Acolyte HOT NEWS
An Acolyte Seminar for the young men currently serving and those who wish to serve in the Sanctuary during liturgical services was held on Sunday, September 10, 2006, following church services. Seminar items included: proper dress when serving as an Acolyte, how to handle liturgical appliances (censer, candles, fans, etc.), duties and responsibilities of Acolyte Team Captains, and other necessary information.
Acolyte supervisor, Mark Madias, and Fr. Frank Milanese addressed the boys during the seminar. With less than six boys in attendance, it was decided to have just one team of Acolytes who would be available every week. Many of the boys are involved in school and Boy Scout activites that sometimes draw them away for a weekend here and there. It is hoped that as other young boys within the community come of age, they will join the Acolytes.
According to the Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology (courtesy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America web site - www.goarch.org ), “Acolyte” is defined as “the follower of a priest; a person assisting the priest in church ceremonies or services.” In some churches and especially in the early Church, the Acolytes are or were adults. Some churches use adults as team leaders or instructors for the Acolytes, but most Acolytes are children approximately 8 to 18 years of age.
Another common name for the acolytes is “Altar Boys”. However, “Acolyte” is more appropriate.
Since Acolytes “follow the priest”, and serve in the Sanctuary around the Altar, they should be tonsured for service by the presiding bishop or metropolitan. Only those who are tonsured as “Readers” are permitted to enter the Sanctuary area. The lay position or rank of “Reader” is also held by many Chanters as they also serve the Church in a particular manner.
Many times, young boys will begin serving as Acolytes before they are tonsured when they come of age when permitted to do so by the presiding hierarch. In many cases, a parish visit by the bishop or metropolitan may only happen once or twice a year, so the tonsuring will be delayed for the hierarch’s next visit.
In the early centuries, slaves were noted by the fact that their hair had been cut off by their owners. In the Church today, the tonsure, or cutting of the hair - typically in the sign of a cross - indicates both a sacrificial offering that does not require the mutilation or humiliation of the human body and a sign of servitude and obedience. The Reader (in this case) proclaims his willingness and readiness to serve God with faithful devotion to his assigned task. Usually, the tonsure is accompanied by a special prayer and the laying on of hands or the covering of the candidate’s head with the Epetrahilion (stole) by the hierarch.