Altar Servers
Being An Altar Server
It is a special privilege to be permitted to serve in the altar. It is an honor that is not given to just any one and therefore must be taken seriously-- with preparation, a willingness to take instruction, and a desire to serve God and His earthly priests.
Requirements
A young man must be 7 years old and meet with Fr. Habib before he is permitted to serve.
Rules And Guidelines
If you attend Great Vespers on Saturday or any other service during the week, you may serve on the following Sunday even if it not your regularly assigned Sunday. If you miss your assigned Sunday and do not attend a weekday service you must wait until your next assigned date. Please dress appropriately for Sunday Liturgy. Tennis shoes, shorts, and tee shirts are not acceptable for Sunday Liturgy or any service when a bishop is presiding. Dress shorts (not athletic) can be worn during the months of June, July, and August. but dress shoes must still be worn. You should get your robe blessed by Fr. Habib or the presiding priest before you put it on. When you do this, you must hold your robe with the cross facing up and kiss the priests hand after he blesses it. Always exhibit worship behavior. No unnecessary talking or disrespectful behavior is permitted. Pay attention to the service by reading along in the book, watching the priest and saying the prayers. When you give the censer to the priest, you must kiss his hand. Before you take the censer from the priest, you also kiss his hand. However, you do not kiss the hand of a Deacon. Readers will be assigned by Fr. Habib. The epistle reader goes to the High Place with the Epistle book to get a blessing before he reads the Epistle lesson. The Epistle book is held upright. You should kiss the priest’s hand after you receive the blessing. All servers are to sit in the first pew during the sermon. No one is permitted in the back rooms during the service unless first given permission by Fr. Habib or the residing priest. Instructions are given by the priests, deacon, or captains. Please follow these instructions to make the services flow smoothly. Direct any questions to Fr. Habib after the end of Liturgy. After the veneration of the cross, return your robe to the proper place and hang it up neatly.