Study Packet for Grace Anglican Church
Acolyte Level Three: Purple Ribbon
The Acolyte Purple Ribbon indicates that the acolyte has acquired the knowledge required to be a dependable servant in all areas required of an Acolyte and a Crucifer. The Acolyte qualified for this ribbon is able to train other acolytes and act as a team leader.
Requirements for Level Three: Purple Ribbon
(May serve any position as well as team leader.)
1. Achieved blue ribbon.
2. Faithful in attendance.
3. Participates in worship.
4. Know additional selected terms.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of order of the service.
6. Knowledge of vestments.
7. List order of procession.
Packet includes:
Study list of selected terms
Order of procession
Order of service
Description of vestments
Achievement test
Acolyte Study List for Purple Ribbon
Advent Candles The four candles in the ring of the Advent Wreath. Candles may be blueor purple.
Baptismal Towel A small rectangular towel, same size as a lavabo towel, embroidered withshell rather than a cross. Used for Baptisms only.
Celebrant The priest who presides at the Eucharist and consecrates the bread andthe wine.
Chasuble The chief Eucharistic vestment. It is oval in shape, made without sleevesand has an opening for the head. Usually made of satin brocade.
Chrism A silver or gold small container or ring containing consecrated oil used forceremonial anointing.
Christ Candle The white candle in the center of the Advent Wreath.
Communion Kit A case, usually of wood or leather, holding cruets, chalice, paten, breadbox and linens necessary to distribute blessed wine and bread to thehomebound.
Corporal This large square of “linen” takes its name from the Latin corpus(meaning body). It is a “placemat” to protect the fair linen. It is placed atthe center back of the fair linen and the vested chalice is placed on it. A
cross is embroidered at the edge.
Deacon At the Eucharist, the priest who reads the Gospel and sets the table.
Fair Linen The principal white linen cloth covering the top of the altar and extendingover the ends. It is the only linen required by rubric in the Book ofCommon Prayer.
Liturgical Colors Colors associated with various seasons, holy days and services of thechurch; such as white for Easter, baptisms and weddings, purple for Lent,
blue for Advent, etc.
Linens
The word “linen” is now used as a convenient general term to describe the various cloths used, rather than as an actual description of a type of material.
Fair LinenThe linen on top of the altar is call the fair linen. It covers the entire top of the altar and hangsdown over the ends. They are often embroidered in white with five crosses or other fittingEucharistic symbols, in the center and at the four corners before the extensions over the ends. Itis the only linen required by rubric in the Book of Common Prayer.
CorporalThis large square of “linen” takes its name from the Latin corpus (meaning body). It is a“placemat” to protect the fair linen and to catch any consecrated particles or drops of wine whichmight fall on it during the Eucharist.
PallThe square of stiffened linen is placed over the chalice and paten containing the host wafer. Itoriginally served to keep insects out of the chalice. A pall is placed over a body -- the host is thebody of Christ.
PurificatorThe purificator was developed to purify -- cleanse or wipe -- the lip of the chalice after eachperson is communicated. Considerably smaller than a corporal, a purificator is also used to cleanthe chalice and paten during the ablutions (cleaning done at the altar by the priests as part of theservice, after communion). A folded purificator is always placed over a chalice.
Lavabo towelThis rectangular linen is folded and placed on the Epistle credence table to be used when thecelebrant washes his or her fingers during the offertory. A cross is embroidered in white on theedge.
Baptismal towelThe towel looks the same as a lavabo towel except that it is embroidered with a shell instead of across and is used at baptism.
Post communion
VeilThe same size as a corporal, the post communion veil is embroidered with a cross in the centerinstead of the edge. It is used to cover a flagon of wine or ciborium of consecrated bread thatwill be used at the next service.
ORDER OF PROCESSION
SUNDAY 9:00 A.M.
Crucifer
Torches
Banner
(Flags)
Choir
(Banner)
Chalice Bearers
(2nd Crucifer or 2nd Banner)
Deacon
Priests/Celebrant
(Bishop)
*The positions in parenthesis are optional positions when the number of acolytes allow. These will normally be filled for high services. The order of precedence for acolyte positions will be: Crucifer, Torches, Banner, Flags, 2nd Crucifer.
ORDER OF SERVICE HOLY EUCHARIST
Acclamation (and Collect for Purity)
* Entrance Hymn and Procession
Salutation and Collect of the Day
Scripture Readings
* Psalms
* The Holy Gospel
Sermon
Nicene Creed
Prayers of the People
Confession and the Peace
* Offertory Sentence
(Presentation Hymn)
The Great Thanksgiving
* Preparation of the Sacraments
Prayer of Consecration
Memorial Acclamation
The Lord’s Prayer
* Holy Communion
Benediction
* Recessional Hymn and Recession
Dismissal Blessing
* The asterisks and bold print indicate actions/standing required by acolytes.
Vestments
Vestments are ecclesiastical garments worn by the various orders of ministers in the performance of their duties. Vestments are classified as choir vestments or Eucharistic vestmentsdepending on the service. Vestments also vary according to the titles and duties of those who
wear them.
Acolyte/Choir vestments
Garments worn at all services except for the clergy when theycelebrate the Eucharist.
Cassock long close fitting garment with long sleeves typically buttoningdown the center front. It is the basic dress of clergy, choir and layassistants including acolytes. Priests wear blackcassocks. Acolyteswho serve as torch or banner bearers as well as youth choir wear
red cassocks.
SurpliceWhite yoked garment worn over a cassock. Surplices areusually below the knee in length and are worn by clergy.
Cotta Waist length white yoked garment worn over a cassock. Cottasare worn by choir and acolytes.
Eucharistic Vestments
Garments worn by priest or celebrant during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Cassock-alb Traditionally, albs were very loose-fitting and cassocks were veryfitted, so the cassock-alb is a cross between the two. The cassock-albmay lap or may button. It is usually tied at the waist with a cincture. Priests wear white cassock-albs. Crucifers wear white server albs.
Stole Long narrow strip of material, usually in the liturgical color of theday, that is the badge of ordination. Priests and bishops wear thestole around the neck and hanging straight down in front. Deaconswear the stole over the left shoulder, across the chest and fastenedat the right hip.
ChasubleOne-piece sleeveless garment, open on the sides with an openingfor the head. It typically reflects the liturgical color of the day and is worn during Communion.
Assisting at the Holy Table
Preparation of Altar
Currently we use the following procedures to assist the Deacon/Celebrant in preparation for Holy Communion:
Duties of the Crucifer:
The Crucifer is the team captain. He will ensure that the Altar candles are lit before the service, (At the 11:00 am service, the Crucifer will light the candles), and that the torches, banners, flags, and Cross are prepositioned at the rear of the church for the procession. The acolytes should all proceed up the side aisle of the church at the same time. They should all meet and bow at the center of the altar rail, get their torch, flag, or banner, and then proceed to the rear of the church down a side aisle depending on the side of your equipment. Be courteous to incoming worshippers. When vesting in the Sacristy: After vesting and ensuring that the Sacristy door is closed, Acolytes will get the cross, torches and banner, and then proceed down the side aisles to prepare for the processional.
Procedures:
1. Procession: Slow steady walk to the altar rail. (Slow enough that candles do not blow out if carrying a torch.) Stop prior to the altar rail step so the torches stop by your side. Wait for the torches, to come to a halt at the rail. Signal the acolytes with a nod and proceed up the altar rail step and to the right side straight steps and then up to the holder. (The Banner and Flags will move to their positions outside of the altar rail.) Place the Cross in its holder. Wait until the torches, banners, and flags have posted their equipment. Proceed to the forward most seat on Epistle side. (Note: The choir will be following this procession, so do not delay after the banner and flags are at your side.)
2. Service: At the conclusion of the announcements: The Crucifer will prepare the Lavabo bowl for washing the Deacon’s hands at the altar. (Drape the Lavabo towel over the left arm; hold the Lavabo bowl with the left hand and the water flagon with the right. When signaled, approach the altar and pour water over the fingers of the Deacon. Offer the Deacon the towel by turning to the right. He will replace the towel. Return to the table and neatly arrange the table items.)
Next, the Crucifer will meet Acolyte 1 at the front of the altar. They will bow, turn around and proceed to the altar rail. They will accept the bread and wine from the ushers. They will go up the steps to the top step and give them to the Deacon at the front of the altar. The Crucifer will then proceed to the Credence Table and take the cruet of water to the side of the altar and wait for the Deacon to take the cruet and add water to the wine. The cruet will then be returned to the Credence Table. The Crucifer will then prepare the Lavabo bowl, and wash the hands of the Celebrant and Assisting Priest if there is a third priest.
Stand by the Credence table during the Offertory. Ensure that the torches secure the altar rail for Communion. Return to your seat for blessing of the Sacraments.
The Celebrant will bless the Sacraments, and will give Communion to himself. The Crucifer will join the Deacon and Assisting Priest at the side of the altar for Holy Communion. After receiving Communion, the Crucifer will take the three chalices from the Credence table to the Altar and the second paten.
After receiving Communion, and the priests and chalice bearers begin communion for the congregation, get the wine flagon from the altar, place the stopper on the Credence Table, and then standby on the top step of the altar to refill the Chalices when required by the Chalice Bearers.
After Communion is served to the congregation, ensure that the torches have opened the altar rail and moved the cushion to the side.
3. Recession: After the Benediction, proceed to the Cross holder. Pause until the other acolytes are at their holders. (One of the torches has to cross the altar to his position.) Lead the acolytes to the center of the altar rail. Step down to the center and face the altar. When the torches are in position by your sides, and at the beginning of the second stanza of the Recessional hymn, turn to your right to recess down the aisle. Proceed slowly. The flags will follow the torches out on the outside of the rail, and the banner will lead the choir out after the flags (or torches with no flags). At the rear of the Nave, move to the side and face the altar. After the concluding prayer, carry the Cross back up the side aisle when able. Be courteous to the congregants that are leaving the pews.
Purple Ribbon Test Section
(Fill in the Blank, open notes)
1. The chief Eucharistic vestment. It is oval in shape,
made without sleevesand has an opening for the head.
Usually made of satin brocade.______
2. This large square of “linen” takes its name from the
Latin corpus(meaning body). It is a “placemat” to
protect the fair linen. It is placed atthe center back of the
fair linen and the vested chalice is placed on it. A
cross is embroidered at the edge.______
3. A silver or gold small container or ring containing
consecrated oil used forceremonial anointing______
4. At the Eucharist, the priest who reads the Gospel and
sets the table.______
5. Colors associated with various seasons, holy days
and services of thechurch; such as white for
Easter, baptisms and weddings, purple for Lent,
blue for Advent, etc.______
6. A case, usually of wood or leather, holding cruets,
chalice, paten, breadbox and linens necessary to
distribute blessed wine and bread to thehomebound.______
7. The priest who presides at the Eucharist and consecrates
the bread andthe wine.______
8. White yoked garment worn over a cassock. Surplices
areusually below the knee in length and are worn by
clergy.______
9. One-piece sleeveless garment, open on the sides with an
openingfor the head. It typically reflects the liturgical
color of the day and is worn during Communion.______
10. Long narrow strip of material, usually in the liturgical
color of theday, that is the badge of ordination. Priests
and bishops wear thestole around the neck and hanging
straight down in front. Deaconswear the stole over the
left shoulder, across the chest and fastenedat the right hip. ______
11. Waist length white yoked garment worn over a cassock.
Worn by choir and acolytes.______
12. The white candle in the center of the Advent Wreath. ______
List the order of the Procession (formal service)
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
List the order of the service and briefly describe acolyte/crucifer duties at key points in the service.
______