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[[image:Readermike.jpg|thumb|right|A Reader in cassock.]]A '''reader''' (, also called a '''lector'''; (in Greek, αναγνόστης - '''αναγνώστης, anagnostis''', or '''anagnostes'''; in Slavonic, Чтецъ - '''Chtets''', chtets) is one the second-highest of the [[minor orders]] of the [[Orthodox Church]], . It is a sub-clerical order to which a man is [[tonsure]]dand [[ordain]]ed, setting him apart as blessed by the [[bishop]] to read the [[apostolos|epistle]] readings 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.

This order is higher than ==Purpose==In the [[Doorkeeper]] (now largely obsolete) and lower than the [[subdeacon]]. The reader's essential role is to read the Old Testament and Epistle lessons during the Divine Liturgy and other servicespast, as well as to chant the Psalms and the verses of certain [[antiphons]]. There is a special service for the [[tonsuring]] of low literacy rates meant that a reader, although Reader reading in contemporary practice an layman may receive church was the priest's blessing to main way that people would hear Scripture read on a particular occasion. The office of a reader subsumes that of a [[taper-bearer]], and the service of tonsuring a reader mentions both functions.

In Some have argued that in societies with high literacy rates, the Pre-Nikonian Russian Churchoffice of Reader is superfluous. Others, however, there existed an additional junior grade of '''reader''' called '''Psalomshchik''' (counter that in Slavonicsuch societies where high literacy has caused information without meaning, Ѱаломщикъ), whose sole function was the value of a dedicated Reader to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalmsprayers, thus permitting the '''reader''' psalms and '''chanter''' to save their voicesepistles with parishioners is even more vital[http://www.asna. This office survives in those churches that utilise the Preca/resources/readers-Nikonian Russian ritual: [[Old Believers]] (both [[Priested]] and [[Priestless]]), those parishes under [[ROCOR]] or the [[Moscow Patriarchate]guide.pdf]. The title of '''Psalomshchik''' survives in the later reformed Nikonian Russian rite as an alternative, slightly archaic and quaint name for '''chanter'''.

Readers are permitted ==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 wear a cassockread the long [[Kathisma]] Psalms, although many do so only when attending servicesthus permitting the reader and chanter to save their voices. Readers will generally not wear a clergy shirtThis 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]].

A reader This order is usually tonsured by higher than the [[doorkeeper]] (now largely obsolete) and lower than the bishop, though in some traditions, an [[archpriestsubdeacon]] or . The office of a reader subsumes that of a ''[[archimandritetaper-bearer]] may do '', and the tonsure with the bishop's blessing if he is not availableservice 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 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. ==External linkDuties==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, the antiphons,* Sing other appointed hymns during the divine services.*Care for the parish's liturgical books. In addition to this, the reader will usually:* Construct the services according to the typicon.* Sing in the choir. As a member of minor clergy, a reader - according to his abilities - might be entrusted with the duties of:* Cantor* Catechist* Other leadership roles in the community. ==Allowances and Expectations=====Exclusivity===In contemporary practice, any layperson may receive the priest's blessing to read on a particular occasion, particularly in the absence of an ordained reader. A layperson so blessed, even permanently, may not take on any of the prerogatives of an ordained reader, i.e. may not wear a cassock or sticharion within or outside of services. ===Garments===Readers are permitted to wear a [[cassock]], 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 the 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 [[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 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.chrysostomholy-trinity.org/andrewliturgics/texts/Readerstikhon.lit1.html here], section VIII. ===Expectations===In addition to living the Christian life, the newly-and-Cantorsordained Reader is, on the day of his ordination, instructed to read Scriptures daily. As a member of the first step of the priesthood, he must also pray daily.pdf Readers In addition to this, Cantorsit is expected that the Reader will have memorised commonly-used liturgical prayers, will be familiar with [[Tone]]s, [[Troparion|Troparia]] and Church Music in Early Eastern Christian Worship[[Kontakion|Kontakia]], as well as the books to construct services - the [[Horologion]], by the [[User:ASDamickApostolos|Andrew Stephen DamickEpistle Book]], the [[Menaion]], the [[Triodion]] and the [[Pentecostarion]]. The ordination service specifies that the Reader should prepare himself for a higher degree by living a holy life, thus implying that, while a Reader should still be living a Christian life, he is not immediately expected to be held to the standard of higher clergy, but to work towards this. ==External links==