STS. PETER AND PAUL MACEDONIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL CROWN POINT, IN ALTAR BOY MANUAL. This Manual belongs to:

Transcription

1 STS. PETER AND PAUL MACEDONIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL CROWN POINT, IN ALTAR BOY MANUAL This Manual belongs to: Edited by Rev. Fr. Georgij Gligorov 2016

2 ALTAR BOY PLEDGE HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST JESUS CHRIST I, AN ALTAR BOY OF THE STS PETER & PAUL MACEDONIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, DO SOLEMNLY PROMISE TO SERVE YOU FAITHFULLY, OBEDIENTLY, AND REVERENTLY. LET NOTHING SEPARATE ME FROM YOU. IF I AM WEAK IN MY FAITH, STRENGTHEN ME. HELP ME TO DEVOTE MYSELF TO YOUR HOLY GIFTS. GUIDE ME IN THE PATH THAT LEADS TO YOUR KINGDOM. TEACH ME TO BECOME A BETTER CHRISTIAN SO THAT I MAY WEAR THE ALTAR BOY'S ROBE WORTHILY AND IN HUMILITY. MY PRAYER IS TO SERVE YOU IN ALL MY THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS AND TO BECOME A BETTER ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SO THAT IN ALL I DO I MAY TESTIFY TO YOUR GLORY. FOR BLESSED IS THE HOLY TRINITY, THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT NOW AND FOREVER AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. Christ the High Priest

3 PSALM 22 (23) THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. I SHALL NOT WANT; HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES. HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS; HE RESTORES MY SOUL. HE LEADS ME IN PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I FEAR NO EVIL; FOR THOU ART WITH ME; THY ROD AND THY STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME. THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES; THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP OVERFLOWS. SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE; AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER. ALTAR BOY S PRAYER 0 LORD, MAY I ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW... MY MOUTH IS ABOUT TO BE USED TO SING YOUR PRAISES, KISS YOUR HOLY ICONS, AND ABOVE ALL, RECEIVE YOUR PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD; MY NOSE, TO SMELL YOUR SWEET FRAGRANCES; MY EYES, TO GAZE UPON YOUR HOLY IMAGES; MY EARS, TO HEAR YOUR DIVINE WORDS; MY HANDS, TO TOUCH YOUR HOLY THINGS; MY FEET, TO WALK ON HOLY GROUND. GIVE ME THE STRENGTH EVERY DAY TO PROPERLY USE MY MOUTH, NOSE, EYES, EARS, HANDS, FEET AND MY ENTIRE BODY... TO KEEP AWAY FROM SIN AND PROPERLY GIVE GLORY TO YOU, MY CREATOR. AMEN!!!

4 WHAT IS AN ALTAR BOY? In the Orthodox Church, an Acolyte (or Altar Boy, Chtetz) is a term used for someone who, though not ordained, performs liturgical duties such as lighting altar candles, preparing charcoal for incense, and assisting the ordained clergy with the services. An Acolyte was essentially ordained as a "taper-bearer" which used to be one of the minor orders, but has fallen into disuse along with other minor orders such as doorkeepers and exorcists. The taper-bearer was responsible for bearing lights during processions and liturgical entrances. This rank has long ago been subsumed by that of the Reader (Chtetz); the service for the ordination/tonsuring of a Reader mentions both functions. The Acolyte ministry has its roots in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, where the prophet Samuel is seen assisting Eli, the Levite priest, and Elisha is seen assisting Elijah the Prophet. Thus, the role of the Acolyte is an important one. Acolytes are mentioned as early as 251 A.D. by Cornelius, Bishop of Rome. These early Acolytes were special people appointed to serving and assisting the Priests. The name Acolyte comes from the Greek word "akolouthos" meaning attendant or follower. So the acolytes are attendants to the bishops or priests and help them help during the various services. The word acolyte can also be linked with another Greek word "akolytos" which means free (from stain or sin) to enter the Holy of the Holies, the Holy Altar. So it is proper for the Altar boys to be free of sin and have an exemplary behavior not only in the Altar but also in the life of the Parish. The only current prerequisites for serving in the Altar is that you are a baptized and/or chrismated Orthodox Christian, in good standing with the Church, and are physically and mentally prepared to stand, be attentive, and serve the Lord and the clergy for the duration of the service (Divine Liturgy, Matins [morning service], Vespers [evening service], etc.). During the Liturgy, the Altar boys represent the Angels that surround and assist Christ, in the same way as they surround and assist the Parish Priest. Angels are always ready to help, are quiet and have an excellent behavior. These are characteristics that all Acolytes should strive to perfect.

5 FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE HOLY ALTAR 1. Remember that you serve in the holiest and most sacred part of the Church. No lay person, without a blessing, is permitted to enter the Altar, except those who are CHOSEN and have blessing to assist the Priests at worship. 2. Being in the Altar is a rare honor and privilege. You are close to Jesus Christ and His Holy Angels. You are at the Altar Table where the sacrificial offering of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is consecrated. 3. Christ wants those who serve Him in the Altar to be reverent and clean in body and soul. a. Always be neat and make sure your coming to church decently dressed. b. Prepare yourself to serve. Observe the fasts on Wednesday and Friday as well as the other Fasting periods. An Altar boy should make a point to go to Confession regularly. 4. Before entering the Altar, venerate the Holy Icons in the center of the Church [and light a candle] praying to our Savior that He will make you worthy to serve in the Holy of Holies. 5. The service of the Hours begins at 09:50 am with Divine Liturgy following (approximately 10:00 am). All boys should be in the Altar by 9:50 am but NO LATER THAN the Small Entrance (of the Liturgy). (For all other services follow the instructions of your Priests.) 6. Cell phones are to be turn on silence, or better to be left off and out of the Altar. 7. Enter the Altar slowly. Always be on time. As you enter the Altar, greet your Spiritual Fathers/the Priests asking them for blessing and kiss their hands. Then bring your folded Robe to the Priest that is leading the service to have it blessed, and then vest yourself. 8. Move and act with the utmost reverence. Never rush or walk carelessly. Make your movements graceful at all times. Stay focused on the Altar. Do not get distracted and look around to see who is in Church.

6 9. NEVER TALK IN THE ALTAR, unless it is absolutely necessary. Avoid all noise. Silence is all important in the Altar! When walking, never create a disturbance. The Altar is not the place to catch-up with your friends. Save the conversation for after the service. 10. Keep your hands crossed in front of you or at your sides at all times. 11. Pray along with the Priests and keep your mind on the service: hear the prayers. Observe the Priest. You are there to serve and assist him. Make the sign of the Cross when the Trinity is invoked (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) or when you see the Priest crossing himself. 12. Do not play with the candles (especially during an Entrance), your robe, etc. 13. Make a reverent bow when the Priest censes you. NEVER have your back to the Priest when he is about to cense you, and NEVER to the Holy Altar. 14. Keep your movements to a minimum in the Altar. DO NOT WALK IN FRONT OF THE HOLY ALTAR! THIS SPACE IS RESERVED FOR ORDAINED CLERGY ONLY! Also, hold all movement while the Priest is praying. Walking behind the Altar is especially distracting to the Priest while praying. 15. Do not touch the Altar table or anything on it (unless you have a blessing from the Priest to do so). This is reserved for ordained clergy. 16. Prepare to receive Holy Communion regularly, most especially on Great Feast-days and the day upon which the Saint whom you honor is celebrated. Say the Prayers of Preparation before receiving and the Thanksgiving Prayers afterwards. 17. Antidoron (Nafora bread) NEVER gets thrown out! It is dedicated to God from the time it is brought to Church. Also, no one eats Antidoron simply because he is hungry. If one receives Holy Communion, then, of course, he takes a piece of Nafora. If you have not received Holy Communion, you must wait until after everyone receives Holy Communion, and better yet, wait to receive it from the Priest. 18. DO NOT LEAVE AFTER SERVICES UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE BLESSING OF THE PRIEST!

7 19. Be sure you understand the symbolic meaning of everything within the Sanctuary. The Priest will teach you. Be ready always to listen and to learn when he instructs you on the meaning of the services and of the symbolism. 20. Questions to the Priests should be made before or after the services. Feel free to ask him when in doubt of anything. He will be more than happy to speak with you. Never interrupt the Priest while he is offering up prayer. 21. The Altar must at ALL TIMES be pure and clean. Help to keep it spotless and be ready to help on Saturdays or other days in cleaning the Altar. 22. The Altar boy Captain is in charge! He is the FIRST ONE to enter the Altar and the LAST ONE to leave. Every Altar boy is expected to observe his instructions. 23. Anyone who violates these rules and persists in any sort of irreverence will be asked to leave the Altar, even while the service is in progress. 24. Remember that an Altar boy joins the company of Angels, as he serves in the Holy of Holies, that is, the Sanctuary, the holiest part of the Church. 25. All Altar boys must be able to read (not necessarily memorize although a tonsured reader should) the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. You are encouraged to learn both the Creed and the Lord's Prayer in both the Macedonian and English Languages. We should all say the Creed and the Lord's Prayer aloud during the Divine Liturgy. 26. When the Priest hands you something, you kiss his hand. This is done out of respect for him and his work, because he is an icon of Christ in the Church and because his hands hold the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. "For to serve You is a great and awesome thing even to the heavenly powers." - prayer from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom before the Great Entrance "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." John 12:26

8

9 THE CHURCH YEAR The Church Year of our Holy Orthodox Church begins on September 14 th (it s September 1 st according to the old church calendar) and continues through September 13 th (it s August 31 according to our church calendar). The Church Year is divided into three periods based upon Easter, and all the seasons refer to it as their starting point. The three periods are: 1. Triodion, which lasts for ten weeks before Easter (that s the period of the Great Lent); 2. The Pentecostarion or Pentecost Season which begins with Easter and culminates after Pentecost Sunday; and 3. The Season of the Eight Tones (Octoechos) for the rest of the year. The Triodion The first period, the Triodion, derives its name from the fact that during this ecclesiastical season most of the hymns that are sung in the Church contain only three odes instead of the usual nine. The Sundays of the Triodion are: The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, The Sunday of the Prodigal Son, The Sunday of Meat-fare, The Cheese-fare Sunday, and The Sundays of the Great and Holy Lent: The Sunday of Orthodoxy, The Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, The Sunday of the veneration of the Holy Cross, The Sunday of St. John of the Ladder, The Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt, and Palm Sunday and Holy Week, finally closing on Holy Saturday morning. This period is one of repentance and preparation for the Resurrection of our Lord.

10 Pentecostarion The second period is the Pentecostarion. This Paschal Season begins on Easter Sunday and is followed by St. Thomas Sunday, Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, The Sunday of the Paralytic, The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, The Sunday of the Man Born Blind, The Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (325), and ends with the Sunday of Pentecost and the Monday of the Holy Trinity. This period focuses around the Resurrection of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon us. Eight-Modes Season (Octoechos) The third period is the season of the Eight-Modes. The Octoechos deals with all the other Sundays of the year. This season begins on All Saints Sunday after Pentecost and ends on the fourth Sunday before Lent, the week before the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. The Octoechos is a liturgical book of the Orthodox Church and has the hymns for the divine services during the period from Pentecost to the beginning of the Triodion. Its hymns are sung consecutively in the eight modes of Byzantine music which were composed by the hymnographers from the very first days of our Church. Occasionally, an important Feast Day replaces the Octoechos on the celebration of that feast on Sunday. (Note: the hymns for Feast Days are found in the book called the Menaion there is one book for each month.)

11 EXPLANATION OF VESTINGS As you may already know, there are three major orders of clergy in our Orthodox Church: the Deacon, the Priest, and the Bishop. All three have vestments that are common to them all. With each elevation, from Deacon to Priest and from Priest to Bishop, there are some additions that occur in the vestiture. Clergy usually vest in what is called the Sacristy (Deaconikon), the room where the vestments are kept (right side of the altar). Many times, the clergy vest in the Altar. As they put on each vestment particular to their position, they recite certain prayers as appropriate for each item. The Sticharion or Tunic (Deacon, Priest, Bishop) This is the basic vestment of the clergy and must be worn for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. This is usually a long, straight robe with wide sleeves and is called "a robe of salvation and a tunic of happiness." It symbolizes a pure and peaceful conscience and spiritual joy. The Orarion (Deacon only) This is a wide and long band of material that is the distinctive sign of the Deacon. It falls over the left shoulder and winds around, about waist height and over the left shoulder again. As the Deacon prays, he holds the front part of it up while the back part just hangs. The Orarion symbolizes the wings of angels. The Epimanika or Cuffs (Deacon, Priest, Bishop) These are two cuffs, one for the right hand and one for the left which are worn by the Deacon, by the Priest and by the Bishop. Thus, they are common to all the clergy. They symbolize the tying of Christ's hands and wrist at the time he was flogged, and also serve to remind us that all things that we do with our hands, we should do for the glory of God. They also have a practical purpose; to hold the wide sleeves of the Sticharion in place.

12 The Epitrachelion or Stole (Priest, Bishop) This is the distinctive sign of the Priesthood and is placed over the head on the shoulders and hangs down in front. It symbolizes the grace of the priesthood that the priest receives on the day of his ordination, thus it is worn by Priests and Bishops. In effect it is a development of the Orarion, actually being an Orarion doubled with both ends hanging in front and reaching the full length of the Sticharion. The Zone or Belt (Priest, Bishop) This is a ceremonial belt or sash that today fastens at the back but in times past fastened in the front, much like a common belt. The Belt is worn by the Priest and the Bishop. It symbolizes the power of the grace of the Priesthood and has the practical function of holding the Epitrachelion or stole in place against the Sticharion or tunic. The Epigonateon or Nadbedrenik (Priest, Bishop) The square or diamond shaped Epigonateon is suspended, hanging over the right knee. It is worn by Priests who have received the privilege to wear it (protopresviter) and by Bishops too. It symbolizes the sword of the Holy Spirit and the power of the heavenly powers, the angels which may be embroidered on some of them. It denotes that the Priest wearing it has a title of distinction given to him by the Church. The Phelonion or Chasuble (Priest only) Resembling a cape, the Phelonion rests on the shoulders of the Priest and is put on through a head opening. It is about arm's length in the front and reaches the edge of the tunic or Sticharion in the back. It sort of looks like a bell. On the back is usually an embroidered Cross or icon symbolizing the seamless robe of Christ, it stands for righteousness. With the Phelonion, a Priest's liturgical attire is completed. The Cross (Priest, Bishop) A Priest is allowed to wear an ornately decorated Cross, if he has received the title and distinction from the Church (protopresviter stavrophor).

13 The Sakkos (Bishop only) The Sakkos is a richly embroidered liturgical vestment worn by the Bishop. It is one of the principal vestments worn by a Bishop and replaces the Phelonion of the Priest yet carries the same meaning: the seamless robe of Christ. The Omophorion (Bishop only) This is one of the articles worn by the bishop that is symbolic of the wayward lamb carried on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd. It falls over the shoulders and hangs in front and the back. There is a shorter one that hangs only in front and is worn after the reading of the Gospel. The Mitre (Bishop only) A Mitre is the Bishop's ceremonial crown and is worn only with the complete liturgical vestments. It denotes his apostolic sovereignty. The Pectoral Cross and the Engolpion (Bishop only) The Pectoral Cross and the Engolpion are worn by the Bishop during the Divine Liturgy. The cross denotes the self-denial of the Shepherd of the flock. The Engolpion is the distinctive sign of the office of the bishop and is usually oval in shape and suspended from a chain. The Pateritsa/Zhezol or Pastoral Staff (Bishop only) This staff, made of a precious metal and having at the top a cross with serpents turned inward towards it, denotes the power of God's Holy Spirit and especially the cross as an instrument of support for all the faithful. It is pastoral in nature and is there for all the people to see and to know that the Cross can lead them, chastise the disorderly, and gather the dispersed. It reminds us of Moses who held up the Cross in the wilderness as the snakes came to bite the people. As long as they looked at the cross, they suffered no harm. The serpents on top, turn inwardly toward the Cross as reminders of the Lord's saying: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

14

15

16 Sticharion or Robe EXPLANATION OF ALTAR BOY S VESTMENTS The long robe or Sticharion that is similar to that of the Deacon is a reminder of the role the Altar boy has in the service in the Altar. It symbolizes the cleanliness of mind and heart that the server brings each time he enters the altar. Orarion This is worn by the hypodeacon or by the Altar boy that have the blessing to wear it. The Orarion or sash is also similar to that of the Deacon but is worn differently. It is shaped in a cross at the back with two parts hanging down the front. It denotes the calling of the Altar boy to be a server much as the Angels of God serve Him attentively and willingly. EXPLANATION OF THE SACRED VESSELS Every Altar boy has seen the Priest vest himself and arrange the sacred vessels for the Divine Liturgy and other services. The two most important of these is the Chalice and the Discos/Paten. The Chalice will contain the Sacred Blood of Christ. It is frequently made of gold or gold-plated sliver, at least inside the bowl of the cup. The Discos is usually a piece that matches the Chalice and is the small dish, usually one small stem so that it can be held easily. During the Service of Preparation or Proskomide (which takes place at the Prothesis table, left of the altar), the bread that will become the Body of Christ is placed there with the appropriate prayers along with a piece for the Virgin Mary, the Angels and Saints, pieces for the living and for those who have departed this life. The Discos symbolizes, according to some, the cave where Christ was born and the manger where Christ was laid. The Spear and the Spoon are also found alongside of the Chalice and the Discos for they are used during the services. The Spear is used to cut the Prosphora during the Service of Preparation. It denotes the Spear that the soldiers used when they pierced Christ in the side (the rib), out of which came blood and water. The Spoon is used for Holy Communion to the faithful.

17 The Asterisk or Star is a ceremonial instrument consisting of two gold plated metal strips held together in the middle and bent at a right angle and set upon the Discos, and is covered with the appropriate ceremonial cloth cover. Along with serving the practical purpose of keeping the cloth cover from touching the bread to be consecrated into the Body of Christ, it symbolizes the star that led the Magi to Bethlehem and stood over the manger where Christ lay as a new born child. The Cloth Coverings are the veils cut in the shape of a cross and are used to cover and protect the Chalice and the Discos. There is a larger one which is used to cover both of these during the Divine Liturgy and is worn on the shoulders of the Priest or the Deacon during the Great Entrance. This cloth is called the Aer/Vozduh. The Red Communion Cloth is a square cloth used as the Priest administers Holy Communion to the faithful and it covers the Chalice following the giving of Holy Communion. It should be in place on the Altar Table prior to the Divine Liturgy along with the Spoon that is used for Holy Communion. All of the above are usually in place prior to the Divine Liturgy on the Prothesis or Preparation Table. Here is where the solemn preparation of the Elements takes place. It is usually on the left side of the Altar and it can be either a separate small table or piece of furniture or built into the wall. It symbolizes the Manger of Christ, and is decorated with an ornate table cloth, an icon of the birth of Christ or that of the Extreme Humility. Close by the Preparation Table is found the Censer on which incense is placed on a burning charcoal offering a sweet smelling smoke. It symbolizes the prayers that are offered and rise to heaven. The Censer has four chains which denote the four evangelists and twelve bells which denote the gospel message of the twelve Disciples of Christ. Also found on the Preparation Table are the Cruets; one holding wine and the other water. These are to be kept full at all times and are used in the Preparation Service.

18 CANDLES AND THE ALTAR BOY From time to time, you may have noticed candles, having lit one in the Narthex as you came into Church. In front of the lconostasis you may see candles as well as those in the Altar. Each service or cermony we have candles in it. One of the most important duties you have as an Altar boy is the lighting and care of candles. It should be done properly, and that is what we are going to share with you now: the mechanics of lighting and putting out candles in Church, as well as caring for them in their holders. To do this properly, there has to be desire, equipment, placement and instruction. You furnish the desire to do the job well; the parish will furnish the equipment; the instruction comes from the Priest or the more experienced Altar boy or men who have helped in altar, or a combination of all of these, and the placement is where the Priest says they should be. The candles that you light are for special parts of the services and have an important part in them. They are primarily to serve us as reminders that the Light of Christ should be our own light. They inspire reverence. People light them in memory of a loved one; they are placed where they are for a special reason. When they are on the Altar Table, they are there to remind us that all we do on the Altar Table comes from Christ, and returns to Him, and it is His Light that we give. When they are in front of the iconostasis, they are there before the icon of a particular saint, being a beacon for the prayer that the individual has offered. When you carry them in procession, they symbolize the Light of Christ and the Truth of God coming into the world. To light candles you must have fire. We cannot caution too much about this. Fire is one of man's greatest discoveries, but improperly handled it can become a terrible destructive force. Do everything you possibly can to see that all your candle lighting is done with knowledge and safety, knowledge of what you are to do, safety for the Church, and all in it, including yourself.

19 Preparation: 1. Inspect the candle and make sure it is clean, straight and good to be used. Sometimes candles are dirty. Sometimes they do not have a wick. Other times they may be cracked or broken. Inspect them and make sure that they are good for use. Before you put it in place for the first time, light the wick and burn it for a minute or so. This will make it easier for you to light, when the proper time comes. 2. Make sure the candle fits the holder tightly and is straight. If it is loose, melt some wax and re-seat the candle until it stays straight in its holder. 3. Place the candle holder on the Altar Table or wherever it is going to be set. Lighting: 4. If using the lighting taper, extend it 1-inch from the holder, before you light it. 5. When lighting each candle, handle the lighter so that charred pieces of the wick will not fall onto the candle or into the candle cup or on the Altar Table or the floor. 6. If you use a candle with which to light, make sure that the wax does not drip on the Altar Table or the floor or anywhere else. 7. When carrying the candle lighter or a candle, carry it so the flame rises upwards from the wax taper or candle. Any other way of carrying it will result in melted wax on the floor and yourself.

20 Extinguishing: 8. When extinguishing a candle with the snuffer, make sure it does not touch the wick or the candle. Hold it steady for a few seconds and the flame will go out. 9. Try not to disturb candles that are performing satisfactorily. 10. When you come into the Altar and are vested, check all the candles and make sure they are ready for use. Watch in particular for burned portions of wick embedded in the wax. If you see this, carefully pick out the burned pieces, remove darkened areas of wax, re-level the top of the candle, trim the wick and put the candle back in its holder. If the candle has a long and curled wick, this means that the candle will burn very quickly. Trim the wick, and remove the charred portions and reseat in holder. If the wick is too long on a new candle, either cut it short to about 3/4 of an inch or burn it making sure the charred portion falls off the candle into a safe place If the candle burns with a double flame, indicating that there may be an extra portion of wick, extinguish the candle, cut the extra wick off, and put it back in the holder. If the wick is too short and seems difficult to light or relight, recondition the candle by trimming some wax off and fixing the wick properly. For whatever liturgical function you are lighting candles, remember to light the highest ones first, and always start with the candles nearest the center and work towards the ends. THE ALTAR BREAD (PROSFORA) AND THE ALTAR BOY The Altar Bread that is used for the Divine Liturgy is a round loaf of bread and is usually brought to the Preparation Table to be cut and used for the Service. Along with it, there are names to be remembered and prayed for at the proper time. When you unwrap the bread, make sure you do not misplace the names, but take them and place them on the right side of the Preparation Table. If you are instructed to cut the remaining bread for distribution to the faithful after the Divine Liturgy (as Antidor/Naphora), make sure that you cut them all the same size, cutting them neatly and cleaning up after you have finished. Do not place the crumbs in the bowl with the bread. Put them aside and they can

21 be disposed of properly. You may want to cover the bread to keep it safe and have it ready to take to the Priest at the appropriate time in the Divine Liturgy. At the end of the service, you will be called by the Priest to bring the Antidoron/Naphora, the bread that has been cut for distribution to the faithful. Make sure you stand on the right side of the Priest and close enough to him so that he does not get off balance as he is reaching and taking the amount needed for distribution each time. THE ALTAR BOY AND THE CENSER The censer is the vessel in which incense is placed on a burning piece of charcoal as a sacrifice of the faithful and the offering of prayer to God. Care should be taken: *In lighting of the charcoal, care must be shown since most of the charcoal we use in our Church services is quick lighting. When you light it, it sparks until the whole of the top is lit. So when you take it in the tongs hold it to the tip of the flame and make sure that the sparks from it do not fall on anything that will catch fire. Make sure that any sparks that have fallen are extinguished. *Place the charcoal in the censer. *Ask your Priest the amount of incense he prefers. *MOST IMPORTANTLY, NEVER GIVE THE CENSER TO THE PRIEST WITHOUT HAVING THE CHARCOAL LIT OR INCENSE IN IT!

22 BEFORE THE DIVINE LITURGY Before the service begins make sure that the Altar and the church are ready for the service. Check all the candles, and change them if necessary. It is very important to make sure that the oil lamps are full of oil and lit. The Holy Altar is the most sacred area of the Church. It is on the Altar Table where the offering of bread and wine mystically become the Body and Blood of our Lord. The Altar table represents the Tomb of Christ and has relics (the bone of a saint) of the martyrs in it, revealing that the Church was built on the blood of the martyrs. On the Altar Table you will find the Antiminsion (the "insteadof-a-table" which contain a relic of a martyr within and has an icon of Christ being entombed on it), the Gospel, the Tabernacle, the Cross, and the candles. These items are the manifestation of the Items found in the Ark of the Covenant/Holy of Holies. For this reason, only ordained clergy touch the Holy Altar, or someone with the blessing. Never cross from one side of the Altar to the other in front of it, when you have to cross to the other side, go around the Altar Table and always make the sign of the cross at the high place (the place between the Altar Table and the church altar wall). 1. During the service make sure that the Antidoron/Naphora is being cut. Always check with Father to see how much Antidoron is needed. 2. Make sure the censer is ready at ALL times, because Father may finish the service of the Preparation at any time! 3. Before the Liturgy, maybe there will be a short service and some of the altar boys will read from the chanters stand outside the Altar, on the front right side of the church, close to the Bishop s throne. 4. We will then move directly into the Divine Liturgy.

23 THE DIVINE LITURGY 1. When Father announces "Blagosloveno e Carstvoto " "Blessed is the kingdom..."all the Altar boys should be in the Altar. 2. During the Hymn "Spasi ni, Sine Bozij" "Save us, 0 Son of God..." of the Divine Liturgy, line up the Altar boys for the Small Entrance. 3. As soon as the Beatitudes are sung, send the Altar boys out for the Small Entrance (see chart). 4. At the hymn "Svjatij Boze " "Holy God...", prepare the censer, and give it to Father. 5. If an Altar boy is reading the Epistle Lesson for the day, then when Father says "Mir na tebe " Peace be to you the Reader, the Altar boy that read the Epistle come to the Priest in front of the royal doors and kisses his hand, while the Priest is giving him a blessing. 6. During the Epistle reading line up the Altar boys with candles for the Holy Gospel reading. 7. Once the Epistle reading is over, send out the Altar boys with candles for the Holy Gospel reading (two Altar boys, one on each side of the Priest). 8. When the Holy Gospel reading is over, go out and sit in the front pew for the sermon (if there s a sermon after the Gospel). 9. Once the sermon is finished, line up ALL the Altar boys again for the Great Entrance (see chart). Also prepare the censer, and stand next to the Altar table. (If applicable, do not forget to remove the stand from the Royal Gate.) 10. While Father is censing the people from the Royal Gates, the Altar boys that are assigned to take the Cross and Fans should take them at this time. 11. Once Father has finished censing the Altar, prepare the censer once again. The Altar boy holding the censer will have to cense the Priest(s) around the church (or just hold the censer). 12. At the hymn "Jako da Carja" "That we may receive the King...", send the Altar boys out for the Great Entrance.

24 13. Once the Priest(s) have entered the Altar, the Altar boys are to reenter the Altar as well. The Altar boy holding the censer should go and stand to the right of the Altar Table. Once Father is finished with the censer, the Altar boy should put it away. 14. Once we have reentered the Altar, make sure that the hot water for Holy Communion is being prepared. 15. At the hymn "Svjat, Svjat, Svjat..." "Holy, Holy, Holy...", prepare the censer for the Priest. 16. After the Consecration of the Gifts, pass the censer to the Father. The Nafora bread must also be blessed. 17. When Father says "Da vnimavame. Svetinjite se za svetite" "Let us be attentive. The holy Gifts for the holy people of God" take the hot water (teplota/toplina) out to him and say "Master Bless the teplota". Wait until he gives it back to you. 18. After Father finishes receiving Communion (during which we stand attentively), prepare the Altar boys to hold the communion cloth and the Nafora. 19. When Father says "So strav Bozji, vera I ljubov pristapete" "With the fear of God, with faith and with love, draw near", send the Altar boys for Cloth and Nafora out to their spots. Also prepare the censer. 20. Once Father says "Spasi gi, Boze, Tvoite lugje" "Save, 0 God, your people and bless Your inheritance, give him the censer. After Father has censed the Gifts, the Altar boy with the censer will have to cense Father back to the Prothesis table. Also, the Altar boy in charge of the Antidoron are to move the Nafora stand to the right side of the middle stairs on of the Solea. 21. Once the Divine Liturgy is over with make sure that the Altar and the vestry are left clean. Father may want you to stay and help read the Post-Communion Prayers. After you receive the blessing of the Priest you may leave!

25