[[image:Readermike.jpg|thumb|right|A Reader in cassock.]]A '''reader''', also called a '''lector''' (in Greek, αναγνώστης, anagnostis or anagnostes; in Slavonic, Чтецъ, chtets) is the second-highest of the [[minor orders]] of the [[Orthodox Church]]. It is a sub-clerical order to which a man is [[tonsure]]d and [[ordain]]ed, setting him apart as blessed by the [[bishop]] to read in services and in the [[Divine Liturgy]]. He may also serve as a [[cantor]], [[catechism|catechist]], or in other leadership roles in the local [[parish]] community.

==Purpose==In the absence past, low literacy rates meant that a Reader reading in church was the main way that people would hear Scripture read. Some have argued that in societies with high literacy rates, the office of Reader is superfluous. Others, however, counter that in such societies where high literacy has caused information without meaning, the value of a dedicated Reader to prayers, psalms and epistles with parishioners is even more vital[http://www.asna.ca/resources/readers-guide.pdf]. ==History==In the Pre-Nikonian Russian Church, there existed an additional junior grade of readercalled ''psalomshchik'' (in Slavonic, Ѱаломщикъ), whose sole function was to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalms, thus permitting the reader and chanter to save their voices. This office survives in those churches that utilise the Pre-Nikonian Russian ritual: [[Old Believers]] (both [[popovtsy|priested]] and [[priestless]]), those parishes under [[ROCOR]] or the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]. The title of ''psalomshchik'' survives in the later reformed Nikonian Russian rite as an alternative, slightly archaic and quaint name for [[chanter]]. This order is higher than the [[doorkeeper]] (now largely obsolete) and lower than the [[subdeacon]]. The office of a reader subsumes that of a ''[[taper-bearer]]'', and the service of ordaining a reader mentions both functions. [[Byzantine]] [[icon]]s often show readers and church singers wearing a stikhar-like garment (more loose and flowing than the modern stikhar) and a pointed hat with the brim pulled out to the sides (see [http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/LG/GreatLent/sundayorthodoxy.jpg here], lower left corner). This distinctive garb is now obsolete. ==Ordination==Immediately before ordination as a reader, the candidate is [[tonsure]]d as a sign of his submission and obedience upon entry into the clerical state. This is a separate act, making a layperson will commonly be blessed into a clergyman, and occurs immediately prior to his ordination as a reader. The ordination itself is, like that of the subdiaconate, through ''[[Cheirothesia]]'' - literally, "to place hands" - as opposed to Cheirotonia - "to perform stretch out the hands" - which is practised at the ordination of bishops, priests and deacons. After being tonsured, the reader is [[vestment|vested]] in a short [[phelonion]], which he wears while reading the Epistle for the first time. This short phelon is then removed (and never worn thereafter) and replaced with a [[sticharion]], which the reader generally wears thereafter whenever he performs his liturgical duties . A reader is usually tonsured by the bishop, though in some traditions, an [[archpriest]] or [[archimandrite]] may do the tonsure with the bishop's blessing if he is not available. In monastic communities, the ruling [[archimandrite]] may tonsure those monks over which he rules. ===Terminology===It is through ordination - not the tonsure - that one is made a reader or subdeacon; this is highlighted by the fact that the tonsure is performed only once and is not repeated before the ordination of a subdeacon. The confusion has arisen by the common reference to a man being "tonsured a reader" which, while widespread, is not technically correct. ===Vestments===All degrees of clergy, beginning with Reader, wear the sticharion. The sticharion is a long-sleeved tunic that reaches all the way to the ground. It reminds the wearer that the grace of the Holy Spirit covers him as with a garment of salvation and joy. A reader can be distinguished from an acolyte because the reader will wear an undercassock under his sticharion, and (generally) because a reader's sticharion will be joined together by buttons on the side of the garment, where an acolyte's will be sewn up the sides.

==OrdinationAllowances and Expectations==Immediately before ordination as a reader, the candidate is [[tonsure]]d as a sign of his submission and obedience upon entry into the clerical state. This is a separate act, making a layperson into a clergyman, and occurs immediately prior to his ordination as a reader. The ordination itself is, like that of the subdiaconate, through ''[[Cheirothesia]]'' - literally, "to place hands" - as opposed to Cheirotonia - "to stretch out the hands" - which is practised at the ordination of bishops, priests and deacons. After being tonsured, the reader is [[vestment|vested]] in a short [[phelonion]], which he wears while reading the Epistle for the first time. This short phelon is then removed (and never worn thereafter) and replaced with a [[sticharion]], which the reader generally wears thereafter whenever he performs his liturgical duties. What a reader wears while conducting his duties can vary, however, and many bishops and priests will allow a reader to perform his function dressed only in a [[cassock]] or (if a [[monk]]) outer cassock (riassa/exoraso). Often, a bishop will decree what vesting practice he wishes to be followed within his own [[diocese]]; for an example, see [http://www.holy-trinity.org/liturgics/tikhon.lit1.html here], section VIII. The office of a reader subsumes that of a ''[[taper-bearer]]'', and the service of ordaining a reader mentions both functions.===Exclusivity===In contemporary practice, any layman layperson may receive the priest's blessing to read on a particular occasion. ===Terminology===It is through ordination - not , particularly in the tonsure - that one is made a absence of an ordained reader or subdeacon; this is highlighted by the fact that the tonsure is performed only once and is not repeated before the ordination of a subdeacon. The confusion has arisen by the common reference to a man being "tonsured a reader" which A layperson so blessed, while widespreadeven permanently, is may not technically correct. ==History==In take on any of the Pre-Nikonian Russian Church, there existed prerogatives of an additional junior grade of ordained reader called ''psalomshchik'' (in Slavonic, Ѱаломщикъ), whose sole function was to read the long [[Kathisma]] Psalms, thus permitting the reader and chanter to save their voicesi.e. This office survives in those churches that utilise the Pre-Nikonian Russian ritual: [[Old Believers]] (both [[popovtsy|priested]] and [[priestless]]), those parishes under [[ROCOR]] may not wear a cassock or sticharion within or the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]. The title outside of ''psalomshchik'' survives in the later reformed Nikonian Russian rite as an alternative, slightly archaic and quaint name for [[chanter]]services.

This order is higher than the ===Garments===Readers are permitted to wear a [[doorkeepercassock]] (now largely obsolete) , although many do so only when attending services; this is done as a sign of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desires, and his canonical obedience to God, his bishop and lower than the [[subdeacon]]liturgical and canonical norms of the Church. Even in those jurisdictions which favour them, readers will generally not wear a clergy shirt.

While reading in church, the reader will generally wear a [[Byzantinesticharion]] ; and in some places, will do so when receiving communion. What a reader wears while conducting his duties can vary, however, and many bishops and priests will allow a reader to perform his function dressed only in a [[iconcassock]]s often show readers and church singers wearing or, if a stikhar-like garment [[monk]], outer cassock (more loose and flowing than the modern stikharriassa/exoraso) and . Often, a pointed hat with the brim pulled out bishop will decree what vesting practice he wishes to the sides (be followed within his own [[diocese]]; for an example, see [http://saintswww.ocaholy-trinity.org/IconDirectoryliturgics/LG/GreatLent/sundayorthodoxytikhon.lit1.jpg html here], lower left corner). This distinctive garb is now obsoletesection VIII.

==Allowances=Expectations===Readers are permitted In addition to wear a [[cassock]]living the Christian life, although many do so only when attending services; this the newly-ordained Reader is done as a sign , on the day of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desiresordination, and his canonical obedience instructed to God, his bishop and read Scriptures daily. As a member of the liturgical and canonical norms first step of the Church. Readers will generally not wear a clergy shirtpriesthood, he must also pray daily.

While reading in churchIn addition to this, it is expected that the reader Reader will generally wear a have memorised commonly-used liturgical prayers, will be familiar with [[sticharionTone]]s, [[Troparion|Troparia]]; and in some places[[Kontakion|Kontakia]], as well as the books to construct services - the [[Horologion]], the [[Apostolos|Epistle Book]], will do so when receiving communionthe [[Menaion]], the [[Triodion]] and the [[Pentecostarion]].

A reader is usually tonsured The ordination service specifies that the Reader should prepare himself for a higher degree by the bishopliving a holy life, thus implying that, though in some traditionswhile a Reader should still be living a Christian life, an [[archpriest]] or [[archimandrite]] may do the tonsure with the bishop's blessing if he is not available. In monastic communitiesimmediately expected to be held to the standard of higher clergy, the ruling [[archimandrite]] may tonsure those monks over which he rulesbut to work towards this.

*[http://www.chrysostomorthodox.orgnet/andrewustav/texts/Readersinstructions-andto-Cantors.pdf Readers, Cantors, and Church Music in Early Eastern Christian Worship], by [[User:ASDamick|Andrew Stephen Damick]]*[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/readers.htm html Instructions . . . For the Church Reader]