Episcopalian Facts for Kids

Episcopalian and Episcopal are words that help us understand a specific part of the Christian faith. They usually refer to churches that are part of the Anglican Communion, which is a worldwide family of Christian churches. These churches often have a special way of being led by bishops, which is where the word "episcopal" comes from (it means "of bishops").

What Does Episcopal Mean?
The Anglican Communion Worldwide
- A Brief History of Anglicanism
- What is Anglicanism?
  - How Anglican Churches are Organized
The Episcopal Church in the USA
Images for kids
See also

What Does Episcopal Mean?

The word "episcopal" comes from a Greek word, episkopos, which means "overseer" or "bishop". So, an "Episcopal" church is one that is led by bishops. These bishops are seen as having a direct connection to the earliest Christian leaders, going all the way back to the apostles. This idea is called "apostolic succession."

In many parts of the world, especially in the United States, people use "Episcopal" to talk about The Episcopal Church. This church is a member of the larger Anglican Communion.

The Anglican Communion Worldwide

The Anglican Communion is a global family of churches that share similar beliefs and traditions. It's the third-largest Christian communion in the world, after the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. It has tens of millions of members in over 165 countries.

Each church in the Anglican Communion is independent, meaning it makes its own decisions. However, they are all connected through their shared history, beliefs, and their respect for the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is seen as the spiritual leader and a symbol of unity for the whole Communion, but he doesn't control the other churches.

A Brief History of Anglicanism

The roots of Anglicanism go back to the early Christian church in Britain. However, the Anglican Church as we know it today really began to take shape in the 16th century during the English Reformation. This was a time when many people in Europe wanted to reform, or change, the Christian church.

In England, King Henry VIII played a big role in separating the Church of England from the authority of the Pope in Rome. Later, Queen Elizabeth I helped to establish a unique way of worship and belief that blended some ideas from the Protestant Reformation with older Catholic traditions. This mix is often called the "Middle Way."

Important figures like Thomas Cranmer helped shape the worship of the Church of England by writing the Book of Common Prayer. This book became a central guide for Anglican services and prayers. Another key thinker, Richard Hooker, helped explain the ideas behind Anglican theology, emphasizing reason, tradition, and scripture.

What is Anglicanism?

Anglicanism refers to the beliefs, practices, and traditions of the Anglican Communion. It's a broad term that covers the people, institutions, and ideas connected to these churches.

Anglicans believe in God as the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. They believe the Bible is God's word and important for faith and life. They also value tradition and reason in understanding their faith.

Anglican worship often uses the Book of Common Prayer, which provides a structure for services like Evensong and Holy Communion. These services often include readings from the Bible, prayers, hymns, and a sermon.

How Anglican Churches are Organized

Anglican churches are organized in a way that involves bishops, priests, and deacons.

Bishops oversee a region called a diocese. They are responsible for leading the clergy and members in their area.
Priests lead local churches, celebrate services, and offer spiritual guidance.
Deacons assist bishops and priests, often focusing on ministry to the community and helping with worship.

This structure, with bishops at the top, is why these churches are called "Episcopal."

The Episcopal Church in the USA

The Episcopal Church is the branch of the Anglican Communion in the United States and some other parts of the world. It was founded after the American Revolution, when the Church of England in America needed to become independent from the Church of England.

The first Anglican church in North America was established in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. Over time, the church grew, and after the American Revolution, it became The Episcopal Church. It continues to be an important part of the Christian landscape in the United States.

Images for kids

Jesus Christ supporting an English flag and staff in the crook of his right arm depicted in a stained glass window in Rochester Cathedral, Kent
Saint Alban is venerated as the first-recorded British Christian martyr.
Augustine of Canterbury was the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
Queen Elizabeth I revived the Church of England in 1559, and established a uniform faith and practice. She took the title "Supreme Governor".
Frederick Denison Maurice was a prominent 19th-century Anglican theologian
Richard Hooker (1554–1600), one of the most influential figures in shaping Anglican theology and self-identity.
Thomas Cranmer wrote the first two editions of the Book of Common Prayer, BCP
An eastward-facing Solemn High Mass, a Catholic liturgical phenomenon which re-emerged in Anglicanism following the Catholic Revival of the 19th century
The 1596 Book of Common Prayer
Evensong at York Minster
The Arms of the See of Canterbury.
A priest in Eucharistic vestments.
The vestments of a deacon, including a stole over the left shoulder.
1854 image of the ruins of Jamestown Church, the first Anglican church in North America
High altar at the Anglo-Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, Pennsylvania)
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin
Justin Welby in South Korea. As the Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby is the symbolic head of the international Anglican Communion.