“Likewise deacons mest be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.” [1Timothy 3:9-10]
Duties of Diaconate Ranks
St. Paul referred to the deacon in his epistles as one who performs both temporal and spiritual services. The spiritual duties are primarily during Liturgies, which may not be performed if the diaconate are not present. The following is a brief summary of the general duties of each of the diaconate ranks, beginning with the highest to the lowest.
The Archdeacon is the head of all ranks of the diaconate. He is a deacon, who is additionally charged with making all necessary arrangements for church services, assigning various tasks to deacons, sub-deacons, readers, and chanters; safekeeping of church books, vessels, and vestments; ensuring that charity is received by the needy; acting as a liaison on behalf of the bishop; and participating in recommending candidates for the Holy Orders, playing a role also at the ordinations.
The Deacons help the bishop and the priests by preparing the bread, wine, water, vessels, candles, books, and the Sanctuary for the Liturgy. During the Divine Service itself, the deacons are to keep order in the Church, assist the priests and bishop, hold the chalice of the Blood of Emmanuel, and guard the Holy Mysteries during Communion. The deacon is to also teach, distribute money to the needy, visits and comforts the ill, widows, orphans, and prisoners.
The Sub-deacons are the helpers of the deacons, as the title implies; the Greek word “epideacon” means the helper or assistant. Sub-deacons may be young men who have excelled in their role as readers, having learned and truly lived the teachings of the Holy Scriptures which they read to the congregation during the Divine Services. The sub-deacons guard the doors of the church during the Divine services so that there is no disturbance caused inside by the outside.
The rank of Reader is given to men who are able to read well out loud to the congregation. In order that the reader reads well, he must understand what he is reading, not only for the sake of adequate reading, but also for the duty of teaching. Therefore he must constantly read in the Bible and expand his knowledge, not in theory, but in practical living the words of God as well as dedicate part of his time to reading the explanations of the holy Church fathers. The reader is permitted to help in the preparation and arrangement of the vessels before and after the Divine Liturgy, as the prayers of ordination indicate.
Psalters are the chanters during the Divine services. The title “Psalter” is derived from the Coptic word psaltis, from which is derived the word “psalm,” because the psalms are the chanted praises to God. Psalters are to learn the hymns chanted in the various services throughout the year. The learned hymns ought to be chanted by the chanters (Psalters) in a harmonious prayerful tune to God so that the listeners are touched and inspired to also pray with depth of heart.