Glossary

A time when persons are relieved from their duties for study, travel, and spiritual renewal. Many clergy and some lay employees work under letters of agreement that provide periodic sabbaticals.

The Episcopal Church recognizes two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist, both given by Christ as sure and certain means for receiving God’s grace.

A person who works in the sacristy, the room for storing and working with the various items needed for the liturgies and worship of the church.

A room adjoining a church where vestments, altar hangings and linens, sacred vessels, and liturgical books are kept until needed for use in worship.

A holy person, a faithful Christian, one who shares life in Christ. The term may also indicate one who has been formally canonized or recognized as a saint by church authority.

Liturgical dialogue of mutual greeting: “The Lord be with you”; “And also with you.” (In Rite I, the response is “And with thy spirit.”)

Eternal life in the fullness of God’s love.

Formally, the area of a church around the altar. In common usage, the entire worship space. See Nave.

From the Latin for holy, a hymn of adoration and praise which begins, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts.”

Sleeveless garment that hangs from the shoulders to the ankles.