The sacristy is a special place in the church altar or a separate room in a Christian church, in which two kinds of objects are stored. The first is vestments - the clothes of priests. The second is sacred vessels and other utensils. The person who manages the sacristy is called the sacristy, and those of them who serve in the cathedrals, the cathedral keykeeper. In more detail that this is a sacristy will be described in this article.
Priestly vestment
Understanding the meaning of the word "sacristy", it is worth talking about what a garment is. The clothes of the clergy and clergy are called vestments. They are divided into liturgical and non-liturgical. All liturgical robes are called by one common word "robes". These include:
- Elemental - at the clergyman.
- He, plus a cassock, an oracle, teach a lesson to the deacon.
- A priest, a cassock, cassock, epitrachil, errands, a felon, a belt, a pectoral cross.
- Sakkos, omophorion, panagia, cross, miter (added to what the priest has) - the archbishop.
These types of vestments are called vestments, they are stored in vestries. In addition, the veil called a veil, located on the lectern, the altar, the throne and the patron saint on the chalice, is also called the robe. It’s also a metal salary on the icon, and the garment is a diaper in which, after the christening, the baby is wrapped.
Sacristy in the Orthodox Church
What does the sacristy mean for the Orthodox? In the Orthodox church, they are divided into two types: small and large.
The small one, called the deacon, is located behind the iconostasis in one of the altars, as a rule, to the right of the high place. Such a sacristy is one or several closed cupboards where they are stored: liturgical vestments, church utensils, crosses, altar gospels, and donors.
In early Christianity, the position of the sacristy was not strictly fixed. It could be located either to the right or to the left of the central apse (arch) or near the narthex (narthex). Starting from the 6th-7th centuries, it is usually located to the right of the central apse and is connected to it.
As for the large sacristy, it is a separate room located outside the altar. It can also exist in the form of an extension. Most often this happens with large cathedrals. And in monasteries it can generally be a separately built building.
Sacristy in the Catholic Church
In the temples of Catholics, sacristy is also called sacristy. This word in translation from Latin means "sacred utensils". The sacristy sacristy is a room located either on the side or in front of the altar. In it, as in the Orthodox churches, the accessories of the Christian cult are stored.
These are the same liturgical vestments of clergy, sacred vessels, liturgical literature, and the like. Here, the clergy put on their vestments before taking up their duties, and also here some rituals are performed. There are also sacrists, which have the appearance of separate buildings.
Mass Start
Before the Catholic Mass begins , a bell ringing is heard from the sacristy. He informs the congregation that the service is beginning. The beginning of the mass is quite magnificent.
This is the ceremonial exit of priests from Sacristy. At the end of the liturgy, they again return to it. The laity can be allowed into this room, but not only during the mass, but at the end of it, if they need to talk with the priest.
Head of the sacristy
This is an official in the monastery, who, according to the obedience entrusted to him, manages all church utensils. His responsibilities include the following:
- Manage and protect all church utensils, on which an accurate inventory should be made. This inventory is monitored every year by the abbot of the monastery.
- Indicate in the inventory all church property and all sacristy things. In this case, it is necessary to indicate their quantity, price and the centuries to which they belong.
- Keep the inventory always only in the walls of the sacristy, in a secluded safe place and have a copy so that you can verify the presence of objects in it mentioned. It is forbidden to give it to anyone without the permission of the abbot.
- Keep the key to the sacristy only with you, do not let anyone in except your assistant, and even then under the personal responsibility of the sacristy.
- Keep the keys to the churches exclusively at home, taking them from each sexton.
- Inspect the precious things that were used in worship in the most thorough manner, and in case of their loss - report to the abbot.
- Give vestments to the clergy and ensure that everything that needs to be fixed is fixed in a timely manner. If necessary, you need to purchase new items, informing the abbot about this.
- Destroy the worn out with the knowledge of the abbot or treasurer.
- Monitor the lighting of temples and altars.
- Observe the actions of subordinates - the ringer, the ecclesiarch and the sexton. You can have one or two sacristan assistants.
From the above duties of the head of the sacristy specified in the Charter of the Holy Cross Exaltation Monastery, one can judge the work of the sacristy, as well as its great importance in the Christian church tradition.