cross bearer
noun1
Christianity A person who carries a cross in a Christian religious procession.
- He was at the head of a splendid train of religious, civil and military men, mingled together, or, as the old ballad maker expresses it, "With many a cross bearer before, And many a spear behind."1823, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 18, in Quentin Durward:
- Behind the verger walked a cross-bearer, the Canterbury choristers and seven decrepit beadsmen. Behind the decrepit beadsmen came a long array of Canterbury canons, chaplains and dignitaries in all their robes, followed by pages carrying the maces of Canterbury and York and the cross of Canterbury.1942 May 4, “Religion: Canterbury Pilgrim”, in Time, retrieved 28 Oct 2015:
1 more example
- There were three main processions which were led by a cross bearer.2014 April 18, Andrew Bloss, “Crucifixion re-enacted in Croydon on Good Friday”, in Your Local Guardian, UK, retrieved 28 Oct 2015:
- Synonyms
- crucifer
- Related terms
- book-bearer