Sexton/Neokoros Responsibilities

Typical prerequisites would include:

• Be a faithful and dependable Orthodox Christian, generally in good standing with the parish.

• Receive the blessing and approval of the parish priest, since the sexton works very closely with the clergy and around sacred spaces and objects.

• Have a good understanding—or willingness to learn—the layout of the church, altar area, sacristy, candles, lamps, icons, liturgical furnishings, and supplies.

• Understand how to prepare the church before services and restore it afterward. A recent Greek Orthodox parish posting for a Neokoros specifically describes the position as preparing the church for services, maintaining cleanliness and order in the sanctuary, and assisting clergy as needed.

• Be punctual and reliable, since the sexton often needs to arrive well before Orthros, Divine Liturgy, Vespers, funerals, weddings, baptisms and other services.

• Be capable of treating the Holy Altar, sacred vessels, vestments and liturgical items with appropriate reverence and following the priest's instructions about what may or may not be handled.

• Be comfortable performing practical duties such as lighting and extinguishing candles and vigil lamps, monitoring incense and charcoal supplies, preparing the church for services, keeping the sanctuary orderly, and replenishing liturgical supplies.

• The sexton may also help with church security, opening and closing the building, coordinating maintenance, and overseeing the cleanliness and physical condition of the nave and sanctuary