Church attendant attacked holding cross (6)
I believe the answer is:
sexton
'church attendant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'attacked holding cross' is the wordplay.
'attacked' becomes 'seton' (set on can mean to attack).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'cross' becomes 'x' (an X is a cross).
'seton' enclosing 'x' is 'SEXTON'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sexton that I've seen before include "One looks after church and churchyard" , "Church functionary" , "Church employee" , "Churchwarden" , "Person who looks after church and churchyard" .)