Readers – Boys in the Altar

Rules and Regulations for Readers in the Altar

Readers or boys in the Altar are those who are privileged to serve in the Holy Altar, where the Lord Himself is present in the Sanctuary above the Holy of Holies. Readers receive special permission to serve in the Holy Altar and to assist the priest during the Holy Liturgy and other sacred services. The altar is a very holy place in the Church and only the clergy and readers have the right to enter it. No other believers, male or female, have the right to enter the altar without special permission from the priest.

In order for readers to assist properly in the Holy Altar, there is order and arrangement:

  1. Readers must be clean and neat. They must wear a suit and tie, neat and polished shoes. Hair should be neat.
  2. All readers must be in the Altar 10 minutes before the Service begins.
  3. When they enter the Altar, the reader receives his sticharion. Then he folds it neatly and approaches the priest or Bishop if present, and asks for a blessing, saying: “Bless, Master, this sticharion.”
  4. Then he goes to his assigned place, on the left or right side of the Holy Table or behind it. When passing by the crucifix that is located behind the Holy Table, he always crosses himself.
  5. Only the clergy – Bishop, Priests and Deacons – are allowed to stand or pass in front of the Holy Table. A reader NEVER passes in front of the Holy Table, only behind it.
  6. In the Holy Liturgy, when the choir finishes the hymn: “Only-begotten Son…”, the captain of the readers designates which two readers will light candles and carry them for the Little Entrance.
  7. While the Epistle is being read, two readers prepare with ripida which they hold during the reading of the Gospel.
  8. While the Cherubic Hymn is being sung, the captain of the readers designates who will carry candles, ripida, lanterns, cross and censer for the Great Entrance.
  9. After the reading of “I believe…”, the reader prepares warm water (zeon) for Holy Communion.
  10. When the priest says: “Let us attend, Holy things to the holy!”, one of the readers brings the zeon.
  11. Then he says: “Bless, Master, this zeon.”
  12. The priest responds: “Blessed is the zeon…”
  13. After the Holy Liturgy, one reader is assigned to hold the vessel with antidoron which the priest distributes to the faithful. Another is assigned to extinguish the vigil lamps, except the one on the Prothesis, which burns until the priest consumes the remaining Holy Communion.
  14. When the Service is completely finished, the reader removes his sticharion and neatly places it in its place.
  15. When they are in the holy Altar, the readers themselves are closer to God. Therefore, unnecessary conversations, laughter, chewing gum or jumping are not allowed.
  16. A reader must prepare himself to receive Communion at least once a month. He will prepare himself by fasting, praying and confessing.

Every reader will always kiss the priest’s hand, regardless of whether he is giving something to him or receiving something from him.

We kiss the priest’s hand because:

  1. we show respect toward him and what he does and
  2. because with his hands he holds the greatest Holiness.