All you
who have been baptized
into Christ
have put on Christ.
Alleluia!
[alert style=”info”]Please Note: As of the day of this post there is no official English translation of this Rite for the Ukrainian Catholic Church. This translation is provided until such time.[/alert]
The priest, vested in an epitrakhil (and phelon, if it is the custom) goes with the deacon into the narthex of the church. The deacon faces the child to the East, opens its blanket and removes its hat. Then the priest breathes on the child’s face three times, makes the sign of the Cross on the candidate’s forehead and breast, places his right hand on the candidate’s head. The deacon exclaims:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest say this prayer:
In Your Name, O Lord, God of truth, and in the Name of Your only-begotten Son and of Your Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon your servant, N., You make him (her) worthy to take refuge in Your holy Name, to be protected under the cover of Your wings. Now take away his (her) former misconceptions and fill him (her) with faith in You, with hope and with love, that he (she) may understand that You alone, with Your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit, You alone are truly God. May he (she) follow the path of Your commandments and fulfil Your desires, for all who do these things will draw life from them Enrol him (her) in Your book of the living and join him (her) to the flock of Your inheritance, that through him (her) glory may be given to Your holy Name, the Name of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Your life-creating Spirit. Let Your eyes ever look upon him (her) with love and Your ears be attentive to the voice of his (her) prayers. Make him (her) glad in the works of his (her) hands, glad in all his (her) posterity. We ask these things that he (she) may acknowledge You by giving worship and glory to Your great Name, the Name of the Most High, and that he (she) may ever please You all the days of his (her) life. For all the powers of heaven sing of You and Yours is the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
EXORCISM
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest prays this prayer:
Lord of Hosts, God of Israel! You heal every weakness and infirmity, look down upon Your servant, seek out, test and expel from him (her) all effects of the Evil One. Command all unclean spirits and expel them, and cleanse this work of Your hands by Your life-giving action. Be quick to trample down Satan beneath his (her) feet and grant him (her) victory over him and all his unclean spirits. That, having received Your mercy, he (she) might be made worthy of Your immortal Mysteries, and that he (she) might send up glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and for ages of ages.
People: Amen.
PRAYER
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest prays again:
Father and Lord, He-Who-Is, You formed man in Your image and likeness and gave him the privilege of everlasting life. When he lost Your friendship through sin, You did not abandon him, but planned that the world be saved through the incarnation of Your Christ. You have rescued this work of Your hands from slavery to the Enemy. Now make him (her) a member of Your Kingdom and open the eyes of his (her) mind that he (she) may see the light of Your Good News. May an angel of light be his (her) true and life-long companion to rescue him (her) from every attack of the Enemy, from encounters with evil, from the scourge of pestilence and from the phantoms of darkness.
The priest breathes on the candidate’s mouth, forehead, and breast. He does this three times, saying each time:
Drive out of him (her) every evil and unclean spirit which is hiding and lurking in his (her) heart,
the spirit of error, the spirit of evil, the spirit of idolatry and greed in all its forms, the spirit of lies and uncleanness of any sort; spirits working as the Devil instructs. Make him (her) instead a spiritual sheep in the holy flock of Your Christ, a virtuous member of Your Church, a son (daughter) and heir of Your heavenly Kingdom. May he (she) live according to Your teaching, maintain the seal unbroken, and keep the garment unstained, that he (she) may gain happiness with the saints in Your Kingdom. This we ask through the kindness, the compassion and the love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son. With Him and Your most holy, good and life-creating Spirit You are blessed, now and ever and for ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE RENUNCIATION OF SIN
The candidate faces to the West (to the rear of the Church), the direction symbolic of darkness. The priest says:
Do you reject Satan, and all his works, and all his angels, and all forms of service to him, and all his empty promises?
reply: I DO REJECT HIM.
The above question and answer are repeated two more times. The priest then continues, saying:
Have you rejected Satan?
reply: I HAVE REJECTED HIM.
This is repeated as before. Now the candidate faces to the East (to the front of the Church), the direction symbolic of goodness and light. The priest says as before:
Do you join yourself to Christ?
reply: I JOIN MYSELF TO HIM.
This is repeated as before. The priest continues, saying:
Have you joined yourself to Christ?
reply: I HAVE JOINED MYSELF TO HIM.
The priest continues:
And do you believe in Him?
reply: I BELIEVE IN HIM AS MY KING AND GOD.
Then the baptismal party (and the faithful, if it is the custom), proclaim the Symbol of Faith, the “password” of Faith:
PROFESSION OF FAITH
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. Light form 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, died 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 worshipped 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 Symbol is completed, the priest again questions the candidate:
Have you joined yourself to Christ?
reply: I HAVE JOINED MYSELF TO HIM.
The above question and answer are repeated thrice. The priest continues, saying:
Then bow in worship.
reply: I BOW BEFORE THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, TRINITY, ONE IN BEING AND UNDIVIDED.
The priest exclaims:
Blessed is God, who wishes that all men be saved and come to know the truth, now and forever and for ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest says this prayer:
Father, our Lord and God, call Your servant (name) to Your holy enlightenment and count him (her) worthy of that great and free gift — holy baptism. Wash him (her) clean of the old man and make him (her) new for everlasting life. Fill him (her) with the power of the Holy Spirit, in the unity of Your Christ, that he (she) may no longer be a child of the flesh, but a child of Your Kingdom. This we ask through the good pleasure and the free giving of Your only-begotten Son. With Him and Your most holy, good and life-creating Spirit You are blessed, now and ever and for ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE HOLY ORDER OF BAPTISM
The deacon takes the censer, the priest places the end of his epitrakhil on the candidate and leads him (her) and the baptismal party to the place where the baptism is to be performed. During the procession a psalm may be sung. When all have arrived at the place of baptism, the priest incenses around the holy font. When this is done, the deacon exclaims:
Deacon: Master, give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and for ages of ages.
People: Amen.
GREAT EKTENY
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For peace in the whole world, the well-being of God’s holy churches and the unity of mankind, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy temple, and for those who enter it with faith, devotion and reverence for God, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the holy ecumenical Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, his Beatitude, our Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., for the honourable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this water be made holy by the power, the energy and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the free gift of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan be sent into it, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For N., who is approaching holy enlightenment and for his (her) salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That he (she) may prove himself (herself) as a son (daughter) of the light, and heir of everlasting good things, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this water may be his (her) bath of new birth, the forgiveness of his (her) sins, and his (her) garment of incorruption, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That he (she) and all of us may be rescued from all distress, violence, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, and all the saints; let us commit ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
During the above Great Ekteny, the priest prays quietly:
O compassionate and merciful God, who alone know our secret thoughts; You who know all things concerning me, do not reject me, nor turn Your face from me, but overlook now my transgressions, O You who forgive us our sins through repentance. Wash away the sins of my body and the faults of my soul. Sanctify me completely by Your all-perfect, invisible power and by Your spiritual right hand, lest, while I proclaim liberty to others, I myself may become the slave of sin. Yes, O Master, who alone are good and full of love for mankind, let not Your humble servant be led astray but send down upon me power from on high and strengthen me in the administration of the present Mystery, which is both great and heavenly. Create the image of Christ in him (her) who now desires to be born again through my unworthy ministry. Build him (her) up upon the foundation of Your Apostles and prophets. Plant him (her) firmly in Your Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. That, as he (she) matures in godliness, through him (her) may be glorified Your all-holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and for ages of ages. Amen.
BLESSING OF THE WATER
The priests says this prayer:
Father, Lord God of all creation, Maker of all things seen and unseen, You formed the heavens and the earth, and the sea and all that is in them. You gathered the waters into one mass; You closed in the deep and sealed it with Your awesome and glorious Name: You raised the waters above the firmament; You set the earth solidly upon the waters; You established the sea by Your power; You crushed the heads of dragons in the waters. You are the Awesome One, and who can stand against You? Father, look upon this work of Your hands, and by Your blessing make this water holy. Send into it the free gift of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan. Make this water a fountain of incorruption, a gift of holiness, endowed with power to forgive sins, the power to heal the spirit and to despoil opposing forces. Fill this water with Your divine might, that those who would ensnare Your creation might flee before it. Yes, O Lord, we call upon Your Name: it is wondrous and glorious, and terrible for the Adversary.
He signs the water, immersing his fingers in it, and breathes on it. He does this three times, exclaiming each time:
Let all opposing powers be crushed beneath the sign of the life-giving Cross.
But may all who are buried with Christ through baptism in this water also rise with Him to newness of life. This we ask through the compassion and love for mankind of You only-begotten Son. With Him and Your most holy, good and life-creating Spirit You are blessed, now and forever and ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE BLESSING OF OIL
Priest: Peace be with all.
People: And to your sprit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: To You, O Lord.
The deacon holds the vessel of oil. The priest breathes on it three times and signs it.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest says this prayer:
O Lord, God of our fathers, as a sign of reconciliation and rescue from the Flood, You sent a dove to those in Noah’s ark, a dove bearing an olive branch in its mouth. In this way You prefigured the mystery of grace and provided that the fruit of the olive tree be used in the celebration of Your mysteries. By means of that fruit Your Holy Spirit filled those who were under the Law; now You use it to perfect those who are in grace. We ask You, Father, to bless this oil by the power, the energy and the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit. May it become an imperishable anointing, an armour of justice, a renewal of body and spirit, a defence against every ploy of the Enemy, and the overthrow of every form of evil for those who are anointed with it or otherwise partake of it in faith for Your glory, the glory of Your only-begotten Son, and that of Your life-creating Spirit, now and forever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Priest & People: Alleluia! (3)
Each time the priest sings the word Alleluia, he pours some oil into the baptismal water in the form of a cross. Then he exclaims:
Blessed is God who gives light and holiness to every man that comes into the world, now and forever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE ANOINTING BEFORE BAPTISM
The candidate is undressed. The godparent who is holding the child puts his (her) candle aside and brings the child to the priest. Taking the oil, the priest says aloud:
The servant of God N., is anointed with the oil of gladness in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Now he begins to anoint the various parts of the body saying in a loud speaking voice for all to hear:
Forehead – That his (her) mind be opened to accept the Faith and to recognize the truth of Christ.
Breast – For the healing of soul and body: that he (she) may love the Lord our God with his (her) whole heart, with his (her) whole soul, and with his (her) whole mind and his (her) neighbour as himself (herself).
Shoulders – The he (she) may freely accept the easy yoke of Christ, and gladly bear His light burden.
Ears – For the response of faith: that his (her) ears may heed the call of the Gospel.
Hands – That he (she) may raise his (her) hands toward the holy place, serving justice at all times and blessing the Lord.
Feet – That he (she) may follow the path of the commandments of God.
BAPTISM
When the candidate is thus anointed, the Priest holds him (her) securely upright, facing the East, and baptizes him (her), saying:
The Servant of God, N., is baptized in the Name of the Father
People: Amen.
And of the Son
People: Amen.
And of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
And at each invocation he immerses the child and raises him (her), or, where it is the custom, he pours water only over the forehead. Then the priest washes his hands, after which he takes the white garment (the “khryzhmo”) and says in a loud voice:
The Servant of God, N., receives the white garment and is clothed in the robe of truth in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then, this tropar in Tone 8:
GIVE me a robe of LIGHT, You who are clothed in light as with a GARment. O Christ our God, so rich in MERcy!
And if it is the custom, after the child has been dressed, the priest gives him (her) or the godparents the lighted baptismal candle, and says:
Receive this lighted candle and strive throughout your entire life to shine with the light of faith and good works. That, when the Lord comes, you may go out with all the saints to greet Him with light and to enter with Him into the chambers of His heavenly glory, there to reign with Him for ages of ages. Amen.
If the child is an infant, the following admonition may be more appropriate:
N. and N. (parents), and N. and N. (godparents), the light of Faith is entrusted to you; see that it is kept burning brightly. This little one is to walk as a son (daughter) of the light. By your example, may the flame of Faith be kept alive in his (her) heart, that when the Lord comes, he (she) may go out with all the saints to greet with light and reign with Him forever. Amen.
According to the practice of the Eastern Church, The Baptism of the candidate is followed immediately by his (her) Chrismation. The ekteny for Chrismation is not taken. Instead, Chrismation takes place as follows:
THE ORDER OF HOLY CHRISMATION
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest says this prayer:
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, Source of good things, Sun of Righteousness. By the manifestation of Your only-begotten Son You dawned the light of salvation on those in darkness. Unworthy though we are, You give us a happy cleansing in the holy water and dedicate us to Yourself in the life-giving Anointing. Blessed are You whose favour rested on Your newly enlightened servant, N. granting him (her) a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit. Now, O Lord, compassionate King of all, give him (her) the seal of the Gift, The Gift of Your holy, all-powerful and Divine Spirit, and let him (her) partake of the holy Body and precious Blood of Your Christ. Keep him (her) in Your holiness, strengthen him (her) in the orthodox Faith, rescue him (her) from the Evil One and all his cunning, and, by a liberating reverence for You, sustain him (her) in purity and justice. We ask these things that he (she) may be a son (daughter) and heir of Your heavenly Kingdom, pleasing You in all his (her) words and deeds. For You are our God, a God who loves and saves us, and we send up glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
CHRISMATION
Now the priest anoints the candidate with the Holy Chrism on the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, breast, hands, and feet. With each anointing, the priest says this in a loud voice:
The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE PROCESSION INTO THE CHURCH
The priest places the end of his epitrakhil on the candidate. Then, proceeded by the deacon with the censer, he leads the baptismal party, all of whom bear candles, into the church. If the baptism was conferred in the church, the procession goes around the font three times. The deacon may preface the following hymn by saying: “Give glory to Christ our God!” Then, all sing this hymn three times:
All you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
When the Procession is concluded, the Deacon exclaims:
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Priest: Peace to all of you.
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
PROKEIMENON, TONE 3
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
verse: The Lord is the refuge of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 26)
EPISTLE
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from the letter of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
BRETHREN: When we were baptized in Christ Jesus we were baptized in His death; in other words, when we were baptized we went into the tomb with Him and joined Him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have imitated His death, we shall also imitate Him in His resurrection. We must realize that our former selves have been crucified with Him to destroy this sinful body and to free us from the slavery of sin. When a man dies, he has finished with sin. But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with Him. Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over Him any more. When He died, He died once for all, to sin, so His life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
Priest: Peace be to you, reader.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
ALLELUIA
verse: Fairer in beauty are you than the sons of men; grace is poured out on your lips thus God has blessed you forever.
verse: You love justice and hate wickedness therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness.
GOSPEL
After incensing the Gospel Book, the deacon exclaims:
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright! Let us listen to the holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be to all of you.
People: And to your spirit.
Deacon: A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
People: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
After the Lord’s Resurrection: the eleven disciples made their way to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had summoned them. At the sight of Him, those who entertained doubts fell down in homage. Jesus came forward and addressed them in these words: “Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!”
People: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You!
EKTENY OF SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for the holy ecumenical Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, his Beatitude, our Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., for those who serve or have served in this holy temple, for our spiritual fathers and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for our country, its government and people, and for those who protect us.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for the newly-enlightened servant of God, N.; may he (she) maintain a pure profession of faith and lead a devout life, always fulfilling the teaching of Christ.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for the servants of God, the parents, N. and N., and the parents-in-God, N. and N.; may wisdom and strength come upon them from above, that they may earnestly fulfil the sacred task entrusted them.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for all who are present in this holy assembly; reborn to newness of life by water and the Spirit, may we ever be honoured and faithful members of God’s chosen flock.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for those who bring offerings and do good in this honoured house of God, for those who work in its service, for your people present here awaiting the great and abundant mercy which comes from You, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: For You are a God of mercy, so full of love for mankind, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, nor and forever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
If there is no Communion, proceed to the Dismissal. But if Communion is to be distributed, the priest goes into the Altar and the Lord’s Prayer may be sung. We respond as at the Liturgy from “Only one is holy…” to “We have seen the true light…”
COMMUNION
DISMISSAL
Priest: Glory be to You, Christ God, our hope, glory be to You!
People: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (3). Give the blessing.
Priest: May Christ our true God, who was baptized by John in the Jordan, who was laid in the earth for three days for our salvation, and now is risen from the dead, have mercy on us and save us, through the prayers of His most pure Mother, the prayers of the holy, glorious and all-praiseworthy Apostles, of Saint N., for whom this temple is named, of Saint N., whose memory we keep this day, of Saint N., patron of the newly baptized, and through the prayers of all the saints, for He is good and so full of love for mankind.
People: Amen.
CHURCHING
The priest begins at the narthex and proceeds into the nave of the temple while singing:
The servant of God, N., is churched in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
He (She) enters into Your house, to worship towards Your holy temple.
The servant of God, N., is churched in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the midst of the Church, he (she) shall sing praises to You.
The servant of God, N., is churched in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SONG OF SIMEON
Now You may let Your servant go in peace, Master,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You prepared before all people;
A light of revelation for the nations
and the glory of Your people, Israel.
If the priest desires to wipe the candidate where he was anointed, he may do so now.
Priest: N., you have been baptized, you have been enlightened, you have been chrismated, you have been made holy, you have been washed clean: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The End and the Glory to God.
