SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN Altar Servers Guide

24 Pages·2017·2.4 MB·English

SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN

Greek Orthodox Church of Cheyenne, Wyoming

Altar Servers Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………...…..Page 3

Etiquette…………………………………………………………………………….……………...…………...Page 3

Items in the Altar……………………………………………………………………………………………....Page 5

Processions………………………………………………………………….………………………………...Page 7

Special Services……………………………………………………………….…………………..………....Page 8

Appendix A—Daily Prayers………………………………………………………………………………...Page 17

Appendix B-—Order of Worship………………………………………...………………………………..Page 18

Appendix C—What to do during the Divine Liturgy…………………………….……………………..Page 20
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INTRODUCTION

This book is for young men who would like to serve in the Lord’s Altar. Think about what
you want to be when you grow up. Now, think about this—serving in the Altar has always
been a job designated for adult men (i.e. deacons, sub-deacons, etc.). As an Altar boy you
are already taking on an adult responsibility. This should be taken lightly. Not everyone can
serve in the Altar. Young men who serve in the Altar must be active in the sacramental life
of the Church, especially regarding the Mystery of Holy Communion. Those who serve in
the Altar must live a Christian life at all times.

This guide will help you better understand the duties of serving in the Altar. Study it carefully!
CHAPTER 1 - ETIQUETTE

Arriving on Time
As Orthodox Christians we serve the Lord every minute of every day—even when we are not in
Church! When we think about life this way, serving in the Altar on a Sunday shouldn’t be a problem.
When we specifically prepare to sere at the Altar for the Divine Liturgy, this helps ensure that you are
capable of doing your job. Arriving on time, helps priest concentrate on the service, instead of worrying
whether or not he will have to help you prepare for the service. Another reason is so you are there for
the beginning of the Liturgy and do not miss anything important.
Being on time is called being “punctual.” Being punctual is a trait that you will need for the rest of your
life. Among many other things, serving in the Altar will help you develop this trait.
If you do not know what time the Liturgy starts or what time the Priest wants
you to be there, you should ask him or your parents!
Entering the Church
The Church is not only a place of worship, it’s the Kingdom of Heaven on earth! It’s a place where mira-
cles happen regular basis. Before you enter the church, you must concentrate on why you are there.
Anything that is on your mind that does not have to do with yours salvation and the Divine Liturgy must
be left outside the doors of the church. Remember that you are not only here for yourself, but to help
people as they worship God.
You should not make any loud noises, start unnecessary conversations, or try to get someone’s atten-
tion from a far distance. The time to socialize with others is when the service is over.

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When you enter the Church, light a candle, kiss the icons, and do the sign of the cross. Candles symbol -
ize our prayers, because through our prayers, we are a light to the world. When you light a candle, you
should say a prayer, either for yourself or for someone you know. People often light candles for family
members and for people who are sick. Candles can also be lit for those people that have passed away.
Entering the Altar
While it’s important to be serious when we enter the Church, we must be even more serious when we en-
ter the Altar. This is where the Altar Table is located. On this table, the most important service of the
Church takes place—the Divine Liturgy. As Orthodox Christians, our lives revolve around this Holy Mys-
tery – the Communion of the Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This is where the Holy Spirit comes
down, and changes bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We the faithful consume this
so that we can become one with our Lord and Savior!

To be present in the Altar where this Mystery takes place is a great blessing and privilege. Before you en-
ter the Altar, you stand at the side door and cross yourself, then kiss the icon of the Archangel in
front of you.

Preparing to Serve
When you enter the Altar, find your robe, and get a blessing from the priest to put it on. Always receive
your blessing from the priest before putting it on. Approach the priest by holding the robe in both hands,
saying “Father bless.” The priest will bless you. When he does this, kiss his hand. You then go off to the
side and put on your robe. If the priest is busy, and there are other priests in the Altar, you may receive a
blessing from one of them.

When a Bishop present, you must get your blessing from him, even if he is outside of the Altar at his
throne. Approach him and say, “Master bless” or “Eulogison Despota.” When he gives you his blessing,
kiss his hand and return to the Altar.

After you put on your robe, and before you do anything else in the Altar, you must go and wash your
hands at the sink. This symbolizes that you wash your hands of all bad things in the world. Think
about it, if you wash your hands before you eat, shouldn’t you do the same before serving in the Altar?
WARNING: HERE IS SOME ADVICE THAT
NOT ALL ALTAR BOY MANUALS COVER!
The only forms of talking that should take place in
the Altar are prayer and when we quietly help each
other do our jobs!
Following Directions
Following the directions of the Priest or an adult who is assisting in the Altar is not an option. It is also a
good idea to follow the lead of Altar boys who have the most experience.

Love and respect for everyone
Intentionally being disruptive, speaking to anyone in tone that is not loving or respectful, and putting your
hands on anyone is unacceptable. It is grounds for being dismissed from the Altar.
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During the Service
One of your jobs is to assist the priest, and to lead processions during the Divine Liturgy. It is very im-
portant that you pay attention to the priest. When you are not doing anything, you stand on the side of
the Altar Table, and follow along with the Liturgy. Altar Servers are also responsible for cleaning
and organizing the Altar area. Only the priest is allowed to touch the Altar table. Wait for his di-
rection before moving anything from the Altar.

At the End of the Service
For most people the service ends when the priest hands out the antidoro. However, at this point there is
still work to do for the priest and the Altar Servers. Make sure that the priest has enough antidoro to hand
out to the people. You must clean any messes, and making sure that everything is in it’s proper place.
When you are finish with your duties, you must ask the priest for permission to leave. When the priest
gives you his blessing, you kiss his hand and put your robe back the way you found it.

Exiting the Altar
When you exit the Altar after you’ve taken off your robe, you kiss the icon of the Archangel and cross
yourself.

CHAPTER 2 - ITEMS IN THE ALTAR

Everything in the Altar has a meaning and an importance. Treat everything in the church
with care and respect.

The Altar Servers’ Robes
The robe you wear symbolizes your commitment and service to the Church. The robe also distinguishes
you from the rest of the congregation by the specific role that you have in the Church. When you wear
the robe, remember that you are not only a Christian, but a servant of God at His Holy Altar. The belts
are typically only worn by those tonsured as sub-deacons. In Greek, the robe is called the “Sticharion,”
and the belt is called the “Orarion.”

Treat your robe with care and respect so it will last and will look presentable when you serve. After you
leave the Altar, you should make sure your robe is neatly hanging on a coat hangar in the closet so that it
will not wrinkle. If you feel your robe needs repair or cleaning, you should speak with your priest or the
head of the Altar Servers.

The Torches
The torches are what you use most of the time during processions, readings and special services. The
torches symbolize the light of Christ shining for those who believe in Him. When you carry a torch at the
front of a procession, you also help to announce the beginning of the procession to the people, so they
should stand still and pay attention. You should not play with the torches or swing them from side to side.
When you are walking, hold the staff with both hands, and do not drag the bottom of the pole. When you
are standing still, it is okay to rest the pole on the floor.

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When you stand in front of the Altar with the torch, face the Altar Server across from you. The same goes if
you stand in front or on the sides of a table. Remember, never turn your back to the Altar or the priest.

The Censer (Thymiato)
The burning of incense is a symbol of our prayers that we offer to God. The censer is what we
burn incense in. The lower part of the censer symbolizes the earth, and the top part of the cen-
ser symbolizes Heaven. There are twelve bells on the chains, that represent the Twelve
Apostles of Christ.

Make sure that the censer is clean at all times. A dirty censer that is full of coal residue stinks!
Make sure the charcoal is lit and that there is plenty of coal left in the container next to the
censer stand. If we run out, there is extra coal in the counter by the sink.

There should also be no more than one charcoal in the censer at one time. You must also be careful about
how much incense you use each time. Do not use more than 2 or 3 pieces of incense! Using too much in-
cense will either create too much smoke, or extinguish the coal.

Also, every time the priest uses the censer and gives it back to you, you should also scrape off the remain-
ing burning incense from the coal.

When you give the censer to the priest, hold the top of the censor your right hand, and the chains with your
left hand. Make sure there is enough room for the priest to grab the censer. Always kiss the hand of the
priest when giving or taking the censer from him.

Remember, in a procession, the censer always goes in front of the lead priest.

Light the coal in the censer. Also, never blow on the coal. The coal has gunpowder in-
side of it. It can light very quickly burning your face, your robe, or the floor!

The Processional Cross and Fans
The Processional Cross and Fans are located behind the Altar Table. These are used during the Great En-
trance and on other special services and occasions. The Cross has two sides to it. One side shows an
icon of Christ crucified on the Cross. The other side shows Christ risen from the dead. This side with Christ
on the Cross is taken in a procession on weekdays. The other side of the Cross has an icon of Christ res-
urrecting. That is the side that must always face forward on Sundays. That is because on Sundays, we
celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

When you hold the Cross and Fans, you stand the same way you would stand if you were holding a torche.
In a procession, 1.) the Cross goes ahead of the censer, and 2.) the Fans go ahead of the Cross and be-
hind the torches.

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The Banners (Lavara)
The Banners are usually located on the solea, outside the Altar and are only used for special feast
days and occasions. Your priest will let you know when they are to be used.

The Antidoro (Blessed Bread)
The Antidoro is the blessed bread that is given out at the end of Divine Liturgy. Historically, this
bread was given to those who had not received Holy Communion. Today it is given to everyone at
the end of Divine Liturgy. The antidoro is cut up during the service from the prosfora that people
bring to the church. It is important that the antidoro is cut and ready early in the Liturgy, as it is given
to the priest to be blessed about half way through the service.

The Thikero-Trikera (Bishop’s Candles)
When a bishop is visiting the church, the Thikero-Trikera are used. These are two candle stands,
one with three candles and one with two candles. The one with the three symbolizes the Holy Trinity.
The one with the two symbolizes the two natures of Christ (Divine and Human). When taken from
the Holy Altar, these candles are held by either deacons or Altar boys. The three-candles are al-
ways to the right of the bishop, and the two-candles are always to the left. For further instruc-
tion on how to carry the Thikero-Trikera please ask your parish priest.

The Prothesis (Preparation Table)
The Prothesis is located off to the left of the Altar. This is where the priest prepares the gifts before
Orthros starts. The Altar boys are not responsible for this in any way as this service is done before
they arrive at the church. However, it is important to be aware of this table’s importance. This is
where the priest will go to get the gifts before the Great Entrance.
The Zeon (Hot Water)
The Zeon is heated during the Divine Liturgy and is brought to the priest right before he gives Holy
Communion. The Zeon is always brought to the priest on his right side during the Lord’s prayer. The
priest will take the Zeon and pour it into the chalice and return it back to the Altar boy.

CHAPTER 3 - PROCESSIONS

Small Entrance (Entrance of the Gospel)
The first procession that takes place in the Divine Liturgy is the Small Entrance. This is where the
priest goes around the church with the Holy Gospel. Altar boys are to line up at the north door, and
proceed down the right aisle of the church towards the back, turn left at the back and then left again
to come down the center aisle. The priest will follow the Torches. Only torches are to be used in this
procession (no Cross or Fans). When the Altar boys reach the Solea (platform in front of Al-
tar) they are to split and line up in two separate lines, on both sides of the Royal Doors (i.e. the mid-
dle doors of the Altar). When the priest passes and goes into the Altar, the Altar boys should line up,
turn to face the Altar in pairs, bow and enter through the doors on their own side of the iconostasis.

Gospel Reading
When the priest is ready to read the Gospel, the Altar boys who are responsible for holding the
torches will exit from either side of the Altar. They are to come out and line up on each side of the
Royal Doors facing each other. They are to wait there until the Gospel is read and then turn, bow,
and enter through their respective side doors (just like in the small entrance). Only torches are taken
out for the Gospel reading.

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Great Entrance (Entrance of the Gifts)
The Great Entrance is when the priest comes out with the Holy Gifts that are to become the Body and
Blood of Christ. The procession is similar to the Small Entrance. However, people are involved in it. The
order of the procession should be 1.) the Cross, 2.) Candles 3.) Fans and 4.) the Censer. Whoever holds
the Censer is must cense the priest as he walks around the church and all the way up to the Solea. When
the priest stops and faces the people, stand to the left side.

NOTE: When the priest is finished saying his prayers in front of the people, immediately
bow and enter the Altar before anyone else so that you can be ready at the side of the
Altar to assist the priest.

Holy Communion
During Holy Communion one Altar boy must hold the red communion cloth for the priest that is used to pro-
tect the Holy Communion from falling on the floor, and for people to wipe their mouths. There must also be
one or more Altar boys who will make sure that there is enough antidoro for the people. If you do not have
a job to do, get in line for communion, receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and go back in-
to the Altar. Never stand around in front of the solea if you do not have a job to do!
Artoklasia (Blessing of the Five Loaves)
Sometimes at the end of Liturgy there will be an Artoklasia service. Two Altar boys should come out with
torches to and stand on each side of the table with the loaves. One more Altar boy should come out with
the censer and stand to the right of the Priest. When the priest is finished, the Altar boys are to reenter the
Altar in the normal fashion.
Mnimosino (Memorial Service)
Just as with the service of the Artoklasia, two Altar boys with torches, and one with the censer are needed.
At the end of the service, they may return to the Altar.
CHAPTER 4 – SPECIAL SERVICES

Great Lent I – Great Compline
Compline is a service that is held at the end of the day. It takes place after dinner (hence the Greek name
of the service, apodeipnos). The Service of Great Compline is a service that has many beloved hymns and
prayers of Great Lent. This service is called Great Compline because it is much longer (where Small Com-
pline is about 15-20 minutes, this service is approximately 1 hour). The contents of this service are about
the same as Small Compline, with a stress on the theme of repentance (metanoia, “changing one’s mind”)
and salvation. This is definitely shown in the main hymn of the evening: Lord of the Powers, be with us! For
in times of distress, we have no other help but You! Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us!

It is a great way to keep our fast in perspective, and to ask for God’s great mercy in this time of spiritual
struggle.

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Altar Servers need to be aware of the following times they will be needed during this Liturgy:

A. During the hymn Lord of the Powers: the Priest will need the censer to cense around the
entire Church.

B. During the First Week of Great Lent: Altar Servers should be ready to go out with their can-
dles for the reading of the Gospel.

Great Lent II – Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts
During Great Lent, it is a rule of the Church that Divine Liturgies cannot be held during the week. The
only time when the Church would celebrate Divine Liturgies during Great Lent are on Sundays (the
Liturgy of St. Basil the Great), on Saturday (the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom), and on the feastday
of the Annunciation (March 25th).

However, since the Church sees it important for its faithful to participate in the Sacrament of Holy
Communion as often as possible, it created a “Liturgy” with consecrated Bread and Wine (i.e. it’s all
ready the Body and Blood of Christ, taken from the past Sunday’s Liturgy), to be given to the people
during a night service. This service, called the “Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts” is done during the
time of Vespers. Firstly, it is a Vespers service until the two readings finish; after that, we read Com-
munion prayers and the faithful receive Christ at the appropriate time (just like at Liturgy).

This Liturgy is usually celebrated on Wednesdays and Fridays. The last Pre-Sanctified Liturgy of the
year is celebrated on Holy Wednesday.

Altar Servers need to be aware of the following times they will be needed during this Liturgy:
A. During the Reading of the Kathismata (three sets of 3 Psalms): the Priest will need the cen-
ser. As the Priest is ready to take the Holy Gifts to the Prothesis, one Altar Server will need to cense
the Gifts, walking backwards to the Prothesis. He will then give the censer to the Priest as he censes
the Gifts.

B. During the Psalm Lord, I have cried: the Altar Server will give the censer to the Priest, so he
can cense the Church.

C. At the Doxastikon of the Liturgy: the Altar Servers will take part in the Small Entrance – us-
ing the Candles, Processional Fans and the Cross (if need be).

D. The Priest will need the censer and a hand-held candle after the first Prophecy.

E. If there is a Gospel reading, Altar Servers will go out in front of the Royal Doors, opposite
one another for the Gospel.

F. The Altar Servers will take place in the Great Entrance, using the Candles, Processional
Fans and the Cross (if neccesary).

G. The Priest will need assistance with Holy Communion, just as in the Divine Liturgy. After Holy
Communion, the censer should be given to the Priest to cense the Gifts.

H. The antidoro is given out to the faithful at the end of the service.
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Great Lent III – The Akathist Hymn
The first 5 Fridays of Great Lent are marked with a very beloved ser-
vice that is dedicated to the Mother of God. The Salutations of the The-
otokos, together with a supplicatory canon (a group of like sounding
hymns), are combined with a small compline service (this is the only
time of the week the Small Compline is done in church). If we would
like to get to know the Mother of God better, all we have to do is listen
to the hymns of this service—it tells us the story of her life, and it helps
us pray to her!

Altar Servers need to be aware of the following times they will be need-
ed during this service:
At the main hymn Ti upermaho, Altar Servers should stand on the
Soleas on either side of the icon of the Virgin Mary with torches, and the censer.

During the First Week of Great Lent, Altar Servers should also be ready to go out with the torches
for the reading of the Gospel.

HOLY WEEK
Holy Week I – Palm Sunday Morning
Six days before the Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem. People were
waiting for the Messiah (which means, “the Anointed One”) to free them
from the Romans and all of their oppressors. Someone with power usual-
ly enters triumphantly into a city he has captured. But, Jesus entered Je-
rusalem with humility, riding a donkey. This fulfilled an Old Testament
prophecy that said, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daugh-
ter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and hav-
ing salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

People waved palm branches on that day, to symbolize that their Messi-
ah had come. This is why we bless palm branches in Church on Palm
Sunday. The Priest gives them to the people after the Divine Liturgy, to
help them remember this very important feastday in the Church.

Altar Servers need to be aware that at the end of the Divine Liturgy, there will be a procession with
the Palms and the appropriate prayer to be read by the Priest or Bishop. Altar Servers should be
ready to assist the Priest in giving out the palms to the faithful.

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