Acolyte

An acolyte is an assistant or follower assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession. In many religious traditions, an acolyte is anyone performing ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles, and lower ceremonial or custodial duties. In others, the term is used for one who has been inducted into a particular church or temple, even when not performing those duties. In most churches, an acolyte is the lowest rank within the church clergy or temple hierarchy.

The term is also sometimes used in a secular context, referring to a student of a particular master, school or discipline.

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