Loading...Nine acolytes from Christ Church Bowling Green attended the 31st annual National Acolyte Festival at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., over fall break. More than 700 acolytes from 19 states participated in the festival.
Acolytes from as far away as Good Samaritan Church in Sammamish, Wash., attended along with neighboring acolytes from
Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Ky.
The purpose of the festival was to acknowledge in the name of God the acolytes gathered and to rededicate the acolytes to a life of loving service to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word "acolyte" is derived from a Greek word meaning the one who serves and assists.
The great procession of acolytes during the festival lasted nearly an hour. Each group was led by vergers along the national cathedral's side aisles toward the narthex, where they processed down the main aisle. The great procession, accompanied by the hymn "Marching to Zion," included an acolyte from St. Matthew's parish from Pacific Palisades, Calif., carrying a banner depicting a surfer on a surfboard; two ballerinas, who performed pirouettes and plies; and acolytes from All Saints parish in Austin, Texas, who displayed their team colors with orange longhorns painted on their cheeks.
Several groups of acolytes were lead by thurifers, who swung censers with such ferocity they must have been recruited from Double Dutch jump rope competitions in Brooklyn or the Bronx. One thurifer twirled his censer over his head in a manner reminiscent of David slaying Goliath.
Reverend Canon C.K. Robertson confessed during his sermon that when he was an acolyte many years ago he had to throw an elbow into the side of Father Lou, who had fallen asleep during Eucharist.
Acolytes had opportunities to participate in workshops after the festival. The FUNdamentals of the Eucharist was held in the chapel of Joseph of Arimathea in the crypt below the nave of the cathedral. Workshops were offered, including one entitled "Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick - with Love" about the emerging ministry of the verger. A workshop, on jubilation streamers, was held in the nave of the cathedral, and another workshop, "Gargoyles and Grotesques of the Cathedral," was very popular.
The Christ Church acolytes would like to thank the diocese's Department of Christian Formation for its generous gift to make possible their participation in the National Acolyte Festival.
