Ter Sanctus.--Meaning _Thrice Holy_. The Latin title of the hymn in
the Communion Office beginning "Holy, Holy, Holy." This hymn is of
the most ancient origin and forms part of all the oldest Liturgies.
In the Liturgies of St. Basil and St. Chrysostom, it is called the
"Triumphal Hymn."
Testimonials.--The general Canons of the Church prescribe that when
the Standing Committee of a Diocese recommends to the Bishop a
candidate for Holy Orders for ordination to the Diaconate or {253}
Priesthood, that it shall present to the Bishop a certificate or
testimonial to the effect that the candidate "hath lived piously,
soberly and honestly, and hath not since his admission as a
candidate for Orders, written, taught or held anything contrary to
the doctrine and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church." The
action of the Committee in recommending such person to be admitted
a candidate for Holy Orders was based on testimonials made by the
Clergy and laymen who knew the candidate personally. So, also, when
a Bishop is elected, testimonials of his election by the Convention
which elected him, and from the House of Deputies of the General
Convention, or from the Standing Committees of the various Dioceses,
of their approbation of his election and also of his fitness for the
office of a Bishop, must be presented to the House of Bishops before
order can be taken for his consecration.