| altar girl |
a girl who is trained to help the priest during church worship services. |
| bishop |
a priest or minister who holds a high position in certain Christian churches. A bishop is often in charge of a group of churches. In the Catholic Church, a bishop's rank is above a priest but below an archbishop and a cardinal. [1/2 definitions] |
| bless |
When a priest or other person blesses someone or something, they ask God to protect or show special kindness to them. [1/2 definitions] |
| cardinal |
A cardinal is a priest of very high rank in the Roman Catholic Church. A cardinal's rank is just below the Pope's. There is only one Pope, though, and a good number of cardinals. [1/2 definitions] |
| clergyman |
A clergyman is a male religious leader, especially a Christian priest or minister. |
| confess |
to admit to a priest. [1/3 definitions] |
| confession |
the act or event of telling one's sins to a priest. [1/2 definitions] |
| father |
a priest. [1/3 definitions] |
| ordain |
to admit to the clergy as a priest, minister, or rabbi in a formal ceremony. [1/2 definitions] |
| parish |
a district of a Christian religion that has its own church and priest or minister. |
| pastor |
a minister or priest in charge of a church or congregation. |
| preach |
When someone preaches, they say things aimed to teach about the god they believe in and to encourage faith. They also speak about how their god wishes them to live. The person who preaches in a church is usually the minister or the priest. When someone preaches, they are usually talking to many people at the same time. |
| preacher |
a person who gives talks on religion, such as a minister or priest. |
| priest |
A priest is someone who has the authority to lead religious services in some religions. |
| Protestant |
A Protestant is a type of Christian believer. Protestants do not belong to the Catholic Church, and they do not look on the Pope as their religious leader, as Catholics do. Protestants split from Catholics in the 16th century. Before that, these Christians were Catholics too. The religious belief of Protestants is somewhat different from that of Catholics and their religious service is simpler. Protestants often use the word "minister" or "pastor" to describe the person who leads their religious service on Sundays. Catholics always call this person their "priest." |
| Saint Nicholas |
a Greek priest of the fourth century and Christian saint famous for his giving of small gifts and from whose legend was based the cultural figure of Santa Claus associated with the Christmas holiday (b. 270 A.D.?--d. 343 A.D.). [1/2 definitions] |
| unite |
When someone like a priest or judge unites two people, they bring them together in marriage. [1/3 definitions] |
| wed |
When someone weds a couple, they join them together in marriage. Only certain people can wed couples, they must be somebody like a priest, rabbi, minister, imam, or judge. [1/3 definitions] |