What is a Procession and why do we do it?

In the Episcopal church, our worship begins and ends with a procession of the crucifer (cross bearer), acolyte, choir members and clergy down the aisle (but without choir in the summer months.) Starting worship with a procession is an ancient and longstanding Christian tradition. In the third century, a nun named Egeria journaled that everyone processed into the church behind a cross. The Venerable Bede (623-735) used the processional as a way of proclaiming the love of Christ in our lives. He journeyed to pagan lands in what is today Canterbury, England and processed all the way through the town so everyone could see the cross and the people.

As time went on, this was ritualized by having those leading worship process from the nave (where the congregation sits) to the sanctuary (where the altar area is). You’ll notice that some people bow when the cross passes their pew. It is simply a sign of reverence. The cross leads the way. It leads us into the presence of God. It leads us out into the world. We are under the cross; we march under that banner alone, to love and serve the Lord. The procession is an acknowledgement that Christ is with us during worship and goes with us as we leave church and enter the mission field.