The Mysteries of Initiation
Prayer For Naming the Child
on the Eighth Day after it is Born.
Traditionally these first prayers were done at the designated time (the 8th day etc.) often today all these individual services and prayers are combined into one longer service.
Priest: Blessed be our God always, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
As with other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) in our tradition, we begin in the back of the church (west) because as in our life in Christ, we are moving from the darkness of sin (sunset) to the Light of Christ (East—sunrise)
Priest: † Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
People: Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Giver of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.
† Holy God, holy Mighty One, holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (3)
† Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
O Trinity most holy, have mercy on us; cleanse us, O Lord, of our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions. Consider our weak¬nesses and heal them, O Holy One, for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
† Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. 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 the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Tropar of of the day or church.
Tropar of St. Joseph (tone 2): O Joseph, go and joyfully proclaim to David, the ancestor of Christ our God, the great miracles you have witnessed: you have see the Virgin giving birth, given praise with the shepherds, adored with the wise men, and an angel of the Lord appeared to you. Pray to Christ our God to save our souls.
The priest makes a sign of the cross upon the child’s forehead, lips, and heart saying this prayer:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord, our God, we pray to You and ask You: Let the light of Your countenance be marked upon this Your servant, name. Let the cross of Your only-begotten Son be marked upon his (or her) heart and mind to flee from the world’s vanities and all the wiles of the Evil One, and to follow Your commands. Grant that Your sacred name remain irrevocably upon him (or her), who at a suitable time will be joined to Your holy church and who will be perfected by the sacred Mysteries of Your Christ, so that after having lived according to Your commandments and kept the seal in tact, he (or she) may obtain the happiness of the elect in Your kingdom through the grace and benevolence of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed together with Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and ever.
People: Amen
Then hetakes the child into his arms and stands in front of the doors of the church or in front of an icon of the most holy Bearer of God and makes a sign of the cross saying:
Hail, O favored Virgin and Bearer of God, for from you, Christ our God, the Sun of Justice, has risen to give life to those in darkness. You, too, O just Simeon, rejoice, for in your arms you held the liberator of our souls, the One Who also bestows resurrection upon us.
People: Amen.
Prayer for the Mother
on the Fortieth Day
In these “Prayers for the Mother” there is the image that we are welcoming her back into the Church community after her absence, thanking God for the gift of this child, as well as forgiveness of any sins.
On the fortieth day the child is again brought to the church for induction, that is, to start bringing the child to church. Purified and washed the mother brings the child. Present also is the one who is to take the child after baptism. Holding the child the mother bows her head as the priest makes a sign of the cross over its head. Then touching its head the priest says this prayer:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord,have mercy.
Priest: O Lord God all-mighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who by Your word created every rational and non-rational being and brought all things into existence out of nothingness. We pray You, we beseech You, and we implore You, keep from all evil these your servants names over whom you have watched, and who have come to Your holy church to give thanks for the gift of this child.
Bless + and sanctify this child born of them (given to them). Enable him (her) to reach maturity, endow him (or her) with understanding, with good sense and with wisdom. And since you have brought this child into being and shown to him (or her) the natural light of day, grant that at the time appointed by You, he (or she) may be accounted worthy of the supernatural light of Your presence and be included within Your holy flock: For the sake of Your only begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed together with Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be + with all of you.
People: † And with your spirit.
Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: † To You, O Lord.
Prayer for the Mother of the Child
Priest: O Lord our God, Who came to save the human race, descend upon this Your servant, name, and through Your holy priest give her entry into Your glorious church. Make her worthy to partake of Your precious Body and Blood. On this fortieth day wash away her bodily impurities and stains of spirit so that being made worthy of entering Your holy church she may glorify with us Your most holy name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Second Prayer over the Child
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord our God, on the fortieth day You were brought as a child into the Temple of the Law by Your holy virginal Mother and were held in the arms of righteous Simeon; You Yourself, O Master all-powerful, bless also with all good this infant that has been brought to appear before You the Creator of all. Let it grow to do good works that please You.
With the sign of Your cross drive away all hostile forces from it, for You are the guardian of infants, O Lord. Being deemed worthy of holy baptism, may he (or she) obtain the share of the chosen ones of Your kingdom and be protected together with us by the grace of the holy, consubstantial and undivided Trinity. For all glory, thanks and worship are owing to You together with eternal Father and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be + with all of you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O God, all-sovereign Father, through the most-mighty-voiced prophet Isaiah, You told us in advance about the incarnation of Your only-begotten Son, our God, from a virgin. In the last days by Your good pleasure and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, He chose for our salvation in His ineffable mercy to become her child. And then according to the custom of Your holy Law, when the days of purification were completed, He, the real Lawgiver, chose to be brought to the Temple and held in the arms of righteous Simeon. We recognized the figure of this mystery in the prophecy mentioned before about the coals and tongs, and we faithful imitate it through grace. O Lord, protector of infants, bless + now this child and its parents and godparents.
Make him (or her) a member of Your spiritual sheepfold that is named after Your Christ. For You dwell on high and look upon the lowly, and we render glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Prayer over a Catechumen
The term ‘Catechumen’ is an old term which means ‘one who is preparing for baptism’.This term is often associated with adults for they would be involved in a longer preparation process, but the term applies to infants as well.
The priest puts on an epitrahil and, where customary, a phelon, and goes out to the vestibule. There he loosens the sash of the one to be baptized, removes his outer garment and turns him to face east with just a single loose garment, without head covering or shoes. His hands are lowered. The priest then breathes three times upon his face and makes a sign of the cross upon his forehead and breast. He places his hand upon his head and says:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: In Your name, O Lord God of truth, and that of Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit, I place my hand upon Your servant, name, who was found worthy to flee to Your holy name and find shelter under Your wings. Remove all deception of old from this child, and fill him (or her) with faith in You, with hope in You, and with love for You, so that he (or she) will come to know that You together with Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and with Your Holy Spirit, are the only true God. Enable name to carry out Your commandments and to observe all your precepts, for the person who does these things will find life in them.
Inscribe him (or her) in Your book of life and join him (or her) to the flock of Your inheritance so that Your holy name and that of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Your lifegiving Spirit may be glorified in him (or her). Let Your Eyes always look mercifully upon him (or her) and let Your Ears be attentive to the voice of his (or her) prayer. Grant that he (or she) may find joy in the works of his (or her) own hands and in all his (or her) posterity, so that he (or she) may praise you and sing, worship, and glorify Your great and exalted Name always all the days of his (or her) life.
For all the heavenly powers sing Your praise, and Yours is the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Exorcism
In the Exorcism, we are not stating that somehow the child is possessed by demons, but rather we are asking that God protect the one being baptized from anything that might hold power over him or her. Perhaps the simplest example of this would be addiction.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: The Lord, Who came into the world and dwelt among men to destroy your tyranny and save mankind, rebukes you, O devil. Upon the tree He overcame the powers of the enemy when the sun grew dark and the earth trembled, when the tombs fell open and the bodies of saints arose. By death He destroyed death and made powerless the one who had power over death, that is, you, O devil. I denounce you by the God Who manifested the tree of life and commanded the cherubim with revolving sword to guard it; be rebuked!
I rebuke you by Him Who walked on the surface of the water as though on dry land and rebuked the gale winds. His gaze dries up the depths and His threat melts the mountains. Through us the same One now commands you: “Stand in dread, and leave this creature. You must never return again or hide in him (or her). You must never meet him (or her) or afflict him (or her) by day,by night or at noon time. Return to your Tartarus (lowest part of the underworld) until the time readied for the great judgment.
Stand in fear of God Who sits upon the cherubim and looks upon the depths, before Whom the angels tremble, and the archangels, the thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, virtues, and the many-eyed cherubim and six-winged seraphim, before Whom heaven and earth tremble and the sea and all that is in them.
Depart from this newly chosen and sealed soldier of Christ and leave him (or her). I adjure you by Him Who walks on the wings of the wind and makes His messengers flaming fire. Depart from this creature with all your forces and angels and leave him (or her).
For glorified is Your name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Or this exorcism may be substituted:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord Sabaoth, God of Israel, You heal every disease and infirmity; show regard for Your servant. Search out, draw out and drive out every activity of the devil. Rebuke the unclean spirits and drive them out. Purify the work of Your hands. By Your sharp action crush satan swiftly under his (or her) feet and grant him (or her) victory over him and his impure spirits.
Grant that having received mercy from You, he (or she) may be deemed worthy of Your immortal and heavenly mysteries and render glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever,
People: Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord and Master, You have created us to Your own image and likeness, and have given us the power of attaining eternal life; You did not abandon us when we fell into sin, but rather brought about the salvation of the world through the Incarnation of Christ, Your Anointed One. Deliver this child from the bondage of Original Sin and receive him (or her) into Your Holy Kingdom. Open his (or her) eyes of understanding so that the light of Your Gospel may shine brightly within him (or her). Assign an Angel of Light to name that his (or her) angel may rescue him (or her) from every snare of the adversary and evil.
Breathing upon his (her) mouth, forehead and breast, the priest says:
O Lord, drive away every impure spirit that lies concealed in his (or her) heart. (3)
The spirit of error, spirit of evil, spirit of idolatry and every kind of avarice, spirit of lies and every kind of impurity that has been instigated by the devil. Make him (or her) a spiritual lamb of the sacred flock of Jesus Christ, a worthy member of Your Church and a son (or daughter) and heir of Your Kingdom, so that after living according to Your commandments, preserving the seal intact and keeping his (or her) baptismal robe unblemished, he (or she) may attain the blessedness of the saints in Your Kingdom.
Here are some of the examples of things in life that might hold power over a person, making them powerless before these temptations.
Through the grace, mercy and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed and Your most holy, good and lifegiving Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
We turn to the side of darkness (West) to reject all that is evil.
The candidate is disrobed and his footwear removed. The priest turns him (her) to face west. The candidate raises his (her) hands and the priest asks:
Priest: Do you reject Satan, all his works, all his fallen angels, all forms service to him and all his empty promises?
As Christians, we know that evil does indeed exist. Satan is its personification, whom we reject.
The candidate or his sponsor (if the baptizand a child) replies:
Response: I do reject him!
Priest: Do you reject Satan, all his works, all his fallen angels, all forms service to him and all his empty promises?
Response: I do reject him!
Priest: Do you reject Satan, all his works, all his fallen angels, all forms service to him and all his empty promises?
Response: I do reject him!
We reject three times because we do it in the highest degree—the superlative.
Priest: Have you rejected Satan?
Response: I have rejected him!
After this the priest turns him (her) to face east. He (she) lowers his (her) hands.
Priest: Do you join yourself to Christ?
Response: I join myself to Him!
Priest: Do you join yourself to Christ?
Response: I join myself to Him!
Priest: Do you join yourself to Christ?
Response: I join myself to Him!
Priest: Have you joined yourself to Christ?
Response: I have joined myself to Him!
Priest: Do you believe in him?
Response: I believe in Him as my King and as my God!
After having rejected evil and accepted Christ we are ready to go to the place of the Baptism.As we walk we recite the Creed which is a 12 point summary of what we believe.
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father.
Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, and was buried.
On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
When the candidate has completed the holy symbol, the priest again asks him or her:
Priest: Have you joined yourself to Christ?
Response: I have joined myself to Him!
Priest: Have you joined yourself to Christ?
Response: I have joined myself to Him!
Priest: Have you joined yourself to Christ?
Response: I have joined myself to Him!
Priest: Then bow in worship.
Response: I bow before the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in being and undivided.
Priest: Blessed be God, Who wants all men to be saved and to come to know the truth, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Master, Lord our God, call Your servant, name, to Your holy Illumination, and deem him (or her) worthy of this great grace of Your holy baptism. Wash away his (or her) old self and renew him (or her) to everlasting life. Fill name with the power of Your Holy Spirit to be united to Christ and no longer to be a child of the natural descent but rather a child of Your kingdom.
Through the love for mankind and grace of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed together with Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
The Rite of Holy Baptism
The priest is vested in bright garments. All the candles are lit. The priest takes the censers and goes to the baptismal font. He incenses around it, and making a bow gives back the censer.
Priest: Blessed be the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the most holy universal Pontiff, Francis, Pope of Rome, for His Beatitude our Patriarch, Sviatoslav, our most reverend Metropolitan, Kyr Stephen, our God-loving Bishop, Kyr Richard, the reverend priesthood, diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That this water may be sanctified by the power, action and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That redemptive grace and Jordan’s blessing may come upon it, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the one now coming to holy enlightenment and for his (or her) salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That he (or she) may become a son (or daughter) of light and an inheritor of eternal blessings, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That for him (or her) this water may be a bath of regeneration, a remission of sins and a garment of incorruption, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That we may be kept safe from distress, violence and need, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
As the deacon is reciting these petitions, the priest recites this prayer quietly to himself:
O kindhearted and merciful God, You search the hearts and interior and know the secrets of men. Nothing is hidden from You; all things are naked and laid bare before Your eyes. When You see what is in me, do not scorn me or turn Your face away from me. Overlook my sins at this time, O You Who overlook the sins of men for repentance. Wash away the stain of my body and the stain of my soul, and completely sanctify me by Your invisible power and spiritual right hand, lest in proclaiming freedom to others and conferring it with complete faith in Your ineffable benevolence, I myself, a slave of sin, may be put to the test. May I not be turned away in humiliation, O Master, Who alone are good and benevolent. Send me power from on high and give me strength to minister at Your great and heavenly mystery which is at hand. Form Your Christ in the one about to be reborn, miserable though I am. Build him (her) up on the foundation of Your apostles and prophets, Do not put him (her) down but set him (her) in Your holy, catholic and apostolic church as a plantling of truth. And do not uproot him (her) as he (she) grows in the faith so that Your all-holy name may be glorified through him (her), of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Blessing Baptismal Water
The water is blessed if the baptismal font is being used, if the baptism will be preformed in the minimal form (pouring holy water upon the head) these prayers are then omitted.
Priest: O Lord, God almighty, creator of all things visible and invisible, You created heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them. You gathered the waters into one place and closed the abyss, sealing it by Your awesome and glorious name, and placed the waters above the heavens. You fixed the earth upon the waters and by Your power established the sea. In the water You crushed the heads of serpents. You are awesome; who can stand against You? Regard this creation of Yours, O Lord, and this water, and bestow the grace of redemption upon it and Jordan’s blessing. Make it a source of incorruptibility, a gift of sanctification, a liberation from sin, a cure for diseases, a destroyer of demons. Make it inaccessible to hostile powers and full with the might of Your holy Angels. May all who work to ensnare Your creation flee from it. I invoke Your wondrous and glorious name, so fearsome to adversaries, O Lord.
The priest blesses the water three times immersing his fingers into it. Then breathing over it he says:
May all hostile powers be crushed beneath the sign + of your cross. (3)
For all glory, honor, and worship befit You; together with Your eternal Father and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be + with all of you.
People:† And with your spirit.
Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord
People: To You, O Lord.
Prayer over the Oil of the Catechumens
The priest breathes three times over the vessel with the oil and blesses it three times.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Master, Lord God of our fathers, You sent a dove to those in Noah’s ark with an olive branch in its beak as a sign of reconciliation and deliverance from the flood and a prefigurement of the mystery of grace.You also gave the product of the olive for the ministration of Your sacred mysteries. And so You filled those who were under the Law with the Holy Spirit and perfected those who were under grace. Bless + this oil by the power, action and descent of the Holy Spirit, that it may be an anointing for incorruptibility, a weapon of justice, a renewal of body and soul, that it to repels all the action of the devil and to free those from evil who in faith anoint themselves with it or partake of it for Your glory and that of Your only-begotten Son and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Let us be attentive.
Singing the Alleluia (3) three times with the people, the priest makes three signs of the cross with the oil in the water.
Priest: Blessed be God Who enlightens all humans who come into the world, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Anointing of Baptizand
This first anointing is not a sacrament, it is an anointing for healing that takes place before the person receives the great grace of the Baptism.
The one to be baptized is brought forward. The priest takes some oil and makes a sign of the cross upon the forehead, breast, ears, shoulders, hands and feet.
First the priest anoints the forehead, saying: The servant of God, name, is anointed + with the oil of gladness, in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, to open his (or her) mind to understand and accept the mystery of Christ’s faith and to know His truth, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Then anoints the chest, saying: For the healing of soul and body +, and that he (or she) may love the Lord God with his (or her) whole heart, whole soul and whole mind, and his (or her) neighbor as himself (or herself)
The shoulders: So that he (or she) may eagerly take + upon himself (or herself) the sweet yoke of Christ and with joy carry His light burden and renounce all bodily temptations.
The image of the sweet yoke is one of freedom, for if we accept the teachings of Christ, we will actually be more free than just having the illusion of freedom by doing whatever we wish.
The ears: So that his (or her) ears + may listen to the teachings of the Faith and accept + the voice of the Divine Gospel.
The hands: So that he (or she) may + raise his (or her) hands in innocence to heaven and always do + what is right and bless the Lord.
This is a ancient form of intense prayer, with hands raised up in prayer to the Father.
The feet: That he (or she) may walk + in the footsteps + of Christ’s commandments.
When the entire body of the baptizand has been anointed, the priest then baptizes him (her) holding him (her) upright, facing east and saying:
The servant of God, name, is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: (Or the Priest) Amen. (3)
At each invocation the priest immerses and lifts the child out of the water. Otherwise, where customary, he only pours water over the head.
There are three symbolic meanings of water utilized in Baptism.1-Life, there is no life without water. We are reborn in Christ. 2-Death for water also kills.We die with Adam so that we may live with Christ. 3-Cleasing, we wash with water. The effects of original sin are washed away so that we may again look at the world through the ‘eyes of Christ’.
After the baptism the priest washes his hands. He then clothes him (her) in his (her) garments saying:
Priest: The servant of God, name, is clothed in the robe of justice, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
And the following Tropar is sung in Tone 8.
Grant to me a robe of light, O most merciful Christ our God, * You Who clothe Yourself with light as with a garment.
We reflect on the outside what has occurred on the inside.Then We accept the light of Christ into our lives.
And, where it is customary, after clothing the newly-baptized, the priest gives him (her) [or to the sponsor] a burning candle in his (her) right hand saying:
Priest: Take this burning candle and strive throughout your entire lifetime to shine brightly with the light of faith and of good deeds, so that, when the Lord will come, you may go forth in radiance to meet Him together with all the Saints, and may enter unhindered into the court of His heavenly glory and reign with Him throughout eternity.
People: Amen.
The Rite of Holy Chrismation (Confirmation)
Keep in mind, that according to the prescriptions of the holy Eastern Church, the sacrament of Holy Chrismation is always affixed to Holy Baptism.
Priest: Blessed be the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit (Tone 6)
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Giver of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.
After the song is finished, the deacon or the priest says the Litany of Holy Chrismation.
Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That through the anointing with the sacred, beneficent and perfecting chrism, divine strength may be given to the newly enlightened servant of God, name, for overcoming and crushing all the hostile wiles of the devil and the coming battles with the world and the flesh, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That he (or she) may become Christ our God’s courageous and victorious competitor through the power, action, grace and descent of the Holy Spirit through the anointing with Holy Chrism, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That he (or she) may become firm, strong and steady in the orthodox faith, and in love and hope, all the days of his (or her) life through anointing with the holy chrism, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That through the anointing with holy chrism he (or she) may receive the grace to confess the name of Christ our God boldly before everyone without fear and without apprehension, and if necessary to suffer and die for love of Him, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For his (or her) growth in virtue and advancement in the commandments of Christ our God through the anointing with the holy chrism, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That with saving fear he (or she) may preserve his (or her) soul in purity and justice through the anointing with the holy chrism, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That he (or she) may mature into adulthood in the full measure of Christian growth through the power, action, grace and descent of the most Holy Spirit by the anointing of the holy perfecting Chrism, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
After the clothing of the newly baptized person, the priest says this prayer of holy chrismation:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Blessed are You, O Lord, God Almighty, Source of all good things and Sun of Justice, Who through the manifestation of Your Only-Begotten Son, our God, did make the light of salvation shine upon those who were in darkness. You have graciously granted to us, unworthy though we be, blessed purification through holy water and also divine sanctification through life-giving chrismation. Blessed are You, Who now again have graciously given rebirth to your servant newly enlightened through water and the Holy Spirit. And granted him (or her) remission of his (or her) voluntary and involuntary sins.
O Master and compassionate King of all, grant name the Seal of the Gift of Your holy, almighty, and adorable Spirit and the partaking of the holy Body and precious Blood of Your Christ. Keep him (or her) in Your holiness, strengthen him (or her) in the orthodox faith, deliver him (or her) from the evil one and all his cunning, and preserve his (or her) soul in purity and righteousness with beneficial fear of You, so that he (or she) may please You in every word and deed and thus become a son (or daughter) and heir of Your heavenly kingdom.
For You are a good and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
After the prayer the one baptized is anointed with the holy chrism, making a sign of the cross on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, ears, breast, hands and feet saying:
The seal + of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The seal is the promise that the Holy Spirit will be with this person until they arrive at their promised destination—the Heavenly Kingdom.
The priest then leads the newly baptized, with his (her) godparents three times around the Tetrapod
People: All who were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia. (3)
Priest: Let us be attentive!Peace + be with all.Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
The walk symbolizes the beginning of our journey in Christ following the Cross, the Church, surrounded by family, it will be repeated at their wedding service because then they will have a partner in this journey.
Prokimen – Tone 3: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Verse (Reader): The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid? (Psalm 26: 1-2)
Priest: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. (Romans 6:3-11)
Priest: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Brethren, all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. Through baptism we were buried with him into death, so that just as Christ rose from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too may live in the newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been freed from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
Priest: Peace be + to you, the reader.Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
St. Paul explains beautifully the idea of our death and resurrection in baptism, and its subsequent relationship to sin.
People: Alleluia.
Priest: Wisdom! Let us stand aright and listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be + with all of you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (Matthew 28:16-20)
People: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
Priest: Let us be attentive!
At that time, the eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee to which Jesus had directed them. On seeing him they worshiped him, though some had doubts. Jesus came near and said to them: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you all days to the end of the world. Amen.
People: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: We also pray for the newly enlightened the servant of God name, so that he (or she) is protected in the pure profession of faith, in all of God’s grace, and the fulfillment of all the commandments of Christ, all the days of his (or her) life.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Eucharist
This Eucharist does not affect the “First Communion” as we’ve come to have with older children, for then it will be connected to the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). At this time the child will begin receiving as an adult.
The Sacrament of Initiation is now completed with the reception of Holy Eucharist. If the baptizand is an infant, the priest gives but a drop of the Precious blood, saying: Taste and see how good the Lord is. (Psalm 33)
Priest: Approach with the fear of God and with faith.
People: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, God the Lord has appeared to us.
The servant of God, name, partakes of the precious, most holy and most pure Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, taste and see how good the Lord is.
Priest: Save Your people, O God, and bless Your inheritance.
People: We have seen the true light. We have received the heavenly Spirit. We have found the true faith. We worship the undivided Trinity for having saved us.
Ceremony of Induction into Church
The servant of God, name, is presented into You Holy Church. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the center of the church he says:
He will enter Your house and bow down before Your holy temple.
The servant of God, name, is presented into You Holy Church…
In the midst of the assembly he (or she) will sing Your praises.
Before the sanctuary doors and says:
The servant of God, name, is presented into You Holy Church…
This prayer of the righteous Simeon is a beautiful prayer that speaks of the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Entering Sanctuary:
Now, Lord, may dismiss Your servant, O Lord, in peace according to Your word; because my eyes have seen Your salvation which You prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to the revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.
After this the priest places the child in front of the sanctuary doors. The sponsor makes three bows, and takes the child.
The Tonsure
The tonsure is a beautiful rite that speaks to the idea that the one being baptized should give something of him or herself in return to God for the great gifts that they have received from God. This ancient practice of Tonsure was once done separately, now it is joined to the baptism, completing the service.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Master, Lord our God, Who honored humans with your image, by giving them of a rational soul and body suited to their needs, so that the body might serve the rational soul; Who have placed the head at the highest point and established in it most of our senses, in such a way as not to interfere with one another; Who have covered the head with hair so that it would not be harmed by changes in the weather; Who have arranged all our members in a useful manner so that with all of them we might give thanks to You, the All-knowing Creator; Who through your chosen vessel Paul the Apostle have instructed us to do all things for your glory:Bless, O Lord, you servant name, who has come to make a first offering by the clipping of the hair of his (or her) head, and bless also his (or her) Godparents; grant them to do everything in accordance with Your Law, and to perform all that is pleasing to You.
For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be + with all of you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord, our God, in Your goodness and mercy, through Your Baptism, You sanctified in Yourself all the faithful, bless this child, send Your grace upon his (or her) head. As You blessed King David through Your prophet Daniel, bless also the head of your servant name through my hand, though I am a sinner, send down upon him (or her) Your Holy Spirit, so that, as he (or she) matures into adulthood to the grayness of age, he (or she) give glory and praise to You, and all his (or her) days see the riches of Jerusalem. For all glory, honor, and worship befit You; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
The baptizand in now tonsured cruciform, saying:
Priest: The servant of God, name, is tonsured in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.(3)
Priest: We also pray for the servants of God name, the Godparents, that God may grace them with life, peace, health, salvation and the forgiveness of sins.
People: Lord, have mercy.(3)
Priest: We also pray for the newly enlightened the servant of God name, so that he (or she) is protected in the pure profession of faith, in all of God’s grace, and the fulfillment of all the commandments of Christ, all the days of his (or her) life.
People: Lord, have mercy.(3)
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Blessing of a Cross for Wear
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: О Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Who for the sake of our salvation allowed yourself to be nailed to the Cross, Who by the Cross redeemed the world and vanquished Satan, we humbly beseech You, look mercifully upon this Cross and bestow upon it your divine blessing and grace, and endow it with power and strength, for the preservation and protection of soul and body, and may he (or she) be assured of your heavenly blessing and help. And as You blessed the staff of Aaron for dispelling of hostile unbelief and destruction of sorcerous illusion, bless + also this image of the Cross and may it serve as a shield against the wiles of the evil one, and may it be for the one who wears it, a protection and preservation from all harm of soul and body, and may it increase in them through your grace spiritual gifts and Christian virtues: For You are the One Who blesses and sanctifies all things, О Christ our God, and we give to You glory, thanksgiving, and worship with your eternal Father, and your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
People: Amen.
Priest: This Cross is blessed by the sprinkling of this holy water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dismissal
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You,
People: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3). Give the blessing.
Priest: Christ our true God, Who for the sake of our salvation allowed Himself to be baptized by the Prophet John in the river Jordan, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother, the venerable fathers, the blessed and all praiseworthy apostles, of Saint (name) for whom this child is named, of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, patron of this holy Church, and all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
People: Amen.
After the Dismissal the priest intones the ‘Blessing of Many Years’
Priest: May the Lord, our God, grant the newly enlightened the servant of God name, many happy, peaceful and healthy years, unto life and salvation, Mnohaya Lita.
People: God grant him (or her) many years in health and with salvation, for many, many years.
Priest: May the Lord, our God, grant the Godparents name, and to the parents name, many happy, peaceful and healthy years, unto life and salvation, Mnohaya Lita.
People: God grant them many years in health and with salvation, for many, many years.
Priest: To the family and friends who are gathered here today, and for those who could not be with us, and for all orthodox Christians throughout the world, may the Lord, our God, grant many happy, peaceful and healthy years, unto life and salvation, Mnohaya Lita.
People: God grant them many years in health and with salvation, for many, many years.
The end and Glory to God!