CONGREGATION: And with your spirit.

ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE

The bishop’s throne is placed before the holy table. He sits in it as the candidate for the diaconate is led out of the north door by the Archpriest. In the middle of the church the Archpriest says:

Archpriest: By the will of God and by the work of the most Holy and Life-giving Spirit, by the blessing of our God-loving bishop N--, the pious Subdeacon N-- is being promoted to the diaconate. Most Reverend Bishop, give the command.

When this has been said the candidate makes a deep bow. The Bishop responds:

Bishop: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, by the breath of his mouth all their host.

The archpriest and candidate approach a little closer.

Archpriest: Bless him, Most Reverend Bishop.

The candidate again makes a deep bow. The bishop says:

Bishop: The Lord bless him from Sion. May he see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of his life.

The archpriest, standing with the candidate before the doors of the holy altar, says:

Archpriest: Pray for him, Most Reverend Bishop.

The candidate again makes a deep bow. The bishop says.

Bishop: The Holy Spirit shall come upon him, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow him.

And immediately the candidate kisses the bishop’s hand, his epigonation and his right shoulder, and the bishop says:

Bishop: Christ is among us.

Subdeacon: He is and He will be.

The Archpriest leads the candidate around the altar three times as the candidate kisses the four corners of the holy table.

These two Tropars are sung in Tone 7.

 

Troparion - Tone 7

 

Troparion - Tone 7

This Irmos from the Canon in Tone 5 is then sung.

From the Canon in tone 5.  Prostopinije p. 25.  Isaie likuj - Isaiah Rejoice

The Tropars and Irmos are repeated as necessary.

The bishop rises and the throne is taken away. The candidate goes to the right side of the bishop and bows before the holy table saying three times:

Subdeacon: O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

The candidate kneels on his right knee before the holy table, placing the palms of his hands on the holy table in the form of a cross and places his forehead on the crossed palms. The bishop places the end of his omophorion on the head of the candidate, and blesses him three times.

Archpriest: Let us be attentive!

The bishop imposes his hands on the head of the candidate saying:

Bishop: Divine grace, always healing what is weak and supplying what is deficient, ordains the pious Subdeacon N-- to the diaconate. Let us therefore pray for him, that the grace of the Holy Spirit may come upon him, and let us all say:

Priests: Lord, have mercy. (Three times)

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy. (Three tunes)

The bishop signs the deacon’s head three times, saying:

Bishop: In the name of the a Father, and of the a Son, and of the a Holy Spirit. Amen.

Archpriest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Bishop: Lord our God, by your foreknowledge and unsearchable power, You pour out Your Holy Spirit in abundance on those You ordain, that they may be ministers and labor in the service of Your incorruptible mysteries. O Master, now keep in all holiness this Your servant,  N-- , whom you have been pleased to ordain through me to the service of the diaconate, holding the mystery of faith with a pure conscience.

Grant to him the grace given to Your first martyr Stephen, whom you called before all others into the service of this ministry, and graciously enable him to serve well and to please You in the office which You have given him in Your goodness, for those who serve well prepare for themselves a greater reward. Show Your servant to be perfect in all things.

For Yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory , Father, Son and holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

CONGREGATION: Amen.

The chair is brought again. The bishop sits as the archpriest says the litany. The candidate remains kneeling at the altar.

Archpriest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: For peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy Churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: For our bishop N--, for his priesthood, and for his protection, preservation, health and salvation, and for the works of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: For the servant of God N-- now ordained deacon, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: That the merciful God may grant him a pure and spotless diaconate, let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us, and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.

CONGREGATION: Lord, have mercy.

Archpriest: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CONGREGATION: To You, O Lord.

Bishop: O God, our Savior, You established the law of service for Your Apostles by Your incorruptible voice. You chose the first martyr Stephen as the first deacon proclaiming that You Yourself first fulfilled the ministry of the deacon, as it is written in Your holy Gospel, "If anyone wishes to be first, let him be your servant."

Now, Master, fill with all faith, love, strength and holiness this Your servant N-- whom You have made worthy to enter the service of the diaconate by the coming of Your holy and life-giving Spirit. For it is not by the laying on of my hands, but by the visitation of Your abundant mercy, that Your grace is given to those worthy before You.

Being a stranger to all sin, grant that he may stand blameless before You and receive the unfailing reward of Your promise. For You are our God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

CONGREGATION: Amen.

They then lift up the candidate, and remove his subdiaconal cincture, and taking the orarion, the Bishop places it on his left shoulder saying in a loud voice:

Bishop:  — Axios! (He is worthy!)

Those inside the sanctuary proclaim:

Priests and Deacons: Axios! (Three times)

Those outside of the altar proclaim:

CONGREGATION: Axios! (Three times)

The bishop hands the deacon the kadillo and says:

Bishop: Axios!

Those inside the sanctuary proclaim:

Priests and Deacons: Axios! (Three times)

Those outside of the altar proclaim:

CONGREGATION: Axios! (Three times)

The bishop hands him the ripidion and says:

Bishop: Axios

Those inside the sanctuary proclaim:

Priests and Deacons: Axios! (Three times)

Those outside of the altar proclaim:

CONGREGATION: Axios! (Three times)

The newly ordained deacon then kisses the bishop on the hand and stands briefly at the altar guarding the holy gifts. He then goes to the ambon for the Petitions of Supplication.