Ferial Gospel Lectern, " Evangeliftarium." Cent. xii. or xiii. (Viollet-le-Duc, Mobilier, Vol. 1.) Page 9. On these occafions the Epiftle fhould be read down at the Lectricum in the Choir, and facing the Choir. Eafter Candlestick and Veils for Letterns. A tall fingle Candlestick, of precious material and fine workmanship, should be placed at the left of the Gospel Ambo for the Easter candle; but it may be used at other times when the Gospel is read. Near this fhould ftand Seven Candlesticks or a feven-branched brazen Candelabrum at Christmas, the Purification, and Eafter, but in the centre of the Choir. This was fometimes placed length wife from Eaft to Weft, fometimes across the Eaftern end. At Rochester, in the thirteenth century, was a red and gold cloth for the Lectorium (Regist. Roffenfe, 240). At Sarum, 1222, one cloth for the Eagle, a linen cloth embroidered with gold for the Pulpitum on greater Feafts, a linen cloth for the Lettern on week days. Thefe Veils were long and beautiful. Two fuch are in the South Kenfington Museum, 7468, 7413, one of filk and gold and another of velvet, but of the seventeenth century; these are described by Dr. Rock (Textile Fabrics, 141, 145); one is 9 ft. by 1 ft. 10 in., the other 11 ft. 2 in. by 1 ft. 10 in. Two others are of linen embroidered with various Scriptural defigns, of the fourteenth century (8358); one 10 ft. by 3 ft., the other with embroidered defigns alfo in white (8693). Ibid. 210, 261. It is earnestly hoped that this inftructive, primitive, and folemn mode of reciting the Gofpels and Epiftles, and other Lections, may again be restored, and without delay. The Abbé Thiers has proved by an exhaustive series of authorities from the very earliest ages down to the fifteenth century, that the Gofpel was always read at the Euchariftic Sacrifice from the fummit of the Ambo. (Differtation fur les Jubés, 168.) X. PRESBYTERIUM, SACRISTY. Beyond the Eastern extremity of the Chorus Cantorum, with an ascent thereto of three steps, should be a large open space, vacant of all incumbrances, called the Prefbytery, of fufficient fize to contain all the Clergy and Choir when mustered for Proceffions, and alfo for the convenient placing of a large number of communicants. Out of this space should open laterally into the North and South Choir aifles, doors or openings fpacious enough for the convenient paffage of thefe Proceffions along with Croffes and Banners, and for the retirement of the communicants, after Communion ended. At Sarum and in most other Cathedrals, there was, and fhould be, a vacant platform intervening between the Eafternmoft Stalls of the Choir and the three steps into the Prefbytery proper, and rifing from the Choir by one step called, с Gradus Chori. Upon this the Alleluyas and Tracts were fometimes fung and fome other portions of the service recited. On the right or Southern fide of this Prefbytery, or from the Sanctuary, fhould open another door leading into the Veftry or Sacrifty, or if none fuch, into an aifle or apfide off the Chancel or Choir, conveniently fituate for bringing out thence the facred veffels and utenfils for the Celebration of " Holy Communion, commonly called the Maffe," and placing them on the Credence; fo also for taking them back after Celebration without the neceffity of crofling before and in front of the Altar to the further fide thereof; fo alfo for the Vefting and coming forth, and retiring after Office is finished of the Deacons, Sub-deacons, Acolytes, and others who take part therein. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, except in large Churches, there were probably no Sacrifties or Veftries in our fenfe of the term, the whole of the Church generally, even including the Choir, being open. The inftruments of divine worship, Chalices, Patens, Pyxes, Towers, Lamps, Ciboria, Thuribles, Candelabra, and the Vestments were then kept in one of the apfides when not in use. These repofitories are called "Paftorphoria" by the Greeks," Sacraria," "Secretaria" by the Latins. Afterwards fome of these veffels were placed in the Aumbries or Almeries, or cupboards, at the East end of the Church under lock and key, especially in the smaller Churches. When Veftments, hangings, and facred veffels multiplied and became more valuable, as they did in the twelfth century in all the larger Churches, a space was enclosed or built on to the Church for their conservation, called the Sacrifty or Veftry, the keeper of which was the Sacriftan. XI.-CREDENCE, SEDILIA. On the fame South fide and on the fame floor fhould be the CREDENCE, a confiderable projecting shelf, or a recefs in the wall with a shelf or shelves, or in lieu thereof a table of breadth and size sufficient to receive conveniently all the materials and utenfils for Celebration; to wit, a Chalice or two Chalices, Paten or two Patens, a Cruet for wine, another for water, a Pyx or box containing the Breads; a Bafin wherein to lave the hands of the Prieft, and if there be no Piscina, another for cleanfing the facred veffels; also for the laying thereon the Offertory Veil, the Corporals, and Napkins. In English Churches are ufually found two of these receffed Credences, the larger on the South side, used also as an Aumbry, the smaller on the North, where may be placed the Church plate not in ufe, the Alms-difh, and smaller ornaments. A remarkable inftance of this may be feen in the twelve altars at Kirkstall Abbey near Leeds. This latter arrangement is specially mentioned and defcribed by Sidonius Apollinaris. |