Acolyte (Clergy of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church) An acoylte is a clergyman within the United Roman-Ruthenian Church who ranks below a Sub-Deacon and above an Exorcist. Acolyte is one of the Minor Holy Orders of the clergy. The earliest known reference to the office of acolyte dates back to the time of Pope Victor I, who served from 189 to 199 AD. After the 4th century, acolytes were frequently mentioned in Roman documents. While acolytes existed in North Africa, they appears not to have been found outside of Rome and North Africa until the 10th century, when they were adopted throughout the Western Church. Return to Main Page | Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia United Roman-Ruthenian Church |