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Oblations:
Offerings or gifts to God at the Holy Eucharist.
Offertory/Offering/Alms: The presentation, reception, preparation, and offering of the gifts at the beginning of The Holy Communion, the second part of the
Holy Eucharist.
The offering of alms is part of the offertory, but the offertory also includes the gifts of bread and wine that are to be consecrated during the communion, and the offering of "... ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and living sacrifice." (BCP
page 336.) Or, as Rite II says, "Sanctify us also." (BCP page 363). An offering that is a tithe is one-tenth of one's earnings.
Offertory Sentence: A passage of scripture that may be said or sung at the beginning or during the Offertory (BCP pp. 333 or 361).
Offertory Procession: At the
Holy Eucharist, the presentation of the bread, wine, and other gifts by members of the congregation.
Orans Position: In the Holy Communion, this is when the celebrant holds up his or her hands when praying on behalf of the people. The tradition is that when the people join in saying the prayer, the celebrant simply folds his or her hands. It is the ancient form of prayer posture in drawings in the catacombs.
Ordination: The taking of Holy Orders, in which a person is admitted into the clergy as a deacon, priest or bishop. Until being ordained, a person is considered a member of the laity.
Those who believe themselves called to this vocation must undergo considerable preparation, including schooling and "on-the-job" training. A
Candidate for Holy Orders must also pass certain examinations and be recommended by a number of groups as well. The actual services (there are three in the prayer book, one for each order) include the laying on of hands by the bishop with prayer for the Holy Spirit for the gift of the particular order.
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