Assistants in Public Worship

ASSISTANTS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP: The historical functions of those whose place it is to assist the principal minister in divine service belong largely to the development of the various 321orders (see Orders, Holy). In the modern Roman Catholic Church the celebrant at high mass is assisted by a dean and subdeacon who are usually priests. The minor functions are performed by acolytes, usually laymen and boys. A priest is not allowed to celebrate even a low mass without at least one person to make the responses. In the Anglican prayer-book the clergymen who read the epistle and gospel are designated not deacon and subdean, but epistoler and gospeler. See also Lay-Reader.