Ordination
The candidate, dressed in cassock and rason will stand before the Icon of Christ when the procession reaches its destination. Before the Divine Liturgy the candidate is brought before the Bishop by his sponsor. He makes three metanies before the Holy Doors, and then kisses the Bishop's right hand. The Bishop blesses him and cuts his hair in the form of a cross, symbolizing the new cleric's entry into the service of the Church, and he says:
Bishop: In the name of the Father.
All: Amen.
Bishop: And of the Son.
All: Amen.
Bishop: And of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
The Bishop blesses him on the head three times and places his hand on the candidate's head and prays:
Bishop: Lord, God almighty, choose this your servant and sanctify him. Grant that he read and meditate on your divine Word with wisdom and understanding, and that he keep his life blameless through the grace, the and the love of men of your only-begotten Son with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, all good, and life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
The Bishop then gives the reader the Epistle Book to read a few lines.
The candidate is brought to the Bishop who is seated at the Holy Doors. When the Reader's rason is removed, the Bishop will place the sticharion on the Reader's left shoulder. When he vests, the Bishop will tie the orarion around the Reader's waist. Then the Bishop blesses him on the head three times and places his hand on the candidate's head and prays:
Bishop: O Lord, our God, who by one and the same Spirit give good gifts to those whom you have chosen, you have appointed that there be different orders in your Church and different degrees in your ministry for those who serve your holy and spotless Mysteries. Further, in your ineffable wisdom you have destined that this your servant be worthy to serve in your holy Church. Therefore, O Lord, grant that he may always act blamelessly. Make him love the beauty of your house, as he stands at the door of your holy Temple, and lights the lamps in the tabernacle of your glory. Establish him in your holy Church like a green olive tree so that he may bring forth the fruits of holiness. Make him one of your faithful servants that, at the time of your coming, he may receive the reward of those who have done your will. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
The Bishop places a towel on the Subdeacon's left shoulder and gives the new Subdeacon a pitcher of water and a basin. The Subdeacon kisses the Bishop's right hand and washes the Bishop's hands saying three times: "osi pisti" (all you faithful). Then he stands before the icon of the Mother of God as the Liturgy begins.
At the conclusion of the Cherubikon the Subdeacon approaches the Royal Doors and washes the Bishop's hands after the Bishop has performed the incensation.
After Communion, the Subdeacon approaches the altar with cruet, chalice, and towel, and washes the Bishop's fingers. The Bishop then consumes the water in the chalice. The Subdeacon takes part in both Entrances, carrying the pitcher and basin.
The ordination of a deacon takes place during the Divine Liturgy, after the sanctification of the Holy Gifts. The subdeacon is then led by the deacons through the church to the sanctuary pausing three times:
For our brother, the servant of God the devout subdeacon, N., chosen by God and the Holy Spirit, about to be ordained a deacon for the service of the holy altars of the Eparchy of Newton by the hand of our most reverend father and Bishop Nicholas, Auxiliary Bishop of Newton: let us ask for him the mercies of God.
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Deacon: Kelevsate! (the deacon-designate bows deeply.)
Deacon: Kelevsate! (the deacon-designate bows deeply.)
Deacon: Kelevson dhespota agie! (the deacon-designate bows deeply).
Then the deacon-designate comes before the bishop, who blesses him. He kisses the hand of the bishop.
The priests of highest rank lead the deacon-designate by the shoulders and process three times around the holy table. During this procession the deacon-designate kisses the four corners of the holy table and each time, passing in front of the bishop, he bows to him and kisses his hand, his hand cross and his epigonation. During this, the following troparia are is sung:
O holy martyrs, who fought the good fight and have received your crowns, beseech the Lord to save our souls.
Glory to you, O Christ God, the apostles' pride, the martyrs' joy who have proclaimed the consubstantial Trinity!
Dance, O Isaiah! A virgin has conceived in her womb and has given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, both God and man. His name is Orient: magnifying him we bless the virgin.
The candidate kneels before the altar with his head touching the altar. The Bishop places the end of his omophorion on the candidate's head and recites the prayer of ordination.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Bishop: Divine grace, which always heals infirmities and supplies for defects, elevates the devout subdeacon N. to be a deacon. Let us pray for him that the grace of the Holy Spirit may come upon him.
Clergy: Lord, have mercy (three times).
All: Lord, have mercy (three times).
Bishop: O Lord, our God, in your wisdom and by your inscrutable power you pour forth the fullness of your Holy Spirit upon those whom you set apart for your service to assist at your spotless Mysteries. O Lord, preserve in every virtue him whom you nave been pleased to raise through me to the office of deacon, that he may preserve the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. Give him the grace which you granted the protomartyr Stephen, the first to be called by you to the work of this ministry. Grant that he fulfill this office given to him in your goodness according to your good pleasure, and make your servant perfect, for those who use this office well will obtain for themselves a good reward. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Clergy in sanctuary: Lord, have mercy (after each petition)
Deacon: 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, the stability of the holy Churches of God, and the union of all , let us pray to the Lord.
For our (Arch)bishop N., for his priesthood, for his perseverance, peace, health, and salvation, and for the works of his hands. let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God N.. now raised to be a deacon and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord may grant him a pure and blameless ministry, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city, every city and country, and for all the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all afflictions, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by your grace.
Remembering the all-holy, the spotless, the most highly blessed, our 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 God.
Clergy: To you, O Lord.
Bishop: O God, our Savior, as it is written in the Holy Gospel "if any of you desires to be the first, let him be your servant," you appointed by your everlasting word the Order of Deacons to your apostles and called your protomartyr Stephen to be the first to fulfill the office of deacon. O Lord, grant to this your servant whom you have been pleased to appoint to this ministry, the aid of your holy and life-giving Spirit. Fill him with faith and charity, with virtue and holiness; for it is not by the imposition of my hands but by the abundance of your mercy that grace is given to those who are worthy of you. Grant, therefore, that freed from all sin, he may stand blamelessly before you and obtain the promised reward. For you are our God and to you we render glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
Clergy: Amen.
The Bishop now places the orarion on the deacon's left shoulder, saying:
Bishop: Axios!
Clergy: Axios!
All: Axios!
The Bishop places the cuffs over the deacon's wrists, saying:
Bishop: Axios!
Clergy: Axios!
All: Axios!
The Bishop gives the altar fan to the deacon, saying:
Bishop: Axios!
Clergy: Axios!
All: Axios!
The Divine Liturgy then continues as usual.
The ordination of a priest takes place after the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.
The priest-designate is then led by the deacons through the church to the sanctuary pausing three times:
For our brother, the servant of God the devout Deacon Name, chosen by God and the Holy Spirit, about to be ordained a priest for the service of the holy altars of the Eparchy of Newton by the hand of our most reverend father and Bishop Name, Eparch of Newton: let us ask for him the mercies of God.
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Priest: Kelevson! (the priest-designate bows deeply).
Priest: Kelevsate! (the priest-designate bows deeply).
Priest: Kelevson dhespota agie! (the priest-designate bows deeply).
Then the priest-designate comes before the bishop, who blesses him. He kisses the hand of the bishop.
The priests lead the priest-designate by the shoulders and process three times around the holy table. During this procession the priest-designate kisses the four corners of the holy table and each time, passing in front of the bishop, he bows to him and kisses his hand, his hand cross and his epigonation. During this, the following troparia are sung:
O holy martyrs, who fought the good fight and have received your crowns, beseech the Lord to save our souls.
Glory to you, O Christ God, the apostles' pride, the martyrs' joy who have proclaimed the consubstantial Trinity!
Dance, O Isaiah! A virgin has conceived in her womb and has given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, both God and man. His name is Orient: magnifying him we bless the virgin.
The candidate kneels before the altar with his head touching the altar. The bishop places the end of his omophorion on the candidate's head and prays the Prayer of Ordination.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Bishop: Divine grace, which always heals infirmities and supplies for defects, elevates the devout deacon Shaun to be a priest. Let us pray for him that the grace of the Holy Spirit may come upon him.
Clergy: Lord, have mercy (three times).
All: Lord, have mercy (three times).
Bishop: O God, who are without beginning and without end, and who exist before all creation, you honor with the name of priest those who are judged worthy to serve the word of your truth. O Lord of all grant that he, whom you have been pleased to promote through me, may be preserved in blameless speech, and unswerving faith and that he may receive in abundance the grace or your Spirit. Make him perfect in obeying you in all things, according to your good pleasure, that he may prove himself worthy of the priestly office, to which in Your divine wisdom you have appointed him. For yours is the might and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Senior Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Clergy in sanctuary: Lord, have mercy (after each petition).
Senior Priest: 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, the stability of the holy Churches of God, and the union of all , let us pray to the Lord.
For our Bishop Name, for his priesthood, for his perseverance, peace, health, and salvation, and for the works of his hands. let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God Shaun now raised to be a priest and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord may grant him a pure and blameless priesthood, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city, every city and country, and for all the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all afflictions, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by your grace.
Remembering the all-holy, the spotless, the most highly blessed, our 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 God.
Clergy in sanctuary: To you, O Lord.
Bishop: O Lord God, great in power, unsearchable in wisdom and wonderful in your condescension towards the sons of men, you have been pleased to grant to this your servant the order of the priesthood. Fill him now with the gifts of the Holy Spirit that he may be worthy to stand blamelessly before your holy altar, to preach the Gospel of your kingdom, to serve the word of your truth, to present you with spiritual gifts and sacrifices, and to renew your people by the laver of regeneration; so that, in your great goodness, he may receive the reward of a faithful servant in his master's house at the second coming of your only begotten Son, our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. For worshiped and glorified is your blessed and magnificent name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
Clergy: Amen.
The bishop now places the epitrachelion around the priest's neck, saying:
Bishop: Axios!
Clergy: Axios!
All: Axios!
The bishop places the zone around the priest's waist, saying:
Bishop: Axios!
Clergy: Axios!
All: Axios!
The bishop places the phelonion over the priest's shoulders, saying:
Bishop: Axios!
Clergy: Axios!
All: Axios!
The Divine Liturgy then continues as usual. After the Epiclesis the bishop places a particle of the Holy Bread in the new priest's hands saying:
Bishop: Take this in trust and guard it until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ when it will be reclaimed by him.
THE BLESSING OF AN ARCHIMANDRITE
Immediately after the Little Entrance, the priest chosen to be archimandrite comes before the bishop who traces the sign of the Cross over him and says:
Bishop: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, King before all ages, the Good Shepherd and leader of this spiritual flock, who gave your life for your sheep, you said "wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I will be among them." Be present now, O Lord, in our gathering by the grace of the Holy Spirit and make your servant, who now becomes an archimandrite, a good and useful member of this Church. Make smooth the way before him and enlighten his mind. Plant your fear in his heart that he may follow your holy will without blame, serve the needs of this community with fidelity and sincerity and spend all his efforts for its good. Keep his soul and body from all evil and make him an heir of your kingdom. For you are our Savior and to you we render glory with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
Placing his hand on the head of the new archimandrite, the Bishop exclaims: "Axios!" which the people repeat thrice. He gives him the cross and veil saying "Axios" for each.
All: Amen.