Diaconate
“The revitalization…of the Diaconate could only result in a veritable and vivid renewal of the entire church, a rejuvenation of the clergy and laity alike. It would enhance the role of the first, while at the same time empowering the role of the latter. The people of God would in its entirety be enriched and enlarged, for the deacons role would be to encourage and enhance the vivid and active participation of all.” Fr John Chryssavgis
Consecrations to a Way of Life
Through God’s grace and guiding hand, St Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church will work toward helping our deacons commit to a life of service that extends beyond the liturgical ministry. We hope to encourage, guide, and disciple them through the various ranks of the diaconate, that they may live a life worthy of His calling, ascribing Glory unto His name, from the initial rank of Psalter to the rank of full Deacon. It is our vision that each deacon understands that the ranks are not merely roles, but consecrations to a way of life – that begin with a relationship with Christ, and continues onto teaching and sharing this life with others – so each deacon may say with the Blessed St Paul “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
Attracting others to the Love of God
We hope that each Deacon’s way of life may attract others to the Love of God, in living their lives as a sacrifice of praise to the Lord, so that all who encounter them may testify of them the words of St Paul as he says, “clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
Get Involved
If you are interested in learning how you can get involved, or if you have questions, please contact Joe Everett at josephjeverett@gmail.com.