History and Requirements
The word deacon is a Syrian word that means “servant.” It is the deacon’s responsibility to help the priests and bishops with the services and ministry.
This responsibility is dated back to the days of the apostle’s, when “The twelve summoned the multitude of disciples and said: ‘Seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business’” (Acts 6:2,3).
St. Paul also specifies certain requirements to go along with those traits. “Likewise, deacons must be;
1. Reverent (feeling and showing deep, honest respect)
2. Not doubt tongued
3. Not given to too much wine (drunkenness)
4. Not greedy for money
5. Holding the mystery of faith with a pure conscience
6. Ruling their children and houses well
7. Should be tested first, and then proved and found blameless, so they can be ordained.” (1 Timothy 3:10)
Five Ranks of Deacons
Epsaltos – Chanter/Hymnest
Epsaltos comes from the Coptic word “epsalmos,” which means Psalm or Hymn. His responsibilities include learning and singing the hymns and praises of the church.
Generally, young children are the ones ordained Epsaltos, so that they may be enstilled with the rites and rituals of the church and begin setting that orthodox foundation at a young age.
The Espaltos wears a tonia without a badrasheen.
Oghnostos – Reader
“Oghnostos” is Greek word derived from two words: “Anagnosma”, meaning “reading”, and “Tis”, meaning “related to”. Thus Oghnostos means “the reader”.
To be ordained Oghnostos, one must be:
1. At least 18 years old
2. Recognized for his good manner and deeds
3. Recommended by the priest and congregation
4. Tested for his reading ability of the Holy Bible and his comprehension
5. Regular in his spiritual life (confession, communion, church attendance)
6. Must be ready for service and full of zeal
7. Must be humble and one not to boast about his voice or service.
Along with the responsibilities of the Epsaltos, the Oghnostos must be fluent in Coptic and the language of translation. He also must be able to read clearly, for the congregation to hear and understand him.
The Oghnostos must be familiar with church doctrines and able to teach and give sermons. In the rite of ordaining Oghnostos, it is said, “Lord show Your face to Your servant standing before You, to know by Your holy words and preach Your laws to Your people, teach them Your pure words for their salvation.”
In the commandment the bishop gives to the Oghnostos being ordained, he says: “You must learn chapter by chapter the books of the Holy Bible, which is the breath of God, for which you were entrusted with to teach the people.” The Oghnostos may only give sermons with the permission of the bishop or priest.
The Oghnostos wears a tonia, along with a badrasheen wrapped around his waist and shoulders (Stephanous).
Epideacon – Sub-Deacon
Epideacon is a Greek word composed of two parts: ‘Epi’ meaning ‘assistant’, and ‘Diacon’ meaning ‘deacon’. Hence, ‘Epideacon’ means ‘Assistant Deacon’.
To be ordained Epideacon, one must;
1. Be at least be 20 years old
2. Must be recommended by the congregations and deacons
3. Must be known for his righteousness and faithful deeds
Along with the responsibilities of the Epsaltos and Oghnostos, the Epideacon;
· Must watch the church doors to forbid the entry or heretics and false teachers.
· Is responsible for organizing the seating in the church
· Is responsible for lighting the church lamps
· Is responsible for keeping in order the church books, and the priestly and service vestments
· Is responsible for preparing the censer
· Is responsible for helping the other deacons and substituting for them, if necessary.
The Epideacon wears a tonia, along with a badrasheen wrapped around his waist and shoulders (Stephanous), similar to that of the Oghnostos.
Deacon
‘Deacon’ in Syrian, or ‘Diakon’ in Greek and Coptic, mean ‘servant’.
In order to be ordained a Deacon, one must:
1. Be at least 25 years old
2. Undergo a period of testing, where his maturity is tried, according to the service he is responsible for
3. Be an example unto others in his speech, attitude, love, purity, and caring for his spiritual and eternal life.
4. Be of humble mind, not greedy for money, content, able to bear tribulations of the service without any complaint. He must be a man of principles, and not one to show favoritism to some and not others.
5. Be consistent in his Bible reading and reading of spiritual books, in order to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Be a witness for others in his chastity, honesty and love of peace.
7. Be recommended by the church’s congregation as being worthy of this rank.
All the above conditions are necessary, especially if the deacon will be ordained as a full time consecrated person for church service.
As well as the Epsaltos, Oghnostos and Epideacon, the Deacon is responsible for:
· For saying the responses of the litanies prayed by the priest during the raising of incense and Liturgy
· For starting prayers with the congregation
· For maintaining order and quiet in the church, to ensure that the congregation stand with reverence and respect
· For helping the priest in visiting the church’s congregation.
· For recording the names of the people who have offered gifts and oblations to the church, so that the priest can remember them during the Litany of oblations.
· For cleaning the altar and putting in order the tabernacle. He must ensure the cleanliness of the altar and its coverings, before the priest comes.
· For saying the liturgical responses, inside the altar - which are specific for the deacon and archdeacon.
· For the service of widows and orphans, needy, sick and imprisoned.
· For sharing with the bishop or priest, in all the ritual prayers, such as Baptism, Myron, Lakkan, Consecration of the church, Ordinations, and the ritual celebrations of feasts and others.
He is permitted to read the Holy Gospel of the Divine Liturgy. During the deacon’s ordination, the bishop says: “... he is honored to read the Gospel.” He is also permitted, when necessary, to carry the chalice and give the congregation the Precious Blood, by permission from the priest.
The Deacon wears the tonia, with the badrasheen hanging over the left shoulder, which denotes carrying the cross. The deacon may also wear special head coverings, which are decorated with crosses and images of Christ and the Saints. This is an old church tradition that is not common these days.
If a deacon is unmarried before his ordination, he is not allowed to be married after. If he married before, and his wife passes away, he is not allowed to be remarried, similar to those rules of a preist. Undergoing the sacrament of marriage after his ordination will result in losing his rank as Deacon.
Archdeacon
‘Archdeacon’ is a Greek word composed of two parts : ‘Arch’ meaning ‘leader’, and ‘Diakon’ meaning ‘deacon’. Hence, ‘archdeacon’ mean ‘the leader of deacons’.
In order to be ordained an Archdeacon, one must:
1. Be well knowledgeable and experienced in regards to the holy books, and totally learned and experienced concerning the work of the Epsaltos, Oghnostos, Epideacon, and Deacon, for all these ranks are lead by the archdeacon.
2. Be well-learned concerning church Rites and hymns for all church occasions.
3. Be no younger than 28 years of age.
4. Be known for his virtues, good conduct, and good deeds.
5. Be recommended by the choir and the congregation.
Along with the responsibilities of all the other ranks, the Archdeacon is responsible for:
· Leading all the ranks of deacons, specifying their roles and responsibilities, and managing their needs.
· Becoming like the ear and eye of the bishop, informing him about the situations of the congregation, day by day.
· Presenting those who have been chosen for the various ranks of deacons.
The vestments and rules are similar to those of the rank of Deacon.
General Rules for All Ranks of Deacons
· They must care to study the Coptic language, for it is paramount in all church rites, readings, hymns and praises. It is much better for the deacons to be able to read the Coptic language, instead of reading Coptic written in English/Arabic letters.
· They must take care to learn the hymns, and recite them continually.
· Discipleship should occur with a church’s hymnist under the direction of a capable and experienced deacon.
· They must partake in all liturgies and praises (tasbeha).
· They must attend the Mass early. Any deacon who comes after the Servants Absolution has no right to wear the tunic and serve. If he comes after the Liturgy’s Gospel, he must not receive the Communion.
· Deacons, whether they are serving outside or especially inside the altar, must wear the tunic every mass. If a deacon has served in the Mass and wore his tunic, he must receive Communion. It is a grave mistake for a deacon to wear the tunic, serve in the Mass and not receive Communion.
· Before the deacon wears the tunic, he must take it to the priest who will make the sign of the cross on it. This sign of the cross, made by the priest, is important for the following reasons:
· It is considered as the priest granting permission for the deacon to serve in the Mass.
· It is considered as permission granted for the deacon to receive Holy Communion.
· It is a declaration that this deacon abides by the church laws (that is, has not been excommunicated).
· If reflects an image of the obedience of the deacon to the priest, “The lesser is blessed by the better” (Hebrews 7:7).
· During the blessing, the deacon bows his head, or kneels, holding his tunic and stole, awaiting to accept the sign of the cross, and blessing from the priest.
· The deacon then kisses the cross and the priest’s hand.
· While dressing in the service vestments, the deacon says Psalms 29 and 92: “I will exalt You O Lord” and “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty”
· The deacon is not to wear the tunic outside, for it is for church service only.
· The tunic may only be taken off at the end of the Mass, following the dismissal of the sacrifice’s angel, and not before.
· While taking off the service vestments, the deacon says Psalm 47: “O clap your hands O you people!”.
· All deacons must take care to attend the vespers and Midnight Praises (Tasbeha).
· Every deacon must have a confession father, and practice confession once a month. They should receive Holy Communion in every Mass they serve in.
· During the distribution of the Holy Communion, the choir deacons must alternate to give each other a chance for receiving the Holy Communion.
· Deacons must hold candles during the following occasions:
· While the priest is choosing the Lamb, until the chosen Lamb is placed on the paten, and the wine is poured into the chalice.
· While reading the Gospel of the Liturgy.
· From the moment when the priest says, “The Holy Body...” to the end of the Confession.
· Following the commemoration of saints, the deacon must not take the censor full of incense out amongst the congregation and blow incense in their faces, for this distracts them from worshipping and concentrating on the sacrifice upon the altar.
· No deacon is to talk to fellow deacons during the divine Liturgy or enter and exit the sanctuary for no reason.
· In every church, there must be an archdeacon, or senior deacon (according to his ordination), who is responsible for the organization and orderly service of deacons.
· A weekly meting must be held whereby deacons learn and study the church rites, dogmas, hymns and spiritual matters. The readings and service inside and outside the sanctuary must be distributed amongst the deacons according to their ranks and ability of service and reading.
· The deacon who is absent from the Mass, or does not wear the tunic, must wait his turn the next time he participates as deacon during the Mass.
· Under the direction of the archdeacon or senior co-coordinator, the readings during feasts and major occasions should be distributed, as a reward, amongst deacons who regularly attend Masses and church services, all around the year.
· If, for some reason, penance was imposed on a deacon, he must be obedient and comply without complaint or pride, and so hence learn the ethics of the service of deacons, its value and spirituality.
· The deacon must not be boastful with his voice when saying the responses of the liturgy, or hymns, or the readings, but rather, he must respond reverently and humbly.
· The deacon must not be boastful or dominating over his fellow deacons, but deal with all in love.
· The deacon must not smoke or drink alcohol, or be a stumbling block unto others.
· The deacon must take care not to commit sins of the tongue, such as insulting, swearing, lying, and gossiping. For in taking care, God will accept his service and prayers, for, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and curses. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). Blessing is praising and praying, while cursing is insulting, swearing and so on.
· Every deacon must be committed to all the conditions and duties of his relevant rank, whether it be the style of wearing the stole, or service inside and outside the sanctuary, and the recitation of readings.
· Apart from his service as deacon must in involved in other spiritual services in church, such as service in Sunday Schools and other meetings, for a deacon is a servant full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and knowledge, and not some sort of parrot mechanically reciting responses and hymns.
· Every deacon must try to perform the social and spiritual advises that our teacher St. Paul ordered all ranks of deacons (1Timothy 3:8-12) “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and
· great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1Timothy 3:13).
· 32-The deacon must be knowledgeable about various ecclesiastical subjects, not only ritual matters.
· The priest, or archdeacon, or senior co-coordinator must care to perform all these duties and abide by the conditions so that the deacons may offer a blessed service which is useful and their prayers acceptable : “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Source: The Sacrament of Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Mettaous