Prayers of the Rite for the Consecration of Deaconesses
Prayers of the Rite for the Consecration of Deaconesses
- O Lord, wise in His counsel, who created man male and female. You created them both in Your image and likeness, and granted them the same blessing and the same authority over all creatures.
You who granted prophecy to Miriam the sister of Moses and Aaron, and also granted prophecy to Deborah, Huldah, and Anna the daughter of Phanuel. And You permitted Philip the Evangelist to have virgin daughters who prophesied…
You poured out the grace of Your Holy Spirit upon both men and women on the Day of Pentecost. And You also gave to women, just as to men, the gifts of the Spirit.
You, O Lord, permitted Mary Magdalene to be sent to proclaim Your Resurrection to Your holy apostles. And You permitted Phoebe to be appointed a deaconess in Your holy Church.
(Response: Kyrie eleison 3 times).
- As You permitted, O Lord, in former times, so also permit today that women may participate in Your ministry. And make us worthy to complete this service without falling into condemnation before You.
Pour out the grace of Your Holy Spirit upon these Your maidservants, O You to whom belong glory and honor, now and at all times and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
(Response: Lord have mercy. Lord hear us. Lord bless us).
- O Lord God, who does not reject women who offer themselves with a good intention to fulfill Your ministry. As You granted the faithfulness of this ministry to Your servant Phoebe, whom You called to labor in Your Church, and she became a helper in ministry to Your holy servant Paul… pour out Your holy gifts upon these Your maidservants who bow their heads before You, awaiting Your gifts.
(Response: Lord hear us. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us).
- O Eternal Lord, who did not disdain that Your Only-Begotten Son should be born of a woman. And in the Tabernacle of Witness and in the Temple, You appointed women as keepers of Your holy doors… now look upon these Your maidservants who have been called to the ministry of the diaconate. Grant them the grace of the Holy Spirit. Purify them from every defilement of body and spirit, so that they may worthily carry out the work entrusted to them. To You be glory and worship with Your Only-Begotten Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Response: Kyrie eleison 3 times).
- O holy Lord God Almighty, who sanctified women through the birth of Your Only-Begotten Son from a Virgin according to the flesh. Sanctify these Your maidservants, that they may be worthy for the work of the Spirit in them and in their ministry. Preserve them in the Orthodox faith, fulfilling Your ministry blamelessly according to Your good pleasure and according to Your holy calling for them.
(Response: Kyrie eleison 3 times).
- O Holy One exalted in His heavens, who looks upon the humble, who chose the weak, and honored the meek and the contrite of heart, pour out the grace of Your Holy Spirit upon these Your maidservants. So that if they keep Your commandments and serve in the house of Your holiness, they may become honored vessels for Your glorification. Grant them, O Lord, strength to walk accurately according to Your teachings which You established as a rule for their ministry. Give them the spirit of humility, endurance, and patience. So that if they bear Your yoke with unspeakable joy, and endure in struggle, they may receive crowns of ministry. Amen.
(Response: Amen, Amen, Amen).
- Yes, O Lord God, who knows our weakness… perfect Your maidservants, that they may praise in Your house, minister to women, and visit the sick and those absent from the church.
And that they may care for the poor and needy, assist on the day of the baptism of adult women, teach the catechumens and children, and organize the women in the church. Strengthen them for edification and as a good example. Sanctify them. Enlighten them. Give them courage and steadfastness. Grant that they may present an example of holy living. Bless them, O Lord, these whom You purchased for Your Kingdom with Your precious Blood, for blessed and glorified is Your Kingdom, O Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and at all times and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
(Response: Lord hear us. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us).
- You who granted Anna the daughter of Phanuel to serve eighty-four years in her widowhood, worshiping in the Temple blamelessly. Grant Your maidservants grace to keep their vows before You, and to live in chastity and purity, in obedience to Your commandments and in faithfulness as is fitting for female servants. Grant that they may live as brides for You alone by the grace of Your Holy Spirit.
(Response: Lord hear us. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us).
- Let us ask the Lord.
(Response: Lord have mercy).
For the ministry of women in the Church, let us ask the Lord (Lord have mercy).
For the poor and needy, and all who are in want, let us ask the Lord (Lord have mercy).
For the visitation of families and women in their homes, let us ask the Lord (Kyrie eleison).
For the sick women and those in need of consolation, let us ask the Lord (Kyrie eleison).
For the ministry of catechumens and children, and for every good work in the Church, let us ask the Lord (Kyrie eleison).
For the example of ministry fulfilled by Phoebe the deaconess, let us ask the Lord (Kyrie eleison 3 times).
For these deaconesses and their ministry, that the Lord may grant them grace, let us ask the Lord (Lord have mercy 3 times).
- We ask You, O Lord, to bless this ministry which has been entrusted to these Your maidservants. Give them strength from You, that they may fulfill their ministry with fervor, humility of heart, and good example, and may receive a reward for every good work they do, for to You belong honor, consolation, and worship, now and at all times and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Lord hear us. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us).
Then the Pope or the Bishop blesses their vestments with three customary signs of the cross.
And he signs each one on her forehead and says: “We call you (so-and-so) a deaconess in the holy Church of God”.
Khen efran… (3 signs of the cross).
And they put on the garments designated for this ministry.
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