APPENDIX I
GLOSSARY
NOTE: Also refer to appendix III for terms associated with Christian liturgical
gear, garments, objects, rituals, and symbols. Most of the terms and descriptions in
appendix III are not presented or duplicated in appendix I.
ACTIVITY CALENDAR— An official schedule of
events for an RMF.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE— The area of the
office of the chaplain in an RMF in which the
administrative and counseling functions take place.
AISLE— An area in the worship center of an RMF that
is used as a passageway separating sections of seats.
A side of the nave separated from the nave proper.
ALLAH— Arabic or Islamic word for God.
ALTAR— The area in an RMF worship center that
serves a the center of worship or ritual. A table or
elevated area on which the Eucharistic elements are
consecrated. A raised structure or place on which
sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in the
ritual of worship.
ARK— The enclosed structure, freestanding or built
into the wall of the synagogue, that houses the
Jewish scrolls of the law.
AUDIT BOARD— Board composed of at least two
members that monitors and oversees the collection
and distribution of monies associated with the
religious offering fund.
AUXILIARY LIBRARY SERVICE COLLEC-
TIONS— Special collections from which naval
personnel can borrow publications by letter request
to enhance intellectual or professional growth.
BANNER— A ceremonial standard made of cloth,
usually rectangular in shape and adorned with
pictures, religious emblems, or some symbol. A
banner is usually attached to a crossbar at the top of
a rod. It can be carried in a procession or used to
decorate a wall.
BAPTISM— A Christian sacrament marked by the
ritual use of water signifying the initiation and
admittance of the person being baptized into
the Christian community. A ritual act of
purification.
BAPTISTERY— A part of the RMF used for baptism.
BAR MITZVAH— Ceremony for Jewish boys, held on
the 13th birthday, celebrating the coming of age of
responsibility.
BAT MITZVAH— Ceremony for Jewish girls, held on
the 12th or 13th birthday, celebrating the coming of
age of responsibility.
BHIKKU— Buddhist clergy.
BIMAH— A raised platform with a reader’s desk or
table from which the reading of the law and other
Jewish liturgical functions are conducted.
BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA)— A
method the chaplain’s office can use to make small
purchases in the open market. It provides a
simplified procedure of setting up charge accounts
with certain sources of supply.
BONZE— A Buddhist monk of the Far East.
Characteristics associated with the robe of a
Buddhist monk.
BUDDHA— Prince Siddhartha, Indian philosopher and
founder of Buddhism.
BUDDHISM— A religion of eastern and central Asia
originating from the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
BULLETIN— A printed outline or agenda of a
devotional or religious service conducted within the
worship center of an RMF.
BURNOUT— Emotional exhaustion resulting from
continued, unresolved stress.
CANTOR— A synagogue official who sings or chants
liturgical music and leads the congregation in
prayer during Jewish services.
CARD CATALOG— In a general library, the patrons’
index of the library’s collections. In a media center,
a card index of the media center’s equipment and
holdings.
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