By: Protodeacon David Kennedy
(Protodeacons Nazari Yaruniv and David Kennedy at St Elias in Brampton chanting the vesting prayers.)
I will now address some of the qualities and characteristics we all need to bring to the liturgical celebrations but this is especially true of deacons and subdeacons if they are to fulfill there liturgical roles to the glory of God and enable the assembly as a whole to be sanctified.
PREPARE: things and items; books; and yourself. Know both the rubrics and the texts so well that if it is a regular service such a Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins, a baptism, a funeral, you don’t need to refer to the text for the rubrics but only at the times that a litany etc. needs to be chanted. (The photo above is during the vesting prayers for the bishop. Note that these protodeacons are not using texts.)
Know all the ritual actions – what you are to do, where you are to stand, what you are to chant or sing, how you will chant or sing, when you are to act and chant, and why you are doing what you are doing.
This is achieved by regular and diligent study of the texts and rubrics as well as learning the history and theology of the various services. All ministers need to work hard at this and it takes an effort.
Do not neglect inner preparation – make the words of the texts your own. What you say and do let it come from your heart.
ANTICIPATION: You need to know what is coming next. It is a bit like chess: you need to think at least 3-4 moves ahead. If everything is prepared, you can anticipate without anxiety. The housekeeper in the movie Gosford Park says, “I know what they (the people she serves) need before they know it themselves.” Deacons and subdeacons should never have to be prompted into action.
DISCRETION & REVERENCE: All of your words, your actions, and even when standing still should be discrete and revenant. Do not draw attention to yourself for liturgy is about the glorification of God and by the glorification of God we are sanctified. Learn to chant and speak, walk, cense, and stand in a manner that edifies the assembly: but let it be in such a way that they forget you and rather focus their attention on the worship of the Holy Trinity.
ATTENTIVENESS: Be alert with all of your senses. The liturgy is not a time for daydreaming or for interior contemplation. Since liturgy is not a individualistic but a corporate reality that leads to a personal and communal theois/divinization in Christ through grace and askesis, and a communion with all in the Trinity, I need to listen, understand and empathize with the liturgical action itself. And this action is nothing less that an entry into Christ’s Paschal Mystery and an anticipation of the Kingdom.