Hiero minor orders?

[William]

Are there hierosubdeacons? Hieroreaders? Hierocantors? Or would some of the tonsure to such a position also be conferred with monastic tonsure? If not, how widespread are these offices?

I'm also curious as to how widespread the monastic diaconate is, if anyone has any information on that.

[Michał Kalina]

I'm also curious as to how widespread the monastic diaconate is, if anyone has any information on that.

I've found about 7 in the POC, 0-2 per monastery.

[Orthodox11]

I'm also curious as to how widespread the monastic diaconate is, if anyone has any information on that.

Every monastery I've been to has had deacons.

[arimethea]

Are there hierosubdeacons? Hieroreaders? Hierocantors? Or would some of the tonsure to such a position also be conferred with monastic tonsure? If not, how widespread are these offices?

I'm also curious as to how widespread the monastic diaconate is, if anyone has any information on that.

While technically there would be nothing wrong with nomenclature of using Hiero there seems to be this dichotomy between the minor orders and monastics. It is noticeable in how one receives communion. Even when a monk is of a minor order he is still communed as Monk Name. In the order of presvia the monastic stands before the non-monastic in duty.

What is of note, in every monastery I have visited, if a non-monastic subdeacon is present he is communed before the monastics that are not subdeacons.

[akimori makoto]

I've never understood the use of the prefix "hiero", given it means "priest" or "priestly".

It makes sense in the case of a priest-monk -- a "hieromonk" -- but I don't understand how it can be correctly applied to the "hierodeacon".

[Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)]

I've never understood the use of the prefix "hiero", given it means "priest" or "priestly".

It makes sense in the case of a priest-monk -- a "hieromonk" -- but I don't understand how it can be correctly applied to the "hierodeacon".

Nor to sub-deacons, readers, acolytes, chanters, etc...

[JamesRottnek]

I've never understood the use of the prefix "hiero", given it means "priest" or "priestly".

It makes sense in the case of a priest-monk -- a "hieromonk" -- but I don't understand how it can be correctly applied to the "hierodeacon".

I was just thinking this myself, a few minutes ago. 

[John Ward]

I've never understood the use of the prefix "hiero", given it means "priest" or "priestly".

It makes sense in the case of a priest-monk -- a "hieromonk" -- but I don't understand how it can be correctly applied to the "hierodeacon".

Hiero doesn't mean priest. It's sacred (as in Iera Moni), if I remember right and (again, if I recall correctly), when dealing with hieromonks and hierodeacons comes from older Byzantine times to separate married clergy from monastic clergy. I read about where "ίερο" comes from but it's been a while. Maybe someone has better information.

[John Ward]

I will add that I've never personally heard it applied to anyone except monastic priests & deacons.

[Michał Kalina]

I've never understood the use of the prefix "hiero", given it means "priest" or "priestly".

It makes sense in the case of a priest-monk -- a "hieromonk" -- but I don't understand how it can be correctly applied to the "hierodeacon".

In the Slavic usage 'hiero' prefix appeals to monastics. But it is confusing a bit. Hierodeacon is a monk-deacon but the monk-presbyter is hieromonk instead of hieropresbyter.

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