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[[image:altarboy.jpg|thumb|right|A young man in sticharion performing the duties of an altar server]]In the Orthodox Church, an '''acolyte''' or an '''altar boy''' is a term used for someone who, though unordained, performs liturgical duties such as lighting [[altar]] [[Candle|candles]], preparing charcoal for incense, and assisting the major orders with the liturgy.
== The acolyte in the Byzantine tradition ==
The [[Orthodox Church]] no longer possesses an exact equivalent for this office. The order of acolyte has fallen into disuse with other minor orders, such as doorkeepers and exorcists.
At one time there was a rank of minor clergy called the taper-bearer, responsible for bearing lights during processions and liturgical entrances; however, this rank has long ago been subsumed by that of the [[reader]]; the service for the [[ordination]] of a reader mentions both functions.
The functions of an acolyte or taper-bearer are therefore carried out by readers, [[subdeacon|subdeacons]], or by unordained men or boys. Subdeacons wear their normal vestments consisting of the [[sticharion]] and crossed [[orarion]]; readers and unordained servers generally wear the sticharion alone.
While in other Christian entities the term Acolyte is used for someone preparing for the major orders of clergy, this is not implied in Orthodox usage.
== The acolyte in the Western Orthodox tradition ==
Some canonical [[Western Rite]] parishes still have Altar servants, particularly in [http://orthodoxwesternrite.wordpress.com/ Rocor WR]. They have the same function as the Eastern Rite acolytes earlier had.
=== The Acolyte inside the Church Orders in the Orthodox West in 8th century ===
[[Image:IRHT_106966-p.jpg]]
[[Image:IRHT 106967-p.jpg]]
The service of the Church servants is clearly seen on these pictures:
Ostiar (guardian of the reliquaries), Lector (Reader), Acolitis (Acolyte), Exorcis (Exorcist), Subdiacon (Subdeacon), Deacon, Priest and Bishop
[http://www.culture.gouv.fr/documentation/enlumine/fr/BM/autun_033-01.htm source pictures]
[http://www.enluminures.culture.fr/public/mistral/enlumine_fr?ACTION=RETROUVER&FIELD_98=POSS&VALUE_98=%20Marmoutier&NUMBER=1&GRP=0&REQ=%28%28Marmoutier%29%20%3aPOSS%20%29&USRNAME=nobody&USRPWD=4%24%2534P&SPEC=1&SYN=1&IMLY=&MAX1=1&MAX2=100&MAX3=100&DOM=All Sacramentaire de Marmoutier à l'usage d'Autun] - ms.19 bis, f. 5 - Autun - BM - © IRHT (CNRS) / Bibliothèque municipale d'Autun / MC
[http://www.numerique.culture.fr/mpf/pub-fr/document.html?id=FR-DC-B710146101_001&from1=imgalea open access to public library Autun] on [http://www.enluminures.culture.fr French Ministry of Culture illuminated manuscripts] website
== External links ==
*[[w:Acolyte|Wikipedia: Acolyte]]
{{Clergy/wide}}
[[Category:Clergy]]
[[ro:Acolit]]
