www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Epistle Reading by Women??

I had a "discussion" this weekend regarding women/girls reading the Epistle during liturgy. I've scoured my books to no avail. Is there an official rule that only men could read the epistle? Lay people were encouraged to do so in a BC parish in Virginia -- after having been instructed by Father how to do it correctly, of course. What's happening out there in your churches?

Mrs. H. -- my Melkite parish employs both men and women to read the Epistle.

Edward, deacon and sinner

Dear Mrs. H,

I serve as a reader in the Orthodox Church. There is no strict prohibition, although in general, tonsured readers, if present, would read.

You may want to see my related post in "Minor Orders" of this same "Faith & Worship" Subforum.

In Christ,
Andrew

At our parish, it is considered that anybody with a Y chromosome (even those who cannot read fluently, hold pitch or pronounce the words in the text) is preferable to anyone without.


Sharon

I can tell you if this is allowed or not by the canons, but yes, my parish uses women.

Axios

The situation is different when the parish has few people attendng the services or when the faithful live in different cities. I elieve that in those cases, it's permitted to ask a member of the congregation to read, right?

Obviously, the ideal would be for an ordained Reader, or even a Subdeacon to read the epistle, if one is present. (...so they would be men).

But in the absence of an ordained Reader, then any lay person may receive the priest's blessing to proclaim the epistle.

There is that uncomfortable verse from Saint Paul about women remaining silent in Church... "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says."

That is probably not a prohibition about women singing the hymns or joining in the prayers, or even reading the psalms or scripture (wouldn't that be ridiculous?). It was probably about 'chatting' during the services, that Church is not the place to hold a conversation.

Usually Saint Paul says something like this, because he is responding to an unpleasant experience, perhaps once he encountered some people who were being distracted by 'chat' during prayer time?

I have nothing against women reading the Epistle, as long as they are good baritones.
Lauro

I personnaly don't care who reads the epistle. My only requirement would be that we are able to understand what he is saying.

Recently I attended services Divine Liturgy and the tonsured reader sang/chanted the epistle. He had a beautiful baritone voice but he was so effected the way he said it it was totally incomprehensible.

So give be a female who can read it and be understood over any male who people can't understand because he is trying to be dramatic.

Dear Little Green Coat:

I'm with you - diction when you sing. This also goes, by the way for singing sticheria on "Lord, I Cry Unto Thee" and other parts of the liturgy which change based upon the feast being celebreated or whatever.

Yours,

kl

I completely agree with you kl and lgc. It is much better for the reader to just to the Epistle recto tono with good diction than to turn it into a personal choral concert where everyone concentrates on the singer rather than what is being sung, namely the Holy Epistle.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

As far as I know the Apostol reader can be female; at least that is what is the praxis is most of our parishes. It is not a function in the Altar ergo a woman can perform it with the presbyter's blessing. But it seems according to the tradition women never read/chanted the Apostol and only men, elders, or tonsured Readers were allowed to do so. But hey who knows

The other issue is whether to face the Altar or to face the people during the reading/chanting of the Apostol. I think most of our people, i.e. Rusyn Catholics, do it facing the people during the Holy and Divine Liturgy. I know the OCA Russian Diocese of Alaska under the ompophor of H.G. Nikolai only allows men and tonsured Readers to read/chant the Apostol and they and the presbyter face the Altar during the Readings.

Blessings,


Rob

Rob,

The priest should have gone to the High Place at the "Holy God" and should be there for the prokimenon then to bless the reader after the reading (all facing the people). In many places the incensation before the Gospel takes place during the reading of the epistle after the prokimenon.

Can you explain what happens differently in Alaska to account for what you describe?

Tony

Really? I've been to Liturgy at maybe 100 of our churches (Ruthenian & Ukrainian) in PA, NJ, NY, OH and VA and only in one place -- in the crazy suburban parish near here -- have I ever seen the Epistle read in front of the congregation & facing the people just like the Latins do. And it always turns into some kind of theatrical performance, with the dynamic intonations, flicks of the head, gesturing, etc. What a delight! I just put my head down when I have to be subjected to such a thing. Fortunately I don't need the visual show to understand the reading... :rolleyes:

Lemko,

I've never seen the epistle sung facing the people. We were directed in training to stand mid aisle, facing the Altar. Does anyone know if this is one of the "new" changes in the Liturgy?

John.