THE CHERUBIC HYMN

Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now set aside all earthly cares.

ORDINATION TO THE SUBDIACONATE

The candidate is brought before the bishop who is seated on his throne in the royal doors. The bishop vests the Lector in the orarion; he wears it crossed over his sticharion. The bishop signs the head of the candidate three times saying:

Archpriest: Let us pray to the Lord.

CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy.

Bishop: Lord our God, through the one and the same Holy Spirit You distribute Your graces to everyone You have chosen. You have bestowed various orders upon Your Church, and have established different degrees of ministry for the service of Your holy and pure mysteries. In Your ineffable foreknowledge, You have appointed your servant N-- worthy to minister to Your Holy Church. Master, keep him blameless in everything, and grant that he may love the beauty of Your house, stand at the doors of Your holy temple, and light the candles of the dwelling of Your glory. Plant him in Your Church as a fruitful olive tree bearing the fruits of righteousness. Show him to be perfect, that at the time of Your coming, he may receive the reward of those pleasing to You. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

CONGREGATION: Amen.

Then a basin, water, and a towel are brought forward The bishop first takes the towel and places it on the shoulders of the newly-ordained. The bishop then gives him the basin, which the Subdeacon receives, and he kisses the basin, the pitcher, and the hand of the bishop. He then washes the bishop’s hands saying three times "All the faithful."

After the bishop washes his hands he blesses the Subdeacon and covers the head of the newly-ordained with the towel. The bishop orders that the new Subdeacon is lead to the appointed place.

The people continue with the Cherubic Hymn.