Altar Server Procedures

Server actions: Anticipate!

1. Prior to Liturgy:
Arrive & vest 15 minutes early PLEASE!!!
LEAD SERVER Start Preparations, Plan Server Roles
Light Candles: Altar & Tetrapod
Light Kadila charcoal
Light Torches; take into Altar
Take Kadila to Table of Preparation; Incense
Plan Crossbearers, Torchbearers, etc.
any special instructions from priest/deacon

2. Divine Liturgy

Beginning of Liturgy
Prepare Kadila (1) for Deacon
Assist Opening Royal Doors

Little Entrance: Hymn of the Incarnation

O Only Begotten Son and Word of God...
Cross, Torches; Northern Servers Line up by North Deacon Door
Southern Servers Join Procession in front of Deacon/Priest
Process out through North Deacon Door
Short route DIRECTLY BEHIND Tetrapod; Balance servers on 2 sides

End of Epistle Reading:

Prepare Kadila (2) for Deacon for Alleluia before Gospel

Gospel Reading:
Process out through nearest Deacon Door with Torches
Rapidia Only Used for Priest; Deacon Torches (no Rapidia)
one (or two) servers to hold Gospel

Homily:
Add 1 piece charcoal to Kadila
(others remain seated; this is not halftime)

Cherubimic Hymn and Great Entrance:

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim...
Prepare Kadila (3) for Deacon
Cross, Fans, Torches
Line Up by North Deacon Door AFTER Deacon incensing is completed
1 Server for Kadila
Process Out through North Deacon Door
Short Route IN FRONT OF Tetrapod; Servers Balanced

Anaphora:
Take, eat...
Profound Bow
Drink of this All...
Profound Bow
Immediately after, prepare Kadila (4) for Priest

Communion: as last people come to receive communion:

Prepare Kadila (5) for Priest

Dismissal
Assist Closing of Royal Doors
Process out to sanctuary: Servers first

3. After Liturgy:

Extinguish Candles (do not blow out; use proper tool)

Torches: Extinguish,
8:00 Servers: LEAVE IN SANCTUARY,
10:30 Servers: place in closet
Bring empty water & wine flasks to sanctuary;
Fill and place in refrigerator

4. During Liturgy:

Stand with Hands Folded Prayerfully

Make Sign of Cross at appropriate times
Open Deacon Door for Deacon exiting/entering altar

5. Additional:

Wear cassock your size, take home to wash/iron every 3 months

Check schedule for vestment color
Take home copy of schedule - good for 2 months
Sing, Sing, Sing!