Definition of acolyte

The word "acolyte" has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece. The term "acolyte" originates from the Greek word "akolouthos" (ἀκόλουθος), which means "one who follows" or "one who accompanies." In the context of early Christianity, an acolyte was a young boy or a subordinate priest who assisted the priest or bishop during worship services. The acolyte's duties included lighting candles, carrying the gospel book, and performing other ceremonial tasks. The term "acolyte" was later adopted into Latin as "acolythus," and from there it entered various European languages. In the Middle Ages, the term referred to a lower-ranking member of the clergy who assisted a higher-ranking clergy member in performing religious rites and ceremonies. Today, an acolyte is often a youth who assists in a church's worship services, typically as part of a training program for future clergy or church leaders.