THE ANAGHNOSTOS

Bishop Moussa

 

Anaghnostos “Anagnwct/c” is a Greek word formed of two parts:"Anagnwc" which means

"chapter", and “t/c" which means "related to him", so it means the chapter related to the

reader, or the reader of chapters.

 

Conditions for ordaining Anaghnostos:

 

1-He is not to be less than 18 years old

2.witnessed by everyone for his good deeds and manners

3.to be recommended by the priest and congregation, without any objection from anybody.

4.to be tested in good reading with understanding of the Holy Bible

5.to practice spiritual virtues and means of grace: confession, Holy Communion, attending

the church and

reading from the Holy Bible.

6.to be ready for the service

7.to be humble and meek, not to be proud of his voice or service

His duties

1- Reading the daily readings in church: especially the Epistles in Coptic and Arabic, that's

why he should learn the introduction and end of each Epistle in Coptic and Arabic. He should

read correctly without mistakes, so that the congregation might understand.

Introduction to the Pauline: A Chapter of the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul the Apostle to...

may his blessings be with us all Amen.

At the End of the Pauline: The Grace of God the Father may come on our spirits my fathers

and brethren Amen.

Introduction to the Catholicon: which are the universal Epistles: The Catholicon: A Chapter of

the Epistle of our teacher... may his blessings be with us all Amen.

At the end of the Catholicon: Do not love the world nor the things in the world, for the world

is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Introduction to the Book of Acts: A chapter of the stories of our pure Apostles, filled with the

grace of the Holy Spirit, may the blessings of their prayers be with you and me, my fathers

and brethren, Amen.

Conclusion to the Book of Acts: The word of God is still growing and increasing in this church

and all churches from now and forever Amen.

After reading the Epistle the Anaghnostos (the reader) kneels infront of the altar's door,

kisses the cross and the priest's hand, proving his humbleness before God and the

congregation, so that he might not be proud of his voice or his readings.

Being a member of God's family, you have a responsibility to serve; whether it is as a

deacon, Sunday School servant, visiting the sick and distressed, and sowing the seed of

Christ's love to those outside the church; this can be done by example alone. Thus, this

person must work for the benefit of the whole body of Christ.

2. reading the names of the father Patriarchs, who have reposed in the Lord: and that's after

the commemoration of the saints, when the deacon serving inside the altar says: "Let the

readers (the Anaghnostos) say the names of our

NOTES

An aghnostos can touch the altar's utensils with a veil, to dry them up after the Holy Liturgy,

and puts them back in their place.

The Bishop then faces East, while praying: "O God the Great and Rich in His Gifts, Permit and

fill him/them with every wisdom and understanding. Preserve him/them in your worship,

without blame.

• After the prayers, the congregation responds, O hear us, O Lord have mercy upon us, O

Lord bless us". This response is said generally at the end of any prayer.

• The Bishop then turns to the West, holds his face, saying:" O God, you who hold everyone

with your right hand...show your face on your servant(s)...to teach your holy sayings and

preach your commandments to your people...grant him/them a humble heart to read and

understand your law, to be of benefit for him/them and those who listen to him/them.

NOTES

The Bishop’s hand represent God's hand, which holds the mind of man, making him able to

understand, teach and preach the life-giving strong word of God.

• The Bishop turns East and says: " O, Lord Master, who chose his servant Ezra, and granted

him wisdom to read your law to your people...grant him the wisdom and spirit of prophecy to

recite your holy sayings to your people without blame."

• It is very important that the Aghnostos' life be without blame, his deeds corresponding to

his words, so that he might not stumble to anyone. His words should be strong, his service

pure and useful for everyone, as was Ezra the great writer.

• The Bishop (or the Archdeacon if available)then reads the

following commandments:

My son, this is the first grade of Priesthood, so you have to:

One.Learn the books of the Holy Bible one by one.

Two.Read with understanding, according to the Lord's commandment " let the reader

understand", and [Agnostos] means the reader.

Three.Preach the congregation

Four.Your life should be pure, as the lamp on the lectern, enlightening for those around you

with your words and deeds.

• The Bishop then signs their service garments; they wear them; they join the chorus in the

responses and praises of the Liturgy.

• At the end of the Liturgy, they partake of the Holy Communion. After the Bishop partakes of

the Honoured Blood, and before drinking water, he blows on their faces, one by one, saying,

"Accept the Holy Spirit"

• A procession is done for them in the altar and the church, everyone feels the Holy rejoice

for their ordination.

Clothes of an Aghnostos

1. He wears a white tunia because the white colour is appropriate for the service of God, who

is dressed in light, and who’s white garment shown as light at the transfiguration (Mark 9:3).

White colour is also a sign of purity, A characteristic which should in a deacon, and all the

other grades of priesthood.

2. He wears the "Patrachil" in the form of a cross on his back, with it wrapped around the

front as a belt, and with both ends hanging from over his shoulders.

NOTES

1. "Patrachil" is a Greek word which means a grace or deaconship grade, that is, it is a grace

taken by a person and carried on his shoulders.

2. It is in the shape of a cross because he is sharing in carrying the cross with Christ, as He

says: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and

follow Me." (Matt 16:24 )

3. The Patrachil is on the shape of a belt from the front, as a sign of getting ready for service,

like John the Baptist, who used to gird his waist.

Rules for an Aghnostos

1. The hand is not laid upon him, but only his hair is cut.

2. He can get married after this rank, if his wife dies, he can get married once again, on the

contrary to the higher priesthood ranks.

||    Pope Shenouda    ||    Father Matta    ||    Bishop Mattaous    ||    Fr. Tadros Malaty    ||    Bishop Moussa    ||    Bishop Alexander    ||    Habib Gerguis    ||    Bishop Angealos    ||    Metropolitan Bishoy    ||