Glossary of Terms

Sanctuary

1) Holy place, usually the worship space of a church. Sanctuary may mean the area around the altar, especially in liturgical churches. It may be separated from the rest of the church by an altar rail. It may refer to the entire chancel area, including the choir and/or the space reserved for the clergy. It […]

Sanctuary Lamp

A lamp or candle which burns near the reserved sacrament when the reservation is near the altar. See Reservation of the Sacrament.

Sanctus Bell

A bell rung by a server during the eucharist to emphasize and call attention to particular moments in the liturgy. The bell may be a small hand bell or set of bells, or a gong rung with a clapper, or the tower bell of the church. The term is based on the practice of ringing […]

Sanctus, The

From the Latin for “holy,” a hymn of adoration and praise which begins, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts.” It typically follows the preface in the eucharistic prayer (BCP, pp. 334, 341, 362, 367, 371, 373, 402, 404). It is sung or said by the celebrant and people. The Sanctus is based on the […]

Sarcophagus

Ancient ornamented coffin in the form of a chest and lid. The term is from Latin words that mean “flesh-eating.” This refers to the belief that a sarcophagus lined with caustic limestone would cause the body of the deceased to dissolve within forty days. Sarcophagi were made of stone, terra-cotta, wood, marble, alabaster, or metal. […]

Satterlee, Henry Yates

(Jan. 11, 1843-Feb. 22, 1908). Bishop and founder of the Washington Cathedral. He was born in New York City. Satterlee received his B.A. from Columbia College in 1863 and studied for the ordained ministry at the General Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon on Nov. 21, 1865, and priest on Jan. 11, 1867. He began […]

Savage, Thomas Staughton

(June 7, 1804-Dec. 29, 1880). The first medical missionary sent out by the Episcopal Church. He was born in Middletown (now Cromwell), Connecticut, and graduated from Yale in 1825. He received his M.D. from the Yale Medical School in 1833 and graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1836. Savage was ordained deacon on July […]

Sayre, John Nevin

(Feb. 4, 1884-Sept. 13, 1977). Founder of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. He was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sayre received his B.A. from Princeton in 1907 and his B.D. from Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1910. He was ordained deacon on Oct. 31, 1911, and priest on Nov. 7, 1912. In 1911-1912 and 1914-1915, Sayre […]

SC.

” See Oil, Holy.

Scapular

A sleeveless garment that hangs from the shoulders to the ankles. The term is derived from the Latin for “shoulder-blades.” The scapular is a wide band of material, usually black, with an opening for the head. It forms part of the regular monastic habit for many religious orders. It is typically worn over a cassock […]

Scarf

See Tippet.

Schereschewsky, Samuel Isaac Joseph

(May 6, 1831-Oct. 15, 1906). Missionary bishop and translator. He was born in Tauroggen, Russian Lithuania, to Jewish parents. He became convinced that he should become a Christian and in 1854 came to the United States. He decided to enter the Presbyterian ministry and studied at Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, 1855-1858. He then joined […]

Schism

This word of Greek origin means a rip, tear, split, or division. In ecclesiastical terms, it is a formal and willful separation from the unity of the church. The term is used in the NT for any kind of quarrel or division. Its meaning was later restricted to divisions of the church having a non-doctrinal […]

Schola Cantorum

A school for church singers. The first Roman schola cantorum has been dated from the fourth century. It provided music for papal masses. The Roman schola cantorum was reorganized by Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), who served as Pope from 590 to 604. Gregorian Chant developed in the Roman schola cantorum during the seventh and […]

Scholasticism

A movement or approach to theology in Christianity which developed during the middle ages. It flourished from the time of Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) until the beginning of the “modern” period in the philosophy of Descartes (1596-1650). It included such noted theologians and philosophers as Anselm, Peter Lombard, Abelard, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and […]

School of Theology of the Diocese of Arkansas

See Arkansas Theological Chautauqua School.

School of Theology, University of the South

One of the recognized, accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The first meeting of the trustees of the University of the South was held at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, on July 4, 1857. The cornerstone was laid at Sewanee, Tennessee, on Oct. 10, 1860, but the Civil War delayed the construction of buildings. A school of […]

Scott, Thomas Fielding

(Mar. 12, 1808-July 14, 1867). First Missionary Bishop of Oregon and Washington Territory. He was born in Iredell County, North Carolina. Scott graduated from Franklin College, now the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, in 1829. He was licensed to preach in the Presbyterian Church and served in Georgia and Tennessee. In 1842 Scott met Bishops […]

Scripture

This word comes from the Latin for “writings” and refers to a collection of the most important documents in a given religious community. Many different religions have scriptures. The term “canon,” which means a rule or listing, refers to the list of items included in a scripture. The word “Bible” is used by Christians to […]

Scudder, Vida Dutton

(Dec. 15, 1861-Oct. 9, 1954). Educator and Christian Socialist. She was born in Madura, India, and was initially named Julia Davida. Her father was a Congregationalist missionary. She and her mother returned to Auburndale, Massachusetts after he died. When she was a teenager, she and her mother joined the Episcopal Church. Scudder received her B.A. […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms