Glossary of Terms
Sacramentalists
This term is commonly applied to priests ordained according to the provisions of the canons which allow “communities which are small, isolated, remote, or distinct in respect of ethnic composition, language, or culture” to identify someone from their own community for ordination. Preparation for ordained ministry under this provision does not assume a seminary education […]
Sacramentals
The Prayer Book Catechism notes that the sacramental rites of Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent, and Unction evolved in the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (BCP, pp. 860-861). These other sacramental rites, or sacramentals, are distinguished from Baptism and the Eucharist, the two great sacraments of the gospel. Baptism […]
Sacramentary
A liturgical book containing prayers used by the celebrant at the eucharist throughout the year, along with other liturgical prayers. The celebrant's prayer at the eucharist was mainly extemporaneous during the first three centuries of the Christian church. By the third and fourth centuries, the celebrant's prayer was in written form. These prayers appeared in […]
Sacramento, Diocese of
The 1898 General Convention voted that the bounds of the Missionary District of Northern California be changed to include the original counties in California plus all that portion of Nevada west of the west lines of the counties of Elko, White, Pine, Eureka, Lincoln, Lander, and Nye. It was called the Missionary District of Sacramento. […]
Sacraments
Outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means for receiving God’s grace. Baptism and Eucharist are the two great sacraments given by Christ to his church. (BCP, pp. 857-858). The Episcopal Church recognizes that five other sacramental rites evolved in the church under the guidance of […]
Sacrifice (Eucharistic)
See Eucharistic Sacrifice.
Sacristan
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. Such items may include the vessels, vestments, books, bread and wine, and candles. Individual members of a parish's altar guild might be called sacristans.
Sacristy
The room adjoining a church where vestments, altar hangings and linens, sacred vessels, and liturgical books are kept until needed for use in worship. Clergy typically vest in the sacristy.
Saint
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. In the NT, the term is applied to all faithful Christians (see Acts 9:32, 26:10). Paul addresses the saints or those called to be […]
Salina, Missionary District of
This jurisdiction existed from Oct. 17, 1901, until Nov. 14, 1960. See Western Kansas, Diocese of.
Salomon, Richard Georg
(Apr. 20, 1884-Feb. 3, 1966). Church historian. He was born in Berlin, Germany. Salomon received his doctoral degree in history from the University of Berlin in 1907, and then served as research assistant for the Monumenta Germaniae Historica. From 1919 until 1934, he was professor of history at the University of Hamburg, but he was […]
Salt Lake, Missionary District of
This jurisdiction existed from Oct. 13, 1898, until Oct. 10, 1907. See Utah, Diocese of.
Salutation
A liturgical dialogue of mutual greeting: “The Lord be with you. And also with you.” The salutation calls the people back to attention and adds emphasis to important moments in the liturgy. This dialogue of greeting and response is based on Boaz's greeting to the reapers and their answer in Ru 2:4. At the Holy […]
Salvation
Eternal life in the fullness of God’s love. Salvation is deliverance from anything that threatens to prevent fulfillment and enjoyment of our relationship with God. In the OT, God was experienced as the savior who delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt (Ex 14-15; See Canticle 8, The Song of Moses, BCP, p. 85; Dt 6:21-23). […]
Salvation History
The study of salvation history identifies the theological elements and influences in historical narratives. God's offer of salvation and humanity's response to that offer are expressed and visible in history. The importance of the biblical narratives of salvation history is reflected in the scripture readings for the Easter Vigil of the BCP (pp. 288-291), including […]
San Diego, Diocese of
The 1973 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of Los Angeles. The primary convention of the Diocese of San Diego met at St. Paul's Church, San Diego, Dec. 7-8, 1973. It includes the following counties: Imperial, a portion of Riverside, and San Diego. On Jan. 25, 1985, St. Paul's Church, San Diego, became St. […]
San Joaquin, Diocese of
The 1910 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of California, and establish the Missionary District of San Joaquin. It includes the following counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne. The primary convocation of the Missionary District met at St. James' Church, Fresno, May 9, […]
Sancta sanctis
As early as the fourth century, eastern liturgies contained the Sancta sanctis, “the holy for the holy” or “holy things for holy people,” at a showing of the sacrament to the people immediately before the administration of communion. A typical response of the people was “One is holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the […]
Sanctification
A theological term which derives from the Latin sanctus, “holy. In its proper sense “holy” refers to the holiness of God, but in a derived sense it applies to all those who are made holy. By extension it thus refers to all those who, in Christ, participate in the holiness of God through baptism. In […]
Sanctorale
The section of a service book such as a missal or breviary that provided the variable portions of services for the fixed dates of the church calendar. The propers for the fixed holy days appeared in the Sanctorale, with the exception of those in the Christmas season which were in the Temporale. The propers for […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.