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The Deacon

The Order of Deacons was founded to assist the Apostles and Bishops in social welfare ministry of the Church (works of charity, feeding the poor, etc.) - cf. Acts 6:1-7. Very quickly, they were also given liturgical roles, preaching (Acts 6:8ff.) and facilitating the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Services (Acts 8:26f.) - serving as the assistant to the bishop.

The deacons were the bishops’assistants and representatives. The Deacon is the “Masters of Ceremony”of the various Divine Services. The development of the role of the deacon is actually considerably prior to the development of the role of the priest. At the height of the Byzantine Church, deacons ran the Patriarchal Chancery, serving as the Finance Officers and Treasurers, ran the day to day functioning of Church government, etc.

After the captivity of New Rome, most deacons served only in their liturgical capacities. In many places in the Eastern Churches of the Byzantine usage, the diaconate practically died out.

In recent times, the diaconate has resucitated with great vigour and is a great blessing once again for the Church. Divine Services are really intended to be served with a deacon. Today deacons not only have their liturgical responsibilities, but also are resuming their roles in the social ministry of the Church. They may also serve in catechical ministry, youth ministry, as well as various pastoral and evangelistic roles.

The Order of the Ordination of a Deacon

The rite of ordination of the deacon takes place during the Divine Liturgy after the prayer: “And may the mercies of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, be with all of you.”

The subdeacons bring the Bishop's chair and place it in front and somewhat toward the left side of the holy table, so that the Bishop does not turn his back upon the holy Things. The Bishop is then seated wearing the mitre.

The candidate for the diaconate is led through the northern door by the Archdeacon who holds in his hand the trikirion and the precious cross.

The Candidate is lead into the Holy Altar:

In the middle of the church he says:

Archdeacon: By the will of God and the work of the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, and with the blessing of our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan, N. (or: our God-loving Bishop, N.), the devout subdeacon N., is elevated to the diaconate. Command him, holy Master!

The candidate makes a prostration.

The Bishop says:

By the command of the Lord the heavens were made firm and from the

Spirit of His mouth is all their strength.

The Archdeacon and the candidate approach a bit closer.

Archdeacon: Bless him, holy Master!

The candidate makes another prostration. The Bishop says: May the Lord bless him out of Sion, and may he see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of his life.

The Archdeacon standing with the candidate near the holy doors and says: Pray for him, holy Master!

The candidate makes a prostration and the Bishop says: The Holy Spirit shall come upon him and the power of the Most High shall overshadow him.

The candidate enters through the holy doors and immediately kisses the Bishop¹s right hand, epigonation and right shoulder.

The Bishop says: Christ is among us!

Candidate: He is and will be!

The Candidate is led around the Holy Table, venerating its Corners: Then the Archdeacon leads the candidate around the holy table. The candidate kisses the four corners of the holy table; this is repeated three times, while the following hymns are sung:

All: O holy Martyrs, you fought well and have received your crowns: On our behalf entreat the Lord to have mercy on our souls. Glory to You, O Christ God, the apostles¹ boast the martyrs¹ joy, they whose preaching was the Trinity, one in being!

Dance, Isaiah! A virgin has conceived and will bear a Son, Emmanuel. Who is God and man, His name is ³Orient.² When we extol Him, we call that virgin blessed!

Each troparion is sung in this manner: once by those in the sanctuary and then repeated by those outside sanctuary. After the completion of the troparia, the Bishop rises from his seat; the candidate stands to the right of the Bishop and bows three times before the holy table, saying:

Candidate: God, be merciful to me, a sinner! (3)

The Holy Laying-On of Hands and Ordination Prayer:

The candidate kneels on his right knee before the holy table, crosses his hands on the holy table, and between his crossed hands he rests his forehead upon the holy table. The Bishop places the end of the omophor upon the candidate's head. He makes the sign of the cross three times over the candidate's head. The archdeacon exclaims:

Archdeacon: Let us be attentive!

The Bishop then places his right hand upon the candidate¹s head and says aloud so that all may hear:

Bishop: Divine grace, which always heals the infirm, and supplies what is wanting elevates the devout subdeacon, N., to the diaconate. Therefore, let us pray for him that the grace of the most Holy Spirit may come upon him, and let us all say:

Clergy on the Right: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Clergy on the Left: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Choir on the Right: Kyrie Eleison. (3)

Choir on the Left: Kyrie Eleison. (3)

The Bishop once again makes the sign of the cross three times over the candidates head, saying:

Bishop: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (3)

Archdeacon: Let us pray to the Lord!

The Bishop places his hand upon the candidate's head and says quietly:

Bishop: O Lord, our God, in Your foreknowledge You pour forth the fullness of the Holy Spirit with Your inscrutable power upon those who are ordained to be ministers of Your pure mysteries. Preserve in all piety Your servant, N., whom it has pleased you to ordain to the diaconate through me. May he adhere to the mystery of faith with a pure conscience. Grant him the grace You graciously bestowed upon Stephen Your first deacon and martyr, the grace to fulfill well the office which, in Your goodness, You have conferred upon him. Render Your servant perfect in all things. For the kingdom and the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Litany for the newly ordained Deacon:

The Bishop is seated. The Archdeacon intones the ektene:

Archdeacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

Archdeacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

Archdeacon: For our Archbishop and Metropolitan, N. (or: our Bishop, N.), for his priesthood, protection, a good life, peace, health and salvation, and all his undertakings, let us pray to the Lord.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

Archdeacon: For the servant of God, the deacon, N., now ordained and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

Archdeacon: That our merciful God graciously give him a pure and blameless diaconate, let us pray to the Lord.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

Archdeacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

Archdeacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Clergy: Lord, have mercy.

The Bishop rises and places his right hand upon the newly ordained deacon and says this prayer:

Bishop: O God our Saviour, by Your incorruptible voice you instituted the law of service for Your Apostles. You chose the first martyr Stephen for Your first deacon. You Yourself exercised the office of deacon, as it is written in Your Holy Gospel: If any man wishes to be first among you, he shall be your servant. Fill, O Master, Your servant, N., whom You have made worthy of the office of the diaconate, with faith, love, power and holiness, through the coming of the holy and life-giving Spirit. For it is not through the imposition of my hands that grace is given to those who are worthy in Your sight, but through Your rich bounties. Grant that he, ever remaining a stranger to sin, may appear blameless before You and may receive the unfailing reward of Your promises. For You are our God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Declaration and Confirmation of the Church and Vesting of the Deacon:

The deacon is raised up and his orarion is loosened. The Bishop places the orarion upon the deacon¹s left shoulder and exclaims:

Bishop: Axios! (Greek: He is worthy!)

Clergy: Axios! Axios! Axios!

All: Axios! Axios! Axios!

He is given the censer and the Bishop exclaims:

Bishop: Axios!

Clergy: Axios! Axios! Axios!

All: Axios! Axios! Axios!

Then he is given the ripidion (sacramental fan) and the Bishop exclaims:

Bishop: Axios!

Clergy: Axios! Axios! Axios!

All: Axios! Axios! Axios!

The newly ordained deacon kisses the Bishop on his shoulder and he stands before the altar to guard the Holy Mysteries.

"Axios! Axios! Axios!"

to Father Deacon Tibor (Turi) on his elevation to the Holy Order of the Diaconate.

May God grant him a Ministry without blemish and preserve him and his family (Panyi Dobrodiyk Dr. Maria-Lynn Turi, Ph.D., son, Tobia Theophane, and daughter, Sophia Taissa) unto health and salvation among us for Many Happy and Blessed Years!

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