ACOLYTE MINISTRY

The term “Acolyte” generally refers to anyone who performs ceremonial duties during a worship service. Duties may vary within and between denominations.  A common synonym is “Altar-Server”. Some Christian churches use the term to describe a person wishing to attain clergy hood.

EPISCOPAL ACOLYTE

The Episcopal Church of the United States has acolytes of both genders who carry processional cross, light altar candles, hold the Gospel book and assist with altar maintenance and other duties as requested by priests or acolyte wardens.

Traditional Episcopal diocese tends to rank acolytes based on their ability to serve various functions. Some rankings include: Trainee, Junior Acolytes, Senior Acolytes and Acolyte of Merit.

METHODIST AND LUTHERAN ACOLYTE

In these traditions, the acolyte will ring the church bell to call the congregation to the worship service. An important function for the acolytes is to light the altar candles as a symbol of Jesus Christ’s presence.  At the conclusion of the service, the acolyte will then proceed with their “candle lighter” into the narthex to symbolize Christ’s omnipresence.

ROMAN CATHOLOCISM ACOLYTE

Traditionally, the acolyte was the highest of the minor orders. They did not receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, but were considered part of the clergy, on their way to receiving Holy Orders. Duties included: lighting of altar-candles, assisting the subdeacon and deacon, and the ministering of water and wine to the priest at Mass.
After Vatican II, the acolyte became one of two lay ministries (lector being the second) and was open to all men, even those not going to seminary. Because altar servers perform many similar tasks, few men outside of seminary are formally instituted.
Instituted acolytes have some exclusive features: he is a permanent extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and can also celebrate the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Acolytes are the only lay ministers who can do the purifications of the vessels at Mass. They have priority to lead blessing ceremonies and priority to lead Sunday Celebrations in the absence of a priest and deacon.
Today, the term “Acolyte” may also refer to non-instituted altar servers who perform similar duties as instituted acolytes during the Mass.