clergyman
Man of cloth
A clergyman is an ordained religious leader—a priest, minister, rabbi, or imam.
The term applies across faiths but sounds somewhat dated; clergy or member of the clergy now serves where clergyman once did.
The clergyman performed the wedding ceremony.
One who performs sacraments
- pastorChristian congregation leader
- ministerReligious leader or serve
- vicarClergy substitute for bishop
- rectorParish clergy chief
chaplain · bishop · archbishop · cardinal · deacon · reverend · parson · curate
Study of the divine
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- scriptureSacred religious writings
hermeneutics · exegesis · orthodoxy · ecclesiology · eschatology · homiletics · catechism · apologetics
Formal worship structure
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- altarSacred ritual table
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
chalice · communion · baptism · mass · ordination · matins · vespers · lectionary
Ceremony presider
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- chapelSmall worship room
marriage · nuptials · homily · pronouncement · banns · premarital counseling · altar · congregation
Sincere religious devotion
- prayerAddress to deity
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
godliness · fervor · dedication · ministry · service · vocation · calling · ordination
Professional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- adviceGuidance on decisions
- directionWay something faces
leadership · support · shepherding · stewardship · discipleship · confession · absolution · spiritual direction
priest
One who performs sacraments
- pastorChristian congregation leader
- ministerReligious leader or serve
- vicarClergy substitute for bishop
rector · chaplain · bishop · archbishop · cardinal · deacon · reverend · parson · curate · prelate
theology
Study of the divine
scripture · hermeneutics · exegesis · orthodoxy · ecclesiology · eschatology · homiletics · catechism · apologetics · denomination
liturgy
Formal worship structure
incense · chalice · communion · baptism · mass · ordination · matins · vespers · lectionary · homily
officiant
Ceremony presider
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
chapel · marriage · nuptials · homily · pronouncement · banns · premarital counseling · altar · congregation · processional
piety
Sincere religious devotion
holiness · godliness · fervor · dedication · ministry · service · vocation · calling · ordination · celibacy
counseling
Professional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- adviceGuidance on decisions
direction · leadership · support · shepherding · stewardship · discipleship · confession · absolution · spiritual direction · consolation
- church rolesbishop, deacons, priest, pastor, lay readers
- clergypriest, bishop, pope, nun, monk
- officiantsofficiant, wedding officiant, ordained minister, justice of the peace, wedding celebrant
- preachersevangelist, preacher, minister, revivalist, parson
- spiritual leaderspriest, priestess, high priest, high priestess, rabbi
- witch hunterswitchfinder, inquisitor, accuser
clergymanlayman
Ordinary untrained person
layperson · laity · congregant · parishioner · churchgoer
clergymansecularist
Advocate for nonreligious governance
atheist · nonbeliever · materialist · worldling · agnostic