The Consecration of a Church

CHURCH WHEN PERFORMED BY A BISHOP (i) *

When the Church is finished, there cometh a person, sent from the Bishop, one day or more beforehand, and prepareth those things which are necessary for the Consecration, not only within the Sanctuary, but also in all the Church. And especially he is careful that the Altar shall stand upon four columns, with a fifth column bearing a small coffer, in the middle; and the coffer must be in the centre, under the Altar, about fourteen inches high, and the Altar thirty-eight inches in height, and its width in proportion to the Sanctuary, and the top of the Altar in proportion to the Altar.

The Table of Oblation, also, shall be of the same height, width and length, in proportion to the Sanctuary. In the top of the Altar-columns cavities are holloived out, a couple of inches in depth, where the wax-mastic is to be: in these same columns, six inches from, the floor, notches shall be cut for holding the cord; and round about the table of the Altar, a couple of inches from the top, other such notches shall be cut, for holding the cord; and holes are to be bored in the corners of the tables for the Altar and the Table of Oblation where the nails are to be, and hollow spaces shall be prepared where the heads of the nails are to be, so that the heads of the nails may lie on a level with the table of the Altar; and the columns are to be pierced in such a manner that the nails shall enter them straight. The following things are required: For making fast the table of the Altar, four nails, and as many more are required for the Table of Oblation; four stones, wherewith to drive the nails; one altar-cloth for draping the Altar, and another for the Table of Oblation; upper altar-cloths, for covering the Altar and the Table of Oblation; veils; cloths wherewith to wipe the Altar; a curtain for the Holy Door; two palls, for the Altar and the Table of Oblation; one glass each of rose-water and of church wine; holy Chrism, and an anoint-ing brush; a sponge for the corporal; a sponge for the sacred chalice; a small leaden box for the holy relics under the Altar; tapers for the Bishop, and for distribution among the other Ecclesiastics and the laity; incense, both of the finest sort, and also of the ordinary sort; two large tapers, for carrying in procession; the church banners, if there be any. And round' about the Church it must be clean.

Then the table-board shall be taken from the Altar, and placed against the wall, on the right-hand side, and note must be taken beforehand of the position in which it lay upon the Altar columns.

Then a table is placed in front of the Holy Door, and upon it is spread an altar-cloth: And the book of the Holy Gospels, and the precious cross, and the sacred vessels are set thereon; the spoon, the spear, the altar-cloths, together with the veils, the cord, the covering of the Altar and of the Table of Oblation, the nails, and the sponges; ana they are covered with an altar-cloth; and four candlesticks are set there, one at each corner; and another small table is placed within the Sanctuary, near the Bishop's throne, and an altar-cloth is spread thereon; and upon this table are placed the holy Chrism, the church-wine and the rose-water in their glasses, an anointing-brush, an aspergillus, the stones wherewith the nails are to be driven, and the wax-mastic.

And the holy relics are placed upon the paten, covered with the star-cover and the veil, and on the eve of the Consecration are set upon a lectern before the holy picture of the Saviour, by the side of the Holy Door, in the Church itself; and outside the Sanctuary

is celebrated the Vigil Office, by whomsoever the Bishop shall appoint. And before the blessing of the water, the relics shall be borne thence, with all reverence, to a neighbouring Church, after an early Liturgy, and there placed upon the holy Altar; and the book of the Gospels shall be placed from the east over the holy relics; and a candlestick shall be placed before the holy relics. But if there be no other church in the vicinity, then they shall stand in the same spot until they are used.

When the time for the Divine Liturgy is come, and the Bishop hath entered the Church which is to be consecrated, he vesteth himself in his episcopal robes, and addeth thereto a special white garment (sratchitza). (2) And thus arrayed he entereth the holy Sanctuary; and the Priests who are to serve, wearing similar garments over their priestly vestments, bear before the Bishop the table with all things needful for the Consecration, and set it on the right-hand side. And the Bishop, giving his pastoral staff to a Sub-Deacon as he cometh to the Holy Doors, entereth the Sanctuary: and after he hath prayed, he maketh the sign of the cross in blessing over those who are serving, on both sides. At this time the Deacon bringeth holy waiter (3) to the Bishop, and the Bishop, taking the aspergillus, sprinkleth the columns with the holy water. Then the Sacristan bringeth the hot wax-mastic to the Bishop, and the Bishop sprinkleth the wax-mastic with holy water, and taketh the vessel with the wax-mastic, and poureth it upon the columns, in the form of a cross, to the requisite amount, compassing them about; then he giveth the vessel to the Sacristan, and again sprinkleth the columns with holy water, that the wax-mastic may harden quickly; and the Priests breathe upon the columns where the wax-mastic is, until it is hard. (4)

And when this is finished, the Archdeacon saith: Let us pray to the Lord. The Priests. Lord, have mercy.

And the Bishop reciteth this Prayer, in the hearing of all:

O Lord God our Saviour, who createst all things and makest the race of man for salvation, accept the prayer of us, thine unworthy servants; and enable us at this present hour without condemnation to accomplish the consecration of this Temple, founded to thy praise in the name of Saint N.; and to consummate the erection therein of an Altar.

Exclamation. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Priests. Amen.

Then the Priests bring the table of the Altar, and the Bishop sprinkleth it on all sides, and layeth it upon the columns of the Altar.

And while this is being done, the following Psalm is sung:

Psalm cxlv.

I will magnify thee, O God, my King; and I will praise thy Name forever and ever. Every day will I give thanks unto thee; and praise thy Name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised; there is no end of his greatness. One generation shall praise thy works unto another, and declare thy power. As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works; so

that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts; and I will also tell of thy greatness. The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be showed; and men shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful; long-suffering, and of great goodness. The Lord is loving unto every man; and his mercy is over all his works. All thy works praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints give thanks unto thee. They show the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; that thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy kingdom, might be known unto men. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages. The Lord upholdeth all such as fall, and lifteth up all those that are down. The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him; yea, all such as call upon him faithfully. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will help them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him; but scattereth abroad all the ungodly. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name forever and ever.

And when the Psalm is finished, the Bishop saith:

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

The Priests. Amen.

And when the wax-mastic hath become hard, and the places upon which it flowed have been cleaned, they say Psalm xxiii.

The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture, and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the

Lord forever.

Then the Bishop:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Priests. Amen.

The Sacristan bringeth four nails, and layeth them on the Altar; (5) and the Bishop sprinkleth them with holy water and placeih them in the columns. Again, the Sacristan bringeth the four stones; and the Bishop having taken one stone and the officiating ecclesiastics the others, they make firm the Altar. And when the Altar hath been established, the carpet is immediately spread before the Holy Door, and (the Holy Door being now opened), the upper end is laid in place. And when the Bishop is come forth from the Sanctuary, the Deacon shall exclaim:

Again, yet again, on bended knees, let us pray to the Lord.

And the Priests within the Sanctuary chant: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) After which the Bishop, kneeling, saith the following Prayer:

O God, without beginning and eternal, who callest all things into being from nothingness; who dwellest in light unapproachable, and hast the heavens for thy throne, and the earth for thy footstool; who didst give a law and pattern unto Moses, and didst inspire Bezaleel with the spirit of wisdom, and didst enable them to complete the perfect building of the Tabernacle of thy Covenant, wherein ordinances of divine worship were instituted, which were the images and types of the true; who didst bestow upon Solomon breadth and greatness of heart, and thereby didst rear of old the Temple; and upon thy holy and all-laudable Apostles didst renew the service in the Spirit, and the grace of the true Tabernacle, and through the same, O Lord of Hosts, didst plant thy churches and thine altars in all the earth, that there might be offered unto thee consecrated and unbloody sacrifices; who, also, hast graciously been pleased to found this Temple, in the name of Saint N., to thy glory, and to the glory of thine Only-begotten Son, and of thine all-holy Spirit: Do thou, the same immortal and munificent King, call to mind thy bounties and thy mercies, which are from everlasting, and abhor not us who are defiled with a multitude of sins, neither annul thou thy Covenant because of our uncleanness; but disregard thou now our iniquities, and strengthen us with the grace and inspiration of thy life-giving and holy Spirit, that without condemnation we may accomplish the renewal of this Temple, and fulfil the consecration of the Altar(s) therein; that therein blessing thee in Psalms, and songs, and mystical rites we may always magnify thy loving-kindness. Yea, O Master, Lord our God, the hope of all the ends of the earth, hear us sinners who make our supplications unto thee, and send down thine all-holy, and adorable, and almighty Spirit, and sanctify this Temple and this Altar (these Altars): Fill it (them) with the light everlasting: elect it (them) for thy dwelling-place; make it (them) the abode of thy glory. Adorn it (them) with thy divine and supernal gifts. Appoint it (them) for a haven of the tempest-tossed, for a healing of passions, for a refuge of the weak, for an expelling of evil spirits. Let thine eyes be open upon it (them) day and night, and let thine ears be heedful of the prayer of those who shall enter therein in thy fear and in devoutness, and shall call upon thine all-honourable and adorable Name; that whatsoever they shall ask of thee, thou wilt hear it in heaven above, and wilt show mercy and be gracious unto them. Preserve it indestructible even unto the end of the ages, and show forth the holy Altar() therein, the Altar(s) of thy Holy Things through the power and effectual operation of thy Holy Spirit. Glorify it (them) above the Mercy-Seat according to the Law; that the holy offices which shall be celebrated thereon may attain unto thy holy, and most heavenly, and supersensual Altar,

and obtain for us the grace of thy most pure over-shadowing; for we trust not in the service of our unworthy hands, but in thine unspeakable goodness.

And when the Prayer is finished, the Bishop standeth, and goeth into the Sanctuary, to the holy Altar; and the Proto-Deacon, within the holy Sanctuary, saith (the Holy Door being closed):

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

The Priests. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls:

For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of all:

For the Most Holy Governing Synod (or Patriarch), and for the Right Reverend Bishop N., and for the works of his hands; and for the Priests and Deacons who are with him:

That he will sanctify this holy Temple, and the Altar that is (the Altars that are) therein, through the descent and might of the Holy Spirit:

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Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted.

For this city, and for every city and land, and for those who with faith dwell therein:

That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity:

Calling to remembrance our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To thee, O God.

Exclamation.

For holy art thou, O our God, who restest upon the Martyrs who have suffered for thee; and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The Priests. Amen.

Then a porringer is brought, filled with warm water, and red wine and rose-water. And the Proto-Deacon saith:

Let us pray to the Lord.

And the Bishop, bowing his head, saith this Prayer over the water and the wine: O Lord our God, who didst sanctify the streams of Jordan by thy redeeming manifestation: Do thou, the same Lord, send down now also

the grace of thy Holy Spirit; and bless this water and this wine, unto the sanctifi cation and completion of this thine Altar (these thy Altars): For blessed art thou unto ages of ages. Amen.

And after the Prayer, he poureth the warm water, thrice, upon the Altar, saying: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And mingling the red wine and the rose-water, he poureth them into one vessel.

Then the Sacristan bringeth four cloths. And the Bishop, taking one of them, blesseth his fellow-ministers to take the others; and they wipe the Altar therewith.

And when these things are finished, Psalm lxxxiv. is said.

O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of Hosts! My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; even thy altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be alway praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are thy ways. Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; and the pools are filled with water. They will go from strength to strength, and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Zion. O Lord God of Hosts, hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob. Behold, O God our defender, and look upon the face of thine Anointed. For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. For the Lord God is a light and defence; the Lord will give grace and worship; and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life. O Lord God of Hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

And when the Altar hath been washed and wiped, the Bishop saith: Glory to our God unto ages of ages. Priests. Amen.

The Bishop then taketh from the Sacristan the red wine mingled with rose-water, and poureth it upon the Altar, thrice, in cross-form, liberally, and they wet the Altar abundantly, stretching forth their hands: and with this same mixture the Bishop sprinkleth the other holy corporals. (6) And as he doth this, he saith at each sprinkling:

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

And after the Altar and the corporals have been sprinkled, the following shall be added (Psalm li. verses 8-19):

Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right

spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips* O Lord, and my mouth shall show thy praise. For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise. O be favourable and gracious unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

Then the Sacristan bringeth the sponges. The Bishop taketh one sponge, and his fellow-ministers take the others; and they wipe the Altar with the sponges. Then they spread the corporal (or the corporals) at the upper edge of the Altar. Then the Bishop saith:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Priests. Amen.

Then the Sacristan bringeth the holy Chrism. The Bishop, taking the brush, anointeth the Altar, in cross-form. The Proto-Deacon saith, for the Altar, and for each corporal: Let us attend. The Bishop maketh upon the Altar three crosses, one in the middle, and one on each side, a little lower down, saying: Alleluia, thrice, at each. And he anointeth also the pillars of the Altar, on two sides, and on the middle, and on the edges. Thereafter the Priests take the corporal (corporals) and lay it (them) on the Altar, one by one, below the crosses, which are traced with the holy Chrism, that these crosses be not erased. The Bishop maketh three crosses on each corporal (antimins) (7) with the holy Chrism, which is on the Altar. And when this is accomplished, Psalm cxxxiii. is read:

Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard, even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing. Like as the dew of Hermon, which fell upon the hill of Zion. For there the Lord promised his blessing, and life forevermore.

Then the Bishop saith: Glory to thee, O Holy Trinity our God, unto ages' of ages. The Priests. Amen.

And they place the corporal (or the corporals) on the salver. Then the Priests bring the first covering of the Altar; (8) the Bishop sprinkleth it without and within with holy water, and they put it on the Altar. Then the cord is brought. (9) The Bishop sprinkleth the cord, and they bind the Altar about therewith; and this is the manner of the binding. The Bishop holdeth the cord upon the right side, at the first pillar, and they all go with the cord round to the second pillar towards the east, whence it is carried to the bottom of the third pillar, and goeth to the bottom of the fourth pillar, and is carried again to the middle of the first pillar, and fastened to

the end which the Bishop holdeth; and again it is carried to the bottom of the second pillar, and passeth, low down, to the third pillar, and is taken thence to the top of the fourth pillar, and from the fourth pillar is carried to the bottom of the first pillar, so that a cross is formed at the front. And from the first pillar it goeth io the bottom of the second pillar, and thence is carried to the top of the third pillar, so that a cro.s s is formed towards the east. And from the third pillar it is carried to the bottom of the fourth pillar, so that there is a cross upon the north side; and from the fourth pillar it goeth to the bottom of the first pillar. And from the bottom of the first pillar it goeth to the top of the second pillar; and so there is formed a cross on the south side. And it passeth round in such manner that there are three cords at the top, and the second end of the rope is bound to the first end at the first pillar.

And when these things are accomplished, that is to say, when the Altar hath been robed in the first covering and bound about with the cord, Psalm cxxxii. is said, once, twice, and thrice.

Lord, remember David, and all his trouble: how he sware unto the Lord, and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob; I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, nor climb up into my bed; I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber; neither the temples of my head to take any rest; until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord; an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata, and found it in the wood. We will go into his tabernacle, and fall low on our knees before his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints sing with joyfulness. For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the presence of thine Anointed. The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it; of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat. If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall learn them; their children also shall sit upon thy seat forevermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion to be an habitation for himself; he hath longed for her. This shall be my rest forever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. I will bless her victuals with increase, and will satisfy her poor with bread. I will deck her priests with health, and her saints shall rejoice and sing. There shall I make the horn of David to flourish: I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed. As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

And when this is finished, the Bishop saith: Glory to our God unto ages of ages.

Then the Priests bring the upper covering (the inditia). (io) The Bishop sprinkleth it with holy water within and without, and they put it on the holy Altar, and spread the pall (the iliton), (n) and upon it place the corporal (corporals), and the book of the Holy Gospels, and the precious cross upon the Altar, and cover them with the altar-cloth; and all these things are sprinkled with holy water. And all these things being accomplished, Psalm xciii. is read:

The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel; the Lord hath

put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength. He hath made the round world so sure, that it cannot be moved. Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared: thou art from everlasting. The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly; but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier. Thy testimonies,

O Lord, are very sure: holiness becometh thine house forever.

And after the Psalm the Bishop saith:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. The Priests. Amen.

Then the Bishop commandeth the chief of the officiating clergy to array the Table of Oblation, with sprinkling of holy water; and they place the vessels', and the veils thereon, and cover them with an altar-cloth, saying nothing, but only sprinkling them with holy water. Then the Bishop is divested of the special white garment; and the Proto-Deacon bringeth the censer to the Bishop. And the Bishop censeth the Altar and the Table of Oblation round about, and all the Sanctuary; and the Proto-Deacon goeth before him with a taper, reciting Psalm xxvi.:

Be thou my Judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently: my trust hath been also in the Lord, therefore shall I not fall. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try out my reins and my heart. For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes; and I will walk in thy truth. I have not dwelt with vain persons; neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful. I have hated the congregation of the wicked; and will not sit among the ungodly. I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord; and so will I go to thine altar; that I may show the voice of thanksgiving; and tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. O shut not up my soul with the sinners, nor my life with the blood-thirsty; in whose hands is wickedness, and their right hand is full of gifts. But as for me,

I will walk innocently: O deliver me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth right: I will praise the Lord in the congregations,

many times, until the Sanctuary and the whole Church have been censed.

And as the Bishop censeth, two Archimandrites, or Abbots, or Priests, follow him. One sprinkleth the walls with holy water; the second, holding the vessel of the holy Chrism, anointeth them with the brush, in cross-form, dipping it in the Chrism, first in the Sanctuary over the Bishop's seat, above the window; then over the western doors of the church; then on the south side and the north side over the doors; and if they be lofty, steps are used.

And when the censing and the Psalm are finished, the Bishop enter eth the Sanctuary and saith:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And the Proto-Deacon taketh the censer and censeth the Bishop thrice. Then he saith, in front of the Altar, on the left side, the Little Litany.

Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

And the Bishop doth not make the Exclamation, but the Proto-Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Then the Bishop's mitre is removed. And standing in front of the holy Altar, he saith, very loudly, the following Prayer:

O Lord of heaven and earth, who with wisdom ineffable hast founded thy holy Church, and hast appointed the Order of the Priesthood upon the earth for an antitype of the Angels' service in heaven: Do thou, O munificent Lord, receive also us who now make our petitions unto thee, not as being worthy to ask such great things of thee, but that the exceeding excellence of thy goodness may be manifested; for thou hast not ceased in manifold wise to be gracious unto mankind. And, as the chief est of thy benefits, thou hast bestowed upon us the coming in the flesh of thine Only-begotten Son, who was seen upon earth, and shedding forth the light of salvation upon them that sat in darkness, did offer himself a sacrifice for us, and became a propitiation for the whole world, making us to be partakers of his Resurrection; and after that he had ascended into heaven, he endued his Apostles and Disciples, as he had promised, with power from on high, which is the Holy Spirit, adored and almighty, who proceedeth from thee, our God and Father; through whom, also, they became mighty in deed and in word, administered Baptism unto the adoption of sonship, builded churches, established Altars, and instituted the laws and precepts of the Priesthood. And we sinners, having preserved the tradition thereof, do fall down before thee, the everlasting God, and implore thee, O Loving-kind One: Fill with thy glory divine this Temple erected to thy praise, and show thou forth the holy Altar(s) therein set up as the Holy of Holies; that we who stand before it (them), as before the dread throne of thy kingdom, may serve thee uncondemned, sending up unto thee petitions for ourselves and for all the people, and offering the unbloody sacrifice to thy goodness, unto the remission of sins both voluntary and involuntary, unto the governing of our life, the attainment of a good conversation, and the fulfilling of all righteousness.

For blessed be thine all-holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Priests. Amen.

And the Bishop saith:

Peace be with you all. Priests. And with thy spirit.

Proto-Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

To thee, O Lord.

And the Bishop saith, secretly, the following Prayer:

We thank thee, O Lord God of Hosts, for that thou hast graciously vouchsafed to continue also even unto us sinners and thine unworthy servants, because of thy great love toward mankind, that grace which thou hast poured out upon thy holy Apostles, and upon our sainted fathers. Wherefore we pray thee, O all-merciful Lord: Fill with glory, and holiness, and grace this Altar (these Altars), that the unbloody sacrifices which shall thereon be offered unto thee may be transmuted into the most pure Body and precious Blood of thine Only-begotten Son, who is our Lord, and God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, unto the salvation of all thy people, and of our unworthiness.

Exclamation. For thou art our God, the God whose property it is to show mercy and to save; and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Priests. Amen.

And thereupon there is brought to the Bishop a candlestick, and therein a new, unlighted taper, which the Bishop lighteth with his own hands, (12) and placeth on the High Place (the Bishop's seat) behind the Altar*

Then the Sacristan directeth how they are, to go to another church, with the cross, for the holy relics: the Bishop giveth the book of the Holy Gospels and the cross to the Priests, and distributed the tapers in the Sanctuary to those present, and issuing forth from the Sanctuary upon the tribune, to the laity. Then the Bishop entereth the Sanctuary: and preceded by the priests, the Bishop goeth forth from the Sanctuary through the church doors for the holy relics, taking his pastoral staff at the Holy Door from a Chanter, and saith:

Let us go forth in peace.

Then they go for the holy relics, according to the ritual: in front are borne the church banners, and the holy pictures (ikoni), as is done in processions of the cross. _ The Bishop is supported by two Deacons. And the Priests walk before the Bishop, bearing the book of the Holy Gospels and the cross, and the Proto-Deacon and the Deacon cense.

The Singers chant the Hymn, in Tone IV

Thy Church which, in all the world, thou hast adorned with the blood of thy martyrs, as it were purple and fine linen, crieth aloud through them unto thee, O Christ-God: Send down thy bounties uoon thy people, giving grace unto thine Estate, and great mercy unto our souls.

Glory to the Father, now,... (Tone VIII.)

The universe offereth unto thee, O Lord, the God-bearing martyrs, the first-fruits of nature, as to the Founder of Creation: Through the prayers of the same, and of the Birth-giver of God, O merciful One, preserve in peace profound thy Church, which is thine Estate.

And when the Bishop cometh to the Temple where the holy relics are placed, he entereth the Sanctuary through the Holy Door, with two of the Ecclesiastics there present. And at the Holy Door he giveth his pastoral staff to an acolyte. And the Bishop and Ecclesiastics do reverence to the holy relics; and the Bishop maketh the sign of the cross over those who stand there.

Then the Proto-Deacon, standing in front of the Holy Door, reciteth the Little Litany. (See page 502.)

Again, yet again, in peace

And the Priests outside the Sanctuary respond:

Lord, have mercy.

And after the Litany, the Bishop pronounceth the Exclamation in front of the Altar:

For holy art thou, O our God, who restest on the honourable Martyrs, which have suffered for thee; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)

Proto-Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy

And the Bishop is divested of his mitre, which is laid upon the salver. And he saith the following Prayer:

O Lord our God, faithful in thy words, and steadfast in thy promises, who hast enabled thy holy Martyrs to fight the good fight and to fulfil the course of godliness, and to keep the faith of the true confession: Be thou, the same all-holy Lord, entreated of their prayers, and vouchsafe unto us thine unworthy servants to have a part and inheritance with them; that being followers of them, we also may obtain the good things which await them.

Exclamation. Through the mercy and love toward mankind of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir Amen.

Bishop. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Proto-Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir To thee, O Lord.

And the Bishop saith, secretly, the following Prayer: O Lord our God, through the prayers of our most holy Lady, the Birth-giver of God, and of all thy Saints, direct thou the works of the hands of us, thine unworthy servants; and vouchsafe that we may, in all things, prove acceptable unto thy goodness.

Exclamation. Blessed and all-glorified be the majesty of thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

The Bishop then taketh the censer from the Proto-Deacon, and censeth the holy relics thrice three times; and giving the censer to be held, and taking the holy paten with the holy relics, covered with a veil over the star-cover, he setteth it upon his head, and goeth out through the Holy Door, supported by the chief Ecclesiastics. But the Bishop himself holdeth the paten with both hands. And thus they go forth, according to their rank. In front are borne the church banners, and the holy image (ikona) of the Temple. Before the holy image go the Singers; then the Priests, then the Taper-bearer with the pastoral staff; and the mitre is borne in the middle.

Then the Proto-Deacon and a Deacon go with censers and cense the holy relics and the Bishop; and over the paten Deacons bear two or four sacramental fans. Before the Bishop Sub-Deacons bear the double-branched and triple-branched candlesticks (dikiri and trikiri).

Then the Singers chant the Hymn, in Tone III.: O Good One, who didst found thy Church upon the rock of faith, direct thou aright our petitions therein; and accept thou the people who, in faith, do cry unto thee: Save us, O our God, save us.

If there be time, they sing also the following Theme-Songs (Irmosi): Tone III., Song III. O Lord, the Confirmation of those who set their hope on thee, confirm thou thy Church, which thou hast bought with thy precious blood.

Tone VI II., Song III. O Master and Creator of the vault of heaven, and Founder of the Church, establish thou me in thy love, O thou who alone lovest mankind; the Summit of desire, the Confirmation of the faithful.

Tone V., Song III. Thou who upon nothing, by thy command, didst erect the earth, and didst suspend it, hanging unsupported: Upon the rock immovable of thy commandments, O Christ, establish thou thy Church, O thou who alone art good and lovest mankind.

When they come to the Church which is to be consecrated, they circle round about it from the western door to the southern side, and so on to the east; (13) And a Priest goeth before, and sprinkleth the Church with holy water. And when they come in front of the great door of the Church, the Singers chant the Hymns, in Tone VII.:

O holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and have received your

crowns: Entreat ye the Lord that our souls may be saved.

Glory to thee, O Christ-God, the Apostles' boast, the Martyrs' joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

Then the Bishop taketh from his head the paten with the holy relics, and setteth it on the table prepared in front of the church doors. And he doeth reverence to the holy relics thrice: and puttelh on his mitre, and signeth the Priests on either side with the sign of the cross. And while the Singers chant the Hymns, they enter the Temple.

And the doors being shut or screened with a curtain, the Clergy stand with the holy images, the Gospels and the cross, behind the table which is in front of the door, turning toward the west; and on the table is spread an altar-cloth, and at the corners stand four candlesticks, or two; and the Deacons hold the sacramental fans over the holy relics.

Then the Proto-Deacon bringeth the censer to the Bishop. And the Bishop, taking it, censeth the holy paten thrice three times, as also the book of the Holy Gospels, and the cross, and the holy images (ikoni), on the right and on the left; and also the Clergy.

And after the censing, the Proto-Deacon taketh the censer from the Bishop, and censeth the Bishop thrice.

And the Bishop, standing before the holy relics, saith: Blessed art thou always, O Christ our God, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

And the Singers within the Temple respond: Amen. Then the Bishop saith: Receive your princes, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.

And the Singers within the Temple sing: Who is this King of Glory?

And again, for the second time, the Bishop proclaimeih: Receive your princes, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Singers. Who is this King of Glory? Proto-Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Singers. Lord, have mercy.

The Bishop's mitre is then removed, and he saith, in a loud voice, this Prayer: Blessed be thou forever, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who through the veil of his flesh hath consecrated for us an entrance into, the Church of the first-born, who are written in heaven, where is the abode of those who rejoice, and the voice of gladness: Do thou, the same Lord who lovest mankind, look upon us, thy sinful and unworthy servants, who now celebrate the renewal of the honourable Temple of N., after the pattern of thy most holy Church, that is, of our own body, which thou hast vouchsafed unto us by thine all-laudable Apostle Paul

to call thy Temple (and members of thy Christ); and establish thou it immovable unto the end of time, and glorified in thee. And vouchsafe that without condemnation we may offer therein praises and exaltations unto thy glory, and unto thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and thy Holy Spirit, with understanding, and with all emotion; and that those who worship thee in thy fear may show themselves worthy of thy divine bounties; and that these prayers offered up by us and by all thy people unto thine ineffable loving-kindness may be acceptable unto thy goodness: Through the prayers of our most holy Lady, the Birth-giver of God, and ever-virgin Mary.

Exclamation.

For holy art thou, O our God, who restest on the Saints. And unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Bishop. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Prolo-Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

And the Bishop reciteth, secretly, this Prayer of the Entrance. O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven, ranks and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the ministry of thy glory: Cause that with our entrance may enter also the holy Angels, with us serving thee and with us glorifying thy goodness.

Exclamation. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Then the Bishop taketk the paten with the holy relics, and signeth the doors of the Church in cross-form, saying:

The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory.

And the Choir singeth: The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory.

And while the Choir singeth this for the last time, the table is removed, and the Bishop setteth the paten with the holy relics on his head; and they enter the Temple. At that moment the Choir singeth the Hymn in Tone IV

Forasmuch as thou hast shown forth the splendour of the firmament on high, and the beauty of the holy habitation of thy glory here below, O Lord: Establish thou the same forever, and accept our petitions continually offered unto thee therein; through the Birth-giver of God, O thou who art the life and the Resurrection of all men.

And the Bishop goeth into the holy Sanctuary, through the Holy Door, and setteth the paten with the holy relics on the holy Altar, and doeth reverence to the holy relics. And the Bishop's mitre is put upon him. Then the Proto-Deacon bringeth the censer to the Bishop, and the Bishop taketh it, and censeth the holy relics thrice three times, and his fellow-clergy, on both sides. And the Proto-Deacon, taking the censer from the Bishop, censeth the Bishop thrice.

The Bishop prayeth, and blesseth his fellow-ministers, and taketh the veil and star-cover from the paten; and the Sacristan bringeth the holy Chrism, and the coffer for the holy relics, which is beneath the Altar. After him the Sub-Deacon bringeth the wax-mastic, somewhat cooled. And the Bishop taketh the holy relics, unfolding them from the paper in which they have been wrapped, in three portions, encased in wax, and placeth them in the coffer, having first anointed them with the holy Chrism; and poureth of the wax-mastic, and giveth the coffer to the Sacristan.

And the Sacristan, taking it, and kissing the holy hand of the Bishop, closeth the coffer, and layeth it under the Altar, in the central pillar.

Then the Bishop layeth the prepared particles in the corporal (or corporals), having first anointed inside a little bag in the centre of each corporal with the holy Chrism, and maketh them fast with wax-mastic with a special small paddle. (14)

[When there is no other church in the vicinity of the Temple to be consecrated, the holy relics are set, in the same manner, on the preceding evening, upon a lectern in front of the holy picture (ikona) of the Saviour, in the Temple which is to be consecrated. And when the time is come to go for the holy relics, the Bishop issueth forth from the doors of the Church, and standeth over against the relics, on his eagle rug, and praying, he blesseth his fellow-clergy; and the Bishop taketh the censer, and censeth the holy relics thrice: and the Choir singeth the Hymn already set forth (page 503): Thy Church which, in all the world,... Glory now,..; and the Collect-Hymn: The universe offereth unto thee, O Lord,.. (See page 504.)

And when the Choir hath finished singing, the Proto-Deacon saith the Little Litany: Again, yet again, (page 502) before the holy relics, and all things are done

according to the ritual, as herein before set forth. And the Bishop taketh the holy relics on his head, and goeth with the cross round about the Church, according to the ritual. And when it is in no wise possible to make the circuit of the Church with the holy relics, then they go forth before the great door of the Temple, and the Bishop setteth the holy relics on the table there made ready, and doeth reverence to the holy relics, and taketh the censer from the Proto-Deacon, and censeth the holy relics three times; and everything is done according to the order already prescribed. And after all hath been accomplished, the Bishop setteth the holy relics on his head, and having blessed therewith the great door of the church, he setteth them again upon his head; and entering the Sanctuary, he maketh the circuit of the Sanctuary once with the holy relics, instead of going round about the Temple, as should have been done; and he setteth the holy relics upon the holy Altar, and layeth them in the coffer, and in the corporals, and doth the rest, according to the order set forth above.)

And when this hath been accomplished, the Proto-Deacon saith: Let us pray to the Lord. Priests. Lord, have mercy.

The Bishop saith the following Prayer: O Lord our God, who hast bestowed upon the holy Martyrs which suffered for thy sake this glory also, that their relics should be sown abroad in all the earth, in thy holy churches, and should bring forth fruits

of healing: Do thou, the same Master, who art the giver of all good things, through the intercessions of the saints whose relics thou hast graciously permitted to be placed in this thy most honourable Altar (these thy most honourable Altars), enable us uncondemned to offer unto thee thereon the unbloody sacrifice: And grant us all those petitions which are unto salvation, vouchsafing also to the relics therein of those who have suffered for thy holy Name, that they may work miracles unto our salvation.

Exclamation.

For thine are the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The Priests. Amen.

Then the Proto-Deacon saith: Again, yet again, on bended knees, let us pray to the Lord.

And the Bishop, kneeling (and the people there present in the Temple kneel also) reciteth, in the hearing of all, this Prayer:

O Lord our God, who by thy word alone didst bring into existence creation, and who in unutterable wise didst adorn it diversely, and didst send down thy Holy Spirit, gathering it together, and hast poured forth this light of the sun unto its renewal; who didst inspire Moses, well-pleasing in thy sight, to add unto thine exceedingly good creation a certain special praise, and to say: Thou didst behold the light, that it was good, and didst call it Day: which, also, we have beheld, even this most radiant sun that every day reneweth creation, and do glorify thee, the Sun of the true day, and thy light which hath no setting; Who, through thy Son, hast commanded us to renew our nature by thy Holy Spirit, that through the gift thereof thy Saints may shine like the sun: We pray thee, and beseech thee, the Father of the Word, our Lord and our God (forasmuch as, through thine unutterable love toward mankind and thy boundless mercy, creation and the ancient covenant, — ■ which was the image of the new covenant, — in thy divine revelation of thyself on Mount Sinai, and that wondrous Bush that burned, and the tabernacle of assembly, and the exceeding beautiful Temple of Solomon, received renewal): with merciful eyes look thou upon us, thy sinful and unworthy servants, who are here present in this house like unto heaven, which is the praise of the universe, a true altar of thine ineffable glory. And send down upon us, and upon thine inheritance thy most Holy Spirit, and after the manner of the divine David renew within our hearts a right spirit, and establish us with thy sovereign Spirit. And grant unto our most God-fearing Ruler, N., victories and conquests over enemies both visible and invisible; and unto us peace and concord. And give remission of sins to those who have diligently completed this building and consecration of a temple out of love to thee, O God: Grant them those petitions which are unto salva-

tion; stir them up to do thy commandments; vouchsafe unto them the renewal of the gift of thy Holy Spirit, that uncondemned they may worship thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent: Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God (and of N., the Samt to whom the Church is dedicated), and all of thy Saints. Amen.

And after the Prayer the Bishop riseth, as do likewise the others, and the Proto-

Deacon saith: Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, raise us up, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

(And the rest of the Little Litany. See page 502.)

The Ascription: The Bishop.

For holy art thou, O our God, and restest on the holy, honourable

Martyrs, who have suffered for thy sake; and unto thee do we ascribe

glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and

ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Then the Bishop goeth to the place where he is vested, if such a place there be, with his pastoral staff. But if there be no vesting-place, he standeth on the tribune in front of the Sanctuary. And the Priests take their stand on either side, according to the ritual. And when the Bishop hath stood there and prayed, he blesseth those present.

The Proto-Deacon reciteth the Litany.

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy.

Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted.

Furthermore we pray for our Most Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.:

Furthermore we pray for all their Christ-loving Army and Navy,

Furthermore we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy Temple.

Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God, our brethren of this holy Temple,

Furthermore we pray for those who bear fruit and do good work in this holy and all-honourable Temple: for those who labour in its service; for the singers, and for the people here present, who await in firm hope the great and rich mercies which are from thee.

And the Bishop maketh the Exclamation.

For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

ft)

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Then the Sacristan bringeth to the Bishop a cross upon a salver. And the Bishop taketh the cross, and standing on that same vesting-place (or on the tribune before the Sanctuary) blesseth thrice with the cross, on all four sides: to the east, and the west, and the south, and the north. And the Proto-Deacon censeth over against the cross thrice on each side, and passing over, saith: Let us all say, Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

After the blessing, the Proto-Deacon saith: Wisdom!

And the Bishop, laying the cross upon the Sacristan's salver, goeth (if he hath been standing upon the vesting-place) to the tribune before the Sanctuary, bearing his pastoral staff, saying:

O most holy Birth-giver of God, save us.

Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee.

Bishop. Glory to thee, O Christ-God our hope; glory to thee.

Choir. Glory... now, and ever,... Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.') Master, bless.

And the Bishop, ascending the tribune, and giving his pastoral staff, again taketh the cross, and giveth the Benediction with the cross. And after the Benediction the Proto-Deacon proclaimeth Many years. And after the Many years, the Deacon bringeth the Bishop holy water And the Bishop sprinkleth with the holy water the wall, west, north and south. After the sprinkling, the Bishop himself kisseth the precious cross, and after him the other Ecclesiastics and the People kiss it likewise; and he sprinkleth each of them with holy water. And while the People salute it, the Choir singeth: Many Years. (See page 549.)

And when this hath been sung, the Hours are begun. At the Liturgy, the Gradual (Prokimen) of the Consecration and of the Saint of the Temple are used. The Epistle is: Hebrews ix. 1-8, and that of the Temple. The Gospel is: John x. 2227, and that of the Temple.