Dictionary Definition
crucifer n : any of various plants of the family
Cruciferae [syn: cruciferous
plant]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
crucifer- (Roman Catholic church) a person who carries a cross in a religious procession
- a member of the family Cruciferae, the
cabbage family, including
cabbage and mustard
- Note: It is allowed to use Brassicaceae as an alternative and equivalent name for this family.
Extensive Definition
A crucifer is, in some Christian churches
(particularly the Roman
Catholic Church and the Anglican
Communion, as well as on occasions such as Lent and/or Easter,
Lutherans), a
person appointed to carry the church's processional cross, a
cross or
crucifix with a long
staff, during processions at the beginning and end of the
service.
The term "crucifer" comes from the Latin crux (cross)
and ferre (to bear, carry). It thus literally means "cross-bearer".
Before the Roman Catholic reforms of the Second
Vatican Council, the function of the crucifer was carried out
by a subdeacon.
External links
- Catholic Encyclopedia: "Cross-Bearer"
crucifer in Dutch:
Croceferarius