sacristan

American  

[sak-ri-stuhn] / ˈsæk rɪ stən /

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.

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sacristan British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• undersacristan noun

Etymology

Origin of sacristan

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

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.

From Washington 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.

From Reuters

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

From Literature

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

From Washington Times

For the past 15 years, she has volunteered a sacristan at Immaculate Conception Parish on Gold Star Boulevard.

From Washington Times