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Sacrament |
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An outward and visible sign conveying inward and spiritual grace. There are two "dominical" sacraments regarded as generally (i.e., universally) necessary, Holy Baptism and
Holy Communion; and there are five commonly called sacraments, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony,
Holy Orders, Penance (Reconciliation of Penitents), and the Unction (Annointing) of the sick.
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Sacristan (also reffered to as Sexton) |
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A person whose job is to maintain the church building and grounds, as well, in
former times, as to ring the bells and to dig the graves in the churchyard. In English
customary usage, the word "sacristan" is pronounced (and often spelled) as "sexton."
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Sacristy |
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A room adjacent to the sanctuary where the vestments and sacred vessels are
kept and where the ministers prepare for services.
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Sanctuary |
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The part of the church building immediately around the altar, usually
separated from the rest of the church by the communion rail. (The common protestant
usage, according to which "sanctuary" denotes the entire worship space of a church or
chapel, is to be avoided).
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Scamnum |
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A bench in the sanctuary used by acolytes or assisting clergy.
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Scarf |
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A scarf of folded black wool (or "stuff," although college graduates are nominally
entitled to wear silk), worn around the neck and hanging at least to the knees as part of the
normal choir vestment of clergy. It is not the same as the liturgical stole, but probably
derives from academic costume. In many places, lay readers are authorized to wear a light
blue scarf as a badge of their office.
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Sedile (plural: sedilia) |
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A chair in the sanctuary used by the officiant or presiding
clergyman. There are usually three sedilia: a central chair for the officiant, flanked by two
chairs for deacons or other assistants.
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Shrove Tuesday |
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The Tuesday before Lent, the day before Ash Wednesday. The name
refers to the ancient and medieval practice of making one's confession (shriving) on that
day.
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Spy Wednesday |
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Wednesday in Holy Week, so-called on account of Judas's agreement
with the high priests, made on the Wednesday before the Crucifixion, to betray Jesus.
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Stole |
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A band of colored fabric (often silk), in the liturgical colour, worn around the neck
(with the ends hanging in front) by a priest when administering the sacraments or
conducting certain services. A deacon wears his stole over the left shoulder with the ends
crossed under his right arm.
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Suffragan (or "Bishop Suffragan") |
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An auxilliary bishop.
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Surplice |
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The basic vestment for ministers, acolytes, singers, and others assisting "in choir";
it is a white gown hanging to the knees or below, with full sleeves. A shorter version, with
shorter or closer sleeves, is called a "cotta."
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Synod |
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A Church convention; the legislative body of a particular church (a diocese) or a
province. Synods may be called conventions, conferences, convocations, assemblies, or
"representative bodies," depending on local law and custom.
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Q.
A. |
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Old Testament