Continued 👆🏽
The duty of a priest:
Teach and baptize
Bind and loose sins
Consecrate the Holy Mysteries
A widowed priest or a monk who leaves monasticism is not permitted to serve as a priest again, though they remain among the faithful.
VI. The Order of Deacons and Their Assistants
1. Deacon
Must have sound doctrine and a blameless life.
Ordained by the laying on of hands.
Cannot remarry after divorce or marry a second wife if widowed.
2. Nifqe Deacon
Appointed by word only, not by laying on of hands.
Assists the deacon but does not handle holy items.
3. Anagunstis (Reader)
Reads Scriptures during services.
Does not wear the deacon’s vestments.
May marry again after the death of a spouse.
If he sins, he is suspended, and if unrepentant, removed.
4. Singer
Appointed by blessing.
Does not wear clerical garments.
In Ethiopia, sings from the Psalms and the hymns of Saint Jared.
Can marry again if widowed.
5. Athwe Hohet
Doorkeeper of the church.
Appointed by word only.
Can remarry and continue service.
6. Women Deaconesses
Must be faithful widows, having raised children in virtue (1 Tim. 5:9).
Ordained by word, not laying on of hands.
Assist in baptisms and oversee the women’s area.
Do not teach, bless, or lead in prayer.
VII. Final Exhortation
Let those entrusted with holy orders not be stumbling blocks. If a brother falls into sin, rebuke with gentleness, not with self-righteousness (Luke 18:9). Remember always: the priest stands between heaven and earth, interceding with tears, lifting up the prayers of the people like incense before the throne of God.
Glory and Praise
Glory be to God! Glory to the Ever-Virgin Mary! Glory to the Life-giving Cross! May the Lord raise holy priests in every generation, men after His own heart, guardians of His covenant and shepherds of His sheep. Amen.
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:1
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us.
Amen.
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