General Guidelines for Deacons and Church Attendance Discipline

1 Timothy 3:8-10, 13 (NKJV):

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the congregation in the chanting of hymns of praises
• Chant in unison with the church chorus

Requirements

1. Be at least six years old.
2. Display proper Christian behavior, including:
   • Regular confession, church attendance, and communion
   • Proper attire and general appearance (clothes, hair, etc.)
   • Not be under the sway of bad habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol
3. Demonstrate proficiency in all the congregation hymns of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil in any language.
4. Demonstrate at least 80% attendance rate in the weekly Divine Liturgies.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Read the readings of the Liturgy, with comprehension, and be ready to explain them.
• Assure that the congregation can hear well and understand the readings.
• Silently read the names of the reposed patriarchs after the Commemoration of the Saints in the Liturgy, at the response: “Let the readers, recite the names…”

Requirements

The Coptic Orthodox male members of the parishes of this diocese who are presented for ordination to the rank of anaghnostis (reader) must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Fulfill all the minimum requirements for the psaltis.
2. Be at least sixteen years old.
3. Be involved in the church services.
4. Display good reading ability in the Katameros in any language.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the following:
   • Agpeya Prayers:
     • Thanksgiving: “Let us give thanks…”
     • Psalm 50: “Have mercy upon me O God…”
     • “Let us praise with the angels saying…” (Matins Gloria)
     • “Graciously accord, O Lord, to keep us…” (Compline Prayer)
     • The Trisagion: “Holy God…”
     • “Hail to you we ask you…”, “We exalt you the mother of the True Light…”
     • The Creed: “We believe in one God…”
     • “Holy, Holy, Holy…”
     • Conclusion: “Have mercy on us O God and have mercy on us…”
   • Hymns: All the congregation hymns of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil in any language.
   • Midnight Praises: The weekly Sunday Midnight Praises.
6. Demonstrate at least 80% attendance rate in the weekly services: liturgies, vespers, and praises.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assists the consecrated deacon.
• Serves the Eucharist, by serving in the Altar.
• Assists the priest in the Liturgy service.

Requirements

This rank is granted through a calling by God through the church clergy. It is not granted to anyone who seeks to be elevated:

“And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.” (Heb 5:4)

It is granted to those who have demonstrated a good understanding of the Bible and conveying God’s teachings in their daily life.

The Coptic Orthodox male members of the parishes of this diocese who are presented for ordination to the rank of epi-deacon (sub-deacon) must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Fulfill all the minimum requirements for the anaghnostis.
2. Be at least twenty-one years old.
3. Be involved in the church services.
4. Be willing and capable of serving in the Altar.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in all the Altar responses of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil in any language.
6. Demonstrate at least 80% attendance rate in the weekly services: liturgies, vespers, and praises.
7. Understand the correct rites of the Divine Liturgy.
8. Read the book: Christ in the Eucharist, by Fr. Tadros Malaty.
9. Demonstrate proficiency in the Sub-deacon exam, which is based on, but not limited to the above book.