When the procession reaches the front doors of the Church, the Relics are again placed on the table, and readings from the Bible follow.
SCRIPTURAL READINGS
DEACON: Let us attend.
READER: She shall be brought unto the King; the virgins that follow her shall be brought unto Thee.
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews (9:1-7).
DEACON: Let us attend.
READER: Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary for a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded and the tables of the covenant above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
THE BISHOP: Peace be with you, Reader.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
DEACON: Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
THE BISHOP: Peace be with you all.
CHOIR: And with thy spirit.
THE BISHOP: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (10:38-42).
DEACON: Let us attend.
THE BISHOP: Now as they went on their way Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving and she went to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.
CHOIR: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
The Bishop picks up the Paten with the Holy Relics, and the final procession takes place. The Choir continues to sing Special Hymns or “Holy God, Holy mighty…”
At the end of the third procession the Bishop places the Paten on the table and recites a prayer.
THE BISHOP: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR: O Christ our God, Who didst build Thy Church upon the rock of faith, direct our petitions and receive Thy people who in faith cry unto Thee, save us, O our God.
DEACON: Let us pray to Lord.
The Bishop then offers a shorter prayer in which he asks God to protect His new House of Worship.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
THE BISHOP: Blessed be Thou forever, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who through the veil of His flesh hath consecrated for us an entrance into the Church of the first-born, who are written in heaven, where is the abode of those who rejoice, and the voice of gladness; Do Thou the same Lord, Who lovest mankind, look upon us Thy sinful and unworthy servants who now celebrate the consecration of the honorable Church of the Holy Apostles after the pattern of Thy most holy Church, that is, of our own body, which Thou hast made worthy unto us by Thine all-laudable Apostle Paul to call Thy Church; and establish it immovable unto the end of time and glorified in Thee. And vouchsafe that without condemnation we may offer therein praises and exaltations unto Thy glory, and unto Thine Only; begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Thy Holy Spirit with understanding, and with all emotion and that those who worship Thee in Thy fear may show themselves worthy of Thy divine bounties; and that these prayers offered up by us and by all Thy people unto thine ineffable loving kindness may be acceptable unto Thy goodness: Through the prayers of our most holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.
For holy art Thou, O our God, Who resteth on the Saints. And unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
THE BISHOP: O Master, Lord our God, Who hast appointed in heaven orders and armies of angels and archangels for the ministry of Thy Glory: Grant that there may be with our entrance, the entrance of Thy holy angels, ministering with us and glorifying with us Thy goodness.
For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
~Website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), Service of the Consecration of a Church, http://www.goarch.org/chapel/liturgical_texts/consecrate_church. Liturgical texts provided by Holy Cross, Brookline, MA.
