Philadelphia, PA – Last week, the office of Evangelismos of Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church announced that an anonymous family donated $3,000, to complete the church’s next project. The object of their affection funded the purchase of 16 purple outfits for our altar boys to wear during the period of Easter.
In the Eastern Orthodox church, altar servers assist the higher clergy during services. They might carry the cross, candles or liturgical fans in processions and entrances; maintain the censor, ensuring it has enough live charcoal, loading it with incense and handing it to the priest or deacon when required; preparing the hot water (zeon) in time for it to be added to the chalice at the Divine Liturgy; prepare the antidoron for the people to receive after Holy Communion; and any other necessary tasks so that the celebrant need not be distracted during the service. An altar server is vested in the sticharion only.