ALTAR SERVERS
On November 20, on the eve of the Feast of the Entry into the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the parish of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, a solemn consecration of 7 young men to full members of the "Altar servers" took place, who testified their readiness to be soldiers of Christ, to serve Him.
Parish priest Fr. Mykhailo Ozorovych wished the boys holiness and love in their service to God and people!!!
"Participation in church worship is the most important source of supernatural life. The connection that unites the soul with the Church, and through it with Christ, manifests itself most in the participation of a person in church services, and participation in them most contributes to the development of supernatural life..."
(Mitr. Andrey Sheptytskyi).
+1 (778) 789-9926
We are waiting for you!!
Venue: 501-4th Avenue, New Westminster, BC, Canada.
The training is conducted by fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi
Our
Story
THE Altar servers our Lord at His throne
Patrons are St. Tarsikiy, St. Yosaphat Kuntsevich and St. Dominic Savio
The role and duties of the altar boy in the liturgy may date back to the third century: the Pope spoke of St. Tarchisium as "presumably an assistant, that is, an altar boy." Although this function is usually associated with children, it can be performed by people of any age or background. Altar bearers participate in the service by carrying crosses or crucifixes, lighting and extinguishing candles and ringing the church bell.
In our tradition, the lighting of the altar candles in the Divine Service symbolizes the presence of Jesus Christ for all people and in all parts of the world. And the procession with a candle before the Gospel and before the Eucharist symbolizes the preparation of the way by John the Baptist before the coming of Jesus Christ. It also signifies the light of Jesus Christ coming out into the world in which believers are called to serve.
Serving at the altar of Christ is a great honor. There are people who have received the grace of God in a special way. As once Abraham, Samuel, David, the apostles were called to serve God, so today those who serve Jesus in His temple hear the voice of God.
Various actions are performed during the Liturgy. Just as the beauty of an orchestra can be seen in the numerous instruments, so the richness of the Church is revealed in the variety of liturgical functions. There are many such functions. Some of them are altar servers who help the priest during the Divine Service. We often see them standing near the throne.
When did such a ministry arise? In order to answer this question, we must transfer our imagination to the time of Jesus Christ. Among the events from His life, we will single out two that will tell us about this kind of service. When Jesus was near the Sea of Galilee, many people came who had no food. "But one of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, speaks to Him: "There is a boy here; he has five barley loaves and two fish..." And Jesus took the loaves and, giving praise, distributed them among those who were sitting..." (Jn. 6: 8-9, 11)
The second event is related to the words that Jesus spoke when he wanted to eat the Passover. "Go and prepare the Passover for us so that we may eat it" (Luke 22:8).
From these texts we understand the most important thing in service. It is about serving during the service of liturgical rites. The Last Supper became a prototype of the Liturgy. The apostles were given the task of preparing everything that was needed for this celebration, which was presided over by Christ himself. They played the role of servants. The boy who served bread to Jesus served in the same way. Maybe he didn't fully understand what happened. The miracle of the multiplication of bread became a harbinger of the Eucharist. Jesus admitted to those mysteries the boy who is usually called the forerunner of the altar boys.
Being an altar boy is a great joy, because the service shows that every service is not only the work of the priest, but the work of the entire parish and all the faithful.
1. The altar boy is an assistant at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other divine services; serves near the priest.
2. The altar bearer is the one who carries the signs. He carries certain objects necessary for the Liturgy. These items have a special meaning (candle, incense, etc.). They must "say" something to the faithful and point to another reality.
3. The altarpiece itself should be a sign that indicates that every service in the church is not only the work of the priest, but of the entire parish. Through the service, he shows that one should participate in the Liturgy in a different way, as in a movie or in front of the TV, listening and watching. To participate in the Liturgy is to cooperate and co-create it.
PRAYER BEFORE SERVING
In this minute, I approach the Throne of God, to my God, the God of joy, who cheers up my young life and heart. I am starting this Holy Service and I want to perform it well. I am asking You, Jesus, give me the grace to be attentive, focused and think only of You; so that my eyes were turned to You, present in the ark, and my heart was open only to You. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER THE SERVICE
Lord! Your kindness called me to this Service and made me worthy to be sanctified by participation in Your Holy Mysteries. Let me on this day and all my life walk only on the path of salvation through Christ Our Lord, according to the prayers of our patrons St. Tarsikia, Josaphata and St. Dominic Savio and all your saints. Amen.
We invite everyone who wants to know God better and see the reflection of His great love in the Altar servers community.