See also: Christian Glossary ... Saints' feast days calendar ... religions of the world.
Christian Symbols are here. This page by Gary Gocek. Updated January 27, 2007. See acknowledgements and usage notes.| Forms of address for clergy | ||
| ARCHDEACON | Address - written form The Venerable John Smith Formal: Venerable and Dear Sir/Madam Informal: Dear Archdeacon Smith Less formal: Dear Archdeacon |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: The Venerable John Smith Informal: The Archdeacon of ----- Less formal: Archdeacon Smith |
| BISHOP Presiding Coadjutor Suffragen |
Address - written form The Right Reverend John Smith Formal: Right Reverend and Dear Sir/Madam Informal: Dear Bishop Smith Less formal: Dear Bishop |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: The Right Reverend John Smith Informal: The Bishop of ----- Less formal: Bishop Smith |
| BROTHER Superior |
Address - written form Brother John Joseph, O.S.B. Formal: Dear Brother John Joseph Informal: Dear Brother Formal: Dear Reverend Father Superior Informal: Dear Father |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: Brother John Joseph Less formal: Brother John Formal: The Reverend Father Superior Informal: Reverend Father Superior of ----- Less formal: Father |
| CANON Precentor, Pastor Chancellor, Missioner Archivist, Almoner, Burser, Prebendary, Residentiary, Sacrist |
Address - written form The Reverend John Smith Canon of ----- Formal: Reverend and Dear Sir/Madam Informal: Dear Canon Smith Less formal: Dear Canon |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: The Reverend John Smith Informal: The Canon ----- of ----- Less formal: Canon Smith |
| DEACON DEACONESS |
Address - written form Ordained: The Reverend Mary Smith Formal: Reverend and Dear Sir/Madam Informal: Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Smith Not ordained: Deaconess Mary Smith Formal: Dear Deaconess Smith Informal: Dear Deaconess |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: The Reverend Mary Smith Informal: The Reverend Mr./Ms./Mrs. Smith Less formal: Mr./Ms./Mrs. Smith |
| DEAN An ordained leader of a cathedral or school. |
Address - written form The Very Reverend John Smith Formal: Very Reverend and Dear Sir/Madam Informal: Dear Dean Smith Less formal: Dear Dean |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: The Very Reverend John Smith Informal: The Dean of ----- Less formal: Dean Smith |
| PRIEST Rector Vicar Curate Priest-in-Charge |
Address - written form The Reverend John Smith Formal: Reverend and Dear Sir/Madam Less formal: Dear Sir Informal: Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Smith (Low Churchmen Prefer) Informal: Dear Father Smith (High Churchmen Prefer) Informal: Dear Doctor Smith |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: The Reverend John Smith Informal: The Rector of ----- Formal: The Reverend Mr. Smith Less formal: Mr./Ms./Mrs. Smith Formal: The Reverend Father Smith Less formal: Father Smith Formal: The Reverend Dr. Smith Less formal: Dr. Smith |
| SISTER Superior |
Address - written form Sister Mary Joan, O.S.M. Dear Sister Mary The Reverend Mother Mary Joan, O.S.M. Informal: Reverend and Dear Mother Less formal: Dear Sister Superior |
Introduction - speaking form Formal: Sister Mary Joan Less formal: Sister Mary Formal: The Reverend Mother Mary Joan, O.S.M. Informal: The Reverend Sister Superior of ----- Less formal: Sister Mary |