Acolytes & Altar Servers

Male parishioners of all ages assist in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, learning sacred traditions while serving at the altar. At Holy Apostles, any baptized, chrismated Orthodox Christian male can serve at altar with the priest's blessing. All ages serve: boys, teens and grown men. Boys usually begin to serve at around eight years old, but age is less important than the ability to stand, focus, and maintain reverent behavior during the service. Serving at altar is first and foremost serving our Lord Jesus Christ, whose altar it is, and requires the maturity to maintain behavior befitting the dignity of His worship.

Altar servers help prepare the altar before services, bring the censer to the priest when needed, cut the antidoron that the faithful receive after Communion, ensure the priest has hot water for the chalice before Communion, and assist with the preparation and cleanup of sacred vessels. During key moments of liturgical services, such as Gospel readings and entrances, servers hold candles and help visually represent to the faithful the presence of the holy angels who minister throughout the Divine Liturgy. Kind and age-appropriate training is provided for new altar servers.