www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings The Order of Reader

Just thought of something while lookin over the forum home. There is a Deacon's Door. I don't know what happens there, and I don't think I should.

But the thought occurred that perhaps there could be some kind of training and intercommunication among Readers via the Forum? Perhaps a modified Readers Institute conducted by Cantors on the local level supported by training that would be more feasible through a medium like this one?

Just a thought; I don't know how useful or realistic.

Steve

[ 02-19-2002: Message edited by: Inawe ]

I see the wisdom in training for Readers, though in modern society where literacy is widespread, I do think most all parishioners are capabile of receiving this training.

I would like to offer the suggestion that, unless other factors within a partiuclar community make other options more pastorally beneficial, that the office of Reader be held by the parish lay leader(s), such as the parish President or trustees.

I think it is important that parish lay leaders be visable to the community at Liturgy. This would be one way of doing it. Of course, this would also mean respecting the choice of the parish laity as to who they choose as leaders, of whatever gender.

K.

Dear Inawe,

Isn't Kurt HILARIOUS? This is only the umpteenth time since I've been on this Forum that he has made a new joke about the subject of reading or word-plays. No wonder women love him or so I hear.

Your point about Readers is well taken, Steve, and I think you've betrayed an understanding of the Eastern Church that is remarkable for a Latin (I say that with a very broad and warm smile!).

There is certainly the Office of the Reader in the Eastern Church (O.K., "Lay leader" for Kurt and That Ilk).

But, the role of Reader can also be fulfilled by any layman who can lead (just relax, Kurt )the services of the Office or Horologion celebrated within a family context or with friends or even within a community that doesn't have a priest.

Fr. John Whiteford, a convert to Orthodoxy within the ROCOR, for example, has translated the "Reader's Services" of the Horologion that can be used by any layperson or monastic that is not a priest.

So my point is that such a spot as you suggest could possibly be used to discuss training of not only those formally ordained as Readers, such as Reader Sergius, but also to train all of us in the celebration of the Horologion and Typika within our family and small community contexts.

I think our prayer lives would be enriched immensely by a knowledge of how to celebrate the often complex Byzantine Horologion as laypeople and also how to do it with others.

We could also compare our experiences here with the Horological traditions of our Oriental brothers (Catholicos Mor Ephrem) and EVEN our Latin brothers (namely, you).

I think that is a very useful suggestion, O Fratre Latine!

Dominus Vobiscum,

Alex

Thanks Alex.

Yes! I agree that Kurt is quite humorous as are you!

As we have talked about elsewhere, humor is sometimes a saving grace.

Et cum spiritu tuo!

Steve
JOY!

[ 02-19-2002: Message edited by: Inawe ]