[[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]]. ==Purpose==In the 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. He may also serve as 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 reader called ''psalomshchik'' (in Slavonic, Ѱаломщикъ), whose sole function was to read the long [cantor[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: [[catechismOld Believers]] (both [[popovtsy|catechistpriested]]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 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 stretch out the hands" - which is practised at the ordination of bishops, priests and deacons. After being tonsured, the reader is [[vestment|vested]] in other leadership roles 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 local bishop's blessing if he is not available. In monastic communities, the ruling [[parisharchimandrite]] communitymay 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=====Exclusivity===Immediately before ordination as In contemporary practice, any layperson may receive the priest's blessing to read on a readerparticular occasion, particularly in the candidate is [[tonsure]]d as a sign absence of his submission and obedience upon entry into the clerical statean ordained reader. This is a separate act, making a A layperson into a clergymanso blessed, and occurs immediately prior to his ordination as a reader. The ordination itself iseven permanently, like that may not take on any of the subdiaconateprerogatives of an ordained reader, through ''[[Cheirothesia]]'' - literally, "to place hands" - as opposed to Cheirotonia - "to stretch out the hands" - which is practised at the ordination i.e. may not wear a cassock or sticharion within or outside of bishops, priests and deaconsservices.

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 (done as a sign of his suppression of his own tastes, will and never worn thereafter) desires, and replaced with a [[sticharion]]his canonical obedience to God, 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 and the tonsure with liturgical and canonical norms of the bishop's blessing if he is not availableChurch. In monastic communities, the ruling [[archimandrite]] may tonsure Even in those monks over jurisdictions which he rulesfavour them, readers will generally not wear a clergy shirt.

===Terminology===It is through ordination - not While reading in church, the tonsure - that one is made reader will generally wear a reader or subdeacon[[sticharion]]; this is highlighted by the fact that the tonsure is performed only once and is not repeated before the ordination of a subdeaconin some places, will do so when receiving communion. The confusion has arisen by the common reference to a man being "tonsured What a reader" which, wears while widespreadconducting his duties can vary, is not technically correct. ==History==In the Pre-Nikonian Russian Churchhowever, there existed an additional junior grade of and many bishops and priests will allow a reader called ''psalomshchik'' (in Slavonic, Ѱаломщикъ), whose sole to perform his function was to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalms, thus permitting the reader and chanter to save their voices. This office survives dressed only in those churches that utilise the Pre-Nikonian Russian ritual: a [[Old Believerscassock]] (both [[popovtsy|priested]] and [[priestless]])or, those parishes under [[ROCOR]] or the if a [[Moscow Patriarchatemonk]]. 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]] outer cassock (now largely obsoleteriassa/exoraso) and lower than the [[subdeacon]]. The office of Often, a reader subsumes that of a ''bishop will decree what vesting practice he wishes to be followed within his own [[taper-bearerdiocese]]''; for an example, 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://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 [[Tone]]s, [[sticharionTroparion|Troparia]]; and in some places[[Kontakion|Kontakia]], 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 as well as the books to perform his function dressed only in a construct services - the [[cassockHorologion]] or (if a , the [[monkApostolos|Epistle Book]]) outer cassock (riassa/exoraso). Often, a bishop will decree what vesting practice he wishes to be followed within his own the [[dioceseMenaion]]; for an example, see the [[Triodion]] and the [http://www.holy-trinity.org/liturgics/tikhon.lit1.html here[Pentecostarion]], section VIII.

In contemporary practiceThe ordination service specifies that the Reader should prepare himself for a higher degree by living a holy life, thus implying that, any layman may receive the priest's blessing to read on while a Reader should still be living a particular occasionChristian life, particularly in he is not immediately expected to be held to the absence standard of a readerhigher clergy, but 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]