prayer – Faith Unto Ages

Approaching the Altar with Dignity: The Consequences of Serving with Irreverence

The Punishment of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1).

I recently had a discussion with my brother Deacons about reverence for the sacred. More precisely, the Church; especially the Holy of Holies (Bete Mekdes). Being that we are ordained servants of the Altar responsible for guarding its reverence, we agreed that immense care should implemented. Especially given that this is the most sacred part of the Church by which our Lord truly becomes present in the Holy Eucharist.

We then discussed what we have observed in many churches, even beyond the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo tradition, within our Oriental Orthodox communion; that some servants of the altar, be they clerics or lay acolytes, do not revere the sacred, but rather tragically treat it casually. This is either due to poor formation, lack of understanding, or perhaps even negligence; though I am in no position to judge.

In all fairness, there is also a crisis of premature ordinations, which includes young boys, who are not catechized or properly informed on the responsibilities of their office. In many instances, the service is either forced by parents and the church community, with the expectations being that if their son is ordained to some clerical office in the Church; they will not leave it. There’s also expectations that this will also “keep them busy” since it gives them tasks to do during the long liturgy hours, but this is a very heterodox approach to clerical offices; especially to those of the major orders.

This mindset is also a departure from Apostolic Tradition and Patristic Discipline. It is also spiritually dangerous, especially when discretion is not exercised prior to formal appointments and ordinations: be they acolytes, readers, sub deacons, or deacons. But this is not the discussion of this post, nor am I frowning upon liturgical participation from young males as long as they’re reverent (for even I started out as a simple altar boy prior to my conversion to Oriental Orthodox in Traditional Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic circles).

As you may be aware, I am currently enrolled in a Masters of Theology Program for the Oriental Orthodox Church. Strangely enough, just after this discussion with my brother deacons, I was given an assignment the following week regarding the historic preparatory stages that clerics were bound to follow prior to not only serving the Divine Liturgy, but entering the altar itself. To many, what was enforced would be considered to be either a disconnect from modern conformity, a culture shock, or perhaps even outdated.

Nevertheless, I believe that it is worth to revisit what the fathers taught on this matter: as their instructions were not executed arbitrarily, but with discernment and biblical reference. At any rate , below is a modified version of my essay for school addressing the basic principals of reverence, which will take more than one post to cover God willing. I pray that it is beneficial to those that serve the altar; and that it ignites a burning love and zeal within them for Christ in the Holy Eucharist and the sanctuary. I must also add that this post is not intended to sow fear, but rather, holy reverence.

On Moderation of Speech – St. Ambrose of Milan

“Let us then guard our hearts, let us guard our mouths. Both have been written about. In this place we are bidden to take heed to our mouth; in another place you are told: “Keep your heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23).

If David took heed, will you not take heed? If Isaiah had unclean lips — who said: “Woe is me, for I am undone, for I am a man, and have unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5) — if a prophet of the Lord had unclean lips, how shall we have them clean?

But for whom was it written, unless it was for each one of us: “Hedge your possession about with thorns, and bind up your silver and gold, and make a door and a bar for your mouth, and a yoke and a balance for words” (Sirach 28:24-25)?

The Theology of the Holy Trinity – St. Gregory of Narek

“Beneficent, almighty, awe-inspiring God, good Father, charitable donor of mercy, whose very name heralds the good news of your grandeur, compassion and fatherly affection, you are gentle even toward the bitter and discontented.

With you also is your Son, who is like you, whose hand is strong like yours, whose awesome reign is eternal like yours, whose exaltation is shared with you in your creation.

So too the Holy Spirit of your truth, that flows from you without end, the perfect essence of existence and eternal being, is equal to you in all things, reigning with the Son in equal glory.

Three persons, one mystery, separate faces, unique and distinct, made one by their congruence and being of the same holy substance and nature, unconfused and undivided, one in will and one in action.

One is not greater, one is not lesser, not even by an eyelash, and because of the unobscurable light of heavenly love revealed in our midst both have been glorified with a single crown of holiness from before the ages.”

– (Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart, Prayer 13, A).