Acolytes are adults and young people who have an important supportive role in the service, assisting in worship by carrying the processional cross (crucifer) and torches, lighting and extinguishing the candles, carrying the Gospel book, and assisting in the collection of alms and the presentation of the bread and wine during holy communion.
In the contemporary Church, “Acolyte” is a general term which covers not only those who are servers, but also torchbearers, lighters of candles, crucifers, thurifers, and banner-bearers. However, acolytes are as old as the church and are mentioned as a minor order (along with porters, lectors, and exorcists) as early as a letter of Pope Cornelius to Fabius of Antioch in 252. They were also mentioned in Cyprian’s writings.
Historically, Acolytes assisted deacons or subdeacons at the preparation of the table. Later they carried candles in processions. In Rome they carried fragments of the bread consecrated at the papal Mass to other churches. In the late middle ages, when candles began to appear upon altars, they lighted the altar candles. Eventually, lay servers or sacristans performed duties earlier associated with acolytes, and the order of acolyte was normally conferred upon a candidate for priesthood in the course of his training. The minor orders were not perpetuated in Anglicanism. Some of the duties earlier performed by persons in the minor order of acolyte were taken over by lay clerks. In the later nineteenth century, the clerks were suppressed and their duties were largely taken over by lay “acolytes” and sacristans or altar guilds.
If you are interested in serving as an acolyte at St. James, please contact Fr. Ken Saunders.
