1. Plural of ostiary; doorkeepers or ushers, especially in a church or religious institution.
Usage: archaic; religious context; also spelled 'ostiaries' or 'ostiary' (singular)
2. In the Roman Catholic Church, members of the lowest of the four minor orders, responsible for opening and closing church doors.
Usage: ecclesiastical; historical; the minor order of ostiaries was abolished in 1972

Examples

• The ostiaries stood at the entrance of the cathedral, greeting worshippers as they arrived.
• In medieval churches, ostiaries were responsible for maintaining order at the doors.
• The bishop appointed new ostiaries to serve during the religious ceremonies.
• Ostiaries traditionally wore distinctive vestments to mark their ecclesiastical role.
• The duties of ostiaries included ringing bells and controlling access to the sanctuary.