The Epodeacon

 

Bishop Moussa

 

Epodeacon "upoudiakwn” is a Greek word consisting of two parts: “upou“ i.e. under or

helper, and “diakwn“ deacon i.e. deacon, so the meaning is deacon’s helper.

 

Conditions for ordaining:

1- He is not to be less than 20 years old in normal conditions, except if he is brilliant and

outstanding in the

church's service, he is as wise as the elders and as honest as the saints.

2- To be recommended by the people and priests.

3- To everyone witness that he is of good manners and deeds.

 

His responsibilities:

1. To guard the church's doors of heretics and animals

2. To organise seating in the church: men in their specific places, women in theirs, virgins

and nuns in

theirs....etc.

3. To light the church's lanterns.

4. To look after the church's books, priests and servants clothes.

5. To prepare the censers

6. To help the deacon, or replace him in emergencies.

 

NOTES :

These jobs are added to the previous jobs of Aghnostos, and do not delete them, so he can

act as Aghnostos if needed.

The Ritual of Ordaining an Epodeacon:

1. He bows before the altar before wearing a tunia, and that's after the Prayer of

Reconciliation.

2. The Bishop and attendant pray the Prayer of Thanksgiving, then the Bishop raises incense

in the four

directions.

3. The Bishop faces the East while praying: "O Lord of Hosts.....accept your servant (.....) as

Epodeacon, he

who is standing here waiting for Your Heavenly gifts.

4. The Archdeacon says: "the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, completing our weakness, may

come upon this

brother whose name was mentioned, to acquire the grade of Epodeacon...etc.

5. The Bishop, facing East, prays, "Yes O Lord, make him worthy to be an Epodeacon.

6. The congregation responds: "O Lord hear us, O Lord have mercy upon us, O Lord bless

us", or Keryeleyson

(Lord have mercy) 3 times in the same tune.

7. The Bishop faces west, holds the Epodeacon's face while praying: "O Lord the Master

Almighty...show your

face on your servant (.....), to become an Epodeacon. Fill him with your Holy Spirit to

become worthy to

touch the service utensils"

(note the utensils are to be carried with a veil when drying them and storeing them.)

8. The Bishop faces East, and prays: "O Lord, look to our service, send your grace on your

servant... to be

worthy to live as Epodeacon without blame.

9. The Bishop then signs his forehead with his right thumb saying: "We call you in God's Holy

church. Amen.

The congregation responds. Amen

10.The Archdeacon then says: (.......) an Epodeacon for God's Holy Church Amen. The

congregation responds,

Amen

11.The Bishop signs the forehead 3 times with his right thumb (without laying a hand), while

saying:" We call

you(...) an Epodeacon for (....) church Khen Efran... Efezmaroot.....then the second and

third sign. After

each signing, the congregation responds Amen.

At these signings, the Holy Spirit descends on him the gifts to carry out his service.

12.The Bishop faces the East, while praying The Prayer of Thanksgiving for completing this

ordination, saying:

"We thank you O Master, the Almighty, grant him the awesome and purity to be perfect in

all the works of

his service..."

13.After signing the tunia and the Patrachil, the Bishop dresses the Epodeacon with them,

while saying: "Glory

and honour...peace and establishing...Amen.". Then he recites the commandment of

Epodeacon: My son,

you have gained a good grade... to be a follower and assistant to the deacon in the

service, to watch the

doors of the church and keep discipline in the church."

14.Then the Epodeacon stands with the chorus of deacons and joins in the responses and

hymns of the Liturgy.

15.He partakes of the Holy Communion at the end of the Liturgy, the Bishop blows on his

face, he goes around

the church in a procession rejoicing.

 

Clothes of the Epodeacon:

The same as aghnostos.

NOTES:

If no Patrachil is available at the time of ordination, a silk red ribbon can be used instead.

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

following commandments:

Rules of the Epodeacon:

1. The hand is not laid on him, nor is his hair cut, only the signings.

2. He can get married after being a Epodeacon, without losing his grade.

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