Fr. Wayne+

No trouble, really, it just takes me a little time to
recall what I've seen and where.

Acolytes were "helpers" or "sub-deacons" in the
earlier centuries.  As such, they would have assisted
in whatever was the tradition of the diocese in which
they served.  Dress and ritual varied widely, and
still, in spite of modern communications and the
ecumenical movement, there is variety not only among
the various Anglican churches, but also between the
Orthodox, RC and Anglican Communions, and Protestant
bodies.

I don't forsee the day that I would pick up a thurible
or expect an acolyte to kiss my hand as the thurible
is passed, but that is done in some Orthodox Churches.
 There may be some deep, mystical message that speaks
to the heart of the Orthodox faithful in that act, but
I suspect for most people in Indianapolis, such
guilding of the Lilly would obscure the flower of
faith entirely.

Here are some more books on the subject you raised.
1) The Ritual Reason Why by Charles Walker Edited by
T.I. Ball
     London A.R. Mowbray & Co Limited

 2)  The Parsons Handbook by Percy Dearmer
      Henry Frowde     1907

 3) The Shape of the Liturgy by Gregory Dix
     Dacre Press    1954

 4) Liturgy and Worship Edited by W.K. Lowther Clarke
     S.P.C.K.     1954

 5) The Ceremony of the English Church by Vernon
Staley

 6) The principles of Religious Ceremonial By W.H.
Frere
     Longmans, Green, and Co       1906

 7) The Study of Liturgy Editors Cheslyn Jones,
Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward
Yarnold SJ and Paul Bradshaw
     S.P.C.K.1997           ISBN 0-19-520922-2(pbk)


  8) "A Priest's Handbook. The Ceremonies of the
Church." by Dennis G Michno Is a modern. Meaning
relatively recent, ECUSA publication  which reflects
usage of the recent revisions of the BCP.

Warm regards,

Charles+



--- Wayne McNamara <Wayne.McNamara@...> wrote:
> Charles+,
> 
> Thanks, my brother!
> 
> The article did a lot to fill in the history and the
> links were great.
> 
> I appreciate you trouble.
> 
> Wayne+
> 

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