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Messdiener

altar server

noun MES-dee-ner Rare
People & Society Religion

Also means

acolyte

Usage Note

Messdiener is the everyday German word for an altar server at Mass in the Catholic Church. Historically only boys, now also girls (Messdienerin). Often the first active liturgical role for young Catholics.

Examples

"Als Kind war er Messdiener in der Dorfkirche."

Natural Translation

As a child he was an altar server at the village church.

Literal Translation

As child was he altar-server in the village-church.

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