renameuser, Administrators
5,600
edits
Changes
no edit summary
[[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. 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==
* 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:
* Other leadership roles in the community.
==Allowancesand 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.holy-trinity.org/liturgics/tikhon.lit1.html here], section VIII.
===Expectations===In contemporary practiceaddition to living the Christian life, any layman may receive the priest's blessing newly-ordained Reader is, on the day of his ordination, instructed to read on Scriptures daily. As a particular occasion, particularly in member of the absence first step of an ordained readerthe priesthood, he must also pray daily. A layman so blessed In addition to this, it is expected that the Reader will have memorised commonly-used liturgical prayers, will be familiar with [[Tone]]s, [[Troparion|Troparia]] and [[Kontakion|Kontakia]], as well as the books to construct services - the [[Horologion]], even permanentlythe [[Apostolos|Epistle Book]], may not take on any of the prerogatives of an ordained reader[[Menaion]], ithe [[Triodion]] and the [[Pentecostarion]].e. may 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 wear a cassock or sticharion within or outside immediately expected to be held to the standard of serviceshigher clergy, but to work towards this.
==External links==
*[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/readers.htm Instructions . . . For the Church Reader]
*Some material retrieved from [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reader_%28liturgy%29&oldid=417044762 Wikipedia article on 'Reader'], 4/Mar/2011 revision.
*[http://www.asna.ca/resources/readers-guide.pdf A Guide for Readers in the Orthodox Church], by Fr Geoffrey Korz.
{{Clergy/wide}}
