Church Terminology

== Introduction ==
WIP
== A ==
=== Altar ===
The focal point of a Church which represents the Light's presence among the congregation.
=== Anointing ===
The applying of holy oil in order to consecrate or make holy.
=== Apostasy ===
The abandonment or renunciation of the Church of Holy Light's doctrines and beliefs.
== B ==
=== Beatitude ===
Happiness or blessedness, especially the eternal happiness found in the presence of the Light.
=== Blasphemy ===
Words, thoughts, or actions involving contempt for the Holy Light or the Church, or persons or things dedicated to the Light.
=== Blessing ===
A short prayer asking the Light's favor on persons or objects. A blessing, or benediction, is a prayer invoking the Light's power to care upon some person, place, thing, or undertaking.
== C ==
=== Canon Law ===
The rules which provide the norms for good order in the visible society of the Church.
=== Cathedral ===
The mother church of a diocese - so called because it contains the cathedra, or bishop's chair, the symbol of a bishop's authority in the area.
=== Celebrant ===
The priest or priestess who presides at a religious service.
=== Church ===
The word "Church" has three inseparable meanings: all the faithful that the Holy Light gathers together; the particular or local Church diocese; and the liturgical assembly.
=== Clergy ===
The body of people ordained for religious service.
=== Cloister ===
A place of religious seclusion.
=== Congregation ===
An assembly of people gathered for religious worship. 
=== Contemplation ===
A form of wordless prayer in which the mind and heart focus on the Holy Light's greatness and goodness.
=== Contrition ===
The sorrow of the soul and hatred for the sin committed, together with a resolution not to sin again. Contrition is the most important act of the penitent and is necessary to complete the Rite of Penance.
== D ==
=== Diocese ===
The territory, or churches, under the authority and leadership of a bishop.
=== Doctrine ===
The revealed teachings of the Holy Light as defined by the Church of the Holy Light.
== E ==
=== Ecclesiastic/Ecclesiastical ===
Pertaining to or of the Church.
=== Excommunication ===
The formal process of expulsion from the Church which excludes an individual from participating in any Sacred Rites and from the exercise of any Church office, ministry, or function.
=== Exorcism ===
The public and authoritative act of the Church to protect or liberate a person or object from the power of evil (e.g. possession) in the name of the Light.
== G ==
=== Genuflection ===
A reverence made by bending the knee.
== H ==
=== Heresy ===
The denial (by someone who is baptized) of accepted Church teachings.
=== Holy Orders ===
The state of having received ordination.
=== Holy See ===
The universal government of the Church of the Holy Light and operates from the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind.
== I ==
=== Inquisitions ===
Official investigations by the Church of suspected heresies.
=== Intercession ===
A form of prayer of petition on behalf of others.
== L ==
=== Laity ===
Those who have been baptized and are made part of the faithful of the Church of the Holy Light. Laity are distinguished from clergy and those in consecrated life.
=== LAY PERSON ===
Any nonordained member of the church; a member of the laity. 
=== Liturgy ===
A general term for a religious service or ceremony performed by a group of believers.
== M ==
=== Ministry ===
The service or work of sanctification performed by the preaching of Church doctrine and the celebration of the Holy Rites by those in Holy Orders, or in determining circumstances, by laity.
=== Monastery ===
A religious house where monks live in a community under a rule and dedicate themselves to prayer.
== O ==
=== Ordination ===
The service by which individuals are made recognized priests or priestesses in the Church of the Holy Light.
== P ==
=== Parish ===
A stable community of the faithful within a particular church or diocese, whose pastoral care is confided by the bishop to a priest as pastor.
=== Pastoral letter ===
An official letter from a bishop to all the clergy or members of his or her diocese.
=== Penance ===
An action that expresses contrition for a sin following forgiveness by a priest in confessional.
=== Pilgrimage ===
A journey to a holy place.
=== Prayer ===
The elevation of the mind and heart to praise the Holy Light; a petition made to the Light for some desired good, or in thanksgiving for a good received, or in intercession for others.
=== Priest ===
Someone who is ordained to minister within the Church. 
== R ==
=== Rosary ===
A string of beads used in counting prayers. 
== S ==
=== Saint ===
Someone who, by their life and actions, is an example of holiness. The process by which the Church declares someone to be a saint can only happen after their death.
=== Salvation ===
The forgiveness of sins and restoration of faith with the Holy Light.
=== Seminary ===
A college where individuals are trained for the priesthood.
=== Sermon ===
A talk in which the beliefs and doctrines of the Church of the Holy Light are explained.
=== Synod ===
A meeting of bishops to discuss the doctrinal and pastoral needs of Church.
== T ==
=== Theology ===
The study of the Holy Light, based on divine revelation.
== V ==
=== Vestments ===
Liturgical garments and articles that are worn by the clergy of the Church of the Holy Light.
=== Vocation ===
A religious calling to the priesthood or religious life.__NOTOC__
=== ===
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