Glossary

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.

A 19th-century Russian American who became missionary bishop to Shanghai and devoted much of his life to translating Christian writing for the Chinese people. Feast day: Oct. 14.