Ministry

Sextons, Deacons, or Mshamshono at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church in Purley, UK, serve at the heart of the liturgy, helping to reveal the beauty and order of the Holy Qurbana. In the Syriac Orthodox tradition, their primary duty is to safeguard the reverence and splendour of the Qurbana,during the celebration, From the first century of the Church, such ministers have been indispensable, as seen in Scripture where deacons are mentioned alongside bishops and the faithful, such as in Philippians 1:1 and in Acts 6:3, which describes the appointment of men of good report and spiritual wisdom for service. The Syriac Orthodox canonical tradition, including texts such as the Hudaya Canon of Bar Hebraeus, further outlines the responsibilities of sextons in assisting the clergy, tending to the sanctuary, and supporting the orderly conduct of worship. In this same spirit, the parish in Purley is blessed with a devoted group of Sextons/Deacons/Mshamshono who actively participate in the services and faithfully fulfil their responsibilities, helping the community to experience the holiness and dignity of the liturgy.