In some Christian churches (particularly the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, Lutherans, and the United Methodist Church), a crucifer or cross-bearer is a person appointed to carry the church's processional cross, a cross or crucifix with a long staff, during processions at the beginning and end of the service. The term is also applied to the individual who carries it. The role of the crucifer is important in determining how the cross is used in the service. If the cross is held aloft during the procession and then placed on the altar, that is called "adoring the cross." If it is not adored, that is, if it is not raised toward heaven, then it is said to be "borne" before God. Even when it is borne before God, its primary purpose is still to identify the parish community before they enter the worship space; thus it is believed to have a bearing on the sacrificial aspect of the service as well. The first recorded use of the term "crucifer" was in 1322. Before that time, the carrying of a cross was done by someone called a "monk-ledion". The monk-ledion was a member of the clergy, usually a friar, who wore a white robe and a red cape. He led a group of people in singing hymns as they carried the cross through the town to the cathedral or monastery where the bells would ring out as they passed under an archway.