Acolyte | Clergy, Worship & Service (2024)

FAQs

What religion uses acolyte? ›

“Acolyte” derives from a Greek term, akolouthos, which means “server,” “companion,” or “follower.” In the Roman Catholic Church, a person is installed in the ministry of Acolyte in order to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, especially the Eucharistic Liturgy.

An acolyte can assist in worship by carrying a processional cross, lighting candles, holding the Gospel book, holding candles or "torches", assisting a deacon or priest set up and clean up at the altar, swinging a censer or thurible or carrying the incense boat, handing the offering plates to ushers, and many other ...

The word acolyte comes from the Greek word for follower – akolouthos. It used to be that only boys and young men could be acolytes. Today, being an acolyte is open to all – men and women – young and old. Acolytes wear special clothing to distinguish their role in the service.

You are to assist the priest and other ministers during the service to make things run smoothly. You also represent the congregation and help them follow what is happening in the service. Each of you has a particular job and it is expected that you will do your job well and to the glory of God.

The word acolyte comes from the Greek word akolouthos, meaning follower, helper, or assistant. By the middle ages, acolytes were a clerical order. Acolytes may have any number of helping functions. They may carry the light, processional cross, banners, or Bible.

Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Monday changing canon law to allow women to serve as lectors and acolytes. In the motu proprio “Spiritus Domini,” issued on Jan.

INSTITUTED ACOLYTES AND LECTORS

In the ministry of the altar, the acolyte has special duties (Nos. 187-193), which he alone ought to perform. 99 The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the gospel reading.

If no deacon is present, the Acolyte, may pour the wine into the Chalice and Communion Cups based on the preferences of the presider. Unlike a Deacon, an Acolyte kneels during the entire Eucharistic Prayer, similar to the congregation and altar servers.

An acolyte is a follower or assistant of an important person. [formal] To his acolytes, he is known simply as "the Boss." Synonyms: follower, fan, supporter, pupil More Synonyms of acolyte.

The acolyte ministry stems from Old Testament times. The Scriptures tell of the Prophet Samuel assisting Eli the priest and of Elijah being assisted by Elisha. The New Testament illustrates early Christian adoption of this custom, retained to the present day as the honored office of acolyte.

What do Catholic acolytes wear? ›

In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”

In ancient ecclesiastical Rome there was no solemn ordination of acolytes. At communion-time in any ordinary Mass, even when it was not stational, the candidate approached the Pope, or in his absence, one of the bishops of the pontifical court.

Methodism and Lutheranism. In the Methodist and Lutheran traditions, acolytes participate in the worship service by carrying a processional cross (these acolytes are called crucifers), lighting the altar candles, extinguishing the altar candles, and ringing the church bell to call the congregation to worship.

acolyte, (from Greek akolouthos, “server,” “companion,” or “follower”), in the Roman Catholic church, a person is installed in a ministry in order to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical celebrations, especially the eucharistic liturgy.

The highest minor order next to sub-deacon was the acolyte, with the sub-deacon acting as a sort of “head acolyte”. The word comes from the Greek meaning “attendant”, but the role of the acolyte was not just to assist the priest and deacon at the altar but also to bring the Eucharist to those who were not present.

acolyte, (from Greek akolouthos, “server,” “companion,” or “follower”), in the Roman Catholic church, a person is installed in a ministry in order to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical celebrations, especially the eucharistic liturgy.

A person who assists in the worship service. Normally the acolyte serves by lighting and extinguishing the candles on the communion or altar table and distributing and collecting the offering plates. At the discretion of the pastor, the acolyte may also assist in other portions of the worship service.

An acolyte is the person responsible for the lighting and extinguishing of the candles on the communion table. The light, or fire, represents the light of Christ. Here at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings, 3rd through 8th graders serve as acolytes.

Also referred to as "altar servers", acolytes help the clergy conduct the services, by carrying candles and processional crosses and fans, preparing and handling the incense burner, attending to the holy chalice during Communion, and in many other ways. In the Orthodox Christian tradition, acolytes are males.