GLOSSARY FOR NON-COPTS

People
Abouna: literally “our father”; the priest
Tasoni: literally “sister”'; nun, consecrated sister, or priest’s wife <–that’s me
PK: priest’s kid/pastor’s kid
Baba: dad
Mama: really?
Tante: auntie, any older church woman, usually 25+ and at least 10 years older than you
Uncle: any older church man, usually 25+ and at least 10 years older than you
Teta: grandmother
Gedo: grandfather
Habibi: my beloved, masculine or neutral
Habibti: my beloved, feminine

Food
Siyami: food for the fasts–usually vegan or seafood
Fitari: food for the feasts–meats, cheeses, good stuff
Molokhia: a green, garlicky soup (see here)
Lahma or La7ma: meat (generally beef)

Church
Deacon: usually refers to any boy age six or older who has been ordained by a bishop to serve in one of several roles (which is not at all the technical, specific definition of deacon)
Tunia/Tunic: the white robes the deacons wear
Altar: the most sacred part of the church which sits behind the iconostasis, more specifically the area that contains the table, also referred to as the altar

Misc
Haram: not allowed, taboo, wrong, shameful (an Islamic term, used culturally)
Halal: ok, allowed, opposite of haram