Ordinal, The.--The name given to that portion of the Prayer Book
containing the Offices for the consecration of Bishops and the
ordination of Priests and Deacons. The Ordinal being what it is, is
very properly prefaced with a statement of the witness of history
to the fact "that from the Apostles' time there have been these
Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church--Bishops, Priests and
Deacons." It is interesting to note that "our Ordinal was not taken
word for word from the Roman Pontifical, but was framed on the
comprehensive and broad ground of all known forms and manners of
Ordination used in all branches of the {202} Catholic Church." The
Ordinal is also sometimes called "The Pontifical."
Ordinary.--The name given to the Bishop of the Diocese, or other
ecclesiastical authority who has ordinary jurisdiction.
Organizations, Church.--The American church is not simply a teaching
and worshipping body, but it is also a working organization. Its
activities reach out in all directions and touch almost every
conceivable need. Besides its well organized Dioceses and Parishes
which are working with such effectiveness in their several
localities, there are many other organizations enlisting the
cooperation of Churchmen everywhere. There are the general
Institutions, such as the General Theological Seminary, the
Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the Woman's Auxiliary,
the American Church Building Fund Commission, Free and Open Church
Association, the Prayer-book Distribution Society, the Brotherhood
of St. Andrew, the Girls' Friendly Society, the Fund for Relief of
Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen and of the Aged and Infirm
and Disabled Clergymen, the Daughters of the King; all of which are
treated of under their proper heads. Other organizations are The
Society for the Increase of the Ministry, the Evangelical Education
Society, the American Church Missionary Society, Society for
Promoting Christianity among the Jews, the Guild of St. Barnabas
for Nurses; Church Temperance Society; Missions among Deaf Mutes;
etc. Besides these, there are religious Orders, Church Clubs,
Sisterhoods, many Charity and Hospital organizations; and while
this enumeration does {203} not include all the various organizations
that are at work, yet these are given that the reader may form some
idea of what this Church is doing and how fully she enlists the
cooperation of the laity in her general work.
Organs.--Musical instruments have been used in the worship of God
from the time when, after the passage of the Red Sea, Moses and
Miriam sang their song of praise accompanied by timbrels. The
worship of the Temple was noted for the great number and variety
of musical instruments employed in it. As to when organs were first
brought into use, it is not clearly known, but it is recorded that
about the year 766 Constantius Copronymus, Emperor of Constantinople,
sent an organ as a present to King Pepin of France. Soon after
Charlemagne's time organs became common. In the Eleventh Century a
monk named Theophilus wrote a curious treatise on organ-building.
But it was not until the Fifteenth Century that the organ began to
be anything like the noble instrument which it now is, the most
comprehensive and important of all wind instruments.
Orientation.--The name given to the act of turning to the east or
Altar as an act of faith and worship in the Church service. (See
EAST, TURNING TO.) It is also an architectural term used in
reference to church buildings running east and west.
Ornaments.--By "ornaments" is meant the necessary furniture of the
church for the proper conduct of divine service, and the vestments
to be worn by the clergy. In this the Church of the present day is
largely guided by what is called the "Ornaments {204} Rubric" of the
English Prayer-book. According to this it would seem that among
the necessary ornaments for the proper furnishing of the church
are the following: the Altar, with its cross, candlesticks and
coverings; Paten and Chalice; Cruets, Font and Pulpit; and that
the necessary vestments of the Priest are the chasuble, alb and
girdle, stole, surplice, cope; for the Bishop the same with the
addition of the rochette, mitre and Pastoral staff.
Orphrey.--A band of embroidery used to ornament the vestments.
Orthodox.--In accordance with the doctrine of the Church; holding
fast "the Faith once delivered to the Saints." The Faith has been
defined by the Ecumenical Councils as set forth in the Creeds which
"ought thoroughly to be received and believed, for they may be
proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture" (VIII Article of
Religion).
P
Pall.--A square card, the upper side of which is covered with silk
the color of the Church Season and underneath with linen, loosely
stitched so as to be readily removed in order to be washed. It is
used to cover the Chalice when the Holy Eucharist is celebrated.
Palm Sunday.--The Sixth Sunday in Lent, the first day in Holy Week.
It commemorates the entry of our Lord into Jerusalem when the people
strewed {205} the way with palm branches and cried, "Hosanna to the
Son of David." It was formerly customary for worshippers to appear on
this day in procession carrying in their hands palms, or yew or
willow branches, which were blessed before the beginning of the
Communion Service. On Palm Sunday the Church has always begun to
set before God and man the Gospel account of the Passion of our
Lord, that by St. Matthew being read on this day. (See LENT,
SUNDAYS IN.)
Paraclete.--Another name for the Holy Ghost, signifying one who is
invoked to aid or comfort. It was this word our Lord used when He
said, "I will send you another Comforter," _i.e._, Paraclete.
Elsewhere, the word is also translated _Advocate_.
Paradise.--The place where the souls of the righteous dwell during
the INTERMEDIATE STATE (which see). The name is also applied to the
happy abode of Adam and Eve before the Fall.
Parish.--The term "Parish" as used in the American Church signifies
a local congregation having a church building, and duly organized
under the title of "Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen." It is always
given a name, such as St. John's, Christ Church, Trinity, etc. It
is competent for any number of persons, usually not less than ten,
to associate themselves together to form a Parish. In the articles
of association, the Parish acknowledges and accedes to the
Constitution, Canons, Doctrines, Discipline and Worship of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese in which it is located.
If on presentation of these articles, the Council or Convention of
the Diocese gives its consent, the Parish shall be accounted duly
established. {206}
The word is derived from the Greek _Paroikia_, and was originally
used to designate the sphere of a Bishop's jurisdiction as
distinguished from that of an Archbishop, but when the former was
gradually parcelled out into smaller portions these began to be
called _Parishes_.
Parish House.--By reason of the growing activities of the American
Church, it is found necessary to have some building other than the
church where the active and sometimes secular work of the Parish
can be carried on, a place where societies, guilds, schools, etc.,
can have their own proper "workshop." Such building is called the
"Parish House," and is absolutely necessary for any active and
growing Parish.
Parish Register.--A book in which all births. Baptisms, Confirmations,
deaths, and marriages that occur in the Parish are recorded,
together with the list of Families and Communicants. The importance
of the Parish Register and the care with which it should be kept
will appear when it is considered that it is a legal document.
Parishioner.--One who belongs to a Parish. The Parish partakes of
the character of the people who compose it; if they are earnest and
devoted, loyal and true to the Church's appointments, the Parish is
sure to be prosperous. In other words, the Church lives as they who
are of it live. It is vital with their vitality. It is a live body
as they are live Christians. Thus the success of a Parish is not
wholly dependent on the Rector, but on the people as well.