Who’s Who in Church

In February, at a celebratory Divine Liturgy in Toronto, two men, Bohdan Swystun and Petro Humennyj, were blessed as sub deacons. The church was full of well-wishers and the choir sang joyously – but how many people in attendance, apart from the clergy, really knew what the new sub-deacons would be doing?  

Many people who attend Divine Liturgies at Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches are not familiar with the duties of the personnel who assist the priests during services.  To address this lack of knowledge, Father Roman Galadza, of St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brampton, spoke to New Pathway's Olena Wawryshyn and offered the following Who’s Who Guide.

WHO DOES WHAT

The candle bearer, reader (chytets), cantor (diak), sub deacon and deacon all play roles that are important for a smooth enactment of the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Services.  Individuals who have the first four functions are blessed, while deacons are ordained.

Ideally, a priest should be surrounded by assistants, each knowing what is expected of them at each step, and capable of carrying it out.  When this is the case, the prayer proceeds smoothly, edifyingly and beautifully–to the extent that indeed the liturgy could be described as being “Divine.”

This structure and hierarchy of functions are ancient in origin and arefound in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

Candle Bearer

At high points of the service– for example, when the Gospel is read or during Holy Communion–there is someone holding a candle.  Also, when a priest makes a procession, there is usually someone walking with him, holding the candles and opening and closing the doors of the iconostas. Nowadays, altar boys usually carry out this role, but originally there were men who were blessed to do this.

Reader or Chytets

The reader reads the Tropars and the Apostle. He may also read the Hours (Chasy) before the service and the prayers afterward the service.  It is good to have several men in a parish who know what has to be read, otherwise confusion can abound.

 Cantor or Diak/Pivets

Those who have the ability to sing are trained to sing the Tropars to their proper melodies and to chant the Apostle in the traditional manner can be blessed as cantors, sometimes referred to as pivets. The cantor leads the congregation in the singing of the service.  

Sub Deacon or Pid Diakon

The sub deacon has taken the first step to the ordination to the priesthood. He stands in the altar (or sanctuary), assists the priest with the service, and makes sure that everything takes places smoothly. He is like a personal assistant to the priest.

The presence of a sub deacon is most evident when a bishop is present at services. The sub deacon stands behind the bishop, helps to vest him and minds the double and triple candle used by the bishop during the Divine Liturgy.  If the bishop is elderly and needs help walking, it is the sub deacon who assists him.

Although, the duties of sub deacon are often taken by an altar boy, in the past, the sub deacon was an adult male, vested in a stichar and an orar. 

Deacon or Diakon

Deacons are ordained. The deacon’s ministry is one of and the first step in the three major orders: Deacon, Priest, Bishop.

The deacon serves at the priest’s side. He intones all the prayers to which the people respond: “Lord Have Mercy.”  He chants the Gospel.  He prepares the bread and wine to be offered for Holy Communion. Sometimes, he is also called upon to distribute Holy Communion during the Eucharist.

In our Ukrainian Orthodox tradition there always were deacons who served magnificently at Divine Services.   In the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the role of deacon was taken by a priest dressed as a deacon. This is far from ideal.  It is only recently that the Ukrainian Catholic Church is training its candidates to do the same.

The deacon’s vestment differs from the sub deacon in that he wears the orar over his shoulder and wears cuffs as well.  Married deacons are called proto deacons; monastic deacons are referred to as arch deacons.  A proto deacon wears a longer orar, which is wrapped once over his shoulder.

Deacons can also teach catechisms if they demonstrate teaching abilities.

After Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church restored the ministry of deacon. Previously, the function of deacon was always a first step to priesthood. Now, some deacons, both in the Roman Catholic and the Ukrainian Catholic Church,  go on to a Higher Order, while others take on the function permanently. 

A good deacon or proto deacon is like a sergeant major in the military. He makes sure things get done properly and well. A priest with a good deacon at his side finds it much easier to pray.  Priests without deacons are handicapped, just as bishops would be without priests.

TRAINING

Candle Bearers, Readers, Cantors and Sub Deacons

Informal training starts from the first day an individual walks into a church. In church, one learns how to cross oneself, how to kiss the icon and pray. Young boys are taught duties by older servers.  Readers and cantors are trained by those already carrying out the role.  Sub deacons are taught by deacons and superiors in the seminary.  If the sub deacon is going on to Higher Orders, then he will be take theology courses either at a seminary (such as the Sheptytsky Seminary in Ottawa) or at theology schools at the universities.

Deacon

Deacons are no longer required to have formal training at a seminary.  Mature men can take theology courses at universities and, in time, with the recommendation of their pastor be presented to the Bishop and his advisors for ordination for the ministry of deacon.  As a result, there has been, in recent years, an increase in the number of deacons. After many years of service some deacons may be ordained as priests.

The faithful present at a Divine Liturgy where all the functions are performed properly can immediately recognize the benefits of having trained and blessed personnel.