- ecclesioclasticism
- Rare. an opposition to the church.
- ecclesiography
- a descriptive study of the church. —ecclesiographer, n. —ecclesiographic, ecclesiographical, adj.
- ecclesiolatry
- an intense devotion to church forms, authority, and traditions.
- ecclesiology
- 1. the study of church building and decoration.
- 2. Theology. the doctrine of the church.
- 3. the policy and operations of the church. —ecclesiologist, n. —ecclesiologic, ecclesiological, adj.
- ecclesiophobia
- an abnormal fear or dislike of the church.
- festilogy
- a dissertation on church festivals.
- hieromania
- a mania for priests.
- lectionary
- a list of the lections, or texts, to be read in church services through-out the canonical year.
- nonage
- formerly, a ninth part of a parishioner’s movable property, which was claimed upon his death by the clergy in England. See also LAW.
- precentor
- a person who leads a church choir or congregation in singing.
- sacrist, sacristan
- an official or cleric appointed curator of the vestments, sacred vessels, and relies of a religious body, church, or cathedral.
- simonism, simony
- the sin or offense of selling or granting for personal advantage church appointments, benefices, preferments, etc. —simoniac, simonist, n.
- spoliation
- Church Law. the taking of property by an incumbent upon resignation or any other departure. See also SHIPS; THEFT; WAR.