An acolyte is a person who assists in religious ceremonies, especially in Christian churches. Typically, an acolyte helps the clergy by performing various duties such as carrying candles, preparing the altar, or assisting during the service. The role is often given to young members of the congregation or those in training for religious service.
Key Points:
- Religious assistant: Helps priests or ministers during worship.
- Common duties: Carrying candles, lighting altar candles, holding books, or preparing communion elements.
- Context: Most commonly found in Christian liturgical traditions like Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches.
- Broader meaning: Sometimes used metaphorically to describe a devoted follower or assistant to a leader or cause.
If you want, I can provide more details on the role of acolytes in specific religious traditions!
