Services for the
Dedication of a Church
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THE PROCESSION OF THE RELICS AND THE ENTRANCE INTO
THE CHURCH
The
Priest takes the kairos and does the Proskomidi. The Bishop goes to the
Church in which the holy relics have been placed. There he vests in all his pontifical
vestments and gives the blessing.
Bishop
Blessed is our
God, always now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
And
they begin Psalm 142.
Psalm
142
Lord, hear my
prayer. In your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear
me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no one
living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul, humbled my life to
the ground, made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit
within me was despondent, and my heart was troubled within me. I remembered
days of old, I meditated on all your works. On the works of your hands I
would meditate. I stretched out my hands towards you. For you my soul was
like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord; my spirit has failed. Do not
turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make
me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to
me the way in which I should walk, Lord, for to you I have lifted up my soul.
Deliver me from my enemies, Lord; I have fled to you for shelter. Teach me to
do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an
upright land. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will make me live. In your
justice, you will bring my soul out of affliction, slay my enemies in your
mercy and destroy all those that afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
Then
the little Litany by the Deacon.
Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O
God, by your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and
glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let
us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To you, O Lord.
Ekphonesis
by the Bishop.
For you, our
God, are holy, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Prayer,
said by the Bishop.
Lord our God, who are faithful in your words and
without deceit in your promises, who gave your holy Martyrs the grace to
fight the good fight, to finish the course of true religion and to keep the
faith of the true confession, be entreated, all-holy Master, by their
intercessions and give to us, your unworthy servants, the grace of a part and
inheritance with them, so that, becoming imitators of them, we may be found
worthy of the good things laid up for them.
Ekphonesis.
By the mercy and
love for humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed,
together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever,
and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Bishop: Peace to all.
People: And to your spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People: To you, O Lord.
The
Bishop says the following prayer in a low voice.
Lord our God, at the intercessions of our holy Lady,
Mother of God, and of all your Saints, direct the works of the hands of us,
your unworthy servants, and make us worthy to be well-pleasing to your
goodness.
Ekphonesis.
Blessed and
glorified be the might of your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
After
the ekphonesis the Bishop orders that the divine Liturgy take place in the
Church in which the sacred Relics had been placed. Then he raises them, with
the Paten, on his head and, with the Priests and Clerics going ahead with the
holy Gospels and accompanied by the people with lighted lamps, they are
brought in procession to the Church that is about to be dedicated, while the
following troparia are chanted.
Tone
7.
Holy Martyrs,
who fought the good fight and were crowned, intercede with the Lord to have
mercy on our souls.
Glory to you,
Christ God, boast of Apostles, joy of Martyrs whose preaching was the
consubstantial Trinity.
The
Bishop leaves the Church, as do all the People, and no one remains inside
except for one cleric or lay person, who shuts the outer doors from inside.
The Bishop processes in a circle round the Church that is being dedicated
while the following Idiomels are sung.
Tone
1. By Monk John.
Be renewed, be
dedicated, O new Jerusalem; for the glory and light of the Lord have risen
upon you. For the Father has built this house; the Son has established this
house; the Holy Spirit has renewed this house, the Spirit which enlightens
and strengthens and sanctifies our souls.
The
same tone. By Anatolios.
Of old when Solomon
dedicated the temple he offered you, Lord, sacrifices and holocausts of
irrational beasts; but when you were well-pleased, O Saviour, to put an end
to types and to make known the truth, the ends of the earth offer to your
glory sacrifices without shedding of blood, for you are Master of all things
and you make all things holy by the Holy Spirit.
Tone
6.
For dedication
to be honoured is an old law, and it is good; but rather should what is new
be honoured through dedication, for islands are dedicated to God, as Isaias
says, which are to be understood as the Churches from the nations, which have
lately been established and received stability fixed on God. Therefore let us
too celebrate spiritually the festival of the present Dedication.
Glory. Both now. Tone 5.
O Word, who rest
in the bosom of the Father, send down your Holy Spirit on the Church which
has been raised up to your name.
When
the Bishop arrives before the main doors of the Church, from which he had set
out for the first circuit of the Church, he places the sacred Relics on a
table that has been put ready, and the Deacon at once reads the Apostle.
Prokeimenon.
[Psalm 26,1]
The Lord is my
enlightenment and my Saviour, whom shall I fear?
verse: The Lord is the defender of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
The Reading is
from the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.
[2:11-18]
Brethren, the One who sanctifies and those who are
sanctified are all from One. For this reason he is not ashamed to call them
brethren, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of
the church I will praise you’. And again, ‘I will put my trust in him’. And
again, ‘Here am I, and children whom God has given me’. Since, therefore, the
children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so
that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that
is the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the
fear of death. For it is clear he did not take on himself the nature of
Angels, but he took on that of the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had
to become like his brethren in every respect, so that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make atonement for the
sins of the people. For because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he
is able to help those who are being tested.
Alleluia. [Psalm 54,17]
Verse: I cried to the Lord, and God heard me.
Deacon: Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us listen to the holy Gospel.
Bishop: Peace to all.
People: And to your spirit.
The Bishop
reads the Gospel.
The Reading is
from the holy Gospel according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord! Glory to you!
Deacon: Let us attend.
[16,13-19]
At that time, when Jesus came into the district of
Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I, the Son
of Man, am?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elias, and
still others Jeremias or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do
you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon bar Jonas! For
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I
tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the
gates of Hell will not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of
the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
People: Glory to you, Lord! Glory to you!
Once
again the Bishop takes the holy Relics on his head and processes around the
Church with the Clergy and the People, while the 3rd Ode of the Canon of the
Dedication is chanted.
Ode 3.
Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in you.
With the Spirit
you have sanctified your Church on earth, O Christ, by anointing her with the
oil of your gladness..
The Church,
which has you as her unshaken foundation, O Christ, is today crowned with the
Cross as with a royal diadem.
O loving Lord,
you have shown today that the tabernacle made with hands is, by your
dispensation, the dwelling of your glory which is beyond understanding.
Theotokion.
You alone, O
Mother of God, have become the agent of supernatural blessings for those on
earth; therefore we offer you our ‘Hail!’
When
he arrives once again before the doors of the Church, he places the holy
Relics on the table and the Apostle is read by the Deacon.
Prokeimenon.
[Psalm 44,16]
Virgins in her
train will be brought to the King.
Verse: Those near her will be brought to you.
The Reading is
from the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.
[9,1-7]
Brethren, the first covenant had regulations for
worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one,
in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this
is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the
Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the
covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden jar
holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the
covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.
Of these things we cannot speak now in detail. Such preparations having been
made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their
ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once
a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for
the sins committed in ignorance by the people.
Alleluia. Tone 3. [Psalm 44,12]
Verse: Listen my daughter and see, and incline your ear, and forget your people
and your father’s house.
Deacon: Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us listen to the holy Gospel.
Bishop: Peace to all.
People: And to your spirit.
The
Bishop reads the Gospel.
The Reading is
from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord! Glory to you!
Deacon: Let us attend.
[10,38-42
& 11,27-28]
At that time, 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 Jesus’ feet and listened to his word. 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 Jesus answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and fret about many
things; one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall
not be taken away from her.’ As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her
voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts
that you sucked!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of
God and keep it!’
People: Glory to you, Lord! Glory to you!
the
Bishop takes the holy Relics on his head a third time and processes around
the Church with the Clergy and the People, while the 6th Ode of the Canon of
the Dedication is chanted.
Ode 6.
I will sacrifice to you with a voice of
praise.
Christ the King
has now desired the beauty of the holy Church, and revealed her as mother of
the nations, through the Spirit adopted from slavery as children.
The ranks of
hostile demons tremble before the Church of Christ, signed with mark of the
Cross; and the sanctifying radiance of the Spirit overshadows her.
The Church from
the nations, does not have sand but Christ as her foundation, is crowned with
the unapproachable beauty, and adorned with the diadem of the Kingdom.
Theotokion.
O wonder, newer
than all wonders! For a Virgin who did not know man conceived in the womb him
who controls all things, yet he was not circumscribed.
When
he reaches the doors of the Church for the last time, the Bishop exclaims
with a loud voice:
Blessed are you,
Christ our God, to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then
the following Troparion is sung in Tone 3.
Christ God, who
founded your Church on the rock of the faith, direct our entreaties in it and
accept a people that cries out to you, ‘Save us, our God!’
While
the above Troparion is being chanted, the Bishop places the holy Relics on
the table and, when the Troparion is finished, the Deacon exclaims:
Let us pray to
the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The
Bishop says the following Prayer.
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who are
blessed to the ages, who, through the veil of his flesh, dedicated for us
anew the entry into the Church of the ancestors whose names are written in
heaven, where there is the pure sound of those who feast and a voice of
gladness, do you, Master, lover of mankind, look on us sinners and your
unworthy servants, who perform the dedication of the honoured Church of N., as a symbol of your most holy Church, that is of
our bodily tabernacle, which, through the all-praised Apostle Paul, you
vouchsafed to call your temple and the limbs of your Christ. Make it firm
until the consummation of the age, unshaken and glorified by you, and count
us worthy to offer hymns of praise and glory in it without condemnation to
your glory and to your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit, with knowledge
and full sense, and, as we worship you in fear of you, to be found worthy of
your divine acts of pity, and that these supplications of ours, which we
offer to your ineffable compassion for us and for all your People, may be
acceptable to your goodness. At the prayers of our immaculate Lady, Mother of
God and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Aloud.
For holy are
you, our God, and you among the Saints, and to you we give glory, to the
Father, the Son and the holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of
ages.
People: Amen.
Immediately
the Deacon says: Let us pray to
the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The
Bishop, in a low voice, says the Prayer of The Entrance.
Master, Lord our God, you have set orders and armies
of Angels and Archangels in heaven to minister to your glory; grant that,
with our entrance, holy Angels may enter, concelebrating with us, and with us
glorifying your goodness.
Aloud
For to you
belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
After
this, the doors of the Church still being shut, the Bishop and the Singers
with the clerics chant the following.
Tone
6. [Psalm 23]
Lift up your gates you rulers; and be lifted up you
eternal gates, and the king of glory will enter.
from
inside the Church and behind the closed doors some one stands and answers.
Who is this king
of glory?
Those
outside reply.
The Lord mighty and powerful, the Lord powerful in
war. Lift up your gates you rulers; and be lifted up you eternal gates, and
the king of glory will enter.
The
questions in reply are taken up again as follows.
Those
inside.
Who is this king
of glory?
And
those outside.
The Lord mighty and powerful, the Lord powerful in
war. Lift up your gates you rulers; and be lifted up you eternal gates, and
the king of glory will enter.
Those
inside.
Who is this king
of glory?
Those
outside.
The Lord of powers, he is the king of glory.
At the
third answer the Bishop once again lifts the holy Relics from the table and
makes the sign of the Cross with them three times on the closed doors. And as
soon as the third answer is completed, he pushes the closed doors. When they
have been opened, the Bishop enters the Church, with the Clergy and the
Singers, and with them the whole People, as the Apolytikion is chanted.
Tone
4.
As the beauty of
the firmament above, O Lord, you have displayed the loveliness of the holy
Dwelling of your glory below. Strengthen it to age on age and accept, through
the Mother of God, our supplications which are offered in it without ceasing
to you, the Life and Resurrection of all.
The
Bishop and the Priests enter the holy Sanctuary. The holy Relics are placed
in the box prepared for them and holy Myron is poured over them three times,
while the Bishop intones.
Eternal the
memory of the Founders of this holy House.
The
People answer.
Eternal memory.
The
Bishop, with great care, secures the holy Relics in the silver box and places
it in the bottom of the hollow in the column of the holy Table, called the
‘stem’.
Then
THE SEALING OF THE RELICS INTO THE HOLY TABLE
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The
Bishop offers the Prayers distinctly.
First
Prayer.
Lord our God, who granted this glory to the holy
Martyrs who struggled for your sake, that their Relics be sown in the whole
world, in your holy Houses, and to sprout fruits of healings, do you, Master,
who are the giver of all good things, at the prayers of your Saints N. & M., whose relics you have been
well-pleased to be placed in your honoured House, count us worthy without
condemnation to offer the sacrifice without shedding of blood. And grant us
all our requests that are for salvation, bestowing in return to those who
struggled for the sake of your holy name to work marvels through them for our
salvation.
Ekphonesis.
For yours is the
Kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Second
Prayer.
Lord God, our Saviour, who do and direct all things
for the salvation of the human race, accept the entreaties of your unworthy servants
for them to perform without condemnation the Dedication of this Church, that
has been built for our salvation and the praise of your glory, in the name of
Saint N., and to make the installation of the
Table in it.
Aloud
For to you
belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
And
after the Amen they bring and
pour the wax-mastic in the middle of the ‘stem’, arrange the papers, take up
the slab and place it on the pillar. While all this is being done the Singers
chant:
Psalm
144.
I will exalt
you, my God, my King; and I will bless your name for ever and to age on age.
Every day I will bless you, and I will praise your name for ever and to age
on age. The Lord is great and highly to be praised, and there is no limit to
his greatness. Generation after generation will praise your works, and will
declare your power. They will tell of the majesty of the glory of your
holiness, and will recount your wonders. They will speak of the power of your
dread deeds, and will recount your greatness. They will proclaim the memory
of the multitude of your goodness, and rejoice at your justice. The Lord is
compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. The Lord is good
to all, and his acts of compassion are for all his works. May all your works
confess you, Lord, and all your holy ones bless you. They will speak of the
glory of your kingdom, they will tell of your power. To make known your power
to the children of humankind, the glory the majesty of your kingdom. Your
kingdom is a kingdom for all the ages, and your dominion for every
generation. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and holy in all his works.
The Lord supports all who are falling, and sets upright all who are broken
down. The eyes of all hope in you, and you give them their food in due
season. You open your hand, and fill every living thing with your good
pleasure. The Lord is just in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The
Lord is close to those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He
will do the will of those who fear him, and will hear their supplication and
save them. The Lord guards all who love him, and all sinners he will destroy.
My mouth will tell the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy
name for ever and to age on age.
While
the wax-mastic that has overflowed is being scraped up and the place, on
which flowed, is being cleaned, the Singers chant:
Psalm
22.
The Lord
shepherds me, and I will lack nothing. On a place of green pasture he has
settled me, by refreshing water he has raised me. He has turned my soul back,
he has guided me on paths of justice, for his name’s sake. For even if I walk
in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear evils, for you are with
me. Your rod and your staff have comforted me. You have prepared a table
before me, in the face of those who afflict me. You have anointed my head
with oil, and your cup inebriates me because it is most potent. And your
mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and my dwelling will be in the
house of the Lord to length of days.
THE ‘BAPTISM’ OF THE HOLY TABLE
Then
the Bishop exclaims:
Blessed is our
God, always now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People.
Amen.
And
they immediately bring the white garment and wrap it round the Bishop over his pontifical
vestments, in front from his chest to his feet, but behind from the armholes
to the waist, it is brought through the two ends and tied with a belt, so
that the pontifical vestments are not visible. Two new cloths are wrapped
round his arms and also tied with a belt. While the Bishop is being dressed
like this, a prayer mat is placed before the holy Doors.
Some
Bishops wear a long white tunic over their vestments, tied round at the
wrists like a sticharion.
Then
the Deacon says:
Again and again
on bended knees let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have
mercy.
The
Bishop, kneeling and facing the East, prays as follows:
God without beginning and eternal, who brought all
things out of nothing into being, who dwell in unapproachable light, who have
heaven as your throne, earth as your footstool, you gave Moses commandment
and model, placed in Beseleêl a spirit of wisdom and made them able to
complete the Tabernacle of Witness, in which were the ordinances of worship,
the images and patterns of the truth. To Solomon you granted breadth and
largeness of heart and through him you raised up the Temple of old. For your
holy and all-praised Apostles you dedicated anew worship in Spirit and the
grace of the true Tabernacle, and through them you planted in all the world
your holy Churches and altars, O Lord of powers, for sacred sacrifices
without shedding of blood to be offered you. Now you have been well-pleased
for this Church also to be built in the name of Saint N. to your glory and that of your only-begotten Son and the Holy
Spirit. Immortal and bountiful King, remember your acts of compassion and
mercy, for they are from all time, and do not abhor us, befouled as we are
with a multitude of sins, do not profane your covenant because of our
uncleanness, but disregard our offences, give us strength and ability by the
grace and visitation of your holy and life-giving Spirit, to accomplish
without condemnation the dedication of this Church and to effect the consecration
of the Altar within it, so that, blessing you in it with psalms and hymns and
spiritual liturgies, we may at all times magnify your compassion. Yes,
Master, Lord, God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, hear us
sinners as we entreat you, and send down your all-holy, worshipful and
all-powerful Spirit and sanctify this House. Fill it with unending light;
choose it for your dwelling; make it a tabernacle of your glory; adorn it
with your divine and supernatural gifts of grace; set it as a haven for the
storm-tossed, a place of healing for the passions, a refuge for the weak, a
place that puts demons to flight. Let your eyes be open to it by day and
night and your ears attentive to the supplication of those who enter it with
fear of you and with devotion, and who call upon your all-honoured and
worshipful name. Whatever they ask of you, you will hear in heaven above,
show mercy and be gracious to them. Keep it unshaken until the consummation
of the age and declare the Altar within it to be a Holy of Holies by the
power and operation of your Holy Spirit. Glorify it more than the Mercy Seat
under the law, so that the sacred rites performed on it may reach your holy
and spiritual altar above the heavens and bring us the grace of your most pure
overshadowing. For we take courage, not in the work of our unworthy hands,
but in your ineffable loving-kindness.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, raise us up and
keep us, O God, by your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy. And so
after each petition.
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace
from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of
the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the
union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy
house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God,
let us pray to the Lord.
For all devout
and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
For our
Archbishop N., for the honoured order of
presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people,
let us pray to the Lord.
[For our
Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, her Government, and all in
authority, let us pray to the Lord.]
For the work of
our hands and of our brothers and sisters who are with us, let us pray to the
Lord.
For this House
and the Altar within it to be made holy by the visitation, power and
operation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city],
for every city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let
us pray to the Lord.
For those who
travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in
captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our
deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to
the Lord.
Help us, save
us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.
Commemorating
our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and
Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one
another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To you, O Lord.
And
the Ekphonesis.
For holy are
you, our God and you rest among the holy and honoured Martyrs who struggled
for your sake, and to you we give glory, the father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Then
the Bishop goes in front of the holy Table and taking the pieces of soap
makes the sign of the precious Cross with them from both sides and throws
them on the holy Table in the form of a Cross. And they bring the buckets,
that is the vessels of holy Baptism, filled with warm water.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The
Bishop, bowing his head, prays over the water in a low voice.
Lord our God, who sanctified the streams of the
Jordan through your saving manifestation, now send down the grace of your
all-holy Spirit on this altar before you, and bless us and this water for the
sanctifying and perfecting of your holy altar.
Aloud.
For blessed are
you to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Then
the Bishop pours water three times on the slab of the Holy Table, saying:
In the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
And by
means of the water that has been poured out, with the pieces of soap that
have been put there, he wipes the table. Then he dries it with the new
sponge, but the column, because he cannot wipe it with his hands, he washes
and dries it with the sponge. While this is being done, there is said
Psalm
83.
How beloved are
your dwellings, O Lord of powers; my soul longs and faints for the courts of
the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God. For the
sparrow has found itself a house, and the dove a nest for herself, where she
will place her nestlings; your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they will praise you for ages of
ages. Blessed the man whose help is from you; he has placed ascents in his
heart, to the valley of weeping, to the place he has set. For the lawgiver
will give blessings; they will go from strength to strength, the God of gods
will appear in Sion. Lord God of powers hear my prayer, give ear, O God of
Jacob. O God our shield see; and look on the face of your Christ. For one day
in your courts is far better than thousands. I have chosen to be cast aside
in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners. For the
Lord God loves mercy and truth, he will give grace and glory. The Lord will
not deprive of good things those who walk in innocence. Lord God of hosts,
blessed is the one who hopes in you.
They
all chant this until the Bishop has completely wiped and washed the Holy
Table. He then gives glory to God, saying:
Glory to our God
to the ages.
The
Clerics and the Choirs: Amen.
THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY TABLE AND CONSECRATION OF
ANTIMENSIA
With
the priests standing near the Bishop and when the antimensia have been placed
on the four corners of the Table, the Bishop takes a jar full of vine-water
or rose-water or white wine and pouring from it three times, he washes the
holy Table and wipes it with the antimensia, as he chants the following:
Tone
7.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be
cleansed; you will wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will
make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will
rejoice.
This
is said three times, then the rest of the Psalm likewise to the end.
Turn away your
face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in
me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your
presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of
your salvation, and establish me with a sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors
your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my
salvation, deliver me from bloodshed, and my tongue will rejoice at your
righteousness. Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your
praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it; you will
not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in
your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will
be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt
offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.
Then
the Bishop glorifies God, saying aloud:
Blessed is our
God, always now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Reader.
Amen.
Then
he takes a vessel filled with pure Myron, or mixed with a little olive oil,
and when the Deacon has exclaimed:
Let us attend
the
Bishop, as he pours it onto the holy Table, chants three times, as at a
Baptism:
Alleluia!
and he
makes three Crosses with it, one in the middle and two on either side. And
having handed back the vessel, with his hand he wipes the whole of the holy
Table with the three Crosses. He also makes Crosses with it on the column.
While this is being done the following is chanted.
Psalm
132
See how good and
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together. Like sweet ointment on the
head which runs down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, which runs down to the
hem of his garment; like the dew from Hermon, which runs down upon the
mountains of Sion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life for
ever more.
After
this the Bishop again exclaims:
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
and
Glory to you,
holy Trinity, our God, to the ages of ages. Amen.
When
the Table has been wiped with the Antimensia, these are laid aside again by
the Priests. Then at the four corners of the Table the four cloths with the
icons, or the names, of the four Evangelists are glued with wax-mastic, like
this:
THE VESTING OF THE HOLY TABLE
AND CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH
The
Bishop takes what is called the ‘katasarkion’, which is spread out on the
Table and the strings are tied to the column in the form of a Cross beneath
the Table. While this is being done the following Psalm is chanted.
Psalm
131
Lord remember
David and all his meekness, how he swore to the Lord, made a vow to the God
of Jacob, ‘I shall not enter the shelter of my house, climb into my bed, give
sleep to my eyes, slumber to my eyelids and rest to my temples, until I find
a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.’ See, we heard of it
in Ephratha, we found it in the fields of the wood. We shall enter his
tabernacles, we shall worship towards the place where his feet have stood.
Arise, Lord, into your rest, you and the ark of your sanctification. Your
priests will clothe themselves with justice, and your holy ones will rejoice.
For David your servant’s sake, do not turn away the face of your Christ. The
Lord has sworn truth to David and he will not annul it, ‘From the fruit of
your womb I shall place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and
these testimonies of mine which I shall teach them, their sons too will sit
on your throne for ever. For the Lord has elected Sion, has chosen her as a
dwelling for himself. ‘This is my resting-place to age on age. Here I shall
dwell, for I have chosen her. Her door I shall bless abundantly, her poor I
shall fill with bread. Her priests I shall clothe with salvation, and her
holy ones will rejoice with great joy. There I shall make the horn of David
flourish; I have prepared a lamp for my Christ. I shall clothe his enemies in
shame, my sanctification will flower upon him’.
When
this is finished, the Bishop exclaims;
Glory to God to
the ages. Amen.
After
this he washes his hands in a new bucket or in the sacrarium, so that not one
single drop falls outside, and dries them with a new towel with great care
and devotion. He then takes the outer cover, or altar-cloth of the holy
Table. While this is being put on, the following Psalm is sung.
Psalm
92
The Lord is
King, he has clothed himself with glory. The Lord has clothed and
girded himself with power. For he has established the world, which will not
be shaken. Your throne is prepared from of old; from eternity you are. The
rivers lifted up, Lord, the rivers lifted up their voices. The rivers will
lift their poundings from the voices of many waters. wondrous are the
breakers of the sea; wondrous the Lord on high. Your testimonies have been
made very sure. Holiness befits your house, Lord, to length of days.
Once
again the Bishop exclaims:
Glory to you,
holy Trinity, our God, to the ages of ages. Amen.
After
this the Bishop unfolds the Antimensia on the Table, placing them one on top
of another. Then he unfolds on them the antimension of the Church and places
the sacred Gospel on top of it. The Gospel and Altar are venerated with a
kiss.
Then
he censes the holy Table, the Sanctuary and the whole Church. While the
Bishop is censing, the following Psalm is said.
Psalm
25
Judge me, Lord,
for I have walked in my innocence; and since I hope in the Lord I will not
grow weak. Test me, O Lord, and try me; refine my inner parts and my heart
with fire. For your mercy is before my eyes; and I have been well pleased by
your truth. I have not sat with a gathering of folly, nor will I go in with
the transgressors. I have hated the assembly of evil doers, nor will I sit
with the ungodly. I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will go
around your altar, Lord, to hear the voice of your praise and tell of all
your wonderful works. Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house, and the
place of the dwelling of your glory. Do not destroy my soul with the ungodly,
nor my life with men of blood, in whose hands are iniquities; their right
hand is filled with bribes. But I have walked in my innocence; rescue me,
Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot has stood in uprightness; in the churches
I will bless you, O Lord.
After
censing, the Bishop, carrying a reed to the tip of which has been bound a
sponge dipped in holy Chrism, draws the monogram of Christ
in the
apse of the Sanctuary, on the four columns and on the lintel of the door of
the Church on the inside. Then he glorifies God, exclaiming:
Glory to the
holy, all-powerful and life-giving Trinity, always, now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
AND LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS
Then
the little Litany by the Deacon.
Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O
God, by your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and
glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let
us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To you, O Lord.
Ekphonesis
by the Bishop.
For to you
belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The
Bishop says the Prayer aloud.
Lord our God, Maker of heaven and earth, with
ineffable wisdom you founded your holy Church and established on earth the
order of Priesthood as an antitype of the angelic Ministry in heaven. Accept
us now also, bountiful Master, as we pray, not because we are worthy to ask
for such great things, but that your surpassing loving-kindness may be
revealed. For you have never ceased to bestow your bounties in countless ways
upon the human race, but made the summit of your gifts the Coming of your
Only-begotten Son. He appeared on earth and made the light of salvation shine
for those in darkness, he offered himself as a sacrifice for us, and became
the whole world’s expiation, making us sharers in his own resurrection. And,
when he had been taken up into heaven, he clothed his Disciples and Apostles,
as he had promised, with power from on high, which is the Holy Spirit,
worshipful and all-powerful, who proceeds from you, God and Father. Made
powerful through the Holy Spirit in deed and word, they handed on the baptism
of filial adoption, raised up Churches, founded Altars, laid down the rules
and laws of Priesthood. Holding fast to their tradition, we sinners fall
before you, the eternal God, and we implore you, O Compassionate: Fill this
House, which has been built to sing your praise, with your glory, and declare
this Altar here to be a Holy of Holies, so that we, as we stand before it, as
before the dread throne of your kingdom, may worship you without condemnation,
offering up supplications for ourselves and for all your people and offering
to your loving-kindness the sacrifice with out shedding of blood, for pardon
of sins voluntary and involuntary, guidance in life, establishment of a good
way of living, fulfilment of all justice.
Ekphonesis.
For blessed is
your all-holy Name, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Bishop: Peace to all.
People: And to your spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People: To you, O Lord.
And
the Bishop says the Prayer.
We thank you, Lord our God, that the grace which you
poured out on your holy Apostles and our venerable Fathers, you have
vouchsafed to extend even to us sinners and your unprofitable servants.
Therefore we beg you, most merciful Master: Fill this Altar with glory,
sanctification and grace, so that the sacrifices without shedding of blood
that are offered to you in it may be changed into the immaculate Body and
precious Blood of your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus
Christ, for the salvation of all your people and of our unworthiness.
Ekphonesis.
For you are our
God, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever,
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then
the Deacon exclaims.
Let us go forth
in peace.
And
the Apostle is read.
Prokeimenon.
Tone 4. [Psalm 92]
Holiness befits
your house, Lord, to length of days.
Verse: The Lord is King, he has clothed himself with glory.
The Reading is
from the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.
[3,1-4]
Holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider
Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to him
who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in God's house. Yet Jesus
has been counted worthy of as much more glory than Moses as the builder of a
house has more honour than the house. For every house is built by some one,
but the builder of all things is God.
The Reading is
from the holy Gospel according to John.
[10,22-30]
At that time, it was the feast of the Dedication in
Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico
of Solomon. So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, ‘How long will
you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus
answered them, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do
in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because
you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,
and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to
me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the
Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’
People: Glory to you, Lord! Glory to you!
A new
lamp, a wick and olive oil are brought to the Bishop. With his own hands he
fills the lamp with oil, lights the wick, while singing three times the
opening verse of the Doxology in Tone 1.
Glory to you who
have shown us the light.
As he
removes the white robe, the towels and the belt, the Christians are permitted
to light lamps and candles. While this is happening there is chanted,
Glory. The Idiomel of the Saint.
Both now. Of the Dedication. Tone 6. By Monk John.
As we celebrate
the memory of the Dedication, loving and all-powerful Lord, we glorify you,
the giver of sanctification, asking that the senses of our souls may be
sanctified at the intercession of the glorious Champions.
Then: Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times)
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy
Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our
iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages. Amen
Our Father, in
heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come; your will be done on
earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one.
Bishop: For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages
of ages.
Reader:
Amen.
The
troparion of the saint of the Church and of the Dedication.
Apolytikion
of the Dedication. Tone 4.
As the beauty of
the firmament above, O Lord, you have displayed the loveliness of the holy
Dwelling of your glory below. Strengthen it to age on age and accept, through
the Mother of God, our supplications which are offered in it without ceasing
to you, the Life and Resurrection of all.
Then
the Litany by the Deacon.
Have mercy on
us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. (Three
times)
Again we pray
for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness
of sins for the servants of God, the Founders of this holy House and that may
be pardoned every offence both voluntary and involuntary.
People: Lord, have mercy. (Three
times)
Bishop: For you, O God, are merciful and love mankind, and to you we give glory,
to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to
the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
And
the Dismissal by the Bishop from the Holy Doors.
It is
customary that at the first Liturgy in the new Church the opening blessing, Blessed is the Kingdom…, should be chanted by the
Bishop.
|
This insert is a gift
from our Byzantine
School
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