Reader Preparation Class

Final Reader Class Ordination Syllabus

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This class will prepare high school-aged young men to meet the criteria required to be elevated from the rank of Chanter (Pi`psaltic) to the rank of Reader (Pi`anagnwctyc).

It is a 2-year program, of which, at minimum, 1 year must be completed prior to nomination for ordination as a Reader. However, it is expected that anyone enrolled complete the full 2 years, even if ordained a Reader during the program.

A minimum of 75% attendance is required. In addition, an oral reading and practicum exam is required for those being nominated (in addition to Metropolis criteria).

Diaconate Basic Guidelines (Curriculum)

1. Ranks of the Diaconate
2. Proficiency in Reading
3. Rites, Tradition & tradition
4. Introduction to the Sacred Sacraments
5. Entering & Exiting the Church
   • Timing
   • Physical Rituals
   • Psalms & Prayers
6. Vestments
   • Tunic
     • Style, Proper Care
   • Stole
     • Color, How Worn
   • Priest Blessing
     • Times, Psalms Recited
7. Reverence/Discipleship
8. Receiving Holy Communion
9. Understanding of basic Ritual Theology
10. Katameros/Lectionary of the Coptic Church
    • General Understanding of the Order of the Books of the Bible
    • Old Testament: Books of Moses/Law, History, Poetry, Minor Prophets, Major Prophets
    • New Testament: Gospels (Synoptic, John), Acts, Pauline Epistles, Catholic/Universal Epistles, Revelation
11. Calendar of the Coptic Church
    • Coptic Months
    • Fasts (Degrees) & Feasts (Major & Minor)
    • Sundays & Weekdays
    • Seasons
    • Adam/Watos
    • Daily Structure: Agpeya, Raising of Incense, Sunrise/Sunset
12. Structure of the Divine Liturgies
13. Structure of the Psalmody
    • Morning, Vespers, & Midnight Praises
14. Structure of Church Building
15. Service in the Sanctuary (Weekdays/Saturdays)
16. Hymnology
    • Annual: Praises, Raising of Incense & Liturgical
    • Seasonal: Common Hymns (Nayrouz/Koiahk/Great Lent/Holy Fifty Gospel Responses)
    • Tunes
      • Annual, Joyful, Hosanna, Koiahk, Great Lent Weekend/Weekday

Coptic Orthodox Metropolis of the Southern United States

• Ordination Requirements
• Updated Ordination Requirements
• General Instructions for Deacons and Church Attendance Discipline

(Metropolis documentation is attached/available through the church office.)

Resources

• SUS Copts Servants' Prep – RIT101: Liturgy, Agpeya & Praises
• The Spirituality of the Rites of the Holy Liturgy in the Coptic Orthodox Church – H.G. Bishop Mettaous
• How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy – H.G. Bishop Mettaous
• Christ in the Eucharist – Rev. Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
• Understanding the Liturgy – Rev. Fr. Athanasius Iskander
• The Spirituality of the Praise According to the Rite of the Coptic Orthodox Church – H.G. Bishop Mettaous
• Praises Explained – Late Metropolitan Hedra of Aswan
• The Spirituality of the Holy Psalmody – Matthew Massoud
• Ritual Theology I According to the Rites of the Coptic Orthodox Church – Rev. Fr. Tadros El-Bakhoumi
• The Spirituality of the Kiahk Midnight Praises – Rev. Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
• Introduction to Sacramental Rites in the Coptic Orthodox Church – H.G. Bishop Mettaous
• Sacramental Rites in the Coptic Orthodox Church – H.G. Bishop Mettaous
• Dictionary of Church Terms – Rev. Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
• St. Basil Liturgy Reference Book – Rev. Fr. Abraam D. Sleman
• Fasting – St. Pope Kyrillos VI
• Guide to Self-Examination Prior to Confession
• The Musicality of the Coptic Hymns – George Kyrillos
• The Coptic Calendar and the Church of Alexandria – Rev. Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Readers’ Workshop Resources

• Lecture 1: The Coptic Orthodox Lectionary – H.G. Bishop Abraham (Watch Video)
• Organization of Church Readings – H.G. Bishop Abraham (Presentation)
• Lecture 2: How to Read the Scriptures Effectively – H.G. Bishop Suriel (Watch Video)
• Readers Pronunciation Guide
• Readings Sample List
• Lecture 3: The Rank of Reader (Watch Video)