Orthodox Christianity has its own vocabulary because it has its own worshipping life. These short definitions are meant to orient beginners without flattening the meaning of the terms.
- Anaphora
- The central Eucharistic prayer of thanksgiving in the Divine Liturgy.
- Apostles' Fast
- A fasting season connected to the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Its length changes because it depends on the date of Pascha.
- Chrismation
- The Mystery in which a baptized person is anointed with holy chrism and receives the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Divine Liturgy
- The central Eucharistic service of the Orthodox Church, where the faithful gather for Scripture, thanksgiving, offering, and Holy Communion.
- Holy Mysteries
- The Orthodox term often used for sacraments, such as Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Unction, Marriage, and Ordination.
- Iconostasis
- The screen or wall of icons between the nave and altar in many Orthodox churches, revealing the communion of Christ, the Theotokos, angels, saints, and the worshipping Church.
- Menaion
- The liturgical books containing services for fixed calendar dates, including saints and fixed feasts.
- Octoechos
- The liturgical book of the eight tones, shaping the weekly cycle of hymns.
- Pascha
- The Orthodox celebration of Christ's Resurrection, the feast of feasts and center of the Church year.
- Proskomide
- The preparation of the bread and wine before the public part of the Divine Liturgy.
- Slava
- A Serbian Orthodox family celebration of a patron saint, usually inherited through family life and kept with prayer, bread, candle, wheat, and hospitality.
- Theotokos
- A title for Mary meaning Birthgiver of God or Mother of God, confessing that the one born of her is truly the Son of God incarnate.
- Triodion
- The liturgical book used for the pre-Lenten season, Great Lent, and Holy Week.
- Typikon
- The book or rule that describes how services are arranged when liturgical cycles meet. Parish practice is often locally adapted.
This glossary is introductory. Some terms have deeper meanings in Greek, Slavonic, Arabic, Serbian, Romanian, Georgian, and other Orthodox languages and traditions.