Episcopal Glossary

Faidstool - See Bishop's Chair.

Fast - A day of special devotion (Ash Wednesday, other weekdays of Lent and of Holy Week, Good Friday and all other Fridays of the year, except for Fridays in the Christmas and Easter seasons, and any Feasts of our Lord which occur on a Friday) observed by acts of discipline and self-denial.

Father - a familiar or direct way of referring to some ordained clergy: the Reverend John B. Smith, but--in personal conversation or in the salutation of a letter--Father Smith, Dear Father Smith. Typically used of all Roman Catholic clergy and of some Episcopal clergy. Be careful in using or not using this term: some clergy do not like it; others are offended if it is not used. Usually the people who prefer the term assume that you know they prefer it. There is no easy way to tell what the clergy preference is except by paying attention to letters, conversations, etc.

Feast - A day of celebration associated with the life of Our Lord, of the Saints, or days of thanksgiving (see BCP, 15-18).

Fifty Days of Easter, The - From the Great Vigil of Easter up to and including the Day of Pentecost.

Flagon - A large metal or ceramic pitcher often used for wine (and water) to be consecrated at the Eucharist. If more than one chalice is used during the administration of Communion, the flagon (or an additional cruet filled with wine and water) is placed on the altar at the Offertory, and other chalices are brought to the altar after the Breaking of the Bread. There should be only one chalice on the altar during the Great Thanksgiving (see BCP, 407).

Folk Mass - communion in which the music is often guitars or other instruments instead of organ music; a term for a less formal communion service which incorporates new songs, spirituals, folk songs, and contemporary poetry as part of the worship service.

Font - See Baptismal Font; a basin of water used in baptism. The Episcopal Church practices baptism by "sprinkling" rather than by "full imersion"; also, a fixed receptacle for holy water at the entrance to the church or in the sacristy.

Frontal- A covering for the altar, usually of the same material as the vestments or of the liturgical color of the season or feast. It may either cover all sides of the altar, or only the front. The altar cloth is spread over the frontal.

Funeral - The Burial of the Dead.