Crucifer

The term "crucifer" comes from the Latin crux (cross) and ferre (to bear, carry).

Use of the term "crucifer" is most common in the Lutheran and Anglican churches, as well as in certain Catholic congregations.

[2] In the Catholic Church, the usual term is "cross-bearer", which is employed in certain Lutheran congregations as well.

[3] In the Latin Catholic Church the function of the crucifer/cross-bearer was generally carried out by a subdeacon until Pope Paul VI decreed in his motu proprio Ministeria quaedam of 15 August 1972 that "the major order of subdiaconate no longer exists in the Latin Church".

In line with that document, the functions previously assigned to the subdeacon are now entrusted to the acolyte and the reader.