Altar Boy Vestments

Robe

The long robe or sticharion that is similar to that of the deacon, is a reminder of the role the Altar Boy has in the service in the Altar. It symbolizes the cleanliness of mind and heart that the server brings each time he enters the altar.

Stole

The Stole or Orarion is also similar to the deacon but it is worn differently. It is shaped in a cross at the back with two parts hanging down the front. It denotes the calling of the altar boy to be a server much as the angels of God serve Him attentively and willingly. It is given by the Bishop as a special honor for years loyal service as an altar boy.

The Sacred Vessels

Chalice and Paten (Discos)

Every Altar Server has seen the Priest vest himself and arrange the sacred vessels for the Divine Liturgy and other services. The two most important of these is the Chalice and Paten. The Chalice will contain the Sacred Blood of Christ. It is frequently made of gold or gold plated silver. The Paten is a plate that matches the Chalice, and is usually on a small stand. During the Service of Preparation or Proskomide, the bread that will become the Body of Christ is placed there with the appropriate prayers along with particles for the Virgin Mary, the Angels and Saints, particles for the living and for those who have departed this life. The Paten symbolizes, the cave where Christ was born and the manger where Christ was laid.

Spear And Spoon

The Spear and the Spoon are also found alongside of the Chalice and the Paten for they are used during the services. The Spear is used to cut the Prosforon during the Service of Preparation. It denotes the Spear that the soldiers used when they pierced Christ's side out of which came blood and water. The Spoon is used for Holy Communion.

Asterisk Or Star

The Asterisk or Star is a ceremonial implement consisting of two gold plated metal strips held together in the middle and bent at a right angle and is set upon the Paten. Along with serving the practical purpose of keeping the cloth cover from touching, the bread to be consecrated into the Body of Christ, it is believed to symbolize the star that led the Magi to Bethlehem and stood over the manger where Christ lay as a new born child.

Cloth Coverings Or Vails (Kalimata)

The Cloth Coverings or Kalimata are the veils cut in the shape of a cross and are used to cover and protect the Chalice and the Paten. There is a larger one which is used to cover both of these during the Divine Liturgy, and is worn on the shoulders of the Priest or the deacon during the Great Entrance.

Red Communion Cloth

The Red Communion Cloth is a square cloth used as the Priest administers Holy Communion to the faithful and it covers the Chalice following the giving of Holy Communion. It should be in place on the Altar Table prior to the Divine Liturgy along with the Spoon that is used for Holy Communion.

Cruets

Also found on the Preparation Table are the Cruets; one holding wine and the other water. These are to be kept full at all times and are used in the Preparation Service. during the Great Entrance

Preparation Or Prothesis

All of the above are usually in place prior to the Divine Liturgy on the Preparation or Prothesis Table. Here is where the solemn preparation of the Elements takes place. The Prothesis Table is on the left side of the Altar and it can be either a separate small table, or built into the wall. It symbolizes the Manger of Christ and is decorated with an ornate table cloth, an icon of the Birth of Christ, or that of the Extreme Humility.

Altar Bread (Prosforon, Antdoron)

Altar boy/Handmaidens

The Altar Bread that is used for the Divine Liturgy is the round loaf of bread that is brought to the Preparation Table to be cut and used for the Service. Along with it there are names to be remembered and prayed for at the proper time. If you un-wrap the bread, make sure you do not misplace any names, but take them and place them on the left side of the Preparation Table. If it is your turn to cut the remaining bread for distribution to the faithful after the Divine Liturgy, make sure that you cut them all the same size, cutting them neatly and cleaning up after you have finished. At the end of the service, you will be called by the Priest to bring the antidoron, the bread that has been cut for distribution to the faithful. Left over Antidoron will be placed outside on the grass for the birds.

Censer

Close by the Preparation Table is found the Censer where incense is placed on a burning charcoal - It symbolizes the prayers that are offered and rise to heaven. The Censer has four chains which denote the four evangelists and twelve bells which denote the twelve disciples of Christ.

Altar Server Ant The Censer

Care should be taken in lighting the charcoal, care must be shown since most of the charcoal we use in our Church services is quick lighting. When you light it, it sparks until the whole of the top is lit. When you take it in the tongs, hold it to the tip of the flame and make sure that the sparks from it do not fall on anything that will catch fire. Make sure that any sparks that have fallen are extinguished.

a. Place the charcoal in the censer.

b. Ask your Priest before placing incense in the censer. Whenever you go in procession make sure you have some incense along with you to add, as needed.

c. If anyone ( Servers, Priest, Deacon) drops the lighted charcoal on the rug it is quickly extinguished with water

The Preparation (Proskomide)

Altar Table

This is the most sacred part of the Church. It is on the altar table where the offering of bread and wine changes into the very Body and Blood of Christ. The altar table is symbolic of the Ark of the Covenant and has within it the relic (bone of a holy martyr) revealing that the Church is built on the faith of the martyrs. Placed on the top of the table are the Antiminsion, the book of the four Gospels, the tabernacle containing the reserve sacrament and seven branched candle holder. For this reason only ordained clergy are allowed to touch the table or anything on it. Never cross from one side of the altar to the other in the front of it and always make the sign of the cross at the high place.

A View Of The Altar

The Divine Liturgy

The Little Entrance

a. At the beginning of the Second Antiphon the torches are lighted, during the Third Antiphone, the servers stand behind the Altar facing the Priest with the lighted torches.

b. The Little Entrance is made with order and dignity. Room should be made in front for the Priest.

c. After the Little entrance the center Icon stand is removed to the side.

(On certain Feast days it remains in the center, check with the Priest)

The Apostolic Readings

a. The torches are lighted again while the reader is reading the Epistle. One server should be assigned to get the torches ready. Another server assigned to get the censer ready and to give it to the priest or deacon.

b. The servers exit from both the sides of the Iconastasis when the Priest or Deacon carries the Gospel out the Holy Doors for the Gospel reading.

c. After the reading, the servers return the torches and Fans to the Altar the same way they came and then come out and "Sit in the front for the sermon." One server should be assigned to put the lectern in front of the Royal doors for the sermon

The Great Entrance

a. The censer is made ready during the Litanies of the Faithful and given to the Priest or Deacon at the start of the singing of the Cherubic Hymn.

b. During the singing of the Cherubic Hymn the torches are lighted and preparations made for the Great Entrance.

The Anaphora("Let us lift up")

a. During the Anaphora the servers stand with lighted torches at the corners of the Altar Table with-the censer bearer on the right of the Priest or Deacon until the Theotokion - (Hymn to the-Theotokos).

The Lord"s Prayer

a. When the Lord's Prayer is sung the servers stand with lighted torches at the around the altar table singing the prayer.

b. After the Lord's Prayer preparations are made for the hand washing.

c. When the Priest says, "Through the Grace and Compassion and Love towards mankind" Three servers, one with the pitcher, one with the towel and one with the bowl wash the hands of the priest.

d. The remaining server pours the hot water into the cup and then stands to the right of the Priest or Deacon.

The Elevation

a. When the Holy Gifts are raised and the word, "Holy Things for the Holy" is said the Standing Candle is placed on the Ambo.

The Communion

a. While the Priest and Deacon is taking Communion the servers are to remain still and recite the Communion Prayer with the Priest, Deacon and the people. When the Holy Communion is brought out the Standing Candle is removed.

b. The censer is prepared and given to the Priest or Deacon after he says, "O God save your people". He then goes to the table of oblation and waits until the Priest or Deacon returns the censer.

c. The gold cup is then filled with the wine and water mixture and several pieces of bread are left on the dish and placed on the Table of Oblation for the priest.

d. When the Cross is brought out the servers venerate the Cross first and then servers are assigned hold the bowl with the Antidoron Bread.

Clean Up

a. The other servers begin to clean up.

b. All dishes are to be cleaned and put away.

c. The cabinet is to be left neat.

d. No-crumbs are to be left on the cabinet or floor.

e. The censer is to be emptied outside; care should be taken not to start a fire.

f. All remaining prosphoron are placed outside for the birds.

g. Make sure the Hot Water Pot is turned off.

h. All candles/torches in the Altar are to be extinguished

i. Receive the Blessing from the Priest and return vestments to the Vestment Closet.