sacristan

[sak-ri-stuhn]

noun

1. Also called sacrist. an official in charge of the sacred vessels, vestments, etc., of a church or a religious house.

2. a sexton.

sacristan

/ ˈsækrɪstən, ˈsækrɪst, ˈseɪ- /

noun

1. a person who has charge of the contents of a church, esp the sacred vessels, vestments, etc

2. a less common word for sexton

Other Word Forms

• undersacristan noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacristan¹

1325–75; Middle English < Medieval Latin sacristānus, equivalent to sacrist ( a ) custodian of sacred objects + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacristan¹

C14: from Medieval Latin sacristānus, from sacrista, from Latin sacer holy

Example Sentences

Originally from Venezuela, he’s lived in the neighborhood with his family for a decade and often serves as a sacristan and altar server.

Read more on Washington Times

The Interior Ministry said the man killed in the attack was a sacristan, an individual who prepares Mass, at Nuestra Señora de La Palma, while a priest was wounded earlier at another church.

Read more on Seattle Times

A sacristan who was closing the cathedral for the night discovered the theft of the reliquary, which encased a vial holding a few drops of blood.

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They entered the church by the sanctuary door, startling the sacristan who slept and ate in a small room off the entrance porch.

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The church says Ishak served as a sacristan, opening and closing the church, as well as a subdeacon, assisting at services.

Read more on Washington Times