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DR. K.M. KHANTAMOUR
ARMENIAN COLLECTION
j.iW'Jp^'4
r.r.mr-ji'i^^rTi
University of California Library Los Angeles
THE ARMENIAN RITUAL
PART n.
THE DIVINE ORDINANCES
THE ARMENIAN RITUAL
Being a translation from the original
tn the Armenian language; (o which is added
a few explanatory paragrapiis
BY
F. JAIMES Dr. ISSAVERDENZ
Sleeonil edition
VENICE
i>S,INTF.D IN THE ARMENIAN MONASTERY OF St. LAZARO
1S73
TO M^ F. COLTON,
CONSUL OF THE UNITKD STATES OF AMERICA
AT VENICE
It wasin Sejdcmborof lout near, that I had the lin-
nour to receive yoit, when for the first lime yon came lo
visit this Armenian Inslitulion at. Son Lazzaro, in the
Lagune of Venice. The day was one of great beauty ^
and you well remember it, as adding so much to the
pleasure of your visit ; whi'e I shall ever remember the
occasion as being the commencement of your sincere and
valued friendship. You were accompanied by some ac-
quaintances who, as well as yourself, were much inte"
rested in all questions relating to the administration
of the Sacraments in the Armenian Church. This led
me to write something on the subject, as also lo add It-'
teral translations from the Original Armenian; and
tiOw iuhen the icork is finished I send it furth, hoping
that it niai/ be aqrceable io you, (uid useful to others.
Believe me to be always your faithful friend
t^» JAMES Dr. ISSAVERDENZ
Armenian Monastery of San Lmtaro
June. 30. 1867.
CONCERNING THE ARMENIAN RITUAL.
The first essential and regular arrangement of
the Armenian Ritual, as we find mentioned in the
Armenian national history, was made towards the
beginning of the fifth century ; at which time there
lived the most celebrated doctors of the Armenian
Church, S'. Isaac and S'. Mesrob-the first, transla-
tor of the Bible into Armenian, the latter, inventor
of the Armenian Alphabet - and both fitted to adorn
the Armenian Church with wise rules and disci-
plines, and enrich the Armenian Ritual with such
ceremonies as they thought proper to introduce from
other systems of the east, in conformity with the
national spirit.
By such a wise arrangement, principally, the Ar-
menians came to possess a ritual of the Church,
that, properly may be said, to be one of their high-
est national glories, and which after the surname of
its principal compiler is called Maslidolz ((/"jM-wny).
6
In the course of succeeding times this Ritual was
enriched, by other celebrated Armenian doctors, with
such prayers and benedictions, as they thought pro-
per to introduce from foreign Rituals.
Of this Ritual there are to be found about fifty
manuscript copies in the Armenian library in Ve-
nice, the oldest of which is a large one, in folio size,
written on parchment, and, as it seems probable, in
the beginning of the eighth century.
It was in 1832 after a scrupulous comparison of
all these manuscripts, the first edition of the Arme-
nian Ritual was published in Venice, by the Meki-
taristican society of San Lazzaro.
And now making use of that first edition, I
translate, word for word, the prayers of the Sacra-
ment of Baptism and Confirmation, as well as those
of the ceremony which is to be performed by the
mother of the Child.
To these I have an idea to join some notices
of the administration of other Sacraments, which I
think would not be without interest to those who
wish to know something in regard to the eastern
rites.
A FEW NOTICES CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION
OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM ACCORDING THE
ARMENIAN RITUAL.
The first rule we find in the Armenian Ritual for
the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism, is
the instruction it gives in regard to adults, who, not
yet christians through Baptism, aspire to become so.
These, the Ritual admonishes not to baptize
and not to allow them to enter the Church, before
three weeks, or more, during which time they have
studied as catechumens, all the doctrines of the
faith of the Church of Christ. During this time of
exercise, the duty of the teacher will be always to
exhort to prayer the person who aspires to baptism.
After having been made acquainted with all the
truths of the faith of Christ, he may be baptized af-
ter the manner adopted for little children.
As for little children, they will be baptized on
the eighth day after their birth, - except in cases
8
where there is danger of death. - The Godfather
brings the child to the Churh, where the priest and
the deacons perform the ceremony after the rules of
the Ritual.
II.
It is a custom in the Armenian Church to tic
around the head of the newly baptized person, like
a crown, a stringer riband, twisted of red and white
threads, at the end of which hang-s a small cross.
This crowning typefies the graces of the Holy Spi-
rit, with whom every newly baptized person is fil-
led, through the Sacraments of Baptism and Con-
firmation.
This kind of crown or string, is prepared or twisted,
in the beginning of the ceremony of baptism, while
reciting the CXXX. psalm ; at which time they twist
together the red and white threads. But it is tied
round the head of the Child after he has received the
Sacrament of Confirmation, as the reader may find in
the course of the prayers of that sacrament. And
this crown is to be worn continually for eight
days; after which time, during a short prayer, it is
taken off by the priest.
III.
The fount or the basin of baptism, is ordinarily
placed in a particular chapel, the entrance to which
opens iuto the Church. It is always cut in stone,
and cannot be made of any other material. The first
part of the prayers of the ceremony, arc performed
outside of the door of the baptistery, as is recom-
mended by the ritual, in the words «OHt of the doors
of the Church ».
IV.
The duty of blessing* the oil they make use of in
the ceremony of baptism, belong-s to the priest who
performs the ceremony of the sacrament upon the
catechumen, and is done during the time he is recit-
ing the prayers, and in such quantity only as is
sufficient for that one ceremony ; so that nothing
of it remains. This we find recommended by the
Armenian patriarch, John the Philosopher, (718)
in his writings : « It is the priest 's duty » he says,
« to bless the oil of baptism during the ceremony,
and in as great a quantity as is requisite for the
occasion; and in the meantime to finish that by
applying it to the person that receives the sa-
crament of baptism ; and dare not a second or more
times bless the oil that once was blessed. That is to
be used only for the unction of the catechumens du-
ring the time they are baptized in the fount and
dare not make any use of the same in other sacra-
ment of unction ».
Formerly it was the custom of the Armenian
Church to anoint also the catechumen outside the
1*
10
doors of the baptistery with this oil, and introduce
him afterwards near the fount. But with time
this custom was laid aside, as not an essential ce-
remony.
The essential part of baptism is to pour water,
with the hand, upon the head of the catechumen three
times, pronouncing separately, each time, the name
of, Falher, Son, and Hohj Ghost. After which they
were wont to immerse the catechumen three times
under the water; but this ceremony, is secondery,
and typefies the participation in the interment of
Christ, through which the original sin is buried, and
through the grace of Christ the newly baptized be-
comes worthy to be inscribed in the number of those
that are affiliated to God.
VI.
In this way is to be baptized immediately the
new born child when it is in danger of death; which
ceremony may be performed by any one present,
though not a churchman, by pouring only water upon
the head. But if it recovers from its sickness, it
should to be carried into the Church, where they
will perform all the ceremony, except the pouring of
the water three times upon its bead.
OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION.
The Sacrament of Confirmation was regarded by
the eastern Church from all antiquity as an essen-
tial point to be administrated early to the faithful,
that they might acquire the assistance of the grace
of the Holy Ghost. The dangers of life which might
arise from any cause and under any circumstances
through sicknesses or persecutions, persuaded her
priests to apply the administration of that holy Sacra-
ment immediately after the ceremony of baptism ; so
that, on all occasions, the faithful might find them-
selves fortified with the graces of the Holy Spirit.
It is for the same reason that the Armenians also
were accustomed till now to administer that Sacra-
ment together with that of baptism. But contrary to
the custom of the western Church that Sacrament is
performed by the same priest who administers the sa-
crament of baptism.
After he has ended the ceremony of baptism, he
anoints with the holy Chrism the nine members of the
body of the newly baptized, as may be seen in the
course of the prayers connected with that ceremony.
Afterwich he blesses also the clothes of the child, and
clothing- him, he crowns his head with the stringer
ribbon which they have twisted in the beginning of
the ceremony of baptism, which typefies the g-race
of the Holy Spirit, as said before.
And now if the newly baptized be an adult, he
partakes of the holy Sacrament of Communion ; or if
a new-born child, they make him partake of that
holy Sacrament, by touching his lips with the holy
Body of our Lord Christ. (*)
These two ceremonies being over, if the newly
baptized person be a child, they carry him home;
if an adult, there is a rule to observe. He is obliged
not to move from the Church for seven days, conti-
nually clothed in white dress, and having his head
covered with a wbite linen. His duty will be to per-
form the service in the church, and spend his time
always in prayer, partaking every day of the Holy
Sacrament of Counuunion.
{') In tills way lliev m:ike Iilm partnke ot (he llolv Comiiitiiiion ;
l.ul oidinariiy tlicsc cerenioiiii'S are performed diiriiif; llie Holy jyiass :
and tlicn, after the priest lias ounliirncd him and made him woi'shij) before
the altar and the Imly (;io'5>, lie hrin^s him to the oflicialinj^ priest at
llio lime lie is consumiiij; llie Holy Sacramciil, who weling his forclinjier
ill the Holy Uloud, he [iul8 it in the mouth of the ehiM, say in^;: « May ihiw
Jjea.s enre to ihv soul and IkkU : I'leniliide of llie Holy Sjiirit ».
COMMENCEMENT Ol<' THE CEREMONY FOR THE At)MlNf-
STRATION OF THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.
Tliey begin lo recile tlie CXXXsl. psalm, de<Jicale(l to (lie i^isling
of llie siring for the crown.
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes
lofty, neither do I exercise myself in great matters,
or in things too high for me.
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a
child that is weaned of his mother : my soul is even
as a weaned child.
Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and
for ever.
Glory he to the Father, to the Son and to the
Holy Ghost ; now and throughout all ages.
Deacon. — Let us again pray the Lord for peace:
receive, save and have mercy upon us.
Tlie Priest makes tlie sign of the cross upon the string, and sajs;
Priest. — Blessing and glory to the Father, to.
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ; now and through-
out all ages.
Three times they repeal the psalm with the pra3er in the same
manner, during which time they continue lo twist together the threads
of the string. At the end of the third (iiim' ilicx sing the following
hymn upcn (he (wislcd strinj,'.
HYMN.
The iudivisible Trinity, and bis celestial power
produced the light of the knowledg-e of God ; let us
glorify him with hymns.
The true Holy Ghost, who descended from heaven
to-day and dwelt in the Apostles, let us glorify with
hymns.
Him, whose descent to-day upon the Apostles
was revealed to the prophet, in the mysteries of the
redemption, let us glorify with hymns.
Deacon. ^- Let us pray the Lord unanimously
and with faith, to grant us His merciful grace, that
the almighty God may save us and have mercy
upon us.
The Priest repciils llircc liinos :
God have mercy upon us.
Alter wlnVh he recites the following prayer upon the Catechumen:
Priest. — Lord our God, the beneficent God,
who couldst not abandon mankind, deceived and
estranged from Thee, excluded and fallen from the
paradise of pleasures ; but moved to compassion Thou
didst humble Thyself from Thy high estate to our
low nature ; and taking all our own (nature) except-
ing sin, through passion and death upon the Cross,
having bought our redemption and conversion, Thou
didst regenerate us. Receive now also, beneficent
Lord, the consecration of this Thy creature, who
hastens to approach to Thy holy and only true divi-
nity, bearing' the name of christian on his person ;
and give to him virtue and assistance, &nd make
him worthy of arriving- at the purification of the holy
fountain of Thy immaculate life, and to the inheri-
tance of the adoption into Thy kingdom of heaven ,
Jesus Christ our Lord : to whom with the Father,
and to Thee, Holy Ghost, belong glory, power and
honour, now and throughout all ages. Amen
After this prayer, being still at ihe door of the Church, they Lo-
gin to recite the WVlh, XXVIth, List, psalms, adding at the end of
each of them :
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the
Holy Ghost, now, etc.
Deacon. — Let us pray again the Lord for
peace ; receive, save us, and have mercy upon us.
PaiEST. — Blessing and glory to the Father, to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now, etc.
Having finished with the psalms, the priest takes the Catechumen
and gives him to (he Godfalher to hold him in his arms, saying:
Priest. — I was cast upon Thee from the womb :
Thou art my God from my mothers belly. ^
The Godfather kneeling receives the Catechumen in his arms, while
the deacon preaches:
Deacon. — Let us pray again the Lord for
peace. For this catechumen, let us pray the God
who loves man, to take compassion according to his
great clemency, and make him worthy by the wash-
ing of regeneration, and the robe of incorruptiou,
to be numbered among those who believe in His
1 Psalm. \.\U. 10.
1(1
name, and to save hitn through the grace of His cle-
mency. Ahnighty Lord our God, save us and have
mercy upon us.
The Priest says three times:
God have mercy upon us.
Afterwhieh he recites tliis prayer:
Priest. ■ — • Receive Lord, ^vho lovest man, this
catechumen who is offered to Thee : purify his mind
and his thoughts from all the deceptions of the ene-
my ; and make him worthy to wash away, in the
holy fountain, the corruption of his sins, and to be
regenerated through the light of the graces of Thy
Son Jesus Christ. In order that he also may glorify,
together with us, the Holy Trinity, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost : now and throughout all
ages. Amen.
Deacon. — Let us pray again the Lord for peace.
For the expiation of sins, and for the pardon of
faults, and in order that God's clemency may de-
scend upon this catechumen, let us pray the Lord.
The Priest three times:
Lord have mercy upon us.
Priest. — Lord God great and glorified by all
creatures : having put his confidence upon Thy ter-
rible name, this Thy servant, has bowed his head
to Thy holy name, to whom bends every knee both
those that arc in heaven, on earth, and under
the earth : and every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Fa-
17
ther. * And now Lord, grant to this man partici-
pation in Thy terrible name, which has destroyed
the deceptions of demons and corrupt idolatries,
and overcame all satanic artifices. Look Lord with
compassion upon this person : banish and remove
from him, through the mention of Thy all victo-
rious name upom him, all that is hidden by the
impure demons, the thoughts, the words and the
deeds and all the frauds, by which evil spirits deceive
and destroy men. So that terrified by Thy victorious
name they shall be cast down and tormented by in-
visible tortures, remove from him by oath, and let
them never more return to him. Fill him with Thy
celestial graces, and rejoice him with the perfect ap-
pellation of the name of Christian. And may he in
due time be worthy the baptism of regeneration, and
having received the Holy Ghost, may he be body and
member of Thy holy Church, and living blamlessly
in this world with irreproachable fidelity to Christia-
nity, may he attain to future happiness with all
those who love Thy holy name ; glorifying the im-
mutable dominion of the Father, of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost ; now and throughout all ages. Amen.
They recite (he XCIst psalm; al tlie end of wliicli:
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, etc.
Deacon. — Let us pray again the Lord fox-
peace. For the descent of God's clemency on tlm
catechumen, let us pray the Lord.
I IMiilipp. II. 10, H.
18
Piiesl, lhie« limes:
Lord have mercy upou us.
The Priest placing tlien hii liand upon the Calechunieii, re^'ilei ihe
following prayer.
Priest. — Eternal God, we invoke Thee to come
to our assistance ; Thou who art the Creator of every
thing, visible and invisible. This Thy servant confid-
ing in Thy omnipotent name, comes to receive this
spiritual consecration, to be made worthy of the pu-
rification of the holy fountain. And now by the
grace of Thy clemency. Holy Trinity, behold we
put our hands upon this Thy creature ; and confirm
him in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost; and interdict, through Thy name, all spi-
rit of error, as well as the impure and dumb devil, in
order that he should remove from the creature of Thy
image, and from the works of Thy hands; and never
]nore should approach to him. Listen to us our
God ; subdue the evil one through Thy power, and
purify this Thy servant from all influence of the ad-
versary: in order that he may, through Thy power,
renounce alligiance to the enemy of our salvation.
At the end of this prayer the Priest orders the Catechumen or the
Godfather to turn towards the west, and to lift up his hands in the
form of rciuincialion ; the Calecluimen lining with tiie Godfather in
the left side of the Church, and the Priest in the right, the latter cau-
ses tlie Godfather thrice to swear as follows :
Priest. — We renounce thee, Satan, and all thy
frauds, thy deceptions, and thy worship, thy inspi-
rations, thy ways, thy wicked will, thy wicked an-
*
10
gels, thy wicked ministers, thy wicked agents, and
all thy wicked power.
And lie askes the Calecliiimen or the Godfalheii
Priest. — Dost thou renounce?
Catechumen. — 1 do renounce.
Priest. — Dost thou renounce ?
Catechumen. — I do renounce.
Priest. — Dost thou truly renounce?
Catechumen. — I do truly i*enounce.
Now the Priest orders the Gatechumen to turn with the Godfather
towards ihe east side, and gives to ihe Catechumen or lo the Godfather
to hold in the hand a lighted wax candle, and says:
Priest. — Turn to the light of the knowledge
of God.
Now the catechumen stands with the Godfather in the right side of
the church, and the Priest in the left. The Priest causes the former to
make with his hands the form of requesting, and also to confess the
only true divinity of the Holy Trinity, of the Father, of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost, asking them thrice, and saying as follows; viz.
Priest. Dost thou helieve in the Holy Trinity
in the Father, in the Son and in the Holy Ghost, in
the three persons and in only one nature ? Dost thou
believe in the incarnation of Christ, in the announ-
ciatiou of Gabriel, in the conception, without seed,
of the holy Virgin Mary, in the virginal birth of
Christ, in the baptism, in the doctrine, in the be-
trayal, in the Cross, in the burial, in the resurrection
after three days, in the divine ascension, in the sit-
ing down at the right hand of the Father, in the fu-
ture coming, in th^ holy catholic and apostolic
Church, in the remission of sins, in. the resurrection
-20
of the dead, iu the judicial authority, in the recom-
pensation according to the deedes done in each body,
and in the eternal life ? dost thou believe ?
Catechumen. I do believe.
In this way the Priest askes three limes the Catechumen or (he
Godfather, who answers:
I do believe.
Again the Priest askes:
Priest. — Dost thou believe in the Father ?
Catechumen. — I do believe.
Pkiest. — Dost thou believe in the Son ?
Catechumen. — I do believe.
Priest. — Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost ?
Catechumen. — 1 do believe.
Again the Priest says:
Priest. — Dost thou believe ?
Catechumen. — I do believe.
Priest. — Dost thou believe?
Catechumen. — • I do believe.
PRiaST. — Dost thou believe with faith ?
Catechumen. — I do believe with faith.
Now the deacon sings :
Deacon. — Hallelujah, orthi. *
Priest. — Peace -[ be with all.
Deacon. — And with thy spirit. Listen with
fear.
Priest. — The holy Gospel according to S'.
Matthew.
i '{Jo^oi, a (imli nonl siijiiifyniy : slaiu) up.
21
Beacon. — Glory be to Thee, Lord our God.
Proschume. ■• It is God who speaks.
The Priest reads the Gospel according St. Matthew. Chapt. XXVIII.
from IC to iiO.
GOSPEL
And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto
the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
And seeing" him they adored : but some doubted.
And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying; All
power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
Going therefore, teach ye all nations ; baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you ; and behold I am with you
all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Deacon. — Glory be to Thee, o Lord our God.
The Priest recites the Nicean Creed :
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible
and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the
only Son of God, born of the Father before all
worlds. God of God, Light of Light, Very God of
Very God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with
the Father, by whom all things were made in Heaven
and Earth, visible and invisible : who for us men
and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, was
incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary and
• i A Creek word signifying: be attentive.
'2'2
was made man, and who took from her, Body, Soul
and Spirit, and all that in man is, in truth and not
in fiction ; who suffered, was crucified and buried ;
who rose again the third day, and ascended with
the same body into Heaven; where he sitteth at the
right hand of God, and whence He shall come with
the same body in the glory of the Father, to judge
the quick and the dead; whose reign shall have no
end. We believe also in the Holy Ghost not created,
but perfect, who proceedeth from the Father and the
Son, who spake in the Law, the Prophets and the
holy Gospel; who descended into the Jordan, who
announced the Envoy (Christ) and dwelt in the
Saints. "We believe in one Universal and Apostolic
Church, in one baptism, in penance for the expiation
and remission of sins, in the resurrection of the dead,
in the Eternal judgment of body and soul, in the
kingdom of Heaven, and in the life Eternal.
Now thcv take away the wax candle from tbe hands of ihe Cale-
fhiimen or the Godf.ilhcr and recite the CXVIIIth. psalm; at the end
of which Ihcy enter into ihe Church (Baptistery), reciting the Clh.
psalm; which ended:
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Deacon. — In the name of this holy Church let
us pray God, that he may deliver us from sin, and
save us by His merciful grace. All-powerful Lord,
our God, save us and have mercy on us.
Priest. — Within the precincts of this temple,
and in the presence of these sacred and divine em-
blems, bowing, we adore with trembling, and we
-25
glorify TI13' ^^oly, wonderful and triumphant reig-n,
and we offer to Thee benediction and glory, together
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and
throughout endless ages. So he it.
Now they stand before the holy fountain, holding, prepared, the
holy oil ;
Deacon, — Let us pray again God for peace.
For the descent into this oil of the graces of the
all-powerful Holy Ghost. Let us pray the Lord, and
say altogether with one accord.
Priest. — [Three times) Lord have mercy upon us.
Be Thou, blessed Lord, our God, who hast chosen
a people for priesthood and a kingdom, for a sacred
nation and a special people ; as in former times also
Thou didst anoint, with such holiest oil, priests and
kings and prophets. So now we pray Thee, benefi-
cent Lord ; send the graces of Thy Holy Spirit into
this oil, in order that unto him who shall be anoint-
ed with it, it may be spiritual purification of thoughts.
May he fight and subjugate by it the enemy (devil),
and have the virtue to keep the precepts and per-
form good works, and be perfectly disciplined in the
love of God. In order that with an illuminated mind
he may live in this world for the salvation of his
soul, and for the glory of the holy Trinity, and he
worthy to attain to the inheritance of those who
have loved the name of Jesus Christ our Lord ; unto
whom and to Thee Father, together with the Holy
Ghost, belong glory, power, and honour, now and
throughout all ages. Amen.
IVow he ])ours tlie waler, which is a iillle waini. in ihe foni, bv
making the form of a Cross; and in Ihe nipantime tho\ reoite lh<;
XXIXlh. psalm, at ihe end of wliich ;
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Tliey read a lesson from Ezekiel. XXXVI. 25-28.
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and
ye shall be clean : from all your fiithiness, and from
all your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spi-
rit will I put within you : and I will take away the
stonheart out of your flesh, and I g-ive you an
heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause
you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my
judgments, and do them.
And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to
your fathers ; and ye shall be my people, and I will
be your God.
Another from St. Paul. Galalians, III. 22-29.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin,
that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be
given to them that believe.
But before faith came, we were kept under the
law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards
be revealed.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer
under a schoolmaster.
25
For 'ye lire all the children of God by faith m
Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ, have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek ; there is neither
bond nor free ; there is neither male nor female : for
ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's
seed, and heirs according to the promise.
y^t the end: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want. ^
Deacon. — Hallelujah orthi.
Priest. — Peace f be to all.
Deacon. — And with thy spirit. Listen with fear.
Priest. — The holy Gospel according to St.
John.
Dhacon. — Glory be to Thee, Lord our God,
Proschume. It is God who speaks.
S(. John. Ch.ipt. the Illd. from. 1-8.
GOSPEL
And there was a man of the Pharisees, named
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
This man came to Jesus by night, and said ta
him : Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher
from God; for no man can do these signs whicli
thou dost, unless God be with him.
1 Psalm. XXIII. i.
^0
Jesus answered auJ said to him: Ameu,-ameu I
say to thee, unless a man be bora again, he cannot
see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith to him : How can a man be born
when he is old? can he enter a second time into his
mother's w'omb, and be born again?
Jesus answered : Amen I say to thee, unless a
man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh, is flesh : and
that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be
born again.
The Spirit brcatheth where he will : and thou
hearest his voice, but thou knowest not whence he
Cometh and whither he goeth ; so is every one that
is born of the Spirit.
Deacon. — Glory be to Thee, Lord our God.
The Deacon preaches upon the water of ba|)lisra.
Deacon, — Let us pray again the Lord for peace.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — For the celestial peace and for the
salvation of our souls, let us pray the Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — For the peace of the whole world,
and the stability of the holy Church, let us pray the
Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — For the life, and for the salvation of
the soul of our Patriarch, let us pray the Lord.
27
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — That the Lord may direct the works
of the hands of this priest who baptizes, let us pray
the Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — For the purification of this water,
that it be fitted to cooperate with the Holy Ghost,
let us pray the Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — In order that it may be blessed in
like manner as Jordan was, through the graces of
the only Son of God, who has illuminated us, let us
pray the Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — In order that it may become medica-
ment to our soul and body, let us pray the Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — For those regenerated ones who arc
baptized with this water, that they may become sons
of the light and of the day, let us pray the Lord.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us.
Deacon. — Commemorating the Virgin Mary,
Mother of God, S'. John the Baptist, and S^ Stephen,
the first Martyr, and our holy Patriarch S^ Gregory,
and all the Saints; with all these let us pray the
Lord.
Priest. — Remember them Lord, and have mer-
oy upon us.
Deacon, — Again unitedly for our true and holy
faith, let us pray the Lord,
■28
Priest, — Lord have mercy upon ui?.
Deacon. — Let us commend ourselves, and each-
other mutually, to the Lord God, all-powerful.
Priest. — AYe commend ourselves to Thee,
Lord.
Deacon. — Have mercy upon us, Lord, accor-
ding to Thy great mercy; let us say all together.
Priest. — Lord have mercy upon us. [n'lteuied
fhiice.)
The Priest placing the neophyte near the Font, recites the follow-
ing prayer upon the water of baptism.
Priest. — Thou, Lord, through Thy great power,
didst create the sea and the earth, and all the crea-
tures that are in them. Didst divide, and estahlish the
waters in heaven, which is the residence of Thy
celestial hosts, who glorify Thee incessantly. Didst
send Thy holy Apostles, ordering them to preach to
and baptize all the infidels, in the name of the Father,
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Didst decree, also,
by Thy unerring word, that those who are not rege-
nerated, through the water, should not enter into
Paradise, Of which thing beeing afraid, this Thy
servant, desiring Thee, who art the eternal life, cani(>
willingly to be l)aptized, spiritualy, with this wa-
ter. We pray Thee, Lord; send Thy Holy Spirit into
this water, and bless f and purify it, in the same
manner that Thou didst purify Jordan by descend-
ing into it, Thou, our Lord Jesus Christ, who wast
all-pure from sin, typifying thereby in this fountain
29
of baptism, the regeneratiou of all meu. Grant unto
him through this water, by which now he is baptiz-
ed, that he may obtain pardon for his sins, receive
Thy Holy Spirit, be numbered with those who are
affiliated with Thee heavenly Father, and be worthy
of an inheritance in Thy celestial kingdom. In order
that, purifyed from sin, he may live in this world
according the pleasure of Thy will, and, in the future
life, may receive, with all Thy saints, the infinite
good blessings, and gladly glorify the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and throughout all
ages.
After tin's prayer the Priest |K)iirs into the walcr, in form of a
cross, three drops of the holy oil, saying:
Priest. — May this water be blessed f and pu-
rifyed through the sign of the holy cross, of the holy
gospel, and of the holy chrism ; in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost ; now
and throughout all ages.
Thee people. — So be it. Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah.
Three times, the Priest and the People repeal ihe same tiling, after
which the Priest says.
Priest. — Glory be to the Father, to the Hon,
and to the Holy Ghost; now and throughout all
ages.
The people. — Amen. So be it.
The Priest orders to unclothe the Catechumen and to make him
ready for the holy purification, mean while he recites the following
prayer;
3*
30
Priest. — Lord, who didst call this Thy ser-
vant to the purification and to the light of baptism ;
we pray Thee, to make him worthy of Thy eminent
graces ; efface from him the corruption of sin, and
restore in him new life ; fill him with the graces of
the Holy Ghost and number him among those
affiliated to Christ; to whom belongs glory, power
and honour, now and throughout all ages.
He askcs then the Catechumen or the Godfatlier :
Priest -;— What dost thou demand ?
Catechumen. — I demand to be baptized.
Priest. — Dost thou truly demand it ?
Catechumen. — I demand with faith to be bap-
tized and purified from sin, to be released from the
demons, and to serve God.
Priest. — Be it unto thee according to thy faith.
The Priest then .-iski"; the name of llic Ciileclnimen, and makes
him descent! into the font. If lie is a child. Ihc Priest with his left hand
holds him hv (he neck, and with his richl hand takes him by tin-
feet, taking care to keep the head turned towards the west and the
feel towards the east; llie head u|) hi<jh, the face turned up and tlie
feel down. Then with ln"s rli;hi hand takint; of Ihc lioly water, says
as follows: viz
Priest. — (N. N.) servant of God, coming by his
own will to the state of a catechumen, and froii\
that state to that of baptism, is now baptized by me,
in the name of the ¥ nihcv - al ir/iiili miinc with hin
palm he })OHrs aater upon (he heail of the child, - and
of the Hon, - again he poms iralei ii ith (he hand - and
of the Holy Ghost. - a third lime he pours iralrr irifh
his hdii'l "// ihi head of the r((lrrhinnrn.
In this operation consists llic essence of bapiisnij which (he mini-
ster ought to perform with care and diligence.
Then the Priest immerses the child in the water, saving:
Priest. — Redeemed by the blood of Christ from
the servitude of sin, receiving the Hberty which a-
riscs from affihation with Thee, heavenly Father, he
becomes, coheir with Christ, and a temple of Thy
Holy Spirit.
Thrice he recites these last words, and thrice immerses him under
the water, burying thus the original sin; and typifying by it Christ's
sepulture of three days. Washing then the whole body, he says:
Priest. — Ye that were baptized in Christ, have
been clothed Christ, hallelujah; and ye that were
illuminated in God the Father, may the Holy Ghost
rejoice in ye, hallelujah.
Afterwards they recite the XXXIVth. psalm ; but if the person bap-
tized be a child, they recite only the first three verses. At the end;
Deacon, — Hallelujah, orthi.
Priest. — Peace f be with all.
Deacon. — And with thy spirit. Listen with
fear.
Priest. — The holy Gospel according to S^
Matthew.
Deacon. — Glory be to Thee, Lord our God,
Proschume. It is God who speaks.
He reads the Gospel, St. Matthew Chapt. the Hid. 15-17.
GOSPEL
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan^
unto John, to be baptized of him.
o2
But John stayed him, saying : I ought to be
baptized of thee, and comest thou to me ?
And Jesus answering, said to him : Suffer it to
be so now : for so it becometh us to fulfil all justice.
Then he suffered him.
And Jesus, being baptized, forthwith came out
of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened to
him ; and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a
dove, and coming upon him.
And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Deacon. — Glory be to Thee Lord, our God.
Saving the words: u ^nd Jesus, being hnptized, forthicilh came
out of the walor », he lakes out from tlie font llie Catccliumen, and
gives iiini lo the Godfather, and continues to read ihc hisl verse of the
Gospel.
Then he recites the Lord' s prayer, for the Catcch\imen v\lio has be-
come a son of God. Aflerwaitis he recites the following prajer.
Priest. — Thou Lord God, who didst illuminate
Thy creatures, sending down the light of the know-
ledge of God in Thy servants, hast also released
and purified this one, justified, and received him
to affiliation with Thyself. Grant him grace to con-
form himself to Thy will in this life, and make him
worthy of the eternal purification, joining him to the
number of Thy beloved saints through the merits of
our Lord Jesus Christ. To whom with the Father
and the Holy Ghost belong glory, power, and ho-
nour; now and throughout all ages. Amen.
Peace f be to all . Let us adore God.
5o
Thou God, who art great and eterual, and know-
est all that is hidden; who art holy and dwellst
among- the saints, and savest all men; who g-rantest
Thy knowledge to those who believe in Thee ; and
hast given to them the right to become sons of God,
through the regeneration of the water and spirit: in
which way thou didst renew this Thy servant (N. N.)
through the expiation of the holy fountain ; sanctify
him through Thy Truth ; fill him with the graces of
Thy Holy Spirit; in order that he may become a
temple and residence for Thy holy name, and may
go forward in the way of justice, and present him-
self jojrfuUy and without fear at the terrible tribu-
nal of Thy only Sou, our Lord Jesus Christ. To
whom belong glory, power, and honour; now and
throughout all ages.
THE SAGEAMENT OF CONFIBMATION.
After having ended the pra\crs of the Sacramenl of Ba])li!ini, 'lie
Priest taking in his riglil hand tiic lillle flask wJiich contains tiie lioly
Chrism, begins with the others to sinpr lhcll\mn belonging to the hol>
oil, which is as follows: viz.
HYMN
Celestial Father, who formerly in the laws of
Moses didst give virtue to the oil of the Sanctuary,
for anointing those who were destined to he anoint-
ed, as an example of Thy onh- Son ; pour Thou also
into this oil Thy celestial graces.
Oh Christ, anointed of God ! Thy name was called
«oil poured» - nrronlin;/ to Solnmoi)^ - andasTlioudidst
descend among us, and uniting Thy divinity to our
nature, Thou didst anoint it, so also into this oil too,
pour Thy celestial graces.
Thou Holy Ghost, \\'ho didst descend in the holy
room among the Apostles, as anointer of the anoint-
vA men, and in anointing them didst, through
them, regenerate us, terrestial creatures, and hast
made us sons of God ; pour Thou also into this oil,
Thy celestial graces.
Oh Thou, who through this oil dost adorn Thy
holy bride the Church with spiritual vestmt'iUs of
graces and gifts ; her sons together w ith the angels
praise Thee, Holy Trinity.
After lliis Ilvnin the Priest with liis riaht lliiiml) lakes of llie lioly
Clirisni, and conficnis with it the nine nienibeis of the Catecliunien's body.
First, the forehead, saying:
Priest. — This sweet oil f is poured upon thee
in the name of Christ, as a seal of the celestial gifts.
Second, the eyes, saying :
Priest. — May this seal f which is offered to
thee in the name of Jesus Christ, illuminate thine
eyes, lest thou sleep the sleep of death. ^
Third, the ears, saying:
Priest. — May this anointment of sanctificatiou
f make thee obedient to the commandments of God.
Fourth, the nose, saying:
Priest. — May this seal f which is given to
thee in the name of Jesus Christ, be to thee as a
sweet savour of life unto life. ^
Fifth, the mouth, saying :
Priest. — May This seal f which is given to
thee in the name of Jesus Christ, be to thee as a
watch, and as a solid door to thy lips. ^
Sixth, both the palms, saying :
Priest. — May this seal f which is given to
thee in the name of Jesus Christ, cause thee to be
beneficent, and virtuous, and to do good works.
i Psalm. Xlllth. 3.
2 11. Coiinth. IF. 45. id.
3 P-Julm. CXLht. 3.
56
Sevenlli; llie lieail. saying :
Priest, — May tliis seal of divine cleansing' f
create in thee a clean heart, and renew a right spirit
within thee. ^
Eighth, the spine,, saying.
Peiest. — May this seal f which is given to
thee in the name of Jesus Christ, be to thee a powerful
shield ; wherewith thou mayest be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked, ^
Ninth, the feel, saying:
Priest. — May this divine seal f direct thy
steps to eternal life ; and keep thy foot from being-
moved.
After this, the Priest blesses the neophyte saying :
Priest. — Peace be with thee, saved through
Cjod.
The Catech. or godfather. — And with thy
spirit.
Now ihey sing n Hymn:
HYMN,
God has spoken from on high, hear ye people
of the earth ; hear Him who came and saved all crea-
tures. Let us invoke His name, and send praises to
Him on high.
We were called a new Israel in Christ ; we be-
came heirs of the Lord and coheirs with Christ,
i Psalm. List. 40
2. Ephesians YI. iO.
37
theu we should invoke the name of the Lord, and
send praise to Him on high.
We have tasted the stone of hfe, and know that
the Lord is gracious *, and through faith we were
anointed with the oil of holiness, then let us invoke
the name of Lord, and give praise to Him on high.
To thee we confide, who art mother and maid-
servant of Christ : we should invoke the name of the
Lord, and respectfully honour thee.
Now the Priest taking the clothes in his hand, says the following
prayer :
Peiest. — Thou art blessed, Lord omnipotent,
Father and sender of our Lord Jesus Christ ; who
didst deliver this Thy servant from the gloomy domi-
nion of the enemy, and didst call him through this
holy fountain, to the light of truth. Bless i" Lord now
this crown and the clothes, which are a mark of
light; that he may entirely take root and grow
greatly through Thy immoveable hope, that he may
walk in the light of Thy countenance, and rejoice
always before Thy face, and glorify the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost ; now etc.
Ending this prayer he gives orders to clothe the newly baptized child ;
and puts on his head the crown which was prepared in the beginning
of the ceremony of baptism with a small cross fastened at the end of
it; when clothed, he covers him with a white coat, and gives into his
Viands two wax candles, red and green; after which he recites the
following prayer:
Priest, — Thou art blessed, careful God, who
hast clothed Thy servant with a garment of salva-
3
.IS
tiou and with a coat of joy ; and liast put on his
head a hehnet of redemption and a crown of g-races,
as a perfect armor against the adversary. For which
thing we too shall glorify gratefully, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; now and throughout
all ages.
Peace f be to all. Let us adore God.
Lord God who lovest men and art merciful, we
pray and supplicate Thee ; as Thou didst make wor-
thy this Thy servant for Thy blessed hope and Thy
eternal redemption, through the regeneration of the
water and spirit, grant to him the gifts of peace and
of Thy Holy Spirit that come from this consecration,
and to attain to Thy eternal and true light ; number
him among the company of saints that are in heaven,
and make him w^orthy of Thy glorious kingdom ;
preserve in peace his coming in and his going out,
through our Lord Jesus Christ- With whom, together
with the Father and the Holy Ghost belong glory,
power, and honour ; now and troughout all ages.
After tin's j)ra)'cr is ended,' tbe Priest takes the newly haptized-
if he l)e a child in Jiis arms - and brings him up the steps of the al-
tar, and makes him adore before the holy altar and before the holy
Cross, kissing the altar on the three sides, as well as the Cross,
saying:
PiUEST. — (N. N.) servant of Jesus Christ, coming
l)y his own will from the state of a catechumen to
that of baptism, and from baptism to the adoration,
worships before this holy altar; he, who cast off
from his person his iniquity, and has clothed himself
39
■with the light of the knowledge of God; iu the
name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.
Afterwards he gives the Neophyle inlo the arms of the Godfather,
and recites this prayer :
Prikst. — Lord God omnipotent, Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ ; to Thee the faithful bow down
their heads. Extend Thy invisible hand, and bless
them, and favour the works of their hands ; fortify
those who are in the state of virginity; and streng-
then with chastity all men to walk piously in the
love of God. Preserve iu peace this child, nourish
him and make him grow old in years. Protect all
men under their own roof, granting them every
kind of joy iu our Lord Jesus Christ; with whom to
Thee Father and to Thy Holy Ghost belong glory,
power and honour, now and throughout all ages.
This praj'er ended, if the newly baptized be an adult, he admi-
nisters to him the holy Sacrament of commuuionj saying:
Pkiest. — May the body of our Lord Jesus
Christ save thee and lead thee to eternal life ; amen.
After all this accompanying him to the door of the church, he
recites the jXXXlId psalm; at the end of which, he adds: Glory be
iu the Father, etc.
At the door of the church the Deacon preaches:
Deacon. — Let us again pray the Lord for peace.
For the- assistance and salvation that come from
heaven, and for the perseverance of this our neophyte,
let us pray the Lord, and unitedly say.
TJic Priest savs three times :
Lord have mercy upon ns.
PeieSt, — Glory be to Thee eternal king, who
didst increase and fill Thy Church with the light of
the faith of that multitude, that were saved through
the true knowledge of God, preached by Thy Christ ;
- whom by a spiritual regeneration Thou hast made
worthy to be affiliated to Thee, Celestial Father,
by making them participate worthily in the body and
in the blood of Thy only son. And now, Lord, keep
him in the sanctity of Thy Holy Spirit ; that he may
be irreproachable in doing Thy will, and with inno-
cence reach to eternal life. And all of us allied to
him, bless by the grace and mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory, power, and ho-
nor : now and throughout all ages. Amen.
Peace -f be to all. Let us adore God.
Peace, and Creator of peace, Jesus Christ, eter-
nal Priest, and anointed of the Father ; behold Thy
servant (N. N.) has received Thy holy ointment. We
pray Thee Lord, let his name not be blotted out
from the book of life ; and let us also be worthy of
Thy glory, when Thou wilt crown Thy saints, and
those who have loved Tliy name ; and we will inces-
santly glorify the Father, the son, and the Holy
Ghost; now and throughout all ages.
HYMN
Thou, Holy Trinity, who art glorified by the
glory of Thy greatness .• make worthy of the glory
41
of Thy celestial inheritance, us, who were born by
the holy fountain.
Thou, Lord, who rejoiccsth in the blood of mar-
tyrs ; through their intercession, make worthy of
the glory of Thy celestial inheritance, us, who were
born by the holy fountain.
"We praise Thee in Thy holiness; through the
intercession of the Holy Mother of God, make worthy
of the glory of Thy celestial inheritance, us, who
were born by the holy fountain.
Deacon. — By the Holy Cross let us pray God,
that by it He may deliver us from sin, and save us
by His merciful grace. Lord our God all powerful,
save us and have mercy upon us.
Peiest. — Protector and Hope of the faithful,
Christ our God, keep Thy servant in peace, in the
shadow of Thy Holy and venerable Cross. Deliver
him from the enemy, visible and invisible ; make
him worthy to praise and to glorify Thee with the
Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and throughout
all ages. Amen.
Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Father,
who art in heaven, etc.
3*
Prayer for taking away the crown from the
head of the baptized ones.
On the eit^lilli (lav after llie haplisni, the Priest takes the crown
I'liim (he head of the new baptized, and recites the following prajer
'Upon him:
Priest. — Thou Lord who didst purify those
•who were baptized and euhghtened ; grant them to
remain firm in Thy purification. Keep them, Lord,
immoveable, in thy graces, that Thou hast given
them; remove them from the seduction of the enemy,
from his deceptions, and from the deeds of iniquity;
that by the light of Thy wisdom he may keep Thy
precepts, and with irreproachable conduct, he [may
attain the peace Thou hast promised. Send Thy An-
gel of peace to keep him. And may we all be wor-
thy through hope, for the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. With whom, to Thee Father as well as to
Thee, Holy Ghost, belong glory, power, and honour,
now and throughout all ages.
Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Father, etc.
Rules for the ceremony which is to be
performed upon the child after his fortieth
DAY.
In tlie fortieth day of llie exislance of the child, llie nurse brings
the Catechumen to the door of the Church, accompanied bv the Mo-
ther. The Priest, together with tlie Deacon, recites the List, psalm.
After which they chant the following hymn :
HYMN.
Thou, Word, who art before all eternity, and
hast taken human nature from the Virgin ; to-day
Thou didst come into the temple to fulfil the laws,
for the salvation of g-entiles.
Thou who sittest upon an immaterial throne, and
art praised by the Angels ; to-day wast raised in the
arms of Simeon, that Thou mightest offer to us Thy
eternal life.
Thou who art the deliverer of the captives and
grauter of gifts to all ; to-day, through the interces-
sion of the old man, deliver nic also, who am a great
sinner, from the bonds of death, and make me wor-
thy of Thy eternal life.
At the end of the hymn, the Priest recites the following prayer
for the Mother of the Child.
Peiest. — Lord our God, who didst come to
save men; look upon this Thy maid-servant, and
grant her to confide in Thy holy catholic and apo-
stolic Church, and to participate in Thy precious and
holy body and blood. Wash from her body the impu-
rity, and from her soul the stain, now that are accom-
plished the forty days ; and purify her through
the grace of the prayers, of the precious ministry of
the pristhood. And make her worthy to enter into
the temple of Thy holy glory ; and to enjoy the infi-
nite benefits that arc promised by Thee. And to Thee
belong glory, power and honour, now and through-
out all ages.
And for the Child he recites this prayer.
Peace f be to all. Let us adore God.
Lord God, who renewest those that are grown old
and givest life to the human race ; Thou art our
strength and our resource, who confide in Thee. May
the grace of Thy mercy be immoveable from this
catechumen, who, of forty days, comes and stays
here, that through the protection of Thy holy arm,
he may be strong and fearless of the influence of the
enemy ; as Thou Lord art near all men, and benefi-
cent to all. Keep him, and sanctify through Thy
truth; and make him worthy, to receive with sanctity
the pledge of Thy Holy Spirit, to enter into Thy
holy temple. We pray Thee, Lord, that Thy Holy
45
Spirit may come upon him, the Spirit of Truth, the
Spirit of mildness, and the Spirit of affiliation ; that
he may he without stain and pure, and may he
crowned, with Thy Cross in Thy right hand, and be
made coheir with Thy beloved saints in the kingdom
of heaven by Thee, our Lord Jesus Christ. To whom
belong glory, power, and honour, now and through-
out all ages.
At the end of this prayer the Priest orders them to enter into the
church, and he recites the XLIIId psalm ; at the end of which he says;
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Deacon. — In the name of this holy Church let
us pray God, that he may deliver us from sin, and
save us by His merciful grace. All-powerful Lord,
our God, save us and have mercy on us.
The Priest says three times :
Lord have mercy upon us.
Priest. — Within the precincts of this temple,
and in the presence of these sacred and divine
emblems, bowing in the holy place, we adore
with trembling, and we glorify Thy holy, admi-
rable, and victorious dominion, and we offer to Thee
benediction and glory, together with the Father and
the Holy Spirit now and throughout endless ages.
Then they bend the knee before the holy altar, and the Priest
recites this prayer upon the child of forty days and his mother.
Peiest. — Lord our God, who after forty days,
according to the laws, wast presented in the temple,
together with Mary, Thy Mother, and wast carassed
hi)
in the arms of Simeon the just. We pray Thee, Lord ;
accept this child (N, N.) Thy servant; keep and
make him g-row through the grace of Thy invisible
power; and make him worthy to arrive to share
the inheritance of Thine elected, and participate in
Thy precious body and blood; and be preserved
throuo'h the g-race of the consubstantial and indivi-
sible Holy Trinity. And to Thee, together with the
Father and the Holy Ghost, belong Glory, power,
and honour; now, etc.
Now llie Priest lakes (lie Cliild in Ms arms and brings him up be-
fore file alfnr, wliere lie makes him adore God, saying:
Priest. — (N. N.) newly consecrated catechu-
men, servant to Jesus Christ, of forty days coming
into this temple to adore before this holy altar, bows
down in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, Amen.
Then he places the child upon the step of the allar, on the ricrht
side, and puis his right hand upon his head, and chants the tollowing
hynin:
HYMN.
Mother of God, door of heaven; with a divine
■voice the angel declared : Hail, full of grace, the Lord
is with thee.
He who sitteth upon the Cherubim with the Fa-
ther, was pleased to dwell in thy womb incor-
ruptible ; hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
He who was surrounded and watched li^'- the fla-
ming seraphim ; to-day was seen among men and in
hi
the arms of a terrestrial one ; liail, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee.
Then he orders the Nurse, to lake the cliilt! an<l to give him info
liic anus of his mother :
Deacon. — By the holy Cross, let us pray God,
that by it He may deliver us from sin, and save us
by His merciful grace. Lord our God all-powerful,
save us and have mercy upon us.
The Priest says three times:
Lord have mercy upon us.
Tlie Priest then pulling iiis riglil hand upon llie head of tlie Chihl
and of the Molher, sa\s: ,
Priest. — Guardian and Hope of the faithful,
Christ our God, keep Thy servants in peace, under
the shadow of Thy Holy and venerable Cross ; deliver
us from the enemy, visible and invisible ; make us
worthy to thank and to glorify Thee with the Father
and the Holy Spirit, now, etc.
Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Father,
who art in heaven, etc.
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