The Service of
Consecration
THE CONSECRATION OF AN
ORTHODOX CHURCH
What is salvation for an Orthodox
Christian? For an Orthodox Christian salvation is union with Christ. This union
with Christ is called the "Life in Christ". The center of this "Life
in Christ" is the Holy Altar, as well as the services which are related to
it, i.e. the Seven Sacraments. Because the Holy Altar is so important in the
life of an Orthodox Christian, the service of Consecration centers around the
Holy Altar Table. In simple terms the Consecration Service is the Baptism and
Chrismation of the Church.
Before the Consecration Service
begins, all Articles on the Altar Table are removed, and the Altar is left
uncovered with nothing on it. When the Bishop enters the Church he will bring
with him the relics of three Saints. These relics will be placed on a Paten
(Diskarion), which will remain on the Altar Table overnight, together with a
Vigil Light.
INTRODUCTORY
SERVICES AND VESPERS
The Consecration of the Church begins
on the Eve of the celebration with a short Prayer Service honoring the memory
of Martyrs. The Vespers, a very joyous celebration follows, and many Priests
participate in it to share in the joy of the coming event.
On Sunday Morning the order of
services is: Matins (Morning Prayer), the Consecration Service and the first
Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated Church.
MATINS
(Orthros)
The Matins is a morning service held
prior to the Divine Liturgy. It begins with the reading of the six Psalms (3,
37, 62, 87,102,142) and ends with the Great Doxology. During Matins
resurrection and consecration hymns are sung. The Priest will also celebrate
part of the Proskomidi Service (preparing the Gifts which will be used during
the Divine Liturgy). At the appointed time the Bishop will enter the Church and
will put on his vestments (Ceremonial Robes). At the end of Matins the Bishop
will begin the Service of Consecration.
THE
CONSECRATION SERVICE
What exactly takes place during the
Consecration? The Consecration is a special service which "changes"
an ordinary building into the House of God. This change takes place through the
Grace of God and the Holy Spirit. Many symbolic actions take place such as:
THE SERVICE OF CONSECRATION
THE
BISHOP: Blessed is our God
always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen
READER:
Psalm 143 ‑ Hear, O Lord,
my prayer give ear to my supplication;in Thy faithfulness answer me and in Thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for in Thy sight shall no man
living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my
life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that
have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart
within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works;
I muse on the work of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul
thirsteth after Thee as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit
faileth; hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into
the pit. Cause me to hear Thy loving‑kindness in the morning; for in Thee
do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my
soul unto Thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide
me. Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God; Thy spirit is good; lead me
into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy name's sake; for Thy
righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of Thy mercy cut off mine
enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am Thy servant.
*DEACON:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
*When
the Deacon is not present, the Priest recites his petitions.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us and protect us, O
God, by Thy Grace.
Commemorating
our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorified Lady, Theotokos and Ever Virgin
Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our
whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR:
To The O Lord.
THE
BISHOP: For holy art Thou
our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to
the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
Bishop
standing before the Holy Relics reads the prayer:
THE
BISHOP: O Lord our God,
faithful in Thy words and truthful in Thy promises Who hast granted Thy holy
Martyrs to fight the good fight and to fulfill the course of godliness and to
keep the faith of true confession: Be Thou, the same all‑holy Lord,
entreated of their prayers and grant unto us Thine unworthy servants, to have a
part and inheritance with them, that being followers of them, we also may
obtain the good things which await them.
Through
Thy mercy and love toward mankind of Thine Only‑begotten Son with Whom
Thou art blessed, together with Thine all‑holy, good and life‑giving
spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE
BISHOP: Peace be with you
all.
CHOIR:
And with thy spirit.
DEACON: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
CHOIR:
To Thee, O Lord.
THE
BISHOP: O Lord our God,
through the intercessions of our Holy Lady and Mother of God and of all Thy
saints direct the works of our hands, Thine unworthy servants, and make us
worthy that we may in all things prove to be acceptable unto Thy goodness.
Blessed
and glorified be the majesty of Thy Kingdom, of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
PROCESSIONS AROUND THE CHURCH
Following
this prayer, the Bishop and Clergy together with all the Faithful prepare for
the Three Processions around the Church. The Three Processions represent the
setting aside of an area which will be separate and sacred from all other
areas.
The
Bishop raises the covered Paten on which the Holy Relics were placed, and
prepares to leave the Church. The procession is led by the Altar Boys, followed
by the Choir and Cantors, the Priests, the Bishop carrying the Relics, and the
Faithful, leaving the Church empty. As the procession leaves the Church the
Choir or Cantor sings:
HYMNS
O
Holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and have received your crowns, entreat the
Lord to save our souls.
Glory
to Thee, O Christ God, the Apostles' pride, the Martyrs, joy, who have preached
the consubstantial Trinity.
During
the processions around the Church special consecration hymns are sung, or the
Hymn "Holy God, Holy and Mighty..."
Tone 1
Be
renewed, be renewed, O New Jerusalem, because your light has shown, and the
glory of the Lord has come upon you. This house has been founded by the Father,
this house has been made firm by the Son, this house has been renewed by, the
Holy Spirit, which illumines and supports, and hallows our souls.
In
early times, while the temple was consecrated, Solomon offered to the Lord
sacrifices of animals and holocausts. When you were pleased in us O Saviour, to
forgo the formalities and let the truth be known, the whole world offers to You
the bloodless sacrifices to Your glory, because You are the Lord of all things
and make everything holy through Your Holy Spirit.
Tone Pl. 2
The
Consecration is an old honored custom, and a good one. It is however proper to
honor new churches through the consecration as an island dedicated to God. As
Isaiah says: we have acquired these sites from the congregation of the
gentiles, and established them as churches on the solid foundation of God's
Name. This is why we are celebrating this Consecration in a spiritual manner.
When
the procession reaches the front of the Church, the Bishop places the Holy
Relics on table, which has been previously placed there, and readings from the
Bible follow. A section of St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews 2:11‑18, and
St. Matthew 16:13‑20 is read.
SCRIPTURAL READINGS
DEACON:
Let us attend.
READER: The Lord is my light and my salvation. The Lord is the
protection of my life.
DEACON:
Wisdom.
READER:
The Reading is from the Epistle of
St. Paul to the Hebrews (2:11‑18).
DEACON:
Let us attend.
READER: For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have
all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I
will proclaim Thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will
praise Thee. And again, I will put my trust in Him. And again. Here am I, and
the children God has given me. Since, therefore, the children share in flesh
and blood, he himself likewise partook of the power of death, that is, the
devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong
bondage. For surely it is not with angels that He is concerned but with the
descendants of Abraham. Therefore He had to be made like His brethren in every
respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the
service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because He
Himself has suffered and been tempted, He is able to help those who are
tempted.
THE
BISHOP: Peace be with you,
Reader.
CHOIR:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
THE
BISHOP: Peace be with you
all.
CHOIR:
And with your spirit.
THE
BISHOP: The reading is from
the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew (16:13‑20).
DEACON: Let us attend.
CHOIR:
Glory to Thee, o Lord, glory to
Thee.
THE
BISHOP: Now when Jesus came
into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples. "Who do
men say that the Son of man is?" And they said. "Some say John the
Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them. "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered
him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jona! For flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are
Peter, and on the rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall
not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven."
CHOIR:
Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to
Thee.
Once
again, the Bishop picks up the Paten, and the second procession around the
Church takes place, while the Choir sings Special Hymns, or "Holy God,
Holy mighty..."
When
the procession reaches the front doors of the Church, the Relics are again
placed on the table, and readings from the Bible follow.
SCRIPTURAL READINGS
DEACON: Let us attend.
READER: She shall be brought unto the King; the virgins that
follow her shall be brought unto Thee.
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews
(9:1‑7).
DEACON: Let us attend.
READER: Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship
and an earthly sanctuary For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were
the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the
Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies,
having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all
sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's
rod that budded and the tables of the covenant above it were the cherubim of
glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak
in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go
continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the
second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without
taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
THE
BISHOP: Peace be with you,
Reader.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
DEACON: Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
THE
BISHOP: Peace be with you
all.
CHOIR: And with thy spirit.
THE
BISHOP: The Reading is from
the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (10:38-42).
DEACON: Let us attend.
THE
BISHOP: Now as they went on
their way Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into
her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet
and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving
and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me
to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered
her. “Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about many things; one
thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be
taken away from her.”
CHOIR: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
The
Bishop picks up the Paten with the Holy Relics, and the final procession takes
place. The Choir continues to sing Special Hymns or "Holy God, Holy
mighty..."
At
the end of the third procession the Bishop places the Paten on the table and
recites a prayer.
THE
BISHOP: Blessed art Thou, O
Christ our God, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR: O Christ our God, Who didst build Thy Church upon the rock
of faith, direct our petitions and receive Thy people who in faith cry unto
Thee, save us, O our God.
DEACON: Let us pray to Lord.
The
Bishop then offers a shorter prayer in which he asks God to protect His new
House of Worship.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
THE
BISHOP: Blessed be Thou
forever, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who through the veil of His
flesh hath consecrated for us an entrance into the Church of the first‑born,
who are written in heaven, where is the abode of those who rejoice, and the
voice of gladness; Do Thou the same Lord, Who lovest mankind, look upon us Thy
sinful and unworthy servants who now celebrate the consecration of the
honorable Church of the Holy Apostles after the pattern of Thy most holy
Church, that is, of our own body, which Thou hast made worthy unto us by Thine
all‑laudable Apostle Paul to call Thy Church; and establish it immovable
unto the end of time and glorified in Thee. And vouchsafe that without
condemnation we may offer therein praises and exaltations unto Thy glory, and
unto Thine Only‑begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Thy Holy Spirit
with understanding, and with all emotion and that those who worship Thee in Thy
fear may show themselves worthy of Thy divine bounties; and that these prayers
offered up by us and by all Thy people unto thine ineffable loving kindness may
be acceptable unto Thy goodness: Through the prayers of our most holy Lady,
Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.
For
holy art Thou, O our God, Who restest on the Saints. And unto Thee do we
ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and
ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
DEACON:
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have
mercy.
THE
BISHOP: O Master, Lord our
God, Who hast appointed in heaven orders and armies of angels and archangels
for the ministry of Thy Glory: Grant that there may be with our entrance, the
entrance of Thy holy angels, ministering with us and glorifying with us Thy
goodness.
For
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 the ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
THE DIALOGUE FROM PSALM 24 ‑ ENTRY INTO CHURCH
The
Bishop standing in front of the Doors of the Church, begins a short dialogue.
The words of this conversation are taken from Psalm 24. This act represents
Christ the King entering and taking over the Church building by defeating the
power of the devil. The Bishop taps on the door with his staff and says:
THE
BISHOP: Open, Open the
gates and let them remain open forever and let the King of glory enter.
The
priest, who is the only one inside the Church and represents an Angel, is
surprised to hear this command, and asks:
Who is this King of Glory?
THE
BISHOP: The Lord strong and
mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.
(This
dialogue is repeated 3 times.)
Having
said this, the Bishop raises the Paten and makes the sign of the Cross before
the Church doors. The doors are then unlocked by the Godparent, and the Bishop
enters the Church carrying the Holy Relics followed by all the clergy and the
congregation. The faithful light candles, venerate the Holy Icons in the
Narthex, and return to their seats. The psalti (chanter) in the meantime sings:
Forasmuch
as Thou hast shown forth the splendor of the firmament on high and the beauty
of the holy habitation of Thy glory here below, O Lord: Establish Thou the same
forever, and accept our petitions continually offered unto Thee therein;
Through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the life and the Resurrection of all men.
THE DEPOSITION OF THE HOLY RELICS
The
Bishop enters the Sanctuary, carrying the Paten with the Holy relics.
Uncovering the Paten, he places the Holy Relics in a small gold box. He then
pours Holy Chrism over the Relics; this act symbolizes the union between our
Lord, and His Martyrs. Having done this the Bishop prays for the founders of
the Church who have fallen asleep (died)
.
THE
BISHOP: Eternal be the
memory of the builders of this Holy Church.
CONGREGATION: Eternal be their memory.
In
the early years of Christianity the Church was not allowed to exist; for many years
the early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ. In
those days, the Christians met in underground burial places and celebrated the
Eucharist on the graves of the martyred Saints. When the persecutions ended,
and the Church was allowed to exist, the custom of celebrating the Eucharist
over the graves of Martyrs continued by placing Holy Relics in the Altar at the
time of the Consecration. In this manner, we are always reminded that the
Church was built on the Blood of the Martyrs and their faith in the Lord.
Since
the Consecration centers around the Holy Altar Table (for it represents the
center of all Sacraments and services of the Church), the Bishop prays and asks
for God's help to accomplish the service:
DEACON:
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
THEBISHOP:
O Lord our God, Who hast
bestowed upon the holy Martyrs which suffered for Thy sake this glory also,
that their relics should be sown in all the earth, in Thy holy churches, and
should bring forth fruits of healing: Do Thou, the Same Master, Who art the
giver of all good things, through the intercession of the Saints whose relics
Thou hast graciously permitted to be placed in this Thy venerable Altar, enable
us without condemnation to offer unto Thee thereon the bloodless sacrifice: And
grant us all those petitions which are unto salvation, vouchsafing also to the
relics therein of those who have suffered for thy holy Name, that they may work
miracles unto our salvation.
For
Thine art 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.
CHOIR:
Amen.
There
follows a shorter prayer in which the Bishop once again asks for God's
Blessings and help:
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
THE
BISHOP: O Lord, God our
Saviour, Who createst all things and makest the race of man for salvation,
accept the prayer of us, Thine unworthy servants; and enable us at this present
hour without condemnation to accomplish the consecration of this Church,
founded to Thy praise in the name of (Church's Name) and to consummate
the building therein of an Altar.
For
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.
CHOIR:
Amen.
Following
these two prayers the Bishop places the gold box containing the Holy relics
into a special cavity in the altar. In order to seal them permanently the
Bishop pours wax/mastic over them. The wax/mastic contains many sweet smelling
and fragrant spices, which were used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to
anoint the Body of Christ in preparation for burial. The Holy Altar represents
the Tomb in which our Lord's body was placed. All of this takes place during the
reading of Psalm 145.
READER: Psalm 145 ‑ I will magnify Thee, O God, my King; and
I will praise Thy Name forever and ever. Every day will I give thanks unto
Thee: and praise Thy Name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and marvelous
worthy to be praised; there is no end of his greatness. One generation shall
praise Thy works unto another and declare Thy power. As for me I will be
talking of Thy worship, Thy glory, Thy praise, and wondrous works; so that men
shall speak of the might of Thy marvelous acts; and I will also tell of Thy
greatness. The memorial of Thine abundant kindness shall be showed and men
shall sing of Thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful;
longsuffering, and of great goodness. The Lord is loving unto every man; and
His mercy is over all His works. All thy works praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy
saints give thanks unto Thee. They show the glory of Thy Kingdom, and talk of
Thy power, that Thy power, Thy glory, and mightiness of Thy Kingdom, might be
known unto men. Thy kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Thy dominion
endureth throughout all ages. The Lord upholdeth all such as fall, and lifteth
up all those that are down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord; and Thou
givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest all
things living with plenteousness. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon
Him; yea, all such as call upon Him faithfully. He will fulfill the desire of
them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them. The Lord preserveth
all them that love Him; but scattereth abroad all the ungodly. My mouth shall
speak the Praise of the Lord; and let all flesh give thanks unto Him holy Name
forever and ever.
As
the Bishop removes the excess wax/mastic, Psalm 23 is read. The Deposition
(placing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table) is now completed, and the
Bishop prepares to wash and anoint the Altar Table.
Psalm
23 ‑ The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed
me in a green pasture, and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall
convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness of His Name's
sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt
prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; Thou hast anointed my
head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But Thy loving kindness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
THE WASHING OF THE ALTAR TABLE
Since
the Altar Table represents the Tomb of Christ and His body lies therein. The
Altar must undergo its own "Baptism" (washing) and
"Chrismation" (anointing). Before washing and anointing the Altar
Table the Bishop puts on a white linen garment called the Savanon. While the
faithful kneel, the Bishop reads the prayer of Consecration:
THE
BISHOP: Blessed is our God
always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
DEACON:
Again and again, bending on our
knees, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
THE
BISHOP: O God, without
beginning and eternal, Who callest all things into being from nothingness; Who
dwellest in light unapproachable, and hast the heavens for Thy throne, and the
earth for Thy footstool; Who didst give a law and pattern unto Moses and didst
inspire Bezaleel with the spirit of wisdom, and dist enable them to complete
the perfect building of the Tabernacle of Thy Covenant, wherein ordinances of
divine worship were instituted which were the images and types of the truth;
Who didst bestow upon Solomon breadth and greatness of heart, and thereby didst
rear of old the Church; and upon Thy holy and all‑laudable Apostles didst
renew the service in the Spirit, and the grace of the true Tabernacle, and
through the same, O Lord of Hosts, didst plant thy Churches and Thine Altars in
all the earth, that there might be offered unto Thee consecrated and bloodless
sacrifices; Who, also, hast graciously been pleased to found this Church, in
the Name of (Church's Name) to Thy glory, and to the glory of Thine Only‑begotten
Son, and of Thine all‑holy Spirit: Do Thou, the same immortal and
generous King, call to mind Thy bounties and Thy mercies, which are from
everlasting, and abhor not us who are defiled with a multitude of sins, neither
annual Thou Thy Covenant because of our uncleanliness; but disregard Thou now
our iniquities, and strengthen us with the Grace and inspiration of Thy life‑giving
and Holy Spirit, that without condemnation we may accomplish the renewal of
this Church, and fulfill the consecration of the Altar therein; that therein
blessing Thee in Psalms, and songs, and mystical rites we may always magnify
Thy loving‑kindness. Yea, O Master, Lord our God, the hope of all the
ends of the earth, hear us sinners who make our supplications unto Thee, and
send down Thine all‑holy and worshipful, and almighty Spirit, and
sanctify this Church and this Altar; Fill it with the light everlasting; elect
it for Thy dwelling place; make it the abode of Thy glory. Adorn it with Thy
divine and supernatural gifts. Appoint it for a haven of the tempest tossed,
for a healing of passions, for a refuge of the weak, for an expelling of evil
spirits. Let Thine eyes be open upon it day and night and let Thine ears be
heedful of the prayer of those who shall enter therein in Thy fear, and in
devoutness, and shall call upon Thine all honorable and worshipful Name; that
whatsoever they shall ask of Thee, Thou wilt hear it in heaven above and wilt
show mercy and be gracious unto them. Preserve it indestructible even unto the
end of the ages, and show forth the holy Altar therein, an Altar of Thy Holy
Things through the power and indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit, Glorify it above
the Mercy Seat according to the Law; that the holy offices which shall be
celebrated thereon may attain unto Thy holy, and most heavenly and supersensual
Altar and obtain for us the grace of Thy most pure over‑shadowing; for we
trust not in the service of our unworthy hands, but in Thine unspeakable
goodness.
The
Deacon then offers petitions for the peace of the world, for the Church and
city in which it is located, for the Consecrating Bishop, and for the Holy
Altar Table.
DEACON:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us,
raise and protect us, O God by Thy Grace.
In
peace, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
For the peace from above, and
the salvation of our souls let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
For this Holy House and for
those that enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the
Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy
.
DEACON:
For our (Consecrating Bishop)
the honorable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ and for all clergy and
laity, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
For the work of our hands and
our assembled brethren, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
For the sanctification of this
Holy House and the Altar therein through the descent, might and works of the
Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
For this City and every city and
land and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
For those who travel by land,
sea and air, for the sick, the suffering and captives and for their salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON:
Help us, save, have mercy on us,
O God, by Thy Grace.
Commemorating
our most holy, pure, blessed and glorified Lady, Theotokos and Ever‑Virgin
Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our
whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR:
To Thee, O Lord.
THE
BISHOP: For holy art Thou, O
our God, Who restest among the Saints and the Martyrs who suffered for Thee,
and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
A
basin of water is brought to the Bishop who blesses and prays for its
sanctification.
DEACON:
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
THE
BISHOP: O Lord our God, Who
sanctified the streams of Jordan by Thy saving manifestation. Do Thou, the same
Lord, Send down also now the Grace of the all‑Holy Spirit on this Thy
present Altar and bless us and this water unto sanctification and completion of
Thy Holy Altar.
For
blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.