Proanaphora.--A more Churchly name for the introductory parts of
the Communion Office, commonly called "Ante Communion." Properly
speaking, the Proanaphoral service includes all that portion of the
Communion service which precedes the _Sursum Corda_, "Lift up your
hearts."
Pro-Cathedral.--A Parish Church used for Cathedral or Diocesan
purposes, but without the formation of a legal Cathedral organization
and without a Cathedral chapter.
Procession of the Holy Ghost.--The word "Procession" is used to
express the relation in the Blessed Trinity between the Father and
the Holy Ghost. As we believe that the Son is eternally begotten of
the Father, so we believe that the Holy Ghost is a Person eternally
proceeding from the Father, as set forth in the article of the
Creed, "Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son." The words "and
the Son" were added later, and the article is generally interpreted
as meaning that the Holy Ghost emanates from the Father through the
Son, and therefore proceeds from both; or as an ancient writer
expressed it, "Always hath the Spirit proceeded from the Father and
received of the Son." (See HOLY GHOST, also FILIOQUE.)
Processional Cross.--The standard Cross borne in front of a
procession of Choir and Clergy as they enter or go out of the
church. This method of entering the church is a very old custom
and still prevails where the choir is vested. {220}
Proper Lessons.--The portions of Scripture from the Old and New
Testaments appointed to be read on a Sunday or Holy Day at Morning
and Evening Prayer. The word "Proper" as thus used is intended to
indicate that the Lesson is appropriate to the Sunday or Holy Day
and is to be read on that day instead of the Lesson appointed for
the Daily Office. (See LECTIONARY, also LESSON.)
Proper Preface.--The Preface is that portion of the Communion
Office, beginning with the words "Lift up your hearts," immediately
preceding the TER SANCTUS (which see), and the _Proper Preface_
contains the additional words set forth to emphasize the great
Truths commemorated on certain High Festivals, namely, Christmas
Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsun Day and Trinity Sunday.
Proper Psalms.--Certain great days of the Church are so important
in the truths they set forth, the Church hath thought good to order
that all Holy Scriptures that can possibly be used in illustration
thereof shall be read on those days. Thus in addition to the Proper
Lessons there are also _Proper Psalms_, and the days for which they
are appointed with the number of the Psalms to be read are to be
found in the Table prefixed to the Psalter in the Prayer-book.
Protestant.--A name given to certain persons who protested against
a law made by the Emperor Charles V and his Diet in 1529. The name
is commonly applied to what are known as "Evangelical Denominations,"
as opposed to Romanism. But as so many Heretics, Atheists,
Free-thinkers and Nothingarians are included under the name
_Protestant_, the word is going {221} out of use among Church-people,
having lost much of its proper meaning.