DOOR OPENING OF A CHURCH

The Hierarch takes the holy cross and immerses it in the water three times, as he sings the following hymn:

DEACON: Master, give the blessing.

HIERARCH

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [GOA]

The Choir repeats twice.

The Hierarch blesses the people with holy water while chanting:

HIERARCH

Mode 2.

Make us worthy of your gifts, O Virgin Theotokos, disregarding our transgressions and bestowing healing, through faith, upon those who receive your blessing, O immaculate one. [SD]

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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, as said by St. Paul the all-lauded Apostle. Keep this structure standing strong till the end of time, unshaken, and glorified in You. Allow us uncondemned, understanding and sensing everything, to offer herein 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. And may these prayers that we offer to Your ineffable compassion, for ourselves and for all Your people, be acceptable by virtue of Your goodness, at the intercessions of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

HIERARCH

Master, Lord our God, who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness.

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.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Hierarch stands before the church doors and exclaims:

HIERARCH

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

From inside the church the question is asked:

Who is this King of glory? [SAAS]

HIERARCH

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle. [SAAS]

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

From inside the church the question is asked:

Who is this King of glory? [SAAS]

HIERARCH

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle. [SAAS]

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

From inside the church the question is asked:

Who is this King of Glory? [SAAS]

HIERARCH

The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. [SAAS]

The doors are opened, and everyone enters singing the hymns below. During the singing, the Hierarch blesses the new church building with holy water.

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]

Kontakion. For the Consecration.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Lord, Your Church appears to us * to be like heaven * full of light, and guides with light * all who believe in You, O Christ. * And we who stand in it cry to You: * Savior, establish forever this holy house. [SD]

Apolytikion of the Parish Church