Episcopal Glossary

- H -
High Church - a designation of a church emphasizing theological or liturgical formality; a church with several vested assistants and many fine utensils used in the service; a church that sings or chants its service rather than reading or speaking it; a church that celebrates the Eucharist every Sunday [though most Episcopal Churches do this now]. Such churches sometimes appear to be more "catholic".

Holy Communion, The - The second part of the Holy Eucharist, following the Word of God and beginning with the Offertory (see BCP, 333ff., 36]ff.). This term may also refer to the whole service in the same way as Mass, Lord's Supper, Holy Eucharist, or Divine Liturgy.

Holy Orders - a way of referring to ordination among Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and others: an ordained person is spoken of as "being in holy orders"--meaning that the person has made priestly vows and has been admitted by a bishop into one of the several levels of ordination.

Holy Saturday - See BCP, 283; also, see GreatVigil of Easter.

Holy Water - Water blessed by a bishop or priest for use in blessing the people, in the setting apart of objects for use in the church, or for other liturgical purposes. Holy Water is often used at the Burial of the Dead, at Weddings, and at other times at the discretion of the priest.

Holy Week - The week that commemorates our Lord's Passion and Death: The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week; Maundy Thursday; Good Friday; and, Holy Saturday (see BCP,270-283). The Great Vigil of Easter is the climax of Holy Week and the beginning of the Fifty Days of Easter celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord; the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; most important period of the church year with many special services.

Homily - a short sermon often on a single topic of devotion or morality.

Honorary Degree - a kind of degree awarded by a university to honor worthy candidates; honorary degrees are awarded in recognition of work done by the recipient, but not for academic work; academic work is recognized by what are called "earned" degrees or degrees-in-course.

Host - (Literally, a "sacrificial victim") The consecrated bread in the Eucharist. (See p. 36)

House of Bishops - all the bishops of the Episcopal church sitting as a legislative and judiciary body of the church.

House of Deputies - as the lay and presbyter delegates to a general convention sitting as a legislative body.

Hymn - sacred words set to music; church vocal music involving the congregation and distinguished from the Psalm or anthem; Sacred poetry set to music and sung during the liturgy.