Christian Liturgical Terms

noun Agnus Dei

• The choir sang the Agnus Dei during the church service.
• We heard the Agnus Dei sung beautifully by the choir.
• Did you catch that Agnus Dei performance at church?
• The Agnus Dei is like a soothing balm for the soul.

noun a Christian prayer, which is part of the liturgy of many Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican churches

• During the church service, the congregation sang 'Kyrie Eleison' as a prayer for mercy.
• I heard 'Kyrie Eleison' playing in the background at the coffee shop.
• Some people use 'Kyrie Eleison' as a way to express frustration or impatience.
• The phrase 'Kyrie Eleison' can be seen as a plea for help or understanding in difficult situations.

noun the time of morning prayer; dawn

• The monks gathered in the chapel for the early morning matins.
• I woke up early for matins and couldn't go back to sleep.
• I skipped matins this morning and slept in instead.
• The sunrise served as nature's matins, signaling the start of a new day.

noun a type of hymn or prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church

• The acathistus is a type of hymn used in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgical services.
• I heard that the acathistus is a beautiful hymn often sung in church.
• Hey, have you listened to that acathistus song? It's really calming.
• The acathistus of nature's beauty can be heard in the songs of birds and the rustling of leaves.

noun a person who assists in religious services or ceremonies, typically a church attendant or server

• The acolythist was responsible for lighting the candles before the church service.
• Hey, have you seen the acolythist around? We need the candles lit.
• The acolythist is the one who handles the candle duty.
• In a way, the acolythist is like the keeper of the light in the church.