Responsibility as a Deacon

Introduction 

 
 Deaconship is a RESPONSIBILITY

 
 We typically take being a deacon for granted 

 We might treat it like a costume that we wear on Sunday morning, or a privilege to do certain things (e.g. enter the Sanctuary, say certain responses, stand in a chorus, etc.) 

 We might think it's "a blessing on Sunday" 

 It is certainly a privilege and a blessing... but more than that, it is a RESPONSIBILITY 

 
 

 The idea of a deacon is present in the Scripture in the New Testament, but it is also in the Old Testament with the concept of the Levites. The Levites played the role that we would now call "Deacon" 

 The word Deacon means "Servant" in Greek 

 We will examine the Responsibilities of the Deacon from three angles

 
 The Responsibilities and Duties defined in Scripture 

 The Responsibilities and Duties assigned to you at your ordination 

 The Responsibilities and Duties in the history of the Church as recorded in the Canons 

 
 

 
 Activity 

 
 Split into three groups 

 One will examine the Scripture, one will examine the rites of ordination, the third will examine the Canons 

 Each group needs to arrive at a list of responsibilities that are entrusted to us as deacons 

 Share with the rest of the group 

 Each individual can rate himself 1-10 on his responsibility as a deacon 

 
 Scripture 

 
 Sources (Coptic Reader/Bible)

 
 Acts 6:1-7 

 1 Timothy 3:8-13 

 Nehemiah 8:5-8 

 
 

 Responsibilities of the Deacon

 
 To maintain a good reputation (Acts 6:3) 

 To be filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom (Acts 6:3) 

 To be reverent and watch our tongue (1 Timothy 3:8) 

 To refrain from alcohol and money and the lusts of the world (1 Timothy 3:8) 

 To keep the faith with a pure conscience (1 Timothy 3:9) 

 Be found blameless (1 Timothy 3:10) 

 Reading in a way that "gives the sense" and "helps the people to understand the reading" (Nehemiah 8:8) 

 
 

 
 Rites of Ordination 

 
 Sources (Coptic Reader)

 
 Special --> Consecrations --> Ordinations --> Chanter --> Litanies 

 Special --> Consecrations --> Ordinations --> Reader --> Litanies 

 
 

 Responsibilities of the Deacon

 
 To sing the hymns, chants and spiritual songs 

 To chant from the heart 

 To chant with understanding 

 To refrain from pride and boasting 

 To read and meditate on the Scripture 

 To proclaim the words of the Old and New Testament 

 To expound to the people the right precepts 

 To learn each one of the readings of the Scriptures 

 
 

 
 Church Canons 

 
 Sources (To be printed)

 
 
 https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1i66ewg6fozmyb/Canons%20of%20Diaconate.pdf?dl=0   

 
 

 Responsibilities of the Deacon

 
 To care for the spiritual life 

 To receive the Eucharist in the Liturgy 

 To guard oneself from sins but especially public sins that are stumbling blocks 

 To accept the repentant sinner 

 To avoid sinful places 

 To speak good of the Clergy 

 To speak good of those who have disabilities (e.g. don't make fun of "autism") 

 To fast the Great Fast and Wednesdays and Fridays 

 To chant with intelligence and constancy (faithfulness)