The SIMPLE designation is a prescription which assumes that one has three sets of vestments - a set of non-metallic gold or some other pale color for general usage, a bright set of white, and a dark set of wine red or purple.
The TRADITIONAL designation is that commonly practiced in this country and which assumes multiple sets of vestments of varied colors.
Season or Feast |
Simple |
Traditional |
September 1 Beginning of the Church Year |
Bright |
Gold |
September 2 through 7 |
General or by Category |
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September 8 through 12 Nativity of the Theotokos through its Leavetaking |
Bright |
Blue |
September 13 Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection |
Bright |
Gold |
September 14 through 21 Elevation of the Cross through its Leavetaking |
Dark |
Red |
September 22 through November 14 |
General or by Category |
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November 15 through November 20 Nativity Fast |
Dark |
Red |
November 21 through 25 Presentation of the Theotokos through its Leavetaking |
Bright |
Blue |
November 26 through December 24 Nativity Fast |
Dark |
Red |
December 25 through January 14 Nativity of the Lord & Theophany through its Leavetaking |
Bright |
Gold |
January 8 through February 1 |
General or by Category |
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February 2 through 9 Metting of the Lord in the Temple through its Leavetaking |
Bright |
Blue |
March 25 Annunciation |
Bright |
Blue |
February 10 through Cheesefare Sunday |
General or by Category |
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The Great Fast & Great And Holy Week |
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Simple |
Traditional |
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Forgiveness Vespers changed during the Prokeimenon to |
Bright Dark |
Gold Purple |
Weekdays of the Great Fast |
Dark |
Purple |
Little Compline with Akathist Hymn |
Bright |
Blue |
Saturdays and Sundays of the Great Fast or some retain |
Bright Dark |
Gold Purple |
Sunday of the Cross and the week following or some retain |
Dark Dark |
Red Purple |
Saturday of the Akathist Hymn |
Bright |
Blue |
Services of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday |
Bright |
Gold |
Palm Sunday PM through Wednesday PM |
Dark |
Black/Purple |
Great Thursday Vesperal Divine Liturgy |
Dark |
Red |
Great Thursday PM through Friday PM |
Dark |
Black/Purple |
Great Saturday Vesperal Divine Liturgy changed during "Arise, O God" to |
Dark Bright |
Black/Purple White |
Season or Feast |
Simple |
Traditional |
Pascha through Saturday before Pentecost |
Bright |
White |
Pentecost through June 28 |
Bright |
Green |
June 29 and 30 |
Dark |
Red |
July 1 through 31 |
Bright |
Green |
August 1 through 5 Dormition Fast |
Dark |
Blue |
August 6 Transfiguration of the Lord |
Bright |
Gold |
August 7 through 12 Dormition Fast |
Dark |
Blue |
August 13 Leavetaking of the Transfiguration |
Bright |
Gold |
August 14 Dormition Fast |
Dark |
Blue |
August 15 through 23 Dormition through its Leavetaking |
Bright |
Blue |
August 24 through 28 |
General or by Category |
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August 29 Beheading of the Forerunner |
Dark |
Red |
August 30 |
General or by Category |
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General means a vestment of a pale color, or a mixture of light colors, being neither particularly bright nor dark. The most common general color is a non0metalic gold. Such a vestment is worn during those periods of the year which belong to no particular liturgical or festal season.
Color by Category of Feast |
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Simple |
Traditional |
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Of the Lord |
Bright |
Gold |
Of the Theotokos |
Bright |
Blue |
Of the Cross, the Forerunner, Apostles & Martyrs |
Dark |
Red |
Of other Saints, Commemorations, etc. |
Bright |
Gold |
Color by Season |
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The exceptions within these seasonal color designations are listed above. |
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Pascha through the Saturday before Pentecost |
White |
Pentecost through July 31st |
Green |
August 1st through the 23rd |
Blue |
August 24th through November 14th |
General |
November 15th through December 24th |
Red |
December 25th through January 14th |
Gold |
January 15th through Cheesefare Sunday |
General |
The Great Fast |
Purple |
Great & Holy Week |
Black |
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Reception of the Bishop
The reception of the Bishop in the back of the Church is only done at the first service of the Episcopal Visit, unless otherwise directed by the Bishop. Prior to the Bishop’s arrival to the church, the first Priest and the first Deacon shall vest according to the type of service. If it is a Eucharistic Service, they shall both be fully vested. If it is a non-Eucharistic Service, the Priest shall vest his exorasson, epitrachelion, and phelonion, and the Deacon shall vest in his sticharion and orarion. ALL OTHER CLERGY SHALL NOT VEST, JUST SIMPLY WEAR THE EXORASSON. When the Bishop arrives to the Church, the first Priest takes the Gospel Book and the first Deacon takes the hand cross. The first Priest proceeds through the Royal Doors followed by the remaining Clergy in order of seniority. When they get to the back of the Church, the first Priest stands in front of the Bishop facing west, while the remaining Clergy stand on either side of the Bishop facing north and south (facing each other), and forming a corridor toward the Altar. The first Deacon comes and stands next to the Bishop on his right side.
The first Priest begins with the following:
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy (Thrice)
Priest: Again, we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
People: Lord, have mercy (Thrice)
Priest: Again, we pray for our father and Metropolitan PHILIP and for our father and Bishop MARK and all our brotherhood in Christ.
People: Lord, have mercy (Thrice)
Priest: For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The people respond with “Amen” while the first Priest offers the Gospel Book to the Bishop for veneration, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. The first Deacon hands the Cross to the Bishop, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. The clergy process to the solea from Junior to Senior while the people slowly chant repeatedly until the Bishop ascends the Episcopal Throne, “Many years to thee, Master.” When the first Priest reaches the solea, he enters the Altar through the Royal Doors, places the Gospel Book on the Antimins, and then takes his place among the Priests. The Bishop blesses the people from the Solea and then hands the Blessing Cross to the Bishop’s Assistant.
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Great Vespers with a Non-Celebrating Hierarch NOTE: In most cases only things that are done differently when the Bishop is present are noted here. If a particular item is not mentioned then that means to do it the same as in a regular Vespers Service. After the Bishop ascends the Episcopal Throne, the Clergy approach the Bishop and each makes one metania, asks the Bishop’s blessing and kisses his right hand. They proceed through the south door and take their places at the Altar. After making three metanias in their respective places, the Priest and the Deacon bow together to the Bishop and then the Deacon says in a loud voice, “Bless, Master!” After the Priest completes, “Blessed is our God…” the Deacon and the Priest turn and bow together to the Bishop. The bow to the Bishop is repeated after every exclamation by the Priest throughout the entire service. The Priest takes his place on the south side of the Holy Table facing north. (NOTE: The Priest stands to side and leaves the center of the Altar open at all times except when he is reciting lines that are for Priests; those are said from the center of the Altar.) The Bishop will then say: Come let us worship and fall down . . . .Then Psalm 103, or he may defer both to the chanters. The priest should ask before the service what is the Bishop’s preference. At the commemoration of the Hierarchs, in the Great Ektenia, the Deacon turns, points his orarion and bows to the Bishop as he says, “… and for our Bishop MARK…” while the Priest bows from the Royal Doors. At the conclusion of the Ektenia, the Deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ and the Priest moves in front of the Holy Table to intone the exclamation. After the Priest intones the exclamation, the Deacon bows to the Bishop, enters the Altar through the south door and takes the censor as the Bishop or if he defers, the chanters begin, “O Lord, I have cried…” The Deacon, without asking the Priest’s blessing on the incense, does the great censing. After censing the Altar, the Prothesis, and the High Place, he exits the Altar through the north door. He asks the Bishop’s Blessing on the incense and censes him three times. After censing the icons and the west of the Church, he censes the Bishop nine times (three sets of three), the Clergy around the Episcopal Throne, the people, and the Bishop nine times, again. He completes the censing in the usual manner. The Little Entrance is made with the Deacon stopping in his usual place on the solea and the Priest proceeding to the Episcopal Throne and standing on the Bishop’s right side. The Deacon asks the Bishop’s blessing on the incense, censes him three times. He censes the icons, the West of the Church, the Bishop nine times (three sets of three), the people and the Bishop nine times, again. Then, moving the censor to his left hand, he takes his orarion in his right hand, points it toward the Royal Doors, and looking at the Bishop says quietly, “Bless, Master, the Holy Entrance.” The Bishop blesses the Entrance. The Deacon puts the end of his orarion back over his left arm and elevates the censor in his right hand. When the chanters finish the Doxasticon he intones, “Wisdom, Let us Attend!” The entrance is completed in the usual manner. If it is a daily Vespers, O Gladsome Light is said by the Bishop. If it is a Great Vespers, the Prokeimenon is done first by the priest, repeated by the choir or chanter, then the appropriate verse is chanted, followed by the prokeimenon, the verse, the prokeimenon, the verse, the prokeimenon, the verse, the prokeimenon, followed by the priest chanting the first half of the prokeimenon and the chanter or choir concluding the prokeimenon. In the next Ektenia (“Let us say …”), the Bishop is commemorated after the Metropolitan as in the Great Ektenia. The Bishop says the prayer, Vouchsafe, O Lord, . . . .gives the Peace after the Ektenia of Fervent Supplication. The Bishop also says St. Simeon’s Prayer or may defer to the chanters or choir. At the Dismissal, the Deacon intones, “Wisdom!” with the choir’s response being, “Master, Bless.” The Bishop says all of the remaining lines including the final Dismissal. After the commemoration of the Saints of the Day, the people chant, “Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Chief Priest…” The Bishop intones, “Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers…” and the Priest intones, “Through the prayers of our Holy Master…” |
After the Bishop ascends the Episcopal Throne, the Clergy approach the Bishop and each make one metania, ask the Bishop’s blessing and kiss his right hand. They proceed through the south door and take their places at the Altar.
After making three metanias in their respective places, the Priest and the Deacon bow together to the Bishop and then the Deacon says in a loud voice, “Bless, Master!” After the Priest completes, “Blessed is our God…” the Deacon and the Priest turn and bow together to the Bishop. The bow to the Bishop is repeated after every exclamation by the Priest throughout the entire service. The Great censing would include the appropriate censing of the hierarch as prescribed on page 21 of the Liturgikon. The Priest takes his place on the south side of the Holy Table facing north. (NOTE: The Priest stands to side and leaves the center of the Altar open at all times except when he is reciting lines that are for Priests; those are said from the center of the Altar.)
At the commemoration of the Hierarchs, in the Great Ektenia, the Deacon turns, points his orarion and bows to the Bishop as he says, “For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP and for our Bishop MARK…” while the Priest bows from the Royal Doors. At the conclusion of the Ektenia, the Deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ and the Priest moves in front of the Holy Table to intone the exclamation. After the Priest intones the exclamation, the Deacon enters the Altar through the south door.
At the Orthros Gospel reading, the Priest does not ask the Bishop’s blessing on the Gospel. The Bishop gives the Peace. If the Gospel Reading is an Eothinon Reading, it is read from the south side of the Holy Table. If the reading is for a Feast, it is read from the Royal Doors. After the Priest reads the Gospel reading he takes the Gospel and, accompanied by the Deacon with a candle, exits the Altar through the Royal Doors and goes to the Episcopal Throne. He offers the Gospel Book to the Bishop for veneration, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. After all the people have venerated the Gospel Book, the Priest turns, bows to the Bishop and returns to the Altar. (NOTE: If the Gospel Reading was not an Eothinon Reading, the Priest still offers the Gospel Book for veneration by the Bishop and then immediately returns to the Altar and places the Book upon the Antimins.)
The Deacon, without asking the Priest’s blessing on the incense, takes the censor, and from the Royal Doors elevates it to the icon of the Theotokos and intones, “The Theotokos and Mother of Light…” He then does the great censing. After censing the Altar, the Prothesis, and the High Place, he exits the Altar through the north door. He asks the Bishop’s Blessing on the incense and censes him three times. After censing the icons and the West of the Church, he censes the Bishop nine times (three sets of three), any clergy around the Throne, the people, and the Bishop nine times, again. He completes the censing in the usual manner.
The following is done only if the Bishop will be celebrating the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy: As the Choir chants the Exaposteilaria, the fully vested Deacons, with trikirion and dikirion lit and in hand, exit the north (Second Deacon) and south (First Deacon) doors. They come together in the center of the solea, bow to the Altar and then bow to the Bishop. They proceed to the Episcopal Throne and stand next to the Bishop, with the First Deacon being on his right and the Second Deacon being on his left.
At the beginning of the Praises, the Bishop descends the Episcopal Throne, being led by the Deacons, and goes to the center of the solea. After the second Praise, the Praises stop and the Bishop and the two Deacons do the Kairon out loud. During the Kairon, a chanter sings “Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Chief Priest …” slowly and softly, repeating it until the end of Kairon. At the end of the Kairon, the Bishop takes the Trikirion and blesses the people as the people sing aloud, “Many years to thee, Master.” The Bishop enters the Altar, followed by the Deacons, through the Royal Doors. The chanting of the Praises continues. The Bishop goes to vest and the Royal Doors are closed.
At the “Both, now…” of the Praises, the Deacons open the Royal Doors and the Clergy proceed out through the Royal Doors. The Priests go first from Junior to Senior followed by the Deacons with Trikirion and Dikirion. They assemble in the center of the solea. At the conclusion of the Doxasticon, the Bishop blesses the people as the people sing, “Many years to thee, Master.” The Bishop then proceeds to his place on the solea. The Bishop faces east, the Priests face north and south (THE PRIESTS ABSOLUTLY DO NOT FACE EAST HERE) on each side of the Bishop, forming a corridor to the Altar and the Deacons stand behind the Bishop on each side.
The Choir or chanters then begin the Great Doxology, while the Bishop and Deacon say the remaining prayers of Orthros. At the end of the Great Doxology, if there is a tonsuring of a Reader or Subdeacon, it takes place here before the Troparion. Once the Troparion has begun, the first Deacon approaches the Bishop facing west with his back to the Altar and exchanges the “Opening Dialog” with the Bishop. When the Bishop says, “Thy Priesthood and thy Diaconate, the Lord God remember…” the Priest makes one metania, asks the Bishop’s blessing and kisses his right hand, followed by the Deacon who does the same. The Priest proceeds through the Royal Doors and the Deacon proceeds to stand before the icon of Christ.
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Divine Liturgy with a Non-Celebrating Hierarch NOTE: In most cases only things that are done differently when the Bishop is present are noted here. If a particular item is not mentioned then that means to do it the same as in a regular Liturgy. If Orthros will not be served, the Bishop is received in the back of the Church in the usual manner. After the Bishop ascends the Episcopal Throne, the Clergy approach the Bishop and the Deacon exchanges the “Opening Dialogue” with the Bishop. When the Bishop says, “Thy Priesthood and thy Diaconate, the Lord God remember…” the Priest makes one metania, asks the Bishop’s blessing and kisses his right hand, followed by the Deacon who does the same. The Priest proceeds through the south door and the Deacon takes his place on the center of the solea. If Orthros is served, the clergy, at the end of the Great Doxology, exit through the Royal Doors to the Episcopal Throne. Once the Troparion has begun, the Deacon exchanges the “Opening Dialogue” with the Bishop. When the Bishop says, “Thy Priesthood and thy Diaconate, the Lord God remember…” the Priest makes one metania, asks the Bishop’s blessing and kisses his right hand, followed by the Deacon who does the same. The Priest proceeds through the Royal Doors and the Deacon takes his place on the center of the solea. After making three metanias in their respective places, the Priest and the Deacon bow together to the Bishop and then the Deacon says in a loud voice, “Bless, Master!” After the Priest completes, “Blessed is the Kingdom…” the Deacon and the Priest turn and bow together to the Bishop. The bow to the Bishop is repeated after every exclamation by the Priest throughout the entire service. The Priest takes his place on the south side of the Holy Table facing north. (NOTE: The Priest stands to side and leaves the center of the Altar open at all times except when he is reciting lines that are for Priests; those are said from the center of the Altar.) The Deacon intones the Great Ektenia. At the commemoration of the Hierarchs, the Deacon turns, points his orarion and bows to the Bishop as he says, “For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP and for our Bishop MARK…” while the Priest bows from the Royal Doors. At the conclusion of the Ektenia, the Deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ and the Priest moves in front of the Holy Table to intone the exclamation. This process is repeated after each Ektenia. Prior to intoning each of the Little Ekentias, the Deacon turns and bows to the Bishop. After the Priest intones the last exclamation, the Priest and Deacon bow together to the Bishop and the Deacon enter the Altar through the south door and takes his place at the southwest corner of the Holy Table. The Little Entrance is made in usual manner except that the Deacon, after exiting from the north door, proceeds directly to the Episcopal Throne. The Priest remains in his normal place in the center of the solea. The Deacon takes his orarion off of the Gospel, places the Gospel over his left shoulder, points his orarion at the Royal Doors and says to the Bishop, “Bless, Master, the holy Entrance.” The Deacon replaces the orarion over the Gospel while the Bishop blesses the Entrance. The Deacon offers the Gospel Book for veneration by the Bishop, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. The Deacon then proceeds to the normal place on the solea and the Little Entrance is completed in the usual manner. Following the Kontakion, the Deacon, from the Royal Doors, bows to the Bishop and then faces the people and intones, “Let us pray to the Lord.” During the Thrice-Holy Hymn and after the Priest proceeds to the High Place, the Deacon takes the censor, and, from the Royal Doors, asks the Bishop’s Blessing on the incense. The censing is completed in the usual manner. During the Epistle reading, the Priest takes the Gospel book and hands it to the Deacon who proceeds out the Royal Doors to the Episcopal Throne. There, he says to the Bishop, “Bless, Master, he who proclaims …” After receiving the blessing, the Deacon offers the Book to the Bishop for veneration, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. He then proceeds to the place where he will read the Gospel. The Bishop gives the Peace at the end of the Epistle and before the Gospel. Following the Gospel reading, the Deacon proceeds to the Episcopal Throne and offers the Book to the Bishop for veneration, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. The Bishop blesses the people and gives the Book back to the Deacon who takes it through the Royal Doors and gives it to the Priest to place on the Holy Table. (Note: The Priest does not bless the people here since it was done by the Bishop.) During the Cherubic Hymn, the Priest takes the censor (without blessing it) and does the Great censing. After censing the Altar, the Prothesis, and the High Place, he exits the Altar through the Royal Doors and goes all the way down onto the Solea (to the lowest possible position). He asks the Bishop’s Blessing on the incense and censes him three times. After censing the icons and the West of the Church, he censes the Bishop nine times (three sets of three), the people, and the Bishop nine times, again. He completes the censing in the usual manner, entering through the Royal Doors. The Great Entrance will need to be made at a faster pace than usual. The Deacon intones, “All of you, the Lord God …” followed by the Priest who intones, “All of you, and all Orthodox Christians, the Lord God …” These are the only two petitions said prior to reaching the solea. When the Deacon reaches the solea, he turns toward the Bishop and intones “Thine Episcopacy, the Lord God remember …” Then the Priest turns toward the Bishop and does the same. The Priest then finishes the remaining petitions of the Great Entrance (Commemoration of the Metropolitan, Prayers for the President, Living and Departed). The Bishop gives the Peace after the Ektenia of Fervent Supplication. At the Kiss of Peace, the Priest exits the Altar through the Royal Doors and followed by the Deacon, exchanges the Kiss of Peace with the Bishop at the Episcopal Throne. When the Creed begins, the Priest, standing on the south side, waves the Aer over the empty center part of the Altar. If there is only one Priest, the Deacon may enter the Altar and assist the Priest with the Aer. In any case, the center of the Altar must be open. The Priest says, “The Grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father…” turns and without Blessing the people, bows to the Bishop. At this point, the Priest may remain in the center of the Altar until after the gifts are consecrated. At “Among the first…” the Clergy, Subdeacons, and Servers commemorate the Metropolitan first, followed by the Bishop, “Among the first, be mindful, O Lord, of our father and Metropolitan PHILIP and our Bishop MARK…” The Priest says, “And the mercies of our Great God…” turns and without Blessing the people, bows to the Bishop. If the Bishop will Commune from the Altar he will descend the Throne, don the epitrachelion and omophorion and Commune first. If he will Commune from the Solea, he shall be the first one to Commune from the first Chalice. After all have Communed, the Bishop Blesses the people saying, “O God, save thy people …” The Bishop gives the Blessing, “The Blessing of our Lord and His Mercies…” and says the Dismissal. After the commemoration of the Saints of the Day, the people chant, “Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Chief Priest…” The Bishop intones, “Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers…” and the Priest intones, “Through the prayers of our Holy Master…”
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Download Word Document For Print Bishop's Kairon As the Choir chants the Exaposteilaria, the fully vested Deacons, with trikirion and dikirion lit and in hand, exit the north (Second Deacon) and south (First Deacon) doors. They come together in the center of the solea, bow to the Altar and then bow to the Bishop. They proceed to the Episcopal Throne and stand next to the Bishop, with the First Deacon being on his right and the Second Deacon being on his left. BISHOP: O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy upon me. (Thrice) DEACON: Bless, Master. BISHOP: Blessed is our God, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages. DEACON: Amen. BISHOP: Glory to Thee, O God, glory to Thee. O heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, the Treasury of good things and Giver of life; come, abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord. DEACON: Holy God, Holy Mighty… Glory and Now… All-Holy Trinity… Lord, have mercy (Thrice)… Glory and Now… Our Father…. BISHOP: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. DEACON: Amen. BISHOP: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for laying aside all defense we sinners offer unto Thee, as Master, this supplication: have mercy on us. DEACON: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust; be not exceedingly wroth with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down upon us even now, as Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy Name. BISHOP: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Open unto us the door of Thy compassion, O blessed Theotokos. As we set our hope in Thee, may we not be confounded; through thee may we be delivered from all adversities, for thou art the salvations of the race of Christians. The Bishop and the Deacons move to the icon of Christ, as the Deacon says: DEACON: Lord, have mercy. (12 times) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen. We reverence Thine immaculate icon, O good One, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God; for of Thine own good will Thou wast pleased to ascend from the cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from bondage to the enemy those whom Thou hast fashioned. Wherefore, we cry aloud unto Thee with thanksgiving; Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Savior, for Thou didst come to save the world. The Bishop and the Deacons move to the icon of the Theotokos, as the Deacon says: DEACON: Forasmuch as thou art a fountain of tenderness, O Theotokos, make us worthy of compassion; look upon a sinful people; manifest thy power as ever, for hoping on thee we cry aloud unto thee: Rejoice! As once did Gabriel, chief captain of the bodiless powers. The Bishop and the Deacons move to the icon of the Forerunner, as the Deacon says: DEACON: The memory of the righteous is celebrated with songs of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner. Thou wast shown indeed to be the most honorable of the prophets, for in the waters thou didst baptize Him who had been proclaimed. After suffering with joy in behalf of the truth, thou didst proclaim even to those in Hades the God who appeared in the flesh, who takest away the sin of the world and granteth us the Great Mercy. The Bishop and the Deacons move to the icon of the Patron Saint of the Church, as the Deacon says: DEACON: (Says the Troparion of the Patron Saint of the Church) The Bishop and the Deacons come back to the center of the solea. Once there, the Deacon says: DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. BISHOP: Stretch forth Thy hand, O Lord, from Thy holy dwelling place, and strengthen me for Thine appointed service, that standing without condemnation before Thy fearful judgment seat, I may fulfill the bloodless service, for Thine is the power and the glory, unto ages of ages. DEACON: Amen. BISHOP: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to Thee. DEACON: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Master, bless. BISHOP: May Christ our true God, (appointed characteristic phrase), through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; of our father among the saints (John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople OR Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia) whose Divine Liturgy we now celebrate; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of (patron saint of the church) the patron and protector of this holy community; of (saints of the day) whose memory we celebrate, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and lovest mankind. DEACON: Amen. BISHOP: I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy, and in Thy fear I will worship toward Thy holy temple. How shall I, the unworthy, dare to enter the brilliance of Thy holy place? If I venture to enter into the bridal chamber, my garment will denounce me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be cast out bound by the angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul, and save me, for Thou art the Lover of mankind. BISHOP: I will worship the one Godhead in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, unto all ages. Amen. The Bishop takes the Trikirion and blesses the people as the people sing aloud, “Many years to thee, Master.” The Bishop enters the Altar, followed by the Deacons, through the Royal Doors. The chanting of the Praises continues. The Bishop goes to vest and the Royal Doors are closed. |
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The Order of the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy
Choir Notes for an Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Preserve, 0 Lord, our master and chief priest = Ton dhespotin kai archierea imon
Many years, master = Eis polla eti, dhespota 1. If following the first verse of the Praises Let everything that hath breath ...during Orthros the bishop descends from the throne for Kairon, the choir sings very slowly Preserve, 0 Lord, our master and chief priest; it should be timed so that the singing of Many years, master at the end of the hymn coincides with the moment at the end of Kairon when the bishop turns and blesses the congregation with the trikirion. Then the Praises continue with Praise ye him all his angels . . . .
2. When, prior to the singing of the Great Doxology at the end of Orthros, the bishop exits the sanctuary through the holy doors and blesses the congregation, the choir sings Many years, master (once).
3. When, during the Litany of Peace at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, the bishop is commemorated by name, the choir quickly and softly sings Many years, master (once). At the end of that petition the choir sings Lord, have mercy as usual.
4. When, during the singing of the eisodikon Entrance Hymn) by the choir, the choir sings Many years, master (once) as the bishop blesses with the dikirion and trikirion. The choir may then repeat the refrain Save us, 0 Son of God before singing the first apolytikion after the Little Entrance. Then all the other apolytikia are sung by the choir. It is usual for the bishop and clergy to sing the kontakion, but the Bishop will usually defer this to the choir.
5. The Holy God sequence is sung as outlined in The Liturgikon(pp.486-488). Note that no phimi is sung for a Diocesan bishop in our Archdiocese.
6. When the bishop gives the peace before the reading of the Gospel, the choir responds Many years, master (once) rather than And to thy spirit.
7. At the conclusion of the reading of the Gospel, the choir sings Many years, master (once) immediately followed by the usual Glory to thee, 0 Lord, glory to thee.
8. At the conclusion of the Cherubic Hymn, the choir sings Many years, master (once) as the bishop blesses the congregation; then the Litany of Supplication is done. Note that if there is to be an ordination to the holy priesthood it takes place before the Litany of Supplication; in that event this singing of Many years, master is delayed and the following order is observed:
a. As the candidate is led three times around the holy table, the choir sings the three troparia Ye holy martyrs; Glory to thee, O Christ God; and O Isaiah. After the bishop says The grace divine … all-holy Spirit may come upon him the choir sings softly and repeatedly Lord, have mercy while a priest or deacon inaudibly says an expanded Litany of Peace.
b. To the bishop's exclamation For blessed and glorified...ages of ages the choir responds Amen.
c. After each proclamation of Axios. He is worthy. Moustahiq by the bishop and congregation, the choir sings the same as the newly-ordained priest is vested.
d. After the newly-ordained priest is fully vested, the choir sings Many years, master (once) and the bishop blesses the people.
e. Then the Litany of Supplication is done.
9. When the bishop gives the peace before the saying of the Creed, the choir responds Many years, master (once) rather than And to thy spirit.
10. At Let us love one another it is proper for the choir to respond by slowly singing I will love thee, O Lord, my strength rather than Father, Son and Holy Spirit as at any concelebrated Divine Liturgy.
11. When, during the Anaphora, the bishop says Among the first the choir responds Amen. Then, when the priests say Among the first the choir responds And of all mankind; but if a deacon is serving, the choir responds Amen to both the bishop and the priests, and then, when the deacon says And for those who offer these precious and holy gifts ... and of all mankind the choir responds And of all mankind.
12. Note that if there is to be an ordination to the holy diaconate it takes place immediately after the bishop blesses the congregation saying And the mercies of our great God and Savior... and the choir responds And with thy spirit. Then the following order is observed:
a. As the candidate is led three times around the holy table, the choir sings the three troparia Ye holy martyrs; Glory to thee, O Christ God; and O Isaiah. After the bishop says The grace divine … all-holy Spirit may come upon him the choir sings softly and repeatedly Lord, have mercy while a priest or deacon inaudibly says an expanded Litany of Peace.
b. To the bishop's exclamation For thou art our God ... ages of ages the choir responds Amen.
c. After each proclamation of Axios. He is worthy. Moustahiq by the bishop and congregation, the choir sings the same as the newly-ordained deacon is vested.
d. After the newly-ordained deacon is fully vested, the choir sings Many years, master (once) and the bishop blesses the people.
e. Then the litany before the Our Father is done.
13. While the bishop says the dismissal at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the choir slowly and softly sings Preserve, O Lord, our master and chief priest … or the polykhronion.
14. When, after the dismissal, the priest says Through the prayers of our holy master... the choir responds Amen.
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CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CLERGY: God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CLERGY: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Holy God
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
Holy Mighty.
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
Holy Immortal
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
Have mercy on us.
PRIEST: With Strength! (or Dynamis!)
CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
DEACON: O Lord, Save the Pious
CHOIR: O Lord, Save the Pious
DEACON: O Lord, Save the Pious
CHOIR: O Lord, Save the Pious
DEACON: O Lord, Save those of true worship
CHOIR: O Lord, Save those of true worship
DEACON: And hear us.
CHOIR: And hear us
Priest: Let us attend
Reader: Prokeimenon
Priest: Wisdom
Reader: The reading is from __________________________
Priest: Let us attend.
Reader: Reads the appointed Epistles
Meanwhile the Deacon censes the Altar
CHOIR: AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, ALLELEUIA
CLERGY: AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, ALLELEUIA
CHOIR: AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, ALLELEUIA
CLERGY: AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, ALLELEUIA
CHOIR: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR: HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, ALLELEUIA
CHOIR: AS MANY OF YOU
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
HAVE PUT ON CHRIST
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
ALLELEUIA
DEACON: With Strength! (or Dynamis!)
CHOIR: AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, ALLELEUIA
DEACON: O Lord, Save the Pious
CHOIR: O Lord, Save the Pious
DEACON: O Lord, Save the Pious
CHOIR: O Lord, Save the Pious
DEACON: O Lord, Save those of true worship
CHOIR: O Lord, Save those of true worship
DEACON: And hear us.
CHOIR: And hear us
DEACON: Let us attend
Reader: Prokeimenon
DEACON: Wisdom
Reader: The reading is from __________________________
DEACON: Let us attend.
Reader: Reads the appointed Epistles
Meanwhile the Deacon censes the Altar
BEFORE THY CROSS
(FOR THE HIERARCHICAL LITURGY)
CHOIR: Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship Master
and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify
CLERGY: Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship Master
and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify
CHOIR: Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship Master
and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify
CLERGY: Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship Master
and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify
CHOIR: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR: And Thy holy resurrection we glorify.
CHOIR: Before Thy Cross
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
We bow down in worship master
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
And Thy holy resurrection,
BISHOP: O LORD, O LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BEHOLD
AND VISIST THIS VINE AND PERFECT THAT WHICH
THY RIGHT HAND HAS PLANTED!
CHOIR: MANY YEARS MASTER!
We glorify!
DEACON: With Strength! (or Dynamis!)
CHOIR: Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship Master
And Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify
DEACON: O Lord, Save the Pious
CHOIR: O Lord, Save the Pious
DEACON: O Lord, Save the Pious
CHOIR: O Lord, Save the Pious
DEACON: O Lord, Save those of true worship
CHOIR: O Lord, Save those of true worship
DEACON: And hear us.
CHOIR: And hear us
Priest: Let us attend
Reader: Prokeimenon
Priest: Wisdom
Reader: The reading is from __________________________
Priest: Let us attend.
Reader: Reads the appointed Epistles
Meanwhile the Priest censes the Altar
The Blessing of an Acolyte
Near the end of Vespers, during the Hymn of Righteous Symeon the God-receiver, the candidate is led to stand before the Holy Doors, makes three metanias and then comes to stand before the Bishop. After kissing the Bishop’s hand, the candidate kneels before him.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The Bishop blesses the candidate once on the head, and says:
Bishop: O Lord who enlightenest all created beings with the light of thy wonders, and knowest the intent of every man before it is formed, and strengthenest those who are desirous of serving thee: Do thou, the same Lord, array in thy fair and spotless vesture this thy servant (NAME), who desireth to become a Taper-bearer before thy holy mysteries, that he may be illuminated, and that attaining unto the age to come he may receive the incorruptible crown of life, and rejoice with Thine elect in bliss everlasting. For blessed is Thy Name and glorified is thy Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The Bishop tonsures the candidate cross-wise, saying:
Bishop: In the name of the Father;
Bishop: And of the Holy Spirit.
The new Reader kisses the Bishop’s right hand and stands. The Bishop takes the sticharion, blesses it and, with the help of the Bishop’s Assistant, puts the sticharion on the new taper-bearer.
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The Tonsuring of a Reader
In preparation for the tonsuring, the candidate shall have a cassock by the day of the tonsuring. On the eve of his tonsuring, the candidate shall attend Vespers, and, after having a light supper, begin his Eucharistic Fast. During that time, he shall interact as little as possible with anyone and spend that time praying and preparing himself for the tonsuring. Married candidates shall refrain from marital relations during this time. He shall have his confession heard either after Vespers or during Matins on the day of the tonsuring.
On the day of the tonsuring, following the Great Doxology, but before the Troparion before the Divine Liturgy before the Divine Liturgy, the candidate is led by the Bishop’s Assistant to the center of the solea in front of the Bishop. He makes three (3) prostrations toward the Holy Altar. Then, he turns and makes one (1) prostration toward the Bishop and stops on his knees. The Bishop lays his hand on the candidate head.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Bishop: O Lord who enlightenest all created beings with the light of thy wonders, and knowest the intent of every man before it is formed, and strengthenest those who are desirous of serving thee: Do thou, the same Lord, array in thy fair and spotless vesture this thy servant (NAME), who desireth to become a Reader before thy holy mysteries, that he may be illuminated, and that attaining unto the age to come he may receive the incorruptible crown of life, and rejoice with Thine elect in bliss everlasting. For blessed is thy name and glorified is thy Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The Bishop tonsures the candidate, saying:
Bishop: In the name of the Father;
People: Amen.
Bishop: And of the Son;
People: Amen.
Bishop: And of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
The new Reader kisses the Bishop’s right hand and stands. The Bishop takes the cassock, blesses it and, with the help of the Bishop’s Assistant, puts the cassock on the new Reader. The new Reader kneels, again, before the Bishop.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Bishop: O Lord God Almighty, elect this thy servant (NAME), and sanctify him and enable him with all wisdom and understanding to exercise the study and reading of thy divine words, preserving him in blamelessness of life. Through the mercies and bounties of love towards mankind of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with Thine All-Holy and good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The new Reader stands and kisses the Bishop’s right hand. The Bishop presents the new Reader the Epistle Book. The new Reader faces the people and reads the randomly-selected passage. At the conclusion of the reading, the Bishop blesses him, saying:
Bishop: Peace be to thee that readest.
The Bishop addresses the new Reader, saying:
Bishop: My son (NAME), the first degree of the Priesthood is that of Reader. It behooveth thee, therefore, to peruse the divine Scriptures daily, to the end that the hearers, regarding thee, may receive edification, that thou, in nowise shaming Thine election, mayest prepare thyself for a higher degree. For by a chaste, holy and upright life thou shalt gain the favor of the God of loving kindness and shalt render thyself worthy of a greater ministry, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory unto ages of ages, Amen.
The Bishop blesses the new Reader, saying:
Bishop: Blessed is the Lord! Lo, the servant of God, (NAME) has become a Reader of the most holy Church of (NAME), in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Following any words of wisdom or instruction from the Bishop, the new Reader takes his place among the Readers. The Troparion before the Divine Liturgy begins and the first Deacon begins the Dialogue with the Bishop in the usual manner.
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The Ordination of a Deacon
In preparation for the ordination, the candidate shall attend Vespers on the eve of his ordination, and, after having a light supper, begin his Eucharistic Fast. During that time, he shall interact as little as possible with anyone and spend that time praying and preparing himself for the ordination. Married candidates shall refrain from marital relations during this time. He shall have his confession heard either after Vespers or during Matins on the day of the ordination.
On the day of the ordination, the candidate shall be in his cassock. After receiving any instructions from the Bishop’s Assistant and/or his Priest, he shall go to a corner and not interact with anyone. During this time he shall pray silently. During the Great Doxology, the Bishop’s Assistant will lead the candidate to the Altar. The candidate will take the pitcher, bowl, and towel. Following the Great Doxology, but before the Troparion before the Divine Liturgy, the candidate is led by the Bishop’s Assistant to the center of the solea in front of the Bishop. He washes the Bishop’s hands.
After drying his hands with the towel, the Bishop will drape the towel over the candidate’s head and shoulders. The candidate, with the pitcher and bowl in hand, will then go to stand before the icon of Christ. The Troparion before the Divine Liturgy begins and the first Deacon begins the Dialogue with the Bishop in the usual manner.
At the time when the Bishop is to wash his hands during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the candidate is led by the Bishop’s Assistant to the center of the solea in front of the Bishop. He washes the Bishop’s hands. After drying his hands with the towel, the Bishop will drape the towel back over the candidate’s head and shoulders. The candidate will enter the altar through the south door. During the Great Entrance, the candidate, with the pitcher and bowl in hand, walks at the very end behind the processional fans. Following the Great Entrance, the candidate goes to stand before the icon of the Theotokos. After the Bishop says, “And the Mercies our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all,” the two sponsors and the Bishop’s Assistant go out the north door. A chair is placed at the northwest corner of the Holy Table. The Bishop Assistant takes the pitcher and bowl from the candidate. The sponsors lead the candidate to the center of the solea.
The sponsors help the candidate make a prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a second prostration as the second sponsor intones in a loud voice:
2nd Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a third prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND! Holy Master, bless him who is before thee.
The Bishop blesses the candidate and goes to sit in the chair. The sponsors lead the candidate through the Holy Doors, as the choir begins the following three (3) Troparia:
Choir: Ye holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and hath received thy crowns: entreat ye the Lord, that he will have mercy on our souls.
Glory to thee, O Christ our God: the Apostles’ boast, the Martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.
O Isaiah, dance thy joy, for a virgin was with child and hath borne a Son, Emmanuel, both God and Man and Orient is His name. Whom magnifying, we call the Virgin blessed.
While the choir is singing the above Troparia, the sponsors lead the candidate around the Holy Table three (3) times. Each time, the candidate kisses each of the four (4) corners of the Holy Table followed by the hand and epigonation of the Bishop who is seated at the northwest corner of the Holy Table. After the third time, the Bishop stands up and the chair is moved away from the Holy Table. The candidate kneels in front of the altar, places his right hand over his left hand on the edge of the Holy Table, and places his forehead on top of his hands. The Parish Priest asks all the people in the church to kneel and the Deacon intones in a loud voice:
Deacon: Let us Attend!
Bishop: The Grace Divine, which always healeth, that which is infirm, and completeth that which is wanting, elevateth, through the laying-on of hands, (NAME), the most devout Subdeacon to be a Deacon. Wherefore, let us pray for him, that the Grace of the All-Holy Spirit may come upon him.
Bishop: Kyrie eleison (Thrice, very slowly)
While the Bishop is slowly singing Kyrie eleison three times, the Deacon very quickly and quietly says the following Ektenia in the Altar. He must finish by the time that the Bishop finishes singing Kyrie eleison three times.
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the Holy Churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, and for our Bishop MARK, for their Priesthood, succor, maintenance, peace, health and salvation; and for the good works of their hands, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God, (NAME) who hath now received the laying-on of Hands to be a Deacon, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the President of the United States , for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful, who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
The Bishop then begins the Prayers of Ordination:
Bishop: O Lord our God, who by thy foreknowledge dost send down the fullness of the Holy Spirit upon those who are ordained, by Thine inscrutable power, to be thy servitors and to administer thy spotless mysteries: Do thou, the same Master, preserve also this man, whom thou hast been pleased to ordain, through me, by the laying-on of hands, to the service of the Diaconate, in all soberness of life, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Vouchsafe unto him the grace which thou didst grant unto Stephen, thy first Martyr, whom, also, thou didst call to be the first in the work of thy ministry; and make him worthy to administer after thy pleasure the degree which it both seemeth good to thee to confer upon him. For they who minister well prepare for themselves a good degree. And manifest him as wholly thy servant. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
O God our Savior, who by Thine incorruptible voice didst appoint unto Thine Apostles the law of the Diaconate, and didst manifest the first Martyr, Stephen, to be of the same; and didst proclaim him the first who should exercise the office of a Deacon, as it is written in thy Holy Gospel, “Whosoever desireth to be first among you, let him be your servant”: Do thou, O Master of all, fill also this thy servant, who thou hast graciously permitted to enter upon the ministry of a Deacon, with all faith, and love, and power, and holiness, through the inspiration of thy Holy and Life-Giving Spirit; for not through the laying-on of my hands, but through the visitation of thy rich bounties, is grace bestowed upon thy worthy ones; that he, being devoid of all sin, may stand blameless before thee in the awesome Day of thy Judgment, and receive the unfailing reward of thy promise. For thou art our God, and unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The new Deacon rises, kisses the Bishop’s right hand, turns and stands facing the people next to the Bishop in the Holy Doors. The Bishop takes each piece of the new Deacon’s vestments, blesses it and shouts to the people:
Bishop: HE IS WORTHY!
People: HE IS WORTHY!
Bishop: MUSTAHEK!
People: MUSTAHEK!
Bishop: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS! (Thrice, singing)
While the people are singing AXIOS three times, the Bishop, with the help of the Bishop’s Assistant, puts the pieces of the vestment on the new Deacon. The above is repeated for each piece of the vestment. Once the new Deacon is fully vested, he kisses the Bishop’s right hand. The Bishop hands the new Deacon a Service Book. The new Deacon stands on the solea and intones The Ektenia before the Lord’s Prayer. The new Deacon serves the remainder of the service as the first Deacon.
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The Ordination of a Priest
In preparation for the ordination, the candidate shall serve Vespers on the eve of his ordination, and, after having a light supper, begin his Eucharistic Fast. During that time, he shall interact as little as possible with anyone and spend that time praying and preparing himself for the ordination. Married candidates shall refrain from marital relations during this time. He shall have his confession heard either after Vespers or during Matins on the day of the ordination.
On the day of the ordination, the candidate shall vest the sticharion and cuffs of his Priestly vestments and the stole of his Deacon’s vestment. The candidate shall serve as the first Deacon during the Divine Liturgy up until the time of the ordination.
Immediately following the Great Entrance, the two sponsors lead the candidate out the north door. A chair is placed at the northwest corner of the Holy Table. The sponsors lead the candidate to the center of the solea.
The sponsors help the candidate make a prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a second prostration as the second sponsor intones in a loud voice:
2nd Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a third prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND! Holy Master, bless him who is before thee.
The Bishop blesses the candidate and goes to sit in the chair. The sponsors lead the candidate through the Holy Doors, as the choir begins the following three (3) Troparia:
Choir: Ye holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and hath received thy crowns: entreat ye the Lord, that he will have mercy on our souls.
Glory to thee, O Christ our God: the Apostles’ boast, the Martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.
O Isaiah, dance thy joy, for a virgin was with child and hath borne a Son, Emmanuel, both God and Man and Orient is His name. Whom magnifying, we call the Virgin blessed.
While the choir is singing the above Troparia, the sponsors lead the candidate around the Holy Table three (3) times. Each time, the candidate kisses each of the four (4) corners of the Holy Table followed by the hand and epigonation of the Bishop who is seated at the northwest corner of the Holy Table. After the third time, the Bishop stands up and the chair is moved away from the Holy Table. The candidate kneels in front of the altar, places his right hand over his left hand on the edge of the Holy Table, and places his forehead on top of his hands. The Parish Priest asks all the people in the church to kneel and the Deacon intones in a loud voice:
Deacon: Let us Attend!
Bishop: The Grace Divine, which always healeth, that which is infirm, and completeth that which is wanting elevateth, through the laying-on of hands, (NAME), the most devout Deacon to be a Priest. Wherefore, let us pray for him, that the Grace of the All-Holy Spirit may come upon him.
Bishop: Kyrie eleison (Thrice, very slowly)
While the Bishop is slowly singing Kyrie eleison three times, a Deacon very quickly and quietly says the following Ektenia in the Altar. He must finish by the time that the Bishop finishes singing Kyrie eleison three times.
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the Holy Churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, and for our Bishop MARK, for their Priesthood, succor, maintenance, peace, health and salvation; and for the good works of their hands, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God, (NAME) who hath now received the laying-on of Hands to the Holy Priesthood, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That the God who loveth mankind will vouchsafe unto him a pure and blameless ministry, let us pray to the Lord.
For the President of the United States , for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful, who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
The Bishop then begins the Prayers of Ordination:
Bishop: O God, who hast no beginning and no ending, who art older than every created thing, who crownest with the name of Priest those whom thou deemest worthy to serve the world of thy truth in the divine ministry of this degree: Do thou, the same Lord of all, deign to preserve in pureness of life and in unswerving faith this man, also, upon whom, through me, thou hast graciously been pleased to lay hands. Be favorably pleased to grant unto him the great grace of thy Holy Spirit, and make him wholly thy servant, in all things acceptable unto thee, and worthily exercising the great honors of the priesthood which thou hast conferred upon him by thy prescient power. For thine is the might and thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
O God great in might and inscrutable in wisdom, marvelous in counsel above the sons of men: Do thou, the same Lord, fill with the gift of thy Holy Spirit this man whom it hath pleased thee to advance to the degree of Priest, that he may be worthy to stand in innocence before Thine Altar, to proclaim the Gospel of thy Kingdom, to minister the word of thy truth, to offer unto thee spiritual gifts and sacrifices, to renew thy people through the laver of regeneration. That when he shall go to meet thee, at the Second Coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Thine Only-begotten Son, he may receive the reward of a good steward in the degree committed unto him, through the plenitude of thy goodness. For blessed and glorified is Thine all-holy and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
The new Priest rises, kisses the Bishop’s right hand, turns and stands facing the people next to the Bishop in the Holy Doors. The Bishop removes the Deacon stole from him. The Bishop takes each piece of the new Priest’s vestments, blesses it and shouts to the people:
Bishop: HE IS WORTHY!
People: HE IS WORTHY!
Bishop: MUSTAHEK!
People: MUSTAHEK!
Bishop: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS! (Thrice, singing)
While the people are singing AXIOS three times, the Bishop, with the help of the Bishop’s Assistant, puts the piece of the vestment on the new Priest. The above is repeated for each piece of the vestment. Once the new Priest is fully vested, he kisses the Bishop’s right hand. All of the Clergy come to greet and congratulate the new Priest. The new Priest serves the remainder of the service as the first Priest.
Following the consecration of the Holy Gifts, the Bishop will call the new Priest to the front of the Altar and hand him the consecrated Lamb saying:
Receive thou this pledge, and preserve it whole and unharmed until thy last breath, because thou shalt be held to an accounting therefore in the Second and Awesome Coming of our Great Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The new Priest takes consecrated Lamb and kisses the Bishop’s right hand. He then walks to the back of the Altar and holds the Lamb, facing West, until the Bishop calls him back to the front. The new priest will bring the Lamb back to the Bishop immediately before, Attend. Holy things are for the Holy.
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The Elevation of an Archpriest
If the elevation is known by the candidate in advance, the candidate shall prepare for the elevation by serving Vespers on the eve of his elevation, and, after having a light supper, begin his Eucharistic Fast. During that time, he shall interact as little as possible with anyone and spend that time praying and preparing himself for the elevation. He shall refrain from marital relations during this time. He shall have his confession heard either after Vespers or during Matins on the day of the elevation.
On the day of the elevation, immediately following the reading of the Gospel, the two sponsors lead the candidate out the north door to the center of the solea.
The sponsors help the candidate make a prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a second prostration as the second sponsor intones in a loud voice:
2nd Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a third prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND! Holy Master, bless him who is before thee.
The candidate kneels before the Bishop who blesses the candidate and says:
Bishop: Our lowliness, through the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, which perfecteth every ministry, commissioneth thee to be a Protopresbyter (or Archpriest).
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord!
People: Lord, have mercy!
Bishop: O Master, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who hast graciously bestowed upon our race the Priesthood and hast endued us with the grace of this gift and honor, and hast appointed us devout and able to order the members of the Priesthood and the other servitors of thy mysteries in lesser degrees: Do thou thyself now endue also with thy grace our brother and my son, the Priest (NAME), and adorn him with Thine integrity, that he may stand at the head of the Priests of thy people, being a good example to those who are under him. Grant him to attain in goodness unto old age with devotion and propriety, and have mercy upon us all in that thou art good. For thou art the Bestower of wisdom and creation hymneth thee unto ages of ages. Amen.
The new Archpriest rises and kisses the Bishop’s right hand. The Bishop takes the Pectoral Cross, blesses it and shouts to the people:
Bishop: HE IS WORTHY!
People: HE IS WORTHY!
Bishop: MUSTAHEK!
People: MUSTAHEK!
Bishop: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS! (Thrice, singing)
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The Elevation of an Archimandrite
If the elevation is known by the candidate in advance, the candidate shall prepare for the elevation by serving Vespers on the eve of his elevation, and, after having a light supper, begin his Eucharistic Fast. During that time, he shall interact as little as possible with anyone and spend that time praying and preparing himself for the elevation. He shall have his confession heard either after Vespers or during Matins on the day of the elevation.
On the day of the elevation, immediately following the reading of the Gospel, the two sponsors lead the candidate out the north door to the center of the solea.
The sponsors help the candidate make a prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a second prostration as the second sponsor intones in a loud voice:
2nd Sponsor: COMMAND!
The sponsors help the candidate make a third prostration as the first sponsor intones in a loud voice:
1st Sponsor: COMMAND! Holy Master, bless him who is before thee.
The candidate kneels before the Bishop who blesses the candidate and says:
Bishop: Our lowliness, through the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, which perfecteth every ministry, commissioneth thee to be an Archimandrite.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord!
People: Lord, have mercy!
Bishop: O Lord, Jesus Christ our God, the pre-eternal King, the good Shepherd and Leader of the rational flock, who didst lay down thy life for thy sheep: Thou hast said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them”: Do thou thyself now, be present in this gathering, through the Grace of thy Holy Spirit, and manifest thy servant, our brother and my son, the Priest (NAME), who has been established as an Archimandrite, to be a good and esteemed member of this community. Make straight his path; enlighten his mind; implant into his heart thy fear, that he may live blamelessly and according to thy holy will, faithfully and honestly serving the needs of this holy temple, and striving for its well-being with all his strength. Keep his soul and body from every danger, and manifest him to be an inheritor of thy Kingdom. For thou art our Savior, and unto thee we ascribe glory and worship, together with Thine unoriginate Father and Thine All-Holy and good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The new Archimandrite rises and kisses the Bishop’s right hand. The Bishop takes the Pectoral Cross, blesses it and shouts to the people:
Bishop: HE IS WORTHY!
People: HE IS WORTHY!
Bishop: MUSTAHEK!
People: MUSTAHEK!
Bishop: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS!
People: AXIOS! (Thrice, singing)
The Bishop takes the epanokalymavkhion and does the same.
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