[[image:Readermike.jpg|thumb|right|A Reader in cassock.]]A '''reader''', also called a '''lector''' (in Greek, αναγνώστης, anagnostis or anagnostes; in Slavonic, Чтецъ, chtets) is the second-highest of the [[minor orders]] of the [[Orthodox Church]]. It is a sub-clerical order to which a man is [[tonsure]]d and [[ordain]]ed, setting him apart as blessed by the [[bishop]] to read in services and in the [[Divine Liturgy]]. He may also serve as a [[cantor]], [[catechism|catechist]], or in other leadership roles in the local [[parish]] community.

==Purpose==In the absence of a readerpast, low literacy rates meant that a layperson will commonly be blessed to perform Reader reading in church was the duties of a readermain way that people would hear Scripture read.

Some have argued that in societies with high literacy rates, the office of Reader is superfluous. Others, however, counter that in such societies where high literacy has caused information without meaning, the value of a dedicated Reader to prayers, psalms and epistles with parishioners is even more vital[http://www.asna.ca/resources/readers-guide.pdf]. ==DutiesHistory==An ordained In the Pre-Nikonian Russian Church, there existed an additional junior grade of reader has called ''psalomshchik'' (in Slavonic, Ѱаломщикъ), whose sole function was to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalms, thus permitting the reader and chanter to save their voices. This office survives in those churches that utilise the following dutiesPre-Nikonian Russian ritual:[[Old Believers]] (both [[popovtsy|priested]] and [[priestless]]), those parishes under [[ROCOR]] or the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]. The title of ''psalomshchik'' survives in the later reformed Nikonian Russian rite as an alternative, slightly archaic and quaint name for [[chanter]].

* Read Old Testament readings during services* Read This order is higher than the epistle during the Divine Liturgy [[doorkeeper]] (now largely obsolete) and other services* Chant psalms* Chant lower than the verses for prokeimenons[[subdeacon]]. The office of a reader subsumes that of a ''[[taper-bearer]]'', and the alleluia, the antiphons* Sing other hymns during the divine servicesservice of ordaining a reader mentions both functions.

In addition to this, [[Byzantine]] [[icon]]s often show readers and church singers wearing a stikhar-like garment (more loose and flowing than the reader will usually be trusted modern stikhar) and a pointed hat with constructing the services according brim pulled out to the typiconsides (see [http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/LG/GreatLent/sundayorthodoxy. In addition to thisjpg here], as a member of minor clergy, a reader might be entrusted with the duties of cantor, catechist or other leadership roles in the communitylower left corner). This distinctive garb is now obsolete.

Immediately before ordination as a reader, the candidate is [[tonsure]]d as a sign of his submission and obedience upon entry into the clerical state. It This is a separate act from ordination. The tonsure is performed only once, making a layperson into a clergyman, and occurs immediately prior to the actual his ordination of as a reader, which the . The ordination rite refers to as "the first degree of priesthood". However, it itself is not the means whereby a person becomes a reader. Readers, like subdeaconsthat of the subdiaconate, are ordained by through ''[[Cheirothesia]]'' - literally, "to place hands" - whereas as opposed to Cheirotonia - "to stretch out the hands" - which is practised at the ordination of the higher clergy: bishops, priests and deacons. It is through ordination - not the tonsure - that one is made a reader or subdeacon; this is highlighted by the fact that the tonsure is performed only once and is not repeated before the ordination of a subdeacon. The confusion has arisen by the common reference to a man being "tonsured a reader" which, while widespread, is not technically correct. The office of a reader subsumes that of a ''[[taper-bearer]]'', and the service of ordaining a reader mentions both functions.

After being tonsured, the reader is [[vestment|vested]] in a short [[phelonion]], which he wears while reading the Epistle for the first time. This short phelon is then removed (and never worn thereafter) and replaced with a [[sticharion]], which the reader generally wears thereafter whenever he performs his liturgical duties. This practice is not universal, however, and many bishops and priests will allow a reader to perform his function dressed only in a [[cassock]] or (if a [[monk]]) outer cassock (riassa/exoraso). Often, a bishop will decree what vesting practice he wishes to be followed within his own [[diocese]]; for an example, see [http://www.holy-trinity.org/liturgics/tikhon.lit1.html here], section VIII.

In contemporary practiceA reader is usually tonsured by the bishop, though in some traditions, any layman an [[archpriest]] or [[archimandrite]] may receive do the tonsure with the priestbishop's blessing to read on a particular occasionif he is not available. In monastic communities, the ruling [[archimandrite]] may tonsure those monks over which he rules.

==History=Terminology===In It is through ordination - not the Pretonsure -Nikonian Russian Churchthat one is made a reader or subdeacon; this is highlighted by the fact that the tonsure is performed only once and is not repeated before the ordination of a subdeacon. The confusion has arisen by the common reference to a man being "tonsured a reader" which, while widespread, is not technically correct. ===Vestments===All degrees of clergy, beginning with Reader, there existed wear the sticharion. The sticharion is a long-sleeved tunic that reaches all the way to the ground. It reminds the wearer that the grace of the Holy Spirit covers him as with a garment of salvation and joy. A reader can be distinguished from an acolyte because the reader will wear an additional junior grade of undercassock under his sticharion, and (generally) because a reader called 's sticharion will be joined together by buttons on the side of the garment, where an acolyte'psalomshchik'' (in Slavonics will be sewn up the sides. ==Duties==An ordained reader has the following duties: * Read Old Testament readings during services,* Read the epistle during the Divine Liturgy and other services,* Chant psalms,* Chant the verses for prokeimenons, the alleluia, Ѱаломщикъ)the antiphons, whose sole function was * Sing other appointed hymns during the divine services.* Care for the parish's liturgical books. In addition to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalmsthis, thus permitting the reader and chanter will usually:* Construct the services according to save their voicesthe typicon. This office survives * Sing in those churches that utilise the Prechoir. As a member of minor clergy, a reader -Nikonian Russian ritualaccording to his abilities - might be entrusted with the duties of: [[Old Believers]] (both [[popovtsy|priested]] * Cantor* Catechist* Other leadership roles in the community. ==Allowances and [[priestless]])Expectations=====Exclusivity===In contemporary practice, any layperson may receive the priest's blessing to read on a particular occasion, those parishes under [[ROCOR]] or particularly in the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]absence of an ordained reader. The title A layperson so blessed, even permanently, may not take on any of ''psalomshchik'' survives in the later reformed Nikonian Russian rite as prerogatives of an alternativeordained reader, slightly archaic and quaint name for [[chanter]]i.e. may not wear a cassock or sticharion within or outside of services.

This order is higher than the ===Garments===Readers are permitted to wear a [[doorkeepercassock]] (now largely obsolete) , although many do so only when attending services; this is done as a sign of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desires, and his canonical obedience to God, his bishop and lower than the [[subdeacon]]liturgical and canonical norms of the Church. Even in those jurisdictions which favour them, readers will generally not wear a clergy shirt.

While reading in church, the reader will generally wear a [[Byzantinesticharion]] ; and in some places, will do so when receiving communion. What a reader wears while conducting his duties can vary, however, and many bishops and priests will allow a reader to perform his function dressed only in a [[iconcassock]]s often show readers and church singers wearing or, if a stikhar-like garment [[monk]], outer cassock (more loose and flowing than the modern stikharriassa/exoraso) and . Often, a pointed hat with the brim pulled out bishop will decree what vesting practice he wishes to the sides (be followed within his own [[diocese]]; for an example, see [http://saintswww.ocaholy-trinity.org/IconDirectoryliturgics/LG/GreatLent/sundayorthodoxytikhon.lit1.jpg html here], lower left corner). This distinctive garb is now obsoletesection VIII.

==Allowances=Expectations===Readers are permitted In addition to wear a [[cassock]]living the Christian life, although many do so only when attending services; this the newly-ordained Reader is done as a sign , on the day of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desiresordination, and his canonical obedience instructed to God, his bishop and read Scriptures daily. As a member of the liturgical and canonical norms first step of the Church. Readers will generally not wear a clergy shirtpriesthood, he must also pray daily.

While reading in churchIn addition to this, it is expected that the reader Reader will generally wear a have memorised commonly-used liturgical prayers, will be familiar with [[sticharionTone]]s, [[Troparion|Troparia]]; and in some places[[Kontakion|Kontakia]], as well as the books to construct services - the [[Horologion]], the [[Apostolos|Epistle Book]], will do so when receiving communionthe [[Menaion]], the [[Triodion]] and the [[Pentecostarion]].

A reader is usually tonsured The ordination service specifies that the Reader should prepare himself for a higher degree by the bishopliving a holy life, thus implying that, though in some traditionswhile a Reader should still be living a Christian life, an [[archpriest]] or [[archimandrite]] may do the tonsure with the bishop's blessing if he is not available. In monastic communitiesimmediately expected to be held to the standard of higher clergy, the ruling [[archimandrite]] may tonsure those monks over which he rulesbut to work towards this.

*[http://www.chrysostomorthodox.orgnet/andrewustav/texts/Readersinstructions-andto-Cantors.pdf Readers, Cantors, and Church Music in Early Eastern Christian Worship], by [[User:ASDamick|Andrew Stephen Damick]]*[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/readers.htm html Instructions . . . For the Church Reader]