I was wondering if under the Ruthenian Byzantine Church if women could chant the readings and if so under what conditions? Our cantors are men and we chant the readings when we are there. Is it allowed to have women chant the readings when men are present that can read or chant the readings? Thank you

Dear Servant of God, Pat

At my Byz. Ruth. parish we have a female cantor during the weekday Divine Liturgy. To the best of my knowledge there are quite a few female cantors in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. I'm also aware of female cantors in other eparchys.

Joe Prokopchak
O' God, be merciful to me a sinner.---The Publican

Thank you for your reply, but do you know of any rules about it in the rubrix. Just because something is done doesn't mean it is correct. Christ is Risen!!!

yes, women can be readers, as they can be cantors, in the Byzantine Catholic Church. Women cannot be ordained as readers or cantors, but this seems irrelevant. Women also cannot robe as readers; although, men should. However, in practice it seems local custom. But for "authority": I recall the stipulations, but to cite something I shall have to look it up. It IS there, though. Women can exercise the role of readers, although they cannot be ordained or robe for that office. I will look for the citation. I am studying Byz Liturgy and can't recall if it is in the Ordo, the Instructions, or Canon Law? shall get back on this..

Thank you. It just seems like a role for men to step up to the plate and do. Alot of times men do not want to compete for a role with women. It seems as though they would rather just let women do instead of competing with them.

Dear Servant of God, Pat

Just to follow up, this past winter the Archeparchy had a cantor school at our Byz.Cath. seminary in Pittsburgh. It was about an even mix between men and women. In fact there are some photos posted here at this web site showing some of the students.

Joe Prokopchak
"Through the prayers of the Mother of God
O' Savior save us".

pat, are you talking about readers or cantors? the two are very different most places, today. cantors are musicians and readers tend to be ordinary people. Although, it once was that readers were akin to cantors and both were minor orders. the fact is that some parishes have a local custom that only men can perform certain roles, although this is NOT in any canon or rubric or instruction. I have been a member of a parish that had a cantors group (led by a female cantor but with both male and female members, like a mini-choir except they led the congregation rather than replaced them in the liturgy) but that parish would only allow males to read the Epistle. My present parish has a "sign-up" sheet for Epistle readers and anyone can sign up and read. The cantors are females, but that is because no males available. None are appointed, although the cantors are listed with the ministers, cantors and priests (and a deacon when there was one). According to the Instructions for the Liturgy, all roles of the minor orders are to be male, are to be ordained, are to robe for their roles; BUT women are allowed to perform these roles, but not be ordained and not robe. The Instructions from the Vatican the restoration of minor orders as functional orders, but they would be restricted to males then. So, i guess it is best to leave it as is, sort of vague. but if you mean reader rather than cantor, it is commonplace these days most places to allow anyone to read the Epistle, without training and without regard to sex. And cantors are trained, hopefully, even if only in music, and can be eithr sex. Christ if risen!

Thank you. I was mainly asking about "Reader". God Bless

yes, i thought the earlier resonder had misunderstood you. the role of reader today in the us seems totally informal. anyone can read and does, there is no training and no requirements nor any apointments. Although the instrutions recommend the opposite. But as I said earlier, there seems to be local custom at some parishes whereby the pastor insists on male only readers, although still without any requirements or without robing. I hope youfind your way! Christ is Risen!