Axios, New Reader Alexis!

 Bishop ANTHONY was with us this weekend. 

He tonsured one of our chanters as a Reader. Our parish now has two readers. Axios! 

Prayer before the Tonsuring
O Lord who enlightenest all created beings with the light of thy wonders, and knowest the intent of every man before it is formed, and strengthenest those who are desirous of serving thee: Do thou, the same Lord, array in thy fair and spotless vesture this thy servant (Alexis), who desireth to become a Reader before thy holy mysteries, that he may be illuminated, and that attaining unto the age to come he may receive the incorruptible crown of life, and rejoice with Thine elect in bliss everlasting. For blessed is thy name and glorified is thy Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Afterward the Bishop presents the new Reader the Epistle Book. The new Reader faces the people and reads the randomly-selected passage.

Bishop ANTHONY stressed the importance of reading the Scriptures daily as it was said in the final prayer, "My son (NAME), the first degree of the Priesthood is that of Reader. It behooveth thee, therefore, to peruse the divine Scriptures daily..." Not only for the Reader but it is also important for all the faithful in that it will help to fend of temptation.