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
