Sacristy

Sacristy

A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments (such as the cassock and chasuble) and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.

The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building (as in some monasteries). In most older churches the sacristy is near one of the side altars or more usually behind or to the side of the main altar. In newer churches the sacristy is often in another location, such as near the entrances to the church. Some churches have more than one sacristy, each of which will have a specific function. Often additional sacristies are used for maintaining the church and its items - such as candles and other materials.

The sacristy is also where the priest and attendants vest and prepare before the service. They will return there at the end of the service to remove their vestments and put away any of the vessels used during the service. The hangings and altar linens are stored there as well. The Parish registers may be kept in the sacristy and are administered by the parish clerk.

Sacristies usually contain a special wash basin, called a sacrarium, in which the drain flows directly into the ground to prevent sacred items such as used baptismal water from being washed into the sewers or septic tanks. The sacrarium is used to wash linens used during the celebration of the Mass and purificators used during Holy Communion. The cruets, chalice, ciborium, paten, altar linens and sometimes the Holy Oils are kept inside the sacristy. Sacristies are usually off limits to the general public. The word "sacristy" derives from the Latin "sacristia", sometimes spelled "sacrastia".

A person in charge of the sacristy and its contents is called a sacrist or a sacristan. The latter name was formerly given to the sexton of a parish church, where he would have cared for these things, the fabric of the building and the grounds. [cite book| title=Shorter Oxford English Dictionary|copyright=1972]

In Eastern Christianity, the functions of the sacristy are fulfilled by the Diaconicon and the Prothesis, two rooms or areas adjacent to the Holy Table (Altar).

ee also

*Sexton
*Antependium
*Altar cloth
*Vestry

Notes

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13322b.htm "Sacristy"] article from "Catholic Encyclopedia"


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  • Sacristy — • A room in the church or attached thereto, where the vestments, church furnishings and the like, sacred vessels, and other treasures are kept, and where the clergy meet and vest for the various ecclesiastical functions Catholic Encyclopedia.… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Sacristy — Sac ris*ty, n.; pl. {Sacristies}. [F. sacristie, LL. sacristia, fr. L. sacer. See {Sacred}.] An apartment in a church where the sacred utensils, vestments, etc., are kept; a vestry. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sacristy — repository for sacred things, mid 15c., from Anglo Fr. sacrestie, from M.L. sacrista, from L. sacer sacred (see SACRED (Cf. sacred)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • sacristy — ► NOUN (pl. sacristies) ▪ a room in a church where a priest prepares for a service, and where vestments and other things used in worship are kept. ORIGIN Latin sacristia, from sacer sacred …   English terms dictionary

  • sacristy — [sak′ristē] n. pl. sacristies [Fr sacristie < ML(Ec) sacristia < sacrista, sacristan < L sacer, SACRED] a room in a church, usually adjoining the sanctuary, where the sacred vessels, vestments, etc. are kept; vestry …   English World dictionary

  • sacristy — UK [ˈsækrɪstɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms sacristy : singular sacristy plural sacristies a room in a church where holy objects and special clothes for ceremonies are kept …   English dictionary

  • sacristy — /sak ri stee/, n., pl. sacristies. an apartment in or a building connected with a church or a religious house, in which the sacred vessels, vestments, etc., are kept. [1400 50; late ME < ML sacristia vestry, equiv. to sacrist(a) (see SACRISTAN) + …   Universalium

  • sacristy — [[t]sæ̱krɪsti[/t]] sacristies N COUNT A sacristy is the room in a church where the priest or minister changes into their official clothes and where holy objects are kept …   English dictionary

  • sacristy —    This term (from the Latin sacer, meaning dedicated or holy ) refers to the place where a church s vestments,vessels, and other sacred objects are kept; usually a sacristy is a room inside a church, but sometimes it is an annex or separate… …   Glossary of theological terms

  • sacristy — noun (plural ties) Etymology: Middle English sacristie, from Medieval Latin sacristia, from sacrista sacristan, from Latin sacr , sacer Date: 15th century a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept and where the clergy vests …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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