V
From Latin vela: a sail or curtain. In the Church, the veil refers to the solid cloth that covers the chalice and paten at the Eucharist, or the loose-woven netting that is draped over crosses (and sometimes pictures) during Lent and Holy Week.
A form of address for clergy who hold the office of Archdeacon.
From the Latin word, verga, meaning "a rod." An older usage for someone who carries a mace or ceremonial staff in a procession, and comes before some dignitary.
A form of address for clergy who hold the office of dean in a diocese, church or school.
From the Latin word vestis, meaning "garment." Vestments are clothing worn by clergy or people leading a worship service. A monk or nun's clothing is usually named a "habit," and the clothing worn by choir members is usually called a "robe." The clothing worn by some pastors of Protestant denominations and by college professors is usually called a "gown."
Vestments started out as everyday clothing. In the Roman times, the clergyman wore normal street clothes -- a tunic, and perhaps a toga over it. Between the sixth and ninth century, secular fashion began to reflect the occupation of a person. It was possible to tell what one did by what he or she wore. The Church reflected this change by not changing the style of their garments. Vestments, then, came to us as a result of the clergy being "out of style" when it came to fashion.
From the Latin word vestire, meaning to clothe, or to put on. Originally the word referred to the room where the priest would vest. In the early days the local lay leaders would gather with the priest as he vested to discuss the affairs of the parish. Later, the word came to refer to the leaders, instead of the room.
The vestry is the governing board of a local Anglican parish consisting of the rector, the wardens, and lay members. In many parishes, the rectors, wardens and the treasurer form an executive committee, and will often meet separately from the whole vestry between vestry meetings.
Unlike some denominations, the Anglican Church uses a representative form of government, instead of a pure democracy. The vestry is the group elected by the individual members to make the basic decisions about the church budget, and manage the temporal affairs of the parish.
A Latin phrase which means "by the way of the middle." Many would say that the adherence to the middle way in all matters is one of the major identifying characteristics of classical Anglicanism. This term came into in the time of Elizabeth I, yet does not always mean the same thing today as it originally did.
From the Latin word vicarius, meaning "a substitute." An English term referring to a priest in charge of a mission. Technically, the diocesan bishop is the rector of all diocesan missions, and vicars are appointed to their mission by the local diocesan bishop to represent him or her. The term "Vicar" is still the terminology used today to describe an English priest in who is charge of a congregation.
Originally, a vigil was a Fast Day observed on the day before certain major Feast Days. For example, the ancient liturgy called the Great Vigil of Easter became a way to celebrate Easter on Holy Saturday.
See: Even
An official appearance by a diocesan bishop, usually to a parish or mission.
A candle placed in a church or chapel in some "higher" Anglican Churches. Votive candles are usually small, short candles in a special glass holder used for devotional and prayer purposes.
