Diaconate

A college Baccalaureate from a four year institution accredited to our satisfaction is presumed, though it is not actually required provided the individual possesses, evidences, and demonstrates a comparable level of education through personal study, life experiences, and as may otherwise be acceptable to us.

The Holy Bible: Old Testament and New Testament is required reading and should be a permanent part of the applicant's/student's library. One should have a working familiarity with The Bible - without which familiarity one will not progress in studies, orders, or life. However, we are not impressed by ready quotes and cites to passages. We are impressed by comprehension. We use the Douay Rheims edition. The Douay Rheims edition does contain some "Rome rules and Orthodox are mistaken" editorial comments. However, it was translated before anyone in the West had an "ax to grind" or protest against authority to substantiate by slanting a translation, it uses archaic language which in and of itself is explicit in meaning, avoids modern intentional "unisex" and "political correctness"; it is the translation we use in the English language Divine Liturgy; and it is the translation we use. An ASCII DOS text version is available at our web site, http://www/reu.org (try the link http://www.reu.org/public/bible/bibl.htm ). It also is available in many Church and Religious stores, and from Tan Books and Publishers http://www.tanbooks.com/ , TAN Books and Publishers, Inc. 2020 Harrison Ave. Rockford, IL 61105 1-800-437-5876 .

The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism (No. 1), available at our web site, http://www.reu.org (try using the link http://www.reu.org/public/liturgys.htm ) in Adobe PDF, Hypertext, and ASCII DOS text formats, or a comparable work. While they are available, a paper printed edition will be provided free to applicants who have been accepted for studies. This Q & A format catechism should be read for comprehension and familiarity.."Testing" does not require answers as direct quotes: comprehension of material being the benchmark.

Should be competent in those areas of instruction slated for the Sub Diaconate, including but not limited to:

General Church History and Early Theological Development - such as

The Church History of Saint Eusebius (http://www.reu.org/public/theological/major.htm), Books I through X (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected),

The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, by Eusebius Pamphilus, Books I through III (written summary as to relevancy of relationship between secular government and Church governance/dogmatic considerations at that time and now, of between five and fifteen pages will be expected);

ORIGEN DE PRINCIPIIS (http://www.reu.org/public/origen/orig.htm) Preface through Book IV (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected);

and some of the works of and about Saint Basil the Great, such as: St. Basil, Treatise de Spiritu Sancto Ch I through XXX, Hexaemeron, funeral Oration of St. Gregory Naziazen, (an exploration of modern scientific concepts juxtaposed to those concepts presented by Saint Basil, in works such as in On the Firmament, the Luminous Bodies, and any perceived problems of assimilation between the two, will be expected as part of a written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages).

Saint Augustine: CONFESSIONS and Enchiridion (http://www.reu.org/public/theological/major.htm) (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected)

Catholicity and the Church, John Meyendorff, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood New York, (1983, or later edition) ISBN 0-88141-006-3, Athens Printing Company, NY, NY, (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected) should be available through Light and Life Publishing Company and possibly through Pauline Books and Media (see PUBLISHERS below).

Marriage an Orthodox Perspective, by John Meyendorff, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood New York, (1984, or later edition) ISBN 0-913836-05-2, (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected) should be available through Light and Life Publishing Company and possibly through Pauline Books and Media (see PUBLISHERS below).

Studies specific to the Diaconate also include (without substitution - the following works each is required as a MUST read and report):

Theology for Beginners, F. J. Sheed, Sheed & Ward, N.Y., copyright 1957 (1962 or later edition) Sheed and Ward Inc., LC Cat. No. 57-10174 (may be available through PUBLISHERS below) (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected).

The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, by Vladimir Lossky, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood New York, (1976, or later edition), ISBN 0-913836-31-1 (see PUBLISHERS below) (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected).

The Orthodox Way, Kallistos Ware, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood New York, (1986, or later edition), ISBN 0 913836 58 3 (see PUBLISHERS below) (written summary of major points and concepts of between eight and twenty pages will be expected).

PUBLISHERS: Light and Life Publishing Company, 4808 Park Glen road, Minneapolis, MN 55416 (http://www.light-n-life.com) :(952) 925-3888 Fax:(952) 925-3918 (International) Fax: (888) 925-3918 (U.S. and Canada), Pauline Books and Media, Daughters of Saint Paul, 50 Saint Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491 (http://www.pauline.org) .

The Divine Liturgy - one must be completely and thoroughly familiar with of one's primary rite (Eastern or Western), particularly with the Liturgical duties and functions of the status or position sought, and with all lower positions, and able to perform those functions. Eastern Rite must be functional in the Liturgies of both St. John and St. Basil. Western Rite must be functional in the Gregorian Rite as used by The Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil. Latin Triditine Rite must be functional in that rite as used by The Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil. The Gregorian Rite is available on the SSB web site http://www.reu.org (try using the link http://www.reu.org/public/liturgys/litidx.htm )

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