Deacons and Sub-Deacons

[MrJim]

What are their roles in the congregation and how do they become deacons/subdeacons and do congregations pay them?

Since I've mostly only go to Vespers at this point I see them in the choir only.

Thanks

 

[gzt]

Subdeacons are just regular shmoes. Deacons are clergy. A deacon typically requires either seminary training or vocational training - they don't ordain the uneducated. Liturgically, the deacon does the litanies, censes the church, and reads the Gospel. They function as the bishop's right hand man, sort of, and, in the absence of the bishop, the priest's. A deacon may or may not be paid depending on what he does in the parish.

 

[MrJim]

Subdeacons are just regular shmoes. Deacons are clergy. A deacon typically requires either seminary training or vocational training - they don't ordain the uneducated. Liturgically, the deacon does the litanies, censes the church, and reads the Gospel. They function as the bishop's right hand man, sort of, and, in the absence of the bishop, the priest's. A deacon may or may not be paid depending on what he does in the parish.

If the deacon goes through all that training how far are they from becoming ordained as a priest?

So what is the story behind a subdeacon (AKA "regular shmoe" )?

 

[gzt]

If a deacon went to seminary, then they have all the requisite training. It simply may not be what they're called to. If they didn't go to seminary, but instead studied through a "late vocations" program or something, then they're never going to be one.

Subdeacons are a minor order, like readers. Their purpose is to hold certain candles for the bishop when the bishop serves. They're ranked above readers. They're basically a glorified reader. They're comparatively rare because there's not much purpose to them if you don't have a bishop.

 

[MrJim]

If a deacon went to seminary, then they have all the requisite training. It simply may not be what they're called to. If they didn't go to seminary, but instead studied through a "late vocations" program or something, then they're never going to be one.

Subdeacons are a minor order, like readers. Their purpose is to hold certain candles for the bishop when the bishop serves. They're ranked above readers. They're basically a glorified reader. They're comparatively rare because there's not much purpose to them if you don't have a bishop.

Thanks ~ this has been helpful

 

[ArmyMatt]

deacons are ordained clergy that lead litanies, read the Gospel, preach at times, serve (not consecrate) communion, etc.

subdeacons are tonsured, and are basically combined readers and alter servers that vest the bishop and help him out when he comes to a parish.

 

[Silentchapel]

Subdeacons are essentially masters of ceremonies for bishop Liturgies.
If anyone ever had to be an altar boy during a bishop Liturgy, he'll know how much a subdeacon is needed.

 

[choirfiend]

Deacons are also to help serve the community--they may take communion to the shutins and assist liturgically, but they also frequently have some kind of role in the parish life. One of our deacons runs the college fellowship (and is paid, albeit not as full salary) and the other has taken over the Sunday school. It's a lucky priest who has a deacon to help with a parish.

 

[JesusIsTheWay33]

So subdeacons don't have much/any liturgical role in the in non-pontifical Orthodox liturgies?

Sorry, I'm a bit of a (Roman) liturgy pedant and I love this sort of information.

 

[gzt]

Pretty much, they just serve like the other servitors.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

We haven't had a deacon attached to our parish since our first and only one became a priest, ten years ago. At the moment we have only one Sub-Deacon and several tonsured Readers.

Even now that we have two priests, we still don't have a Deacon. There is a shortage of Deacons in our Diocese and maybe in the whole OCA.

Mary

 

[Kristos]

SUb-Deacon: Subdeacon — Good Guys Wear Black | Discerning Your Vocation In The Orthodox Church

Deacon: Deacon — Good Guys Wear Black | Discerning Your Vocation In The Orthodox Church

 

[E.C.]

When there is no bishop than the subdeacon is basically like a reader who is in charge of the altar servers. When the bishop is there, than whatever the subdeacon says, goes. Trust me The subdeacon(s) also carry the trikiri and dikiri (special candles used by the bishop) for the bishop. If you ever see a video, or are present during, a heirarchical liturgy than you'll see that it basically hinges upon the deacon and subdeacon. In fact, if there is no deacon, than the bishop will serve like a priest during a normal Liturgy.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

The subdeacon at my former cathedral was really cool and put together. You could tell that he was an expert at altar service. He kept everyone in line. When the bishop served, they were like clockwork. He knew precisely what needed to happen at all times. He also helped a teen with down syndrome serve in the altar. That was really touching.

M.

 

[θεόδωρος]

Some corrections: Sub-Deacons ARE ordained NOT tonsured. Readers are tonsured. First he will be made a Reader and will be tonsured. During the ordination to the sub-diaconate, he will be ordained (outside the altar) hence receives communion first outside the altar (again this depends on the diocese).
Depending on the diocese, a Sub-Deacon may be a seminarian in his final year of study. A Sub-Deacon is not a glorified altar server though he can perform any duties of an altar server or reader when needed but he can touch the altar and prepare the proskomide. His primary role is to serve his bishop. Now that being said, a bishop may grant a Sub-Deacon certain duties akin to a Deacon (e.g. small litanies, etc...) especially if they are being prepared for further ordinations.

 

[Kristos]

Actually, Readers are ordained. The tonsure into the clergy is done first and is really a separate act. Then they are ordained as a Reader. The tonsure is not repeated if the man goes to be ordained a Sub-deacon, but a Sub-deacon is tonsured clergy.

 

[MrJim]

Would someone explain "tonsure" for the thread?

 

[Kristos]

Tonsure - in a nutshell is cutting of the hair as an act of obedience and submission. Three types of tonsure exist in the eastern practice - baptismal, clerical and monastic. Everyone who is baptized into Christ is tonsured into the laity, the people of God. Likewise, every man who is ordained is first tonsured into the clergy. And monastic tonsure would accompany the monastic vows, within monasticism there various levels, but that isn't really important for us here.

 

[Kristos]

The confusion probably comes for the common practice of "tonsuring" altar boys, but not ordaining them as readers. People sometimes refer to them as tonsured readers, but really they are not Readers unless they are ordained. Of course there are many people who read in church that are not ordained Reader. They are blessed to do so, but not necessarily ordained. Make sense? I'm not advocating a more rigorist approach, but it does seem to cause confusion. Maybe we need to modify our terminology to better reflect the current practice...? That seems to be the intent of calling someone a "tonsured reader" or "tonsured altar boy" who is not ordained, but it doesn't seem to really clarify anything unless you really understand the situation because now people don't realize that Reader is an ordained rank.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

In our parish, it's easy to tell who's actually tonsured, as they always wear the black cassock when in church, whether or not they are serving.

Mary