Speaking in the Church
Speaking in the Church
The deacon ought to feel the reverence of the church and not allow himself to speak during the prayers.
Jacob the patriarch said about the first place he consecrated in Bethel:
“How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Gen 28:17).
Speaking during the prayers indicates a lack of respect for the church. And if the speaking is during the Divine Liturgy, it indicates a lack of respect for the Divine Liturgy and an absence of a sense of its awe. And it indicates something else… What is it?
It indicates that the deacon is not participating in the prayer, but is distracted from it by speaking.
The deacon may excuse himself by saying that he is speaking with his fellow deacon, or with the church chanter (the teacher), regarding matters related to the rite or the hymn or preparing what will be said or chanted… But this excuse is unacceptable…
This understanding could have taken place before the prayer, or could occur in a whisper, with reverence and quickly, without any distraction or raised voice that draws attention and disrupts the prayer.
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