Reading the epistle

[twf]

Traditionally, in the Roman Rite, the epistle is ideally proclaimed by the subdeacon. If a subdeacon is not present, an instituted lector suffices. Today, if an instituted lector is not present, as is the case at 99.9% of contemporary Roman Rite masses, a lay person may read the epistle. What are the traditional norms and modern realties in the various Eastern and Oriental Churches?

 

[Aramis]

Traditionally, in the Roman Rite, the epistle is ideally proclaimed by the subdeacon. If a subdeacon is not present, an instituted lector suffices. Today, if an instituted lector is not present, as is the case at 99.9% of contemporary Roman Rite masses, a lay person may read the epistle. What are the traditional norms and modern realties in the various Eastern and Oriental Churches?

Byzantine theoretically: Ordained Reader, appointed lay reader, Subdeacon, Deacon, concelebrant.
The typical use is an appointed lay reader from what I’ve seen. Some parishes do have ordained readers, tho’ usually they’re not doing the lection, but leading the psalms and hymns…

 

[theistgal]

As I’ve said many times, if anyone else wants to read the Epistle at the weekday Liturgies besides me (an unordained female), all they have to do is tell me, and then show up! Till that happens it’ll continue to be me.

 

[MorEphrem]

Well in the Syriac Churches, one of our 9 levels of ordination is lector (which falls under deacon). However, in the Maronite Church, there has been a conflation of the ordination of the orders of lector and cantor with subdeacon (in all my experiences all three are done successively at the same mass). That being said, we sadly permit anyone to enter the sanctuary read the epistles (even 7 year old girls who have not practiced and I have to go get the bulletin to understand what is being read - it defeats the particular purpose of having a lector).

I’ll desist before I get criticized again for instigating another “self-hating” Maronite sesh.

 

[shlomo3amrooh]

Continuing on from MorEphrem.

In the Syriac Church an Aphudyaqno (subdeacon) must read the epistle. In some cases a Quroyo (lector) may read the epistle if the Aphudyaqno has poor english (or arabic). If there is neither an Aphudyaqno, or Quroyo a Mzamrono (cantor) may read it. And if a Mazmrono is not available the Mshamshono (deacon) must read it. And if all rank are unavailable. A male wearing an Alb may read it. And if that is unavailable the Priest must read it.

 

[Rafkqa]

That being said, we sadly permit anyone to enter the sanctuary read the epistles (even 7 year old girls who have not practiced and I have to go get the bulletin to understand what is being read - it defeats the particular purpose of having a lector).

I agree, I find this incredibly frustrating. The idea that anyone should read the Epistle or Prayers of Intercessions - usually because it is a memorial for a deceased, wedding or other liturgy where the family believes that they are entitled to be reading the Epistle or being “encouraged” to get involved…

 

[malphono]

Well in the Syriac Churches, one of our 9 levels of ordination is lector (which falls under deacon). However, in the Maronite Church, there has been a conflation of the ordination of the orders of lector and cantor with subdeacon (in all my experiences all three are done successively at the same mass).

It does happen in current that the three Minor Orders are conferred together, but that’s not necessarily the case all the time. It’s traditionally more common that Cantor and Lector are done together, with Subdeacon left to be done separately. I’ve seen occasions (admittedly not recently) where the three are conferred separately.

That being said, we sadly permit anyone to enter the sanctuary read the epistles (even 7 year old girls who have not practiced and I have to go get the bulletin to understand what is being read - it defeats the particular purpose of having a lector).

Indeed. It’s yet another example of a Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinization.

I’ll desist before I get criticized again for instigating another “self-hating” Maronite sesh.

No doubt I will be criticized in exactly that way for this:

What some people apparently think are “Prayers of Intercession” are, actually, the Diptychs which are technically part of the Anaphora. They are not supposed to be the equivalent of the Novus Ordo “Prayer of the Faithful” but they are often, unfortunately, handled in just the same way, and that is a very clear neo-latinization.

By proper tradition, no one other than a deacon (or, in the absence of a deacon, the “pecking order” noted by [post=11292298]shlomo3amrooh[/post]) should be doing the Diptychs.

 

[Rafkqa]

What some people apparently think are “Prayers of Intercession” are, actually, the Diptychs which are technically part of the Anaphora. They are not supposed to be the equivalent of the Novus Ordo “Prayer of the Faithful” but they are often, unfortunately, handled in just the same way, and that is a very clear neo-latinization.

By proper tradition, no one other than a deacon (or, in the absence of a deacon, the “pecking order” noted by [post=11292298]shlomo3amrooh[/post]) should be doing the Diptychs.

By some people, I take it you are referring to my reference above. Thanks for pointing that out.