Funeral Procession for a Departed Deacon
Funeral Procession for a Departed Deacon
Question
Can every deacon who passes away have his body carried in procession in the church after being prayed over, since hands were laid upon him?
Answer
It is known that the fathers of the priests are carried in procession with hymns around the altar which they served and to which they consecrated their lives.
As for the deacons, if there is a full deacon, consecrated to the service, who has no work other than being a deacon, and upon whom hands have been laid, and who has begun to wear clerical garments, then if his body is carried in procession in the church, this would be appropriate, on the grounds that he was consecrated to serve it.
As for the remaining ranks of the diaconate, from the Anagnostis to the Subdeacon, hands are not laid upon them, and they are not devoted full-time to serving at the altar.
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