[[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 past, low literacy rates meant that a Reader reading in church was the main 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]. ==History==In the Pre-Nikonian Russian Church, there existed an additional junior grade of readercalled ''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 Pre-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]]. This order is higher than the [[doorkeeper]] (now largely obsolete) and lower than the [[subdeacon]]. The office of a reader subsumes that of a ''[[taper-bearer]]'', and the service of ordaining a reader mentions both functions. [[Byzantine]] [[icon]]s often show readers and church singers wearing a stikhar-like garment (more loose and flowing than the modern stikhar) and a pointed hat with the brim pulled out to the sides (see [http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/LG/GreatLent/sundayorthodoxy.jpg here], lower left corner). This distinctive garb is now obsolete. ==Ordination==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. This is a separate act, making a layperson will commonly be blessed into a clergyman, and occurs immediately prior to his ordination as a reader. The ordination itself is, like that of the subdiaconate, through ''[[Cheirothesia]]'' - literally, "to place hands" - as opposed to Cheirotonia - "to perform stretch out the hands" - which is practised at the ordination of bishops, priests and deacons. 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 . A reader is usually tonsured by the bishop, though in some traditions, an [[archpriest]] or [[archimandrite]] may do the tonsure with the bishop's blessing if he is not available. In monastic communities, the ruling [[archimandrite]] may tonsure those monks over which he rules. ===Terminology===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. ===Vestments===All degrees of clergy, beginning with Reader, 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 undercassock under his sticharion, and (generally) because a reader's sticharion will be joined together by buttons on the side of the garment, where an acolyte's will be sewn up the sides.

==OrdinationAllowances and Expectations==Immediately before ordination as a reader===Exclusivity===In contemporary practice, any layperson may receive the candidate is [[tonsure]]d as a sign of his submission and obedience upon entry into the clerical state. It is a separate act from ordination. The tonsure is performed only once, immediately prior priest's blessing to the actual ordination of read on a readerparticular occasion, which particularly in the ordination rite refers to as "the first degree absence of priesthood". However, it is not the means whereby a person becomes a an ordained reader. Readers A layperson so blessed, like subdeaconseven permanently, are ordained by ''[[Cheirothesia]]'' - literally, "to place hands" - whereas Cheirotonia - "to stretch out may not take on any of the hands" - is practised at the ordination prerogatives of the higher clergy: bishopsan ordained reader, priests and deaconsi.e. It is through ordination - may not the tonsure - that one is made wear a reader cassock or sticharion within 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 outside of ordaining a reader mentions both functionsservices.

After being tonsured, the reader is [[vestment|vested]] in ===Garments===Readers are permitted to wear a short [[phelonioncassock]], which he wears while reading the Epistle for the first time. This short phelon although many do so only when attending services; this is then removed (and never worn thereafter) and replaced with done as a [[sticharion]], which the reader wears thereafter whenever he performs sign of his suppression of his liturgical duties. This practice is not universalown tastes, howeverwill and desires, and many bishops and priests will allow a reader his canonical obedience to perform God, his function dressed only bishop and the liturgical and canonical norms of the Church. Even in a [[cassock]] or (if a [[monk]]) outer cassock (riassa/exoraso). Oftenthose jurisdictions which favour them, readers will generally not wear 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 VIIIclergy shirt.

In contemporary practiceWhile reading in church, any layman may receive the priest's blessing reader will generally wear a [[sticharion]]; 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 read on perform his function dressed only in a [[cassock]] or, if a [[monk]], outer cassock (riassa/exoraso). Often, a particular occasionbishop 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.

==History=Expectations===In addition to living the Christian life, the Prenewly-Nikonian Russian Churchordained Reader is, there existed an additional junior grade on the day of reader called ''psalomshchik'' (in Slavonic, Ѱаломщикъ)his ordination, whose sole function was instructed to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalms, thus permitting the reader and chanter to save their voicesScriptures daily. This office survives in those churches that utilise the Pre-Nikonian Russian ritual: [[Old Believers]] (both [[popovtsy|priested]] and [[priestless]]), those parishes under [[ROCOR]] or As a member of the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]. The title first step of ''psalomshchik'' survives in the later reformed Nikonian Russian rite as an alternativepriesthood, slightly archaic and quaint name for [[chanter]]he must also pray daily.

This order In addition to this, it is higher than expected that the Reader will have memorised commonly-used liturgical prayers, will be familiar with [[doorkeeperTone]]s, [[Troparion|Troparia]] and [[Kontakion|Kontakia]], as well as the books to construct services - the [[Horologion]], the [[Apostolos|Epistle Book]], the [[Menaion]], the [[Triodion]] (now largely obsolete) and lower than the [[subdeaconPentecostarion]].

[[Byzantine]] [[icon]]s often show readers and church singers wearing a stikhar-like garment (more loose and flowing than The ordination service specifies that the modern stikhar) and Reader should prepare himself for a pointed hat with the brim pulled out to the sides (see [http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/LG/GreatLent/sundayorthodoxy.jpg here], lower left corner). This distinctive garb is now obsolete. ==Allowances==Readers are permitted to wear a [[cassock]], although many do so only when attending services; this is done as higher degree by living a sign of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desiresholy life, and his canonical obedience to Godthus implying that, his bishop and the liturgical and canonical norms of the Church. Readers will generally not wear while a clergy shirt. While reading in church, the reader will generally wear Reader should still be living a [[sticharion]]; and in some places, will do so when receiving communion. A reader is usually tonsured by the bishopChristian life, though in some traditions, 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]