Why are only boys allowed to serve on the Altar?
Males are only permitted in the Altar following the tradition of the early Church, or better stated, the Apostolic tradition. Christ came into the world as a man and appointed men as his Apostles to lead the Churches that they became bishops over. It is the same Church that we serve to this day. Since the person of the priest is male, only males are permitted in the altar with the hope that one day they too may serve the Altar of Christ as a priest. Now, it should also be said that ANY MAN IS NOT PERMITTED to enter the Altar. The Altar is a sacred place and only those with a purpose from the priest are permitted to enter. It should also be said that there have been females in the Altar and that there is a special prayer for females to come into the Altar. That has fallen by the wayside for the most part as has the office of the Deaconess. (all of which is another conversation) 4. Why do we use incense? From the earliest of times incense has been used in Churches (and Synagogues) to rep
