Definition

Noun: - High Anglican Church: A group or party within the Anglican Communion that places strong emphasis on the historical Catholic traditions of the Christian faith. This includes a focus on the sacraments, elaborate ritual and ceremonial in worship, and adherence to church authority, particularly episcopal authority. It is also historically associated with the Oxford Movement of the 19th century.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The influence of the High Anglican Church is evident in the cathedral's use of incense and vestments.
  • She was raised in the High Anglican Church, so the liturgy feels very familiar to her.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical and theological discussions to describe a specific tradition or sensibility within Anglicanism, contrasting with "Low Church" or evangelical Anglican traditions.
• It can sometimes be used synonymously with "Anglo-Catholic," though some distinctions may be drawn in certain contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• High Church (adj. & n.): The broader adjective and noun form describing the principles, practices, or people associated with this tradition (e.g., , ).
• Anglo-Catholicism (n.): A term often used interchangeably with the High Anglican tradition, emphasizing the continuity with Catholic doctrine and practice.
• Oxford Movement (n.): The 19th-century movement that sought to renew the Church of England by reviving Catholic doctrine and ritual, closely associated with the rise of the High Anglican Church.

Synonyms

• Anglo-Catholicism
• High Church party

Notes on Meaning

This term refers specifically to an identity or movement within the Anglican Church. It is not the name of a separate, independent denomination but rather a tradition or school of thought within it. The core meaning revolves around the emphasis on ritual, sacrament, and continuity with the pre-Reformation church.

Noun

1. a group in the Anglican Church that emphasizes the Catholic tradition (especially in sacraments and rituals and obedience to church authority)