Ostiarius (Noun)
Meaning
The lowest of the minor Holy Orders in the unreformed Western Church but now suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- In the unreformed Western Church, the ostiarius was the porter who guarded the church entrance and was responsible for the ceremonial opening and closing of the doors.
- As a cleric in the lowest of the minor Holy Orders, the duties of the ostiarius were largely janitorial and custodial in nature.
- In many medieval churches, the ostiarius would also ring the bells to signal the start and end of services and other important events.
- Although the office of ostiarius is now suppressed, its legacy can still be seen in the modern-day ushers and greeters who serve in many churches.
- In some traditionalist Catholic communities, the concept of the ostiarius has been revived as a symbolic reminder of the importance of humility and service in the Church.