ecclesiastic
Member of clergy
An ecclesiastic is a member of the clergy, particularly in Christian churches.
The word functions as both noun and adjective, though the adjective form ecclesiastical is more common.
As an adjective, ecclesiastic describes things relating to the church or its clergy: ecclesiastic authority, ecclesiastic matters.
The term carries a formal, somewhat archaic tone and appears most often in historical or official religious contexts.
One who performs sacraments
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
- deaconJunior clergy member
- pastorChristian congregation leader
- ministerReligious leader or serve
chaplain · vicar · rector · curate · monsignor · canon · prelate · archbishop
Formal worship structure
- massQuantity of matter
- communionProfound shared closeness
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
ordination · matrimony · vespers · benediction · sacrament · litany · procession · incense
Bishop's principal church
- basilicaColonnaded church with apse
- chapelSmall worship room
- abbeyMonastic house of worship
- minsterImportant church, historically monastic
sanctuary · parish · archdiocese · bishopric · nave · chancel · vestry · sacristy
Study of the divine
- canon lawReligious institutional regulations
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- catechismReligious teaching guide
- scriptureSacred religious writings
exegesis · homiletics · apologetics · ecclesiology · hermeneutics · eschatology · encyclical · orthodoxy
Sincere religious devotion
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- venerationProfound admiring respect
prayer · devotion · consecration · beatification · canonization · hagiography · pilgrimage · intercession
priest
One who performs sacraments
minister · chaplain · vicar · rector · curate · monsignor · canon · prelate · archbishop · cardinal
liturgy
Formal worship structure
confirmation · ordination · matrimony · vespers · benediction · sacrament · litany · procession · incense · vestments
cathedral
Bishop's principal church
minster · sanctuary · parish · archdiocese · bishopric · nave · chancel · vestry · sacristy · rectory
theology
Study of the divine
- canon lawReligious institutional regulations
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- catechismReligious teaching guide
scripture · exegesis · homiletics · apologetics · ecclesiology · hermeneutics · eschatology · encyclical · orthodoxy · apostolic
piety
Sincere religious devotion
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
veneration · prayer · devotion · consecration · beatification · canonization · hagiography · pilgrimage · intercession · contemplation
- clergypriest, bishop, pope, nun, monk
- Christian ScholarsAugustine, Aquinas, Thomas Aquinas, Jerome, Athanasius
- church scholarstheologian, Church Father, Doctor of the Church, exegete, biblical scholar
- Episcopacybishopric, episcopal, episcopate, episcopacy, metropolitan
- ecclesiastical LatinLanguage of Christian liturgy