Altar Servers

The priest is not alone at the altar when he guides his parishioners in the worship of the Triune God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Divine Liturgy is an hour-and-a-half long service Sunday morning at 10am,. centered around Holy Communion, the Eucharist. At St. Nicholas, there is a complement of altar servers attending to the priest and helping with the service: deacons, sub-deacons, and altar boys. Men of the church are trained to serve from the time they are nine years old. They all wear robes, vestments, and conduct themselves with reverence. Deacons chant and recite litanies and prayers, they read the gospel, help prepare the Holy Gifts, and administer communion. Altar boys carry crosses and lanterns and fans, light candles, prepare charcoal for incense, and set out blessed bread for the people. All boys of St. Nicholas are encouraged to undergo training to be altar servers.