Handbook for Altar Servers

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Grand Junction, Colorado Contents

Introduction 2 What is an altar server’s role? ...... 3 Who can be an altar server? ...... 3 The services of the Orthodox Church ...... 4 General Rules for Altar Servers ...... 5

1 The Church and the Holy Altar 6 The Church Building ...... 6 The Prothesis ...... 7 The Holy Table ...... 7

2 Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros 9 Vespers ...... 9 Paraklesis ...... 11 Orthros ...... 13

3 The Divine Liturgy 15 The Antiphons ...... 16 The Small Entrance ...... 16 The Epistle and Gospel Readings ...... 17 The Great Entrance ...... 18 The Consecration of the Gifts ...... 19 Holy Communion ...... 19 Memorial Services ...... 21

Glossary 22

1 Introduction

“He who performed the Mystery at the Last Supper, He it is who now accomplishes the Mystery of the Divine Liturgy. . . This Holy Table is the same Table as that of the Last Supper, and is nothing less.” - St. John Chrysostom, On Matthew, 50.3

Thank you for your interest in serving in the altar! To serve in the altar is first and foremost to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, whose altar it is. Just as the Church does not belong to any individual or group of individuals, so too the altar does not belong to the priest. The priest has the privilege to serve at the altar through the blessing of his bishop given at his ordination. Altar servers are likewise given the privilege to serve in the altar through the blessing of the priest. By assisting the priest through altar service, you help to ensure that the services at our Church take place in a prayerful and reverent manner. The priest cannot do everything by himself. In order to keep the Church function- ing, the priest joins together in ministry with the whole community, including Parish Council members, chanters, bakers, teachers, and altar servers. That’s where you come in. Serving Christ by assisting His priest at the Holy Altar is an offering of your time and talents. Everyone in the Church is called to serve God in their own unique way. “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:12-13). Each person has unique abilities and resources. Each person is called to make use of their own unique abilites and resources in order to serve. Altar servers are expected to always to behave themselves in ways that are reverent and befitting of the dignity of the Holy Altar. This means that horseplay, running, and casual joking and chatting have no place in the Holy Altar. If an altar server is unable to exercise self-control, then his privilege to serve in the altar will be revoked.

2 Introduction 3 What is an altar server’s role?

Altar servers assist the priest in the conduct of the divine services. A priest without an altar server is always moving around the altar to fetch the censer, or to start the water heater, or to close the doors into the altar. This is distracting and disrupts the flow of the service. Altar servers help to ensure that the services happen smoothly with a prayerful and calm atmosphere. There are a number of practical things that altar servers do to assist the priest. Altar servers bring the censer to the priest when he needs it. They cut the antidoron that the faithful receive after Communion. They make sure the priest has zeon (hot water) to add to the chalice before Communion. But the role of an altar server is not only practical. Altar servers also resp- resent to the faithful the presence of the holy angels who minister throughout the Divine Liturgy. Altar servers do this by carrying candles and other items at the Gospel readings and at the entrances made during the Divine Liturgy and other services. When the chanters sing “We who mystically represent the Cherubim. . . ” before the Great Entrance, the altar servers respond by representing visually the presence of the holy angels through the candles and exapteryga (liturgical fans) that they carry during the Entrance.

Who can be an altar server?

In some parishes, a boy can begin to serve in the altar as soon as he reaches a specific age. This approach has the unfortunate side-effect of preventing younger boys who might be mature enough to serve in the altar from doing so, while also allowing into the altar some boys who might not quite be ready yet. At our parish, any male who is a baptised or chrismated Orthodox Chris- tian can serve in the altar with the blessing of the priest as long as he is able to stand, focus, and take direction for the whole service. Altar servers do not need to be only children or teenagers; men can serve in the altar as well. This is why we are avoiding the phrase ‘altar boys’ in this handbook. It is helpful to have a variety of ages in the altar, so that men or older boys can help the younger boys. Because of the close connection between the altar servers and the priest- hood, it is the tradition of the Orthodox Church to only allow men or boys to serve in the altar. Exceptions to this tradition are typically only seen in women’s monasteries. Introduction 4 The services of the Orthodox Church

The daily cycle of services in the Orthodox Church begins at sunset. “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day,” (Genesis 1:5). The first service of the day is Vespers, which is served at or around sun- down. Next comes the service of Compline, which is served after dinner. The Greek word for Compline, apodeipnon, literally means ‘after dinner.’ The Midnight Office comes next, which as its name implies is served in the middle of the night. The Orthros service comes in the early morning as the sun is rising. This is followed by the Hours— First Hour, Third Hour, Sixth Hour, and Ninth Hour— which are served throughout the day. Of these services, Vespers and Orthros are the only ones that are served regularly at our parish. The Paraklesis service is based on Compline, with the addition of a Canon to the Theotokos. Nonetheless, at different times of the year, all of the daily services are celebrated. In addition to this daily cycle of services, the Church has special services for the celebration of the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments). These include: • Holy Communion (the Divine Liturgy) • Baptism • Chrismation • Marriage • Ordination of a deacon, priest, or bishop • Confession • Unction This handbook contains instructions for the services of Vespers, Orthros, Paraklesis, and Divine Liturgy. Introduction 5 General Rules for Altar Servers

• Always behave respectfully.

• Never run in the altar.

• Do not argue with each other about who will perform which duties.

• Food and drink are not allowed in the altar. Water can be kept in the altar server room if needed.

• Pay attention in case the priest needs to give you special instructions.

• Be on time for the beginning of the service. If you arrive for Liturgy after the Small Entrance, wait until next week for altar service.

• When you arrive for altar service, come up to the priest for a blessing before putting your robes on.

• Never touch the Holy Table or anything on it. Only ordained clergy may do so.

• Never walk in front of the Holy Table or through the Royal Gates.

• To get from one side of the altar to the other, walk reverently behind the Holy Table. Make your Cross as you do so.

• Always kiss the priest’s hand when giving him the censer or taking it back from him.

• When the priest is giving a sermon, sit in the nave to listen.

• After the service is finished, hang your robes back up as you found them. Chapter 1

The Church and the Holy Altar

The Church Building

The Church building is composed of three main parts that are used during the Divine Liturgy: the narthex, the nave, and the altar. Although our building also includes our Church hall, office, kitchen, and classrooms, these are not spaces that are used during the services. The Church building is a holy place that is set apart for service to God. From the moment we enter the Church, we are entering a place that is unlike any other place on Earth. During the Mystery of the Divine Liturgy, the Church is united with the heavens, and the song of the angels becomes our own song: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). In the narthex, we “shake off the dust” of our earthly life (Matthew 10:14) and direct our minds toward Christ and his Kingdom. We light candles as an offering to Jesus and as a symbol of the prayers that we offer for ourselves and for our loved ones. We venerate the holy icons in order to greet Jesus and his saints who meet us in the Church. In the nave, we worship God and receive the Holy Mysteries that he offers to us. Those who are able remain standing in the nave throughout most of the service, since we are in the presence of the King of heaven and earth. The word ‘nave’ comes from a Greek word meaning ship. While we worship God, we are on a journey to the heavens together. We arrive at our destination together when we come face-to-face with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. That is why we all, including the priest, face toward the east together during our services. In the altar, the mystery of our salvation takes place. On the Holy Table, the sacrifice is offered to God by the priest, and the Body and Blood of Jesus

6 The Church and the Holy Altar 7 are offered by God to the people through the descent of the Holy Spirit. The word ‘altar’ refers not only to the Holy Table, but to the entire area of the Church behind the iconostasis (icon-screen). This area is also sometimes referred to as the sanctuary or the holy-of-holies. The altar has three doors. The central doors, called the Royal Gates, are only used by the clergy at certain points in the services. The two side doors are called the Deacon’s Doors. These are the doors that the altar servers use during the services.

The Prothesis

The Prothesis table is on the north side of the altar. This table is used during the Proskomidi service to prepare the bread and wine (Holy Gifts) that will be used for Divine Liturgy. During the Great Entrance at Divine Liturgy, the Holy Gifts are moved from the Prothesis table to the holy altar table. After Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ are returned to the Prothesis table and the remainder is consumed by the priest. On the Prothesis table sit the chalice and paten. Along with the covers and veils, the asterisk, the Communion spoon and the lance, these are kept covered. To the right side of the chalice and paten is a sponge for soaking up any moisture left in the chalice after the priest consumes the Body and Blood. Small pitchers holding wine and water are kept here as well. Wine is kept in the altar server room to refill this pitcher when needed. On the left side of the Prothesis table is a small tray that holds a portion of the Prosfora that is left for the priest to eat after consuming the Body and Blood. To the right of the Prothesis table is the censer stand. Two censers hang from the stand: one with bells, and one without that is used for some Lenten services. The Katzion (hand censer) that is used for some services during Lent and Holy Week is kept in the vestry. On top of the censer stand are holders for charcoal and incense. There is also a lighter, spoon, and tongs here. Always use the tongs to hold the charcoal when lighting it. The spoon is used to transfer incense into the censer.

The Holy Table

The Holy Table, also called the Altar Table, is at the center of the altar. This is where the sacrifice of the Divine Liturgy takes place. The Ark of the Covenant from the Old Testament was a sign of the Holy Altar. It represents also the Tomb of Jesus, the site of our Lord’s Resurrection. The Holy Table holds the Gospel book from which the priest reads during The Church and the Holy Altar 8 the services. To the right of the Gospel book is the blessing Cross. This is mostly used by the bishop when he visits. At the back of the Holy Table is the Tabernacle, which holds Holy Communion that is brought to the faithful in homes or hospitals. The candle in front of the Tabernacle is kept lit at all times. The candles at the sides of the Holy Tables are only lit during services. Behind the Holy Table are the Processional Cross and Exapteryga that are held by the altar servers during the Great Entrance. Only ordained clergy (deacons, priests, or bishops) may touch the Holy Table and the things on it. If the priest wants something to be removed from the Holy Table, he will hand it to you. If something needs to be placed on the Holy Table, hand it to the priest rather than placing it yourself.

1. Gospel Book 2. Tabernacle 3. Candles 4. Exapteryga 5. Processional Cross 6. Blessing Cross Chapter 2

Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros

Vespers

The Vespers service is traditionally held at sunset. At our parish, it is usually held at 6pm. There are two types of Vespers services: Great Vespers, and Daily Vespers. These two have only small differences from one another. Most of the Vespers services that we celebrate at our parish are Great Vespers services. We celebrate Great Vespers on Saturday evenings in anticipation of the services on Sunday morning, and also in the evening before major feasts. The hymns and prayers of the Vespers service focus on Jesus as the King of all creation, his providence and care for us, and his protection throughout the coming night. The Great Vespers service has the following structure. Directions for the altar servers are in bold face:

• Before the service begins, light a piece of charcoal and put it into the censer.

• Psalm 103 is read (Bless the Lord, O my soul. . . )

• Great Litany (In peace, let us pray to the Lord. . . )

• At the end of the Great Litany (For to You belong all glory... ), put 2-3 pieces of incense onto the lit charcoal.

• Psalms 140 & 141 are chanted (Master, I have cried. . . )

• When the chanters begin Master, I have cried. . . , give the censer to the priest.

9 Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros 10

• Open the north door of the altar for the priest to exit. Close it after him

• If there are multiple altar servers, one can wait on the south side of the altar to open the door when the priest returns from the censing. Close it after him.

• Take the censer back from the priest and put in in its place on the stand.

• The Vesperal Stichera are chanted

• Doxastikon and Theotokion are chanted (Glory. . . Both now. . . with special hymns in between)

• At the chanting of the Theotokion (Both now. . . ), put 2-3 pieces of incense onto the lit charcoal and bring the censer to the priest.

• Small entrance with the censer

• Each altar server takes a lit candle and leads the priest out the north door for the entrance. Bow before the Royal Gates, and stand to the side.

• The priest sings O gladsome light. . .

• After the priest enters the altar, bow again before the Royal Gates and enter the altar through the south door. Return your candles to their place.

• If multiple altar servers are present, one may enter through the south door while the other enters through the north door.

• Take the censer back from the priest and put it in its place on the stand.

• The prokeimenon is chanted

• Old Testament passages are read on feast days

• Fervent Litany (Let us all say with all our soul. . . )

• The prayer O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. . . is read

• Completion Litany (Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord. . . ) Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros 11

• On some feast days, a liti (procession with the icon) and artoklasia (blessing of sweet bread) may be celebrated

• The Aposticha is sung, concluding in Glory. . . Both now. . . with special hymns

• The prayer of Saint Symeon is read (Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. . . )

• The Trisagion prayers are read (Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immor- tal. . . ) with the Lord’s Prayer

• The Apolytikion and Theotokion are chanted

• Dismissal

Paraklesis

The Paraklesis service is structured around the Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos. This canon asks for the prayers of the Mother of God and reminds the faithful of the importance of her decision to say yes to God’s plan for her. For this service, the faithful give to the priest a list of names of loved ones for the priest to pray for. There are two types of the Paraklesis service: Small Paraklesis and Great Paraklesis. During the two-week fast leading up to the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15), the Small and Great Paraklesis services are served on alternating days. During the rest of the year, our parish serves the Small Paraklesis on Wednesday evenings. The only difference between these services is the canon that is chanted; the rest of the service is identical. The Paraklesis service follows the following structure:

• Psalm 142 (O Lord, hear my prayer. . . ) is read

• God is the Lord. . . is chanted, followed by three hymns

• Psalm 50 (Have mercy on me, O God. . . ) is read

• Odes 1 & 3 of the canon are chanted

• Petitions are intoned with lists of names

• The Kathisma is chanted, followed by odes 4, 5, & 6 of the canon

• Petitions are intoned with lists of names Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros 12

• The Kontakion, Antiphon, and Prokeimenon are chanted

• At I will remember your holy name. . . , light candles for the Gospel reading.

• At That we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel. . . , take lit candles and exit through the north door. Bow before the Royal Gates, and stand to the side.

• The Gospel reading is intoned

• After the Gospel reading, bow again before the Royal Gates and enter the altar through the south door. Return your candles to their place.

• If multiple altar servers are present, one may enter through the south door while the other enters through the north door.

• A set of hymns is chanted, followed by the petition O God, save your people. . .

• After the petition, light a charcoal and put it in the censer.

• Odes 7, 8, & 9 of the canon are chanted

• At Oppressed I am, O Virgin. . . , put 2-3 pieces of incense on the lit charcoal and bring the censer to the priest.

• Open the north door of the altar for the priest to exit. Close it after him

• If there are multiple altar servers, one can wait on the south side of the altar to open the door when the priest returns from the censing. Close it after him.

• Take the censer back from the priest and put in in its place on the stand.

• The Trisagion prayers are read, followed by three hymns

• Petitions are intoned with lists of names

• The dismissal

• Hymns are chanted while the faithful venerate the icon of the Theotokos Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros 13 Orthros

The Orthros service is traditionally held in the early morning while the sun is rising. The structure of Orthros takes three forms, which vary significantly from one another: Sunday Orthros, Orthros for feast days, and Orthros on typical weekdays. During the Orthros service when Divine Liturgy will follow, the priest will celebrate the Proskomidi service to prepare the bread and wine. Altar servers will be needed at the end of the Proskomidi service:

• When the priest is ready to conclude Proskomidi, light a char- coal and put it in the censer.

• Put one piece of incense on the charcoal, and hold the censer up for the priest to bless the asterisk, covers, and veil.

• Give the censer to the priest to cense the gifts, then take it back from him and put it in its place on the stand.

• An older altar server can cut the remainder of the Prosfora into Antidoron.

The Orthros service on Sunday mornings follows this structure:

• Opening prayers

• The Exapsalmos (Six Psalms) are read

• Great Litany (In peace, let us pray to the Lord. . . )

• God is the Lord. . . and the Apolytikia of the day

• The Kathismata and Resurrectional Evlogitaria are chanted

• The Hypakoe is read and the Anavathmoi are chanted

• The Kontakion, Oikos, and Synaxarion are read

• The Katavasies are chanted

• When the chanters sing Let every breath..., light the candles for the Gospel reading.

• At Let us pray to the Lord our God. . . , exit the altar by the north door. Bow before the Royal Gates, and stand to the side. Vespers, Paraklesis, and Orthros 14

• The Orthros Gospel • Having beheld the Resurrection. . . and Psalm 50 • Remain out while the faithful venerate the Gospel book. • After the priest enters the altar, bow again before the Royal Gates and enter through the south door. Return your candles.

• If multiple altar servers are present, one may enter through the south door while the other enters through the north door.

• The petition O God, save your people. . . • At the end of the petition O God, save your people. . . , put 2-3 pieces of incense on the censer.

• After The Theotokos and the Mother of the Light. . . , give the censer to the priest.

• The Ninth Ode of the Canon is chanted while the priest censes • Open the north door of the altar for the priest to exit. Close it after him

• If there are multiple altar servers, one can wait on the south side of the altar to open the door when the priest returns from the censing. Close it after him.

• Take the censer back from the priest and put in in its place on the stand.

• The Exapostilaria and Praises (Psalms 148, 149, and 150 with special hymns) • Doxastikon and Theotokion are chanted (Glory. . . Both now. . . with special hymns in between) • When Both now. . . is sung with its special hymn, put 2-3 pieces of incense on the charcoal.

• At the beginning of the Doxology (Glory unto God who gives us light. . . ), give the censer to the priest.

• The Doxology is sung while the priest censes • After the priest finishes censing, take the censer back and put it in its place on the stand. Chapter 3

The Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy is the service of Holy Communion, in which we encounter our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ through his Body and Blood. The faithful of our parish bring bread and wine (the Holy Gifts) to the priest, and these are transformed into Christ’s own presence through the descent of the Holy Spirit. By eating and drinking Christ, we become the Body of Christ which is the Church. This is why the priest prays that God would send the Holy Spirit not only on the Holy Gifts, but also on the people here present. Through most of the year, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. On the Sundays of Great Lent and on the evenings of certain feasts, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great. The differ- ence between these two Liturgies is in the Eucharistic prayers read by the priest; the rest of the service is the same. During Great Lent, we also cele- brate the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. This is a Vespers service that includes portions of the Divine Liturgy. Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful from an extra Lamb (amnos) that was consecrated on the previous Sunday. The Divine Liturgy is far more involved for the altar servers than the Vespers, Paraklesis and Orthros services. Especially on Sundays, it is good to have many altar servers. Make sure you arrive on time for the beginning of Liturgy. Altar servers who arrive after the Small Entrance should wait until the next week to serve.

15 The Divine Liturgy 16 The Antiphons

• If needed, light a new charcoal and put it in the censer. Typ- ically, the charcoal from Orthros will still be burning and a new one will not be needed. Keep an eye on it, as you may need to light a new one during Liturgy.

• Divine Liturgy begins directly following the Doxology from the Orthros service with the words Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . .

• Great Litany (In peace, let us pray to the Lord. . . )

• First Antiphon (Through the intercessions of the Theotokos. . . )

• Small Litany

• Second Antiphon (Save us, O Son of God. . . )

• Small Litany

• During this Litany, light the candles for the Small Entrance.

The Small Entrance

• Third Antiphon is chanted (the Apolytikion of the day)

• Each altar server takes a lit candle and leads the priest out the north door for the entrance. Bow before the Royal Gates, and stand to the side.

• The priest chants the Entrance Hymn

• After the priest enters the altar, bow again before the Gates and enter through the south door. Return your candles to their place.

• If multiple altar servers are present, one may enter through the south door while the other enters through the north door.

• The Apolytikia and Kontakion of the day are chanted The Divine Liturgy 17

• If a Memorial Service will be held after Divine Liturgy, put one piece of incense on the lit charcoal and give the censer to the priest to cense the kolyva. Take it back from him and put it in its place on the stand.

• The Trisagion Hymn is chanted (Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immor- tal. . . )

The Epistle and Gospel Readings

• The priest turns to the Reader for the Epistle reading (Let us be atten- tive. . . )

• Put one piece of incense on the censer and give it to the priest to cense the Gospel book. Take it back from him and put it in its place on the stand.

• Move the lectern into the middle of the Royal Gates. This may be too heavy for younger altar servers, in which case the priest will move it instead.

• After the Epistle reading (at Alleluia. . . ), light the candles for the Gospel reading.

• At Wisdom, arise. . . , take the candles and exit the altar by the north door. Bow before the Royal Gates, and stand to the side.

• The Gospel is intoned

• After the Gospel reading, bow again before the Gates and enter through the south door. Return your candles to their place.

• If multiple altar servers are present, one may enter through the south door while the other enters through the north door.

• After returning your candles to their place, exit the altar and sit in the nave for the sermon.

• If the priest is not giving a sermon immediately following the Gospel reading (sometimes this is done at the end of the ser- vice), move the lectern back to its place. The Divine Liturgy 18 The Great Entrance

• The chanters begin the Cherubic Hymn (We who mystically repre- sent. . . ) while the priest reads a prayer • Put 3-4 pieces of incense on the lit charcoal. • When the priest finishes his prayer, give him the censer. • After the priest censes the altar, prepare for the Great En- trance.

• Depending on how many altar servers are present, the follow- ing items will be carried during the Great Entrance: censer, processional Cross, exapteryga (processional fans), and can- dles.

• Line up for the Entrance at the north door of the altar. The Cross goes first, followed by the exapteryga and candles. The censer goes behind the candles, leading the priest and censing the Holy Gifts.

• If there are extra altar servers, one may stay behind to close the door after the priest.

• The priest intones May the Lord our God remember all of us. . . • The procession moves slowly down the north aisle to the back of the Chuch, then up the central aisle to the Royal Gates.

• Bow two-by-two before the Royal Gates, and stand to the side. The altar server holding the censer does not bow, but stands to the side and continues censing the Holy Gifts.

• After the priest enters the altar, bow again before the Royal Gates and enter through the south door.

• If multiple altar servers are present, they may enter two-by- two by the north and south doors.

• Return the item you were holding to its place. • The altar server with the censer enters by the south door and holds the censer up for the priest to bless the veil.

• Give the censer to the priest to cense the Holy Gifts, then take it back from him and return it to its place. The Divine Liturgy 19 The Consecration of the Gifts

• The priest intones the Completion Litany (Let us complete our prayer. . . )

• The priest blesses the people and uncovers the gifts for the reading of the Creed

• When the Creed (I believe in one God. . . ) is read, turn on the water heater in the altar boy room. Make sure there is enough water in it.

• The Anaphora (Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive. . . ) is intoned

• The Triumphal Hymn is sung (Holy, holy, holy. . . )

• The priest intones the Take, eat, this is my Body. . .

• After Your own of Your own. . . , prostrate toward the Holy Table while the priest reads the Epiklesis.

• Toward the end of the hymn We praise you. . . , stand up and put one piece of incense on the lit charcoal.

• At Especially our most-holy. . . , give the censer to the priest. Take it back from him after his prayer and return it to its place.

• Give the priest the bowl of antidoron for him to bless, then take it back from him and return it to its place.

• The priest blesses the people and intones a set of petitions

Holy Communion

• The people read the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father. . . ).

• At the reading of the Lord’s Prayer, fill the small zeon pitcher with water from the heater. Do not overfill it, or it will spill when the priest pours it.

• At The Holy Things are for the holy. . . , bring the zeon pitcher to the priest. Come around to the south side of the altar to hand it to him. Make sure the handle of the pitcher is facing The Divine Liturgy 20

toward your left, so that the priest can hold it with his right hand.

• The chanters begin the Communion Hymn (on most Sundays, this is Praise the Lord from the Heavens. . . )

• After the priest adds the zeon to the chalice, take the pitcher back from him. Refill it with hot water and place it on the Prothesis table.

• The priest receives Holy Communion and prepares the chalice

• Bring out the kolyva for the faithful to receive after Commu- nion.

• At With the fear of God. . . , two older altar servers exit the altar through the north door to hold the Communion cloth.

• The altar servers hold the cloth to protect against spills. They stand on the priest’s right and left sides, and hold the cloth under the chin of each person taking Holy Communion. The faithful will wipe their lips on the cloth.

• Altar servers will receive Holy Communion after the rest of the faithful have received.

• After Communion, return to the altar. Bring the kolyva back in with you.

• The priest cleans the paten into the chalice.

• Put one piece of incense on the censer and give it to the priest. Take it back from him.

• The priest intones Always, now and ever. . .

• Cense the Body and Blood as the priest returns it to the Prothesis table.

• Give the censer to the priest to cense the Body and Blood. Take it back from him, and return it to its place.

• The priest intones petitions and reads the Prayer Behind the Ambon (O Lord, Who blesses those who bless You. . . ) The Divine Liturgy 21

• The people sing Blessed be the name of the Lord. . . while the priest reads a prayer at the Prothesis table

• If a Memorial Service is being celebrated, it happens before the dismissal of Liturgy.

• The priest reads the dismissal

• Bring out the kolyva for the priest to distribute.

• After the service, an altar server reads the Prayers of Thanks- giving while the priest consumes the remainder of the chalice.

Memorial Services

• If a Memorial Service is being celebrated, two altar servers light candles and exit the altar through the north door.

• Bow before the Royal Gates, and stand to either side of the table with the kolyva.

• One altar server takes the censer and one piece of incense and exits through the south door. He stands to the south side of the table with the kolyva.

• When the priest chants Among the saints. . . , put the incense on the charcoal and give the censer to the priest. Take the censer back from him, and return to the altar by the south door. Return the censer to its place.

• At the conclusion of the Memorial Service, bow again before the Royal Gates and enter through the south door. Return your candles to their place.

• If multiple altar servers are present, one may enter through the south door while the other enters through the north door. Glossary

Altar Entire area of the Church building behind the iconostasis

Amnos The central piece from the loaf of Prosfora. This is the portion that is used for Holy Communion. From the Greek word for lamb.

Antidoron Prosfora that has been cut up and blessed. Distributed after Holy Communion and at the end of Divine Liturgy.

Censer Vessel used to burn incense. Located next to the Prothesis table.

Chalice Large cup used to distribute Holy Communion.

Communion, Holy Body and Blood of Jesus. Distributed to the faithful during the Divine Liturgy.

Compline After-dinner service. Small Compline is served outside of Lent, and Great Compline is served during Lent.

Consecration Transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. Work of the Holy Spirit.

Cross, Processional Large Cross that is carried by an altar server during the Great Entrance. Located behind the Holy Table.

Doors, Deacon’s Side doors into the altar. Altar servers will go in and out through these doors.

Entrance, Great Procession with the Holy Gifts after the Scripture read- ings of Divine Liturgy.

Entrance, Small Procession with the Gospel Book before the Scripture readings of Divine Liturgy.

Epiklesis Prayer in which the priest asks God to send the Holy Spirit onto the Holy Gifts, transforming them into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

22 Glossary 23

Eucharist Another word for Holy Communion. Comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving.

Exapteryga Liturgical fans carried by the altar servers during the Great Entrance. Represent the presence of the holy angels. Located behind the Holy Table.

Gates, Royal Central gates leading into the altar. Only used by the clergy at certain points in the services.

Gifts, Holy Bread and wine that the faithful offer to the Church, which become the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Divine Liturgy.

Hours Set of four services (First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours) served throughout the day. Often grouped together, as before Christmas and on Holy Friday.

Iconostasis Icon-screen that separates the nave from the altar.

Kairos Prayer service celebrated by the priest before Orthros on days when Divine Liturgy will be celebrated.

Katzion Hand-censer. Used primarily during Great Lent.

Kolyva Sweetened boiled wheat that is offered at Memorial Services.

Kouvouklion Covered table that represents the tomb of Christ. Used dur- ing Holy Week.

Lamb The central piece from the loaf of Prosfora. This is the portion that is used for Holy Communion. Amnos in Greek.

Lent, Great Great Fast of forty days preceding Holy Week.

Liturgy, Divine Service during which we celebrate Holy Communion.

Memorial Service Brief service of prayer in memory of a departed person. Served after Divine Liturgy.

Narthex Room at the entrance to the Church building.

Nave Area of the Church building where the faithful stand for the services.

Orthros Morning service of the Church. Celebrated at sunrise.

Paraklesis Evening service of prayer to the Theotokos. Glossary 24

Pangari Table in the narthex holding the sandbox and candles.

Prosfora Bread that the faithful bring to Church for use during Divine Liturgy.

Proskomidi Service during which the priest prepares the bread and wine for Divine Liturgy.

Paten Raised plate that holds the bread that will becomes the Body of Christ.

Prothesis Table on the north side of the altar on which the priest celebrates the Proskomidi service.

Randistiri Vessel used for sprinkling Holy Water. Used primarily during Holy Week.

Sanctuary Another word for the holy altar.

Solea Raised steps in front of the altar.

Table, Holy Table in the center of the altar on which the priest celebrates the Divine Liturgy.

Vespers Evening service of the Church. Celebrated at sunset.

Vestments Clothing that the clergy wear during the services.

Week, Holy Week before Pascha, during which we commemorate the suf- fering and Crucifixion of Christ.

Zeon Hot water that is added to the Blood of Christ before Holy Commu- nion.

Version 1.1 - 17 June, 2021. Fr. Jeremy Troy Και τω Θεώ δόξα.