MALE deacon

WOMAN deacon

§1. ‘Prayers at the ordination (cheirotonia) of a deacon’

§1. ‘Prayers at the ordination (cheirotonia) of a deaconess’

§2. After the sacred offertory, the doors [of the sanctuary] are opened and, before the Deacon starts the litany ‘All Saints’, and after the prayer ‘his mercies’ has been said, the man who is to ordained Deacon is brought before the Archbishop. And when the ‘Divine Grace’ [statement] (see text) has been said, the ordinand bends only the right knee. The Archbishop puts the sign of the cross on his forehead three times, keeps his hand imposed on his head and prays:

§2. After the sacred offertory, the doors [of the sanctuary] are opened and, before the Deacon starts the litany ‘All Saints’, the woman who is to ordained Deacon is brought up [before the Archbishop]. And after he has said the ‘Divine Grace’ [statement] (see text) with a loud voice, the woman to be ordained bows her head. The Bishop imposes his hand on her head , makes the sign of the cross on it three times, and prays:

§3.“Lord our God, in your providence you send the working and abundance of your Holy Spirit on those who through your inscrutable power are constituted liturgical ministers to serve your immaculate mysteries, please, preserve, Lord, this man whom you want me to promote to the Deacon's task [leitourgia of the diaconate], in all seriousness and strictness of good behaviour, that he may guard the mystery of faith with a pure conscience.
And give him the grace which you have given to Stephen your first martyr.
And after having called him to the work of your ministry, in your good pleasure make him worthy to perform the degree [of responsibility] you entrust to him.
For those who perform it well, will acquire for themselves a high degree.
Make your servant perfect, for yours are the kingdom and the power.”

§3.“Holy and Omnipotent Lord, through the birth of your Only Son our God from a Virgin according to the flesh, you have sanctified the female sex. You grant not only to men, but also to women the grace and coming (from above) of the Holy Spirit. Please, Lord, look on this your maid servant and dedicate her to the task of your diaconate, and pour out into her the rich and abundant giving of your Holy Spirit.
Preserve her so that she may always perform her ministry (leitourgia) with orthodox faith and irreproachable conduct, according to what is pleasing to you.
For to you is due all glory and honour.”

§4. The Archdeacon now makes the intercessions, as stated before. Meanwhile the Archbishop keeping his hand on the head of the ordinand, prays as follows:

§4. After the ‘Amen’, one of the Deacons now makes the usual intercessions. Meanwhile the Archbishop keeping his hand on the head of the woman to be ordained, prays as follows:

§5.“God, our Saviour, with incorruptible voice you have foretold it, you announced that he would be first who would perform the ministry of the diaconate, as is written in your holy Gospel: ‘Who ever wants to be first among you, must be your servant [diakonos]’, please, Lord of all, fill this servant of yours whom you have made worthy to enter the ministry [leitourgia] of Deacon, through the lifegiving coming of your Holy Spirit with all faith, charity, power and holiness.
Now, Lord, look upon this man. For grace is given to those you deem worthy, not by the imposition of my hands, but by the visitation of your rich mercy, so that, purified from sin, he may on that fearful day of your judgment be presented to you without guilt, and receive the reward of your unfailing promise.
For you are our God, God of mercy and salvation, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ”

§5.“Lord, Master, you do not reject women who dedicate themselves to you and who are willing, in a becoming way, to serve your Holy House, but admit them to the order of your ministers [leitourgôn].
Grant the gift of your Holy Spirit also to this your maid servant who wants to dedicate herself to you, and fulfil in her the work and the office of the ministry of the diaconate, as you have granted to Phoebe the grace of your diaconate, whom you had called to the work of this ministry [leitourgia].
Give her, Lord, that she may persevere without guilt in your Holy Temple, that she may carefully guard her behaviour, especially her prudence and chastity.
Moreover, make your maid servant perfect , so that, when she will stand before the judgement seat of your Christ, she may obtain the worthy reward of her good conduct, through the mercy and generosity of your Only Son.”

§6.And after the ‘Amen’, the ordinand’s scarf [phenolis] is taken from him and [the Archbishop] imposes the stole [to horarion] on him. He kisses him and hands him the holy fan and makes him fan the holy gifts when they are exposed on the [altar] table.

§6.The Archbishop puts the stole of the diaconate [to diakonikon horarion] round her neck, under her [woman's] scarf [maphorion], pulling the two extremities of the stole towards the front.

§7. When [at the time of communion] the newly ordained has taken part of the sacred body, the Archbishop hands him the holy chalice. He in turn makes all those who approach him take part in the sacred blood.

§7. When [at the time of communion] the newly ordained has taken part of the precious body and blood, the Archbishop hands her the holy vessel. She accepts it and, without distributing it to others, puts it back on the holy table [of the altar].