sacristans
Sanctuary's devoted custodians
Sacristans are church officials responsible for the care of sacred objects and the preparation of worship spaces.
A sacristan maintains vestments, altar linens, and ceremonial vessels, and ensures the sanctuary is ready for services.
The role exists across Christian traditions, from Catholic parishes to Anglican cathedrals: The sacristan laid out the communion vessels before Mass.
Church building caretaker
- vergerChurch attendant with staff
- churchwardenLay parish administrator
- altar serverWorship ceremony assistant
- acolyteClergy's ceremonial assistant
beadle · custodian · keeper · steward · caretaker · attendant · warden · guardian
Ornate ritual drinking vessel
- patenEucharistic bread dish
- cruetSmall condiment bottle
- monstranceVessel displaying consecrated host
- reliquaryContainer for sacred remains
tabernacle · lavabo · flagon · corporal · pall
Protected sacred space
- candlesWax lights with wicks
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- lectionaryScheduled scripture for services
- missalCatholic service text collection
breviary · procession · communion · mass · bell · crucifix · altar cloth
sexton
Church building caretaker
- vergerChurch attendant with staff
- churchwardenLay parish administrator
- altar serverWorship ceremony assistant
acolyte · beadle · custodian · keeper · steward · caretaker · attendant · warden · guardian · overseer
chalice
Ornate ritual drinking vessel
- patenEucharistic bread dish
- cruetSmall condiment bottle
- monstranceVessel displaying consecrated host
sanctuary
Protected sacred space
- candlesWax lights with wicks
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- lectionaryScheduled scripture for services
missal · breviary · procession · communion · mass · bell · crucifix · altar cloth
chasuble
Liturgical overgarment for clergy
stole · cope · maniple · cincture · biretta · wardrobe · robing · vesting
parish
Local church community
curate · pastor · chaplain · vicar · bishop · canon · diocese · ordination · ecclesiastical · prelate
- church rolesbishop, deacons, priest, pastor, lay readers
- medieval clergypriest, monk, nun, bishop, abbot
- Catholicsparishioners, parishioner, communicant, archbishops, lapsed Catholic
- churchgoerschurchgoer, churchgoers, parishioner, parishioners, congregant
- clergypriest, bishop, pope, nun, monk
sacristansbishops
High-ranking clergy members
priests · cardinals · clergy · archbishops · prelates