Meanings
plural chalicists
- A layperson authorized to assist the clergy, particularly within the Episcopal or Anglican Church, in administering the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion during worship services. Specifically, chalicists offer the consecrated wine to communicants following its consecration by the celebrant.
A lay minister, or chaliccist, who assists eith the distribution of communion.
1999, Arthur J. Magida, Stuart M. Matlins, editors, How to be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies, Wood Lake Publishing Inc., page 1222 more examples
Often colloquially called chalice bearers or chalicists, these are now designated by canon as Eucharistic Ministers.
2012, Beth Wickenberg Ely, The Cup of Salvation: A Manual for lay Eucharistic Ministries, illustrated edition, Church Publishing, Inc., page xiThe church also includes many lay positions in worship, such as acolytes, vergers, chalicists, lectors, and a congregational choir.
2025 January 1, Wikipedia contributors, “Church of the Good Shepherd (Raleigh, North Carolina)”, in English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation
Origin
Cite this entry
chalicist. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chalicist
“chalicist.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chalicist. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chalicist,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chalicist.
Source: chalicist on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.