Can a Deacon Administer the Chalice?
Can a Deacon Administer the Chalice?
Question:
If the number of communicants is large, can a deacon assist the priest by administering the chalice?
Answer:
If another priest is present in the church, he is the one who distributes Holy Communion. In this case, it is not permissible for the deacon to administer the chalice, since there is no compelling necessity.
However, if the priest is alone, there is an essential condition that must be met for the deacon to be allowed to assist—particularly if the serving priest is unable to communicate all the faithful. The condition is that the deacon must be at least of the rank of a deacon (Diacon) and must be fully dedicated to ecclesiastical service, wearing clerical attire.
He must not have a secular job, nor appear outside the church dressed as a layperson. He must be known among the people as someone consecrated for church service, according to the ecclesiastical canons, which say: “Any bishop, priest, or deacon who engages in secular work shall be cut off”.
Such a consecrated deacon, if he administers the chalice in the absence of another priest, does not cause stumbling to the faithful.
Therefore, it is wrong for a priest to assign the distribution of the chalice to an Apostolos, Anagnostes (reader), or Subdeacon, or to anyone who is not fully dedicated to the service of the altar.
For the hand that holds the Body or Blood of the Lord should not also be engaged in secular work.
Thus, one must not take a single canon in isolation without understanding the rest, or without correctly interpreting its meaning.
