Religious Definitions You Need to Know

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.

- BULLETIN: Your receipt for attending the Service.

- CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the Congregation to lip-sync.

- HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.

- HYMN: A song of praise usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range.

- RECESSIONAL HYMN: The last song at the Service often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.

- INCENSE: Holy Smoke!

- JONAH: The original "Jaws" story.

- JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.

- KYRIE ELEISON: The only Greek words that most can recognize besides gyros and baklava.

- MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.

- MANGER: Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered by an HMO. The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.

- PEW: A medieval torture device still found in churches.

- PROCESSION: The ceremonial formation at the beginning of the Service consisting of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats.

- RECESSIONAL: The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of the Service led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.

- RELICS: People who have been going to Church for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.

- TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.

- USHERS: The only people in the parish who don't know the seating capacity of a pew.

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