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THE CONSECRATION

HIERARCH

Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

READER

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant. [SAAS]

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

HIERARCH

For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

HIERARCH

The Hierarch standing before the Holy Relics reads the prayer:

O Lord our God, You are faithful in Your words and You never lie in Your promises; You granted Your holy Martyrs to fight the good fight and to finish the course of godliness and to keep the faith of the true confession. All-holy Lord, be entreated by their prayers and grant us, Your unworthy servants, to have a part and inheritance with them, that being imitators of them, we too may obtain the good things that await them.

By the mercy and benevolence of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( To You, O Lord. )

HIERARCH

O Lord our God, by the intercessions of our holy Lady Theotokos and all Your saints, direct the works of our hands, and grant us, Your unworthy servants, to be pleasing to Your goodness in all things.

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PROCESSIONS AROUND THE CHURCH

Following this prayer, the Hierarch 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 Hierarch raises the covered Paten on which the Holy Relics were placed, and prepares to leave the Church. The procession is led by the Acolytes, followed by the Choirs, the Clergy, the Hierarch carrying the Relics, and the Faithful, leaving the Church empty. As the procession leaves the Church the Choirs sing:

CHOIR

Grave Mode.

O holy Martyr Saints, who competed well and received the crowns of laurel, intercede with the Lord for us, that His mercy come upon our souls. [SD]

Grave Mode.

Glory be to You, Christ our God, the Apostles’ pride and joy, exultation of the Martyr Saints, whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]

During the processions around the Church special consecration hymns are sung, or the Hymn “Holy God…”

Mode 1.

Be consecrated, be consecrated, O new Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. This house was built by the Father; this house was made firm by the Son; this house was renewed by the Holy Spirit, which illumines and supports, and sanctifies our souls. [SD]

Mode 1.

In the Old Testament, when the Temple was consecrated, Solomon offered sacrifices of irrational animals and whole-burnt offerings, O Lord. Since You, O Savior, were well pleased that the types should cease and the truth be known, now the whole world offers bloodless sacrifices to Your glory; for as the Lord of all, by Your Holy Spirit You sanctify everything. [SD]

Mode pl. 2.

Consecration is an old honored custom, and a good one. And it is also proper to honor new churches through consecration. As Isaiah says, islands will be dedicated to God, which are to be understood as the churches of the Gentiles, which have recently been established, and have their sturdy construction by God. Therefore let us also spiritually celebrate the festival of the present Consecration. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Mode pl. 1.

O Logos of God, who rests in the bosom of the Father, send down Your Holy Spirit in this Sanctuary, which was erected in Your name. [SD]

When the procession reaches the front of the Church, the Hierarch places the Holy Relics on table, which has been previously placed there, and readings from the Bible follow.

READINGS

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 26.

The Lord is my light and my savior; whom shall I fear?

Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life; whom shall I dread?

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

2:11 – 18

Brethren, 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 your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” 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 same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has 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. [RSV]

HIERARCH

Peace be with you the reader.

The Holy Gospel

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

HIERARCH

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

HIERARCH

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

HIERARCH

16:13 – 19

At that time, 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 son of Jonah! 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 this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades 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.” [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Once again, the Hierarch picks up the Paten, and the second procession around the Church takes place, while the Choir sings Special Hymns, e.g. from the Canon of the Consecration, the Canon of Pascha, or the hymn “Holy God.”

When the procession reaches the front doors of the Church, the Relics are again placed on the table, and readings from the Bible follow.

READINGS

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 3. Psalm 44.

The virgins behind her shall be brought to the King.

Verse: Her neighbors shall be brought to You.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

9:1 – 7

Brethren, the first tent had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the first 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 sins committed unintentionally by the people. [RSV]

HIERARCH

Peace be with you the reader.

The Holy Gospel

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

HIERARCH

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

HIERARCH

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

HIERARCH

10:38 – 42; 11:27 – 28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called 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 you 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.” 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 nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

The Hierarch picks up the Paten with the Holy Relics, and the final procession takes place. The Choir continues to sing Special Hymns. (e.g. Apolytikia of relics) or the hymn “Holy God.”

At the end of the third procession the Hierarch places the Paten on the table and recites a prayer.

HIERARCH

Blessed are You, O Christ our God, unto the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Mode 3.

O Christ our God, who built Your Church on the rock of faith, direct our petitions and receive Your people who in faith cry to You: Save us, O our God.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

The Hierarch then offers a shorter prayer in which he asks God to protect His new House of Worship.

HIERARCH

O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, You are the One is blessed forever. Through the veil of Your Son’s flesh, You inaugurated an entrance for us into the Church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, where they celebrate with a clear voice of great joy. We entreat You, Master who love humanity, look upon us Your sinful and unworthy servants, as we conduct the consecration of this holy church of name of the church; May it symbolize Your most holy Church, namely this body of ours, which You have qualified to be called temple and members of Your Christ, by St. Paul, the all-lauded Apostle. Keep this structure standing strong till the end of time, unshaken, and glorified in You. Allow us to enter it without reproach, understanding and sensing everything, and to offer praises and doxologies to Your glory, and to Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to Your Holy Spirit. May we worship You in fear of You, and thus be found worthy of Your divine tender mercies. Graciously accept these prayers that we offer to Your ineffable compassion, for ourselves and for all Your people, at the intercessions of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

HIERARCH

O Master, Lord our God, who have appointed in heaven orders and armies of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory, grant that with our entrance there may be the entrance of Your holy angels, ministering with us and together glorifying Your goodness.

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

THE DIALOGUE FROM PSALM 24 - ENTRY INTO THE CHURCH

The Hierarch standing in front of the Doors of the Church, begins a short dialogue. The words of this conversation are taken from Psalm 23 (24). This act represents Christ the King entering and taking over the Church building by defeating the power of the devil. The Hierarch taps on the door with his staff and says:

HIERARCH

Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.

The priest, who is the only one inside the Church and represents an Angel, is surprised to hear this command, and asks:

PRIEST

Who is this King of glory?

HIERARCH

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle.

Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.

PRIEST

Who is this King of glory?

HIERARCH

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle.

Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.

PRIEST

Who is this King of Glory?

HIERARCH

The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Having said this, the Hierarch raises the Paten and makes the sign of the Cross 3 times before the Church doors. The doors are then opened and the Hierarch enters the Church carrying the Holy Relics followed by all the clergy and the congregation. The choir in the meantime sings:

CHOIR

Apolytikion for the Consecration.

Mode 4.

You have made the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Your glory to be like the majesty of the firmament on high, O Lord. Make it strong forever and ever, and accept our supplications that we unceasingly bring to You there, at the intercession of the Theotokos. For You are the life and resurrection of all. [SD]

THE PLACEMENT OF THE HOLY RELICS

The Hierarch enters the Sanctuary, carrying the Paten with the Holy relics. Uncovering the Paten, he places the Holy Relics in a small box. He then pours Holy Chrism over the Relics; this act symbolizes the union between our Lord, and His Martyrs. Having done this the Hierarch prays for the deceased founders of the Church.

HIERARCH

Everlasting be the memory of the founders of this holy House.

PEOPLE

Eternal be their memory. Eternal be their memory. 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 Hierarch prays and asks for God’s help to accomplish the service:

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

HIERARCH

O Lord our God, Who granted the holy Martyrs who suffered for Your sake this glory also, that their relics should be sown in all the earth, in Your holy churches, and should bring forth fruits of healing: Master and the giver of all good things, through the intercession of the Saints whose relics You have graciously permitted to be placed in this Your venerable Altar, enable us without condemnation to offer the bloodless sacrifice to You on it. And grant us all those petitions that are for our salvation, granting also that the relics in it of those who have suffered for Your holy name may work miracles for our salvation.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

HIERARCH

O Lord, God our Savior, Who creates all things and makes the human race for salvation, accept the prayer of us, Your unworthy servants; and enable us at this present hour without condemnation to accomplish the consecration of this Church, founded to Your praise in the name of name of the church; and to consummate the building of an Altar in it.

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Following these two prayers the Hierarch places the box containing the Holy relics into a special cavity in the Altar. In order to seal them permanently the Hierarch 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 his burial. The Holy Altar represents the Tomb in which our Lord’s body was placed. All of this takes place during the chanting or reading of Psalm 144.

CHANTER/READER

Psalm 144 (145)

I shall exalt You, my God and my King, and I shall bless Your name forever and unto ages of ages. Every day I shall bless you and praise Your name forever and unto ages of ages. Great is the Lord and exceedingly praiseworthy, and His greatness has no limit. Generation and generation shall praise Your works, and they shall declare Your power. They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of Your holiness, and they shall describe Your wonders. They shall also speak of the power of Your awesome deeds and describe Your great majesty. They shall overflow with the memory of Your rich goodness, and shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, longsuffering and abundant in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are upon all His works. O Lord, let all Your works praise You and Your holy ones bless You. They shall tell of Your kingdom’s glory, and they shall speak of Your power, that all the sons of men may know Your power and the glory of Your kingdom’s magnificence. Your kingdom is a kingdom of all the ages, and Your dominion is from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in His words and holy in all His works. The Lord supports all who stumble and restores all who are broken down. All eyes hope in You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and fill every living thing with Your pleasure. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He shall do the will of those who fear Him, and He shall hear their supplications and save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the sinners He shall utterly destroy. My mouth shall speak the Lord’s praise, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and unto ages of ages. [SAAS]

As the Hierarch removes the excess wax/ mastic, Psalm 22 is read. The Deposition (placing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table) is now completed, and the Hierarch prepares to wash and anoint the Altar Table.

CHANTER/READER

Psalm 22 (23).

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord to the end of my days. [SAAS]

THE WASHING OF THE ALTAR TABLE

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 Hierarch puts on a white garment called the Savanon.

HIERARCH

Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Again, on bended knees, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

While the faithful kneel, the Hierarch reads the prayer of Consecration:

HIERARCH

O God, without beginning and eternal, You brought all things from nonexistence into being. You dwell in light unapproachable, and have the heavens for Your throne, and the earth for Your footstool. You gave a command and pattern to Moses and inspired Bezaleel with the spirit of wisdom, and thus enabled them to complete the Tabernacle of Testimony, wherein ordinances of divine worship were instituted, which were the images and types of the truth. You bestowed on Solomon breadth and greatness of heart, and through him You raised the Temple of old; and later, through Your holy and all-laudable Apostles, You inaugurated worship in the Spirit and the grace of the true Tabernacle; and through Your Apostles, O Lord of Hosts, You planted Your holy churches and Your altars throughout the world, so that spiritual and bloodless sacrifices might be offered to You. You have also been well-pleased that this Church was built in the name of name of the church; to the glory of You and Your only-begotten Son and Your all-holy Spirit. O immortal and munificent King, remember Your tender-love and Your mercies, that they are from everlasting, and do not abhor us who are defiled by many sins, nor degrade Your covenant because of our impurity. But now rather overlook our offenses; and, by the grace and decent of Your holy and life-giving Spirit, strengthen and enable us, to perform, without condemnation, the consecration of this sanctuary and the dedication of the Altar in it, so that in this, too, we may bless You in Psalms and hymns and mystical ceremonies, we may magnify Your compassion at all times.

Yes, O Master, Lord our God, the hope of all the ends of the earth: hear us sinners who make our supplications to You, and send down Your all-holy, worshipful, and almighty Spirit, and sanctify this house. Fill it with eternal light; choose it for Your dwelling; make it the place where Your glory dwells. Adorn it with Your divine and transcendent gifts. Make it a harbor for the storm-tossed, a healing clinic, a refuge for the weak, a place where demons are driven out. Let Your eyes watch over it day and night, and let Your ears be attentive to the supplication of those who enter it with the fear of You and with reverence, and who call on Your all-honorable and worshipful name. And thus, whatever they shall ask of You, You will hear it in heaven above and will do it, and You will be gracious to them. Keep it indestructible until the end of time, and make the Altar herein a holy of holies, by the power and action of Your all-holy Spirit. Glorify it more than the mercy seat of the Old Testament; that the sacraments that are celebrated here may reach Your holy, heavenly and spiritual Altar and obtain for us the grace of Your most pure overshadowing. We do not trust in the ministrations of our unworthy hands, but in Your ineffable goodness.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, raise us up and protect us, O God, by your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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 stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity 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 pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, for the president, and for all in public service, let us pray to the Lord.

For the work of our hands and that of our brethren with us, let us pray to the Lord.

For the sanctification of this house and the Altar of sacrifice herein by the descent, power and action of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

HIERARCH

For You are holy, our God, who rest among the Saints and the Martyrs who suffered for You, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

A basin of water is brought to the Hierarch who blesses and prays for its sanctification.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

HIERARCH

Lord our God, who sanctified the waters of the Jordan by Your saving appearance, will You now also send down the grace of Your Holy Spirit, and bless this water for the sanctification and perfection of this Altar. For You are blessed to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

( Amen. )

The Hierarch then pours water on the Altar three times saying: “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” and washes the Altar Table while Psalm 83 is read. This act symbolizes Baptism: The Altar is cleaned by washing, and sanctified (made holy) by the grace of the Holy Spirit. After washing, the Altar is then dried.

CHANTER/READER

Psalm 83 (84).

How beloved are Your dwellings, O Lord of hosts. My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh greatly rejoice in the living God. For even the sparrow found a house for herself, and the turtledove a nest for herself, where she will lay her young, Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they shall praise You unto ages of ages. Blessed is the man whose help is from You, O Lord; he purposed ascents in his heart in the valley of weeping, into the place he appointed; for there the lawgiver shall give blessings. They shall go from strength to strength; the God of gods shall be seen in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. O God, our protector, behold, and look upon the face of Your anointed. For one day in Your courts is better than a thousand; I chose to be an outcast 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’s hand will not remove good things from those who walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who hopes in You. [SAAS]

HIERARCH

Glory to our God unto the ages.

( Amen. )

ANOINTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE

The Hierarch sprinkles rosewater on the Altar Table as he recites:

HIERARCH

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. [SAAS]

Rosewater is a sweet smelling fragrance which was used to anoint the Body of Christ for burial. The Cantors continues the rest of Psalm 50 while the Altar Table is wiped dry by the he assisting Priests. The Priests use Antimens to do this.

Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

HIERARCH

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

The Hierarch anoints the Altar with Holy Chrism (once in the center and then on either side) while he sings: “Alleluia” (3x). He spreads the Holy Chrism over the entire Altar Table as he recites a section from Psalm 132:

HIERARCH

Psalm 132 (133).

Behold now, what is so good or so pleasant as for brothers to dwell together in unity? It is like fragrant oil running down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down upon the border of his garment; it is like the dew of Hermon, running down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing and life forever. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. )

Glory to You, Holy Trinity our God, glory to You, unto ages of ages. ( Amen. )

The Priests then wipe the excess Chrism with the Corporal (Antiminsion).

St. Symeon, in writing about the anointing of the Altar Table, says the following: “Since the Altar is anointed with the Holy Chrism, which represents the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Altar Table then becomes a source of grace to all people through the sacraments which are celebrated thereon. The Holy Gospel is placed on the Altar, the Holy Relics are within, so we see that the Altar becomes the Altar of Christ, a throne of glory, the dwelling place of God, and the Tomb of Christ.”

Next, icons of the four Evangelists are fastened to the Altar (one in each corner). The completed Altar represents the entire Church, which from the four corners of the world is held together by the Lord, and is built on Him through the preaching of the Gospel. Following the anointing, the Hierarch begins the vesting (putting on the new coverings) of the Altar Table.

THE VESTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE

The Altar Table is now covered with the “Katasarkion.” This white linen cloth represents the Lord’s burial shroud. The Katasarkion is tied with a cord which represents the cord with which our Lord’s hands were tied as He stood before the High Priests. The Katasarkion will never be removed and will remain on the Altar for as long as the Church remains standing. As the Katasarkion is being placed on the Altar, Psalm 131 is read:

CHANTER/READER

Psalm 131 (132).

Remember David, O Lord, and all his meekness, how he swore to the Lord, how he vowed to the God of Jacob, “I shall not enter my dwelling, I shall not recline on my bed, I shall not close my eyes in sleep nor my eyelids for dozing, nor give any rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.” Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the plains of the wood; let us enter into His tabernacles; let us worship at the place where His feet stood. Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness; Your priests shall clothe themselves in righteousness; Your saints shall greatly rejoice. For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away from the face of Your anointed. The Lord swore to David this truth, and He shall not reject it, “I shall set upon your throne one from the fruit of your loins. If your sons keep My covenant and these testimonies I shall teach them, then their sons shall sit upon your throne forever.” For the Lord has chosen Zion; He chose her for His dwelling: “This is My place of rest unto ages of ages; here I shall dwell, for I have chosen her. Blessing, I shall bless her provision; I shall satisfy her poor with bread; and I shall clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice exceedingly with great joy; there I shall cause to spring up a horn for David; there I prepared a lamp for my anointed; his enemies I shall clothe with shame; upon him shall My sanctification flourish.” [SAAS]

HIERARCH

Glory to our God unto the ages. ( Amen. )

Having placed the Katasarkion over the Altar, the Hierarch says: “Glory to You our God unto ages of ages.” He washes his hands, and covers the Altar Table with a brighter and more elaborate cover which symbolizes the glory of God. While he covers the Altar Table, the reader reads Psalm 92:

CHANTER/READER

Psalm 92 (93).

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power; and He established the world, which shall not be moved. Your throne is prepared from of old; You are from everlasting. The rivers, O Lord, lift up; the rivers lift up their voices; because of the voices of their many waters, marvelous are the billows of the sea; wondrous is the Lord on high. Your testimonies are very much believed; holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]

HIERARCH

Glory to You, Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You, unto ages of ages. ( Amen. )

The Hierarch proceeds to place the other holy articles on the Altar Table. First he places the Corporal (Antiminsion); on top of this is placed the Gospel Book (representing the teachings of Christ.) The Pyx (Artophorion), in which the Body and Blood of our Lord is placed, and is reserved for Communion of the sick. The Artophorion is symbolic of the presence of our Lord. The candlesticks which are placed last represent the light of Christ that shines forth during the sacred services.

Since the Altar has been consecrated, sanctified and adorned with all its furnishings, the Altar and the entire Church are now censed with incense while Psalm 25 is read:

CHANTER/READER

Psalm 25 (26).

Judge me, O Lord, for I walk in my innocence, and by hoping in the Lord, I shall not weaken. Prove me, O Lord, and test me, try my reins and my heart in the fire. For Your mercy is before my eyes, and I was well-pleasing in Your truth. I have not sat down with vain councils, nor will I go in with those who transgress the law. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the ungodly. I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of praise and tell of all Your wondrous works. O Lord, I love the beauty of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. Do not destroy my soul with the ungodly, nor my life with men of blood, in whose hands is lawlessness; their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my innocence; redeem me and have mercy on me. For my foot stands in uprightness; in the churches I will bless You, O Lord. [SAAS]

ANOINTING OF THE CHURCH

The Hierarch then anoints the four walls of the Church and the holy Icons making the sign of the Cross on them with Holy Chrism. This act symbolizes the sanctification of all creation with the grace of Christ.

HIERARCH

Glory to the holy and almighty and life-giving Trinity, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

HIERARCH

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH AND THE ALTAR TABLE

Upon completion of the Anointing, the Hierarch offers prayers for the Altar and the Church:

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

HIERARCH

Lord of heaven and earth, who founded Your holy Church with ineffable wisdom and established Holy Orders on earth to correspond to the Angels’ ministrations in heaven: will You, O munificent Lord, receive us who pray to You; not that we are worthy to ask such great things of You, but that the overabundance of Your goodness may become apparent; for You have not ceased doing good in many ways to the human race. The pinnacle of Your benevolence was that You granted us the coming of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh. He was seen on earth, and He shined the light of salvation on those who sat in darkness. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and became the propitiation for the whole world. He made us partakers of His resurrection. He ascended into heaven, and, as He promised, he clothed His Disciples and Apostles with power from on high, which is the Holy Spirit, who is worshipped and almighty, and who proceeds from You, God the Father. Through the Holy Spirit they became mighty in word and deed, they delivered to us the Baptism of adoption, they built Churches, they established holy Altars, and they instituted canons and laws. And we sinners, now in possession of this tradition, come before You, the eternal God and implore You, O compassionate Lord: As this sanctuary was erected for the purpose of singing hymns of praise to You, fill it with Your divine glory, and make the holy Altar set up herein to be a Holy of Holies, so that when we stand before it, as before the dread Throne of Your kingdom, we may serve You without condemnation, and may send up petitions for ourselves and for all Your people, and offer the bloodless sacrifice to Your goodness, for the forgiveness of sins both voluntary and involuntary, for the governing of our life, to lead a good life, and to fulfill all righteousness.

For blessed is Your all-holy and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

HIERARCH

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( To You, O Lord. )

The Hierarch blesses the faithful and offers another prayer for the Altar Table. He asks God to fill this Altar with His grace so that the bloodless Sacrifice may be offered upon it:

HIERARCH

We thank You, O Lord God of hosts, for because of Your great benevolence, You have granted to extend, even to us sinners and Your unworthy servants, that same grace that You poured out on Your holy Apostles and our holy Fathers. Therefore we pray You, very merciful Master: Fill this Altar with glory and holiness and grace, so that the bloodless sacrifices that will be offered to You on it may be transformed into the most pure Body and precious Blood of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, for the salvation of all Your people, and of our unworthiness. For You are our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

The appointed lessons for the Epistle and Gospel are those for the Consecration. If it is a Sunday or a feast day, use two readings for each, first for the Consecration and second for the Sunday or feast day.

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 92.

Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days.

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

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 all his house. Yet Jesus has been counted worthy of as much more glory than Moses as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. (For every house is built by some one but the builder of all things is God. [RSV]

HIERARCH

Peace be with you the reader.

The Holy Gospel

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

PRIEST

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

HIERARCH

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John. Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

HIERARCH

10:22 – 28

At that time, it was the feast of the Dedication at 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 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.” [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.


LIGHTING OF THE VIGIL LAMP

Upon completion of the Anointing, the Hierarch offers prayers for the Altar and the Church:

The Hierarch is given a new Vigil Lamp and wick and oil, and with his own hands he fills the lamp with oil, and he invites the congregation to come forward and add drops of oil into the lamp. This they do as an offering to the Church. The Hierarch will later light the Vigil Light and will place it on the Altar Table.

The Hierarch then removes the Savanon. The Savanon will be cut up into small pieces and each person in Church will receive a piece of it as a sacred keepsake.


Both now. For the Consecration.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

As we observe the memory of the Consecration, we glorify You, the Giver of sanctification, asking You to sanctify the senses of our souls, at the intercession of Your glorious Martyrs, O good and almighty Lord. [SD]

READER

Eis polla eti, Despota!

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Consecration.

From Euchologion - - -

Mode 4.

You have made the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Your glory to be like the majesty of the firmament on high, O Lord. Make it strong forever and ever, and accept our supplications that we unceasingly bring to You there, at the intercession of the Theotokos. For You are the life and resurrection of all. [SD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

DEACON

Wisdom.

( Holy master, give the blessing! )

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

HIERARCH

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Dismissal

HIERARCH

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who was transfigured in glory on mount Tabor in front of His holy disciples and Apostles, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

HIERARCH

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.

CLERGY

Through the prayers of our holy master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.