St Luke Handmaidens

Name: Leader Lynn Betsanes
Job:Handmaidens
Email: oandrey@stlukeorthodox.com

I have young daughters who are witness to my passion for the Orthodox Faith. Being the head of the Handmaiden ministry allows me to share this love with ALL the young girls at our parish. Children grow up so fast and they need to be involved in duties and activities in church from an early age so it becomes part of who they are and what they will become. Their experiences can influence their spiritual life forever.

It's really exciting to be head of the Handmaiden ministry during this time of change and growth at St. Luke. We are having a great time ringing the bells! Learning new patterns and following the traditions of the church allows us to enhance the liturgical experience for those present.

Job Description

Any young girl that performs a duty or function in the Orthodox Church is called a handmaiden.

Handmaidens assist in the liturgical worship by presenting the offering plate to the Priest for a blessing and receiving the blessed Holy bread (Prosphora) to prepare it for distribution at the end of the Liturgy. They hold the red cloth during communion for adults, children and babies to make sure that no communion is spilled or splashed on clothing or dropped on the floor. They guide communicants to the proper distance from the chalice, help parents with their children, make sure that lips are dried, and any other guidance for the reception of Holy communion. At the end of the liturgy they distribute electric candles and keep children orderly for the children's blessing. On Holy Friday and Pascha they help in the distribution of the holy Lights and walk ahead of the Altar servers carrying candles. They place flower petals on the way during processions. The Handmaidens also ring the bells at the proper times during all of the services.