ON THE SETTING APART OF READERS IN THE CHURCH

The Blessing of Young Men to be Readers in the Church

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

Today, I ordained three young men as Readers in the Church. This rite, which marks their transition into responsible men within the New Covenant of God, bears a striking resemblance to the Jewish Bar Mitzvah. Just as Jewish young men read from the Torah in the synagogue, proclaiming their entry into the community and making their voices heard, these Christian young men have now been entrusted with the sacred duty of reading the Scriptures aloud in the congregation. This practice is deeply rooted in ancient Christian tradition and is observed across the Syriac Churches, where it is known as "Qaruya" or "Kanuta," terms which share a common etymological root with "Quran," meaning "the readings." The role of Lector, derived from "Lectionary," thus represents a significant moment in the lives of these young men, who are now called to offer their lives to God and declare His Holy Word.

This ceremony reflects a broader and ancient tradition within the Christian Church, one that emphasizes the importance of rites of passage and the public acknowledgment of a young man's transition into adulthood. In many ancient cultures, including all those stemming from Abraham in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities, such rituals are not merely formalities but vital components of societal structure. They serve to instill a sense of responsibility, purpose, and identity in young men, aligning them with their community's values and expectations. The Bar Mitzvah in Judaism is one such example, rooted in the Old Covenant, where a 13-year-old boy takes on the religious obligations of an adult, signifying his readiness to participate fully in the religious and communal life. In Islam, male circumcision serves to mark the transition between childhood and adulthood, and makes one a full member in the local Muslim community. 

Similarly, in the early Christian tradition, the ordination of young men as Readers or Lectors was not merely a liturgical necessity but a profound acknowledgment of their spiritual and communal responsibilities, and the centrality of the male sacrificial work as a center of identity and stability within the divine economy of grace and the life of the human community. This practice, particularly prevalent in the Syriac and Assyrian Churches, underscored the continuity between the Old and New Covenants and the centrality of Scripture in the life of the Church. By entrusting young men with the reading of the Holy Scriptures, the Church recognized their maturity and their role in preserving and transmitting the faith. This practice also served as a formative experience, grounding their identity in the sacred traditions and teachings of the Church.

The “Calling and Comissioning”

The “Gifting and Commanding”

The “Invocation and Empowering” 

The significance of these rituals extends beyond the religious sphere, touching on the psychological and cultural development of young men. In many cultures, rites of passage are critical in shaping a young man's understanding of his role in society. These ceremonies often involve the guidance and mentorship of older men, who serve as role models and exemplars of the values and behaviors expected of the new generation. In the Christian tradition, this mentorship is rooted in the biblical concept of fatherhood, which plays a central role in the formation and stability of young men's lives. The relationship between father and son, both biological and spiritual, is foundational in imparting wisdom, discipline, and faith.

Fatherhood, as depicted in Holy Scripture, is not merely a biological relationship but a spiritual vocation. The role of the father is to nurture, guide, and protect, reflecting the paternal care of God the Father, as a human icon of our Eternal Creator. This biblical understanding of fatherhood is essential in the development of young men, who look to their fathers and spiritual mentors to model the virtues of courage, responsibility, and piety. In a culture where traditional markers of manhood and responsibility are increasingly blurred, attacked as “toxic” and systematically deconstructed and undermines, the Church's emphasis on fatherhood and male rites of passage provides a counterbalance, affirming the importance of stable, virtuous male leadership in the Church and headship in the family. 

Also importantly, these practices remind us of the Semitic roots of the Christian faith. While much of Western Christianity has been overly influenced by Greco-Roman thought and culture, the early Church was deeply Semitic in its outlook, with Jerusalem, not Athens, serving as the spiritual center of the faith. This Semitic foundation is evident in the Church's liturgical practices, its reverence for Scripture, and its emphasis on covenantal relationships, all of which are deeply intertwined with Jewish traditions and the Hebrew Scriptures, which grew into the distinct and vitally important Syriac Tradition of Christianity. Tertullian's famous question, "What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?" serves as a reminder that the heart of our faith lies in the biblical, Semitic tradition, rather than in the philosophical speculations of the Greeks. While we love the Greek contribution to Christianity, and study its remarkable philosophical progression and development, we must not allow our admiration and interaction with the Greek tradition to make us forget the solid foundation of Special Revelation in God’s Holy Word, which was revealed completely through Christ in the Jewish cultural context. 

In recognizing the centrality of a spiritual Jerusalem in our faith and practice, we affirm the importance of maintaining the cultural and spiritual heritage that shaped the early Church. This heritage is not just a matter of historical interest but is vital for understanding the full depth and richness of the Christian faith. The ordination of young men as Readers, like the Bar Mitzvah, is a testament to the enduring importance of these ancient traditions, which continue to shape the lives of believers today. By grounding our practices in the Semitic roots of the faith, we ensure that our liturgies and rites remain true to the spirit of the early Church and that our young men are raised with a strong sense of identity and purpose.

As we continue to ordain young men and guide them through these formative rites, we must remember the importance of these traditions in preserving the faith for future generations. The rituals of the Church, deeply rooted in the ancient practices of Jerusalem, serve not only to mark significant moments in the lives of individuals but also to strengthen the communal bonds that unite us as the body of Christ. Through these practices, we pass on the Faith of the Ancient Church and ensure that the we remains a living, vibrant community, faithful to our origins and open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the constant declaration of God’s Holy Word! 

COLLECT 

Almighty and Everlasting God, who didst call Thy servants to proclaim Thy Holy Word, and didst ordain them as ministers of Thy truth: We beseech Thee to bless and sanctify these young men who have been set apart as Readers in Thy Church. Grant them grace to faithfully fulfill their office, to read and expound Thy Scriptures with clarity and devotion, and to be living examples of piety and virtue among Thy people. Strengthen them in their service, that, being rooted in Thy Word and empowered by Thy Spirit, they may grow in wisdom and maturity, and lead others to the knowledge and love of Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.