www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Deacon's Wife in the East

Interesting thread. And Incognitus, you're quite correct. The common Layman's prayers are read over the Deacon's body clothed in his orarion, sticharion and epimanikia and holding in his right (or censing) hand an unlighted vessel. Unless (of course), he is a monastic. He then would receive the Studion Complete Psalter Service.

Question. If (just hypothetically speaking, of course) one had a set of gold vestments and a set of red ones, which one do you think he should be buried in? And what is the reason for your selection?

And for the Deacon's wife, God Bless You! The two shall become as one flesh (according to Our Lord and Savior). Thus, at all times when your husband serves, you are serving with him. And therefore, you are a blessing to everyone that he prays for.

Christ Is Among Us!

Three Cents

one had a set of gold vestments and a set of red ones, which one do you think he should be buried in? And what is the reason for your selection?

My selection is the brightest set available. As we are fully baptized into Christ's death, so we are baptized into His Resurrection. It is entirely fitting to wear bright vestments, symbolic of our baptismal robes. Besides, red is appropriate for those serving the funeral - the guest of honor is dressed in his best clothes.

I agree with Father Deacon Kenneth. Red would be the color that I would want for Father Deacon Stan, and I believe the color he would want. We were washed in His blood and that is one of the joys of the deacon to assist at His holy alter.

Pani Rose

If Father Deacon wants more verses to the Pittsburgh anthem, I'll be happy to provide them.
Vestments for the deacon to wear at his funeral - my first option is to leave it up to the deacon (if he has left instructions in the matter); my second option is to ask his wife (if he has one and she is still available for comment) what she thinks he would prefer. If neither of those options works, I'd probably suggest the gold set.
Title of the deacon's wife - Diakonissa is a problem, because there is such an office, although there are very few diakonissas available for comment at the moment. Might be well to survey the Orthodox of various ethnic backgrounds and ascertain what, if anything, is the solution in the languages in question. As far as Ruthenians go, "Pani" will do nicely - it doesn't imply ordination to anything. It was the custom many decades ago to call the priest "Pan", but I've not heard anyone do that since 1961 (in that context, "Pan" is the Carpatho-Russian equivalent of the English honorific "sir" which was often given to a priest before the Reformation).
I would advise against addressing any adult by his/her given name unless the addressee has made it clear that such a degree of intimacy is welcome. The priest himself, for example, will probably address his own faithful by their given names, since he must do so in the sacramental contexts.
Incognitus

Incognitus,

reading the lyrics, I'm assuming the Pittsburgh anthem is sung to the tune of "Camptown Races"/"Camptown Ladies"?