THE DIALOGUE FROM PSALM 24 – ENTRY INTO CHURCH
The Bishop standing in front of the Doors of the Church, begins a short dialogue. The words of this conversation are taken from Psalm 24. This act represents Christ the King entering and taking over the Church building by defeating the power of the devil. The Bishop taps on the door with his staff and says: THE BISHOP: Open, Open the gates and let them remain open forever and let the King of glory enter. The priest, who is the only one inside the Church and represents an Angel, is surprised to hear this command, and asks: Who is this King of Glory? THE BISHOP: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. (This dialogue is repeated 3 times.)
Having said this, the Bishop raises the Paten and makes the sign of the Cross before the Church doors. The doors are then unlocked by the Godparent, and the Bishop enters the Church carrying the Holy Relics followed by all the clergy and the congregation. The faithful light candles, venerate the Holy Icons in the Narthex, and return to their seats. The psalti (chanter) in the meantime sings:
Forasmuch as Thou hast shown forth the splendor of the firmament on high and the beauty of the holy habitation of Thy glory here below, O Lord: Establish Thou the same forever, and accept our petitions continually offered unto Thee therein; Through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the life and the Resurrection of all men.
THE DEPOSITION OF THE HOLY RELICS
The Bishop enters the Sanctuary, carrying the Paten with the Holy relics. Uncovering the Paten, he places the Holy Relics in a small gold box. He then pours Holy Chrism over the Relics; this act symbolizes the union between our Lord, and His Martyrs. Having done this the Bishop prays for the founders of the Church who have fallen asleep (died). THE BISHOP: Eternal be the memory of the builders of this Holy Church.
CONGREGATION: Eternal be their memory.
In the early years of Christianity the Church was not allowed to exist; for many years the early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ. In those days, the Christians met in underground burial places and celebrated the Eucharist on the graves of the martyred Saints. When the persecutions ended, and the Church was allowed to exist, the custom of celebrating the Eucharist over the graves of Martyrs continued by placing Holy Relics in the Altar at the time of the Consecration. In this manner, we are always reminded that the Church was built on the Blood of the Martyrs and their faith in the Lord.
Since the Consecration centers around the Holy Altar Table (for it represents the center of all Sacraments and services of the Church), the Bishop prays and asks for God’s help to accomplish the service:
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
THE BISHOP: O Lord our God, Who hast bestowed upon the holy Martyrs which suffered for Thy sake this glory also, that their relics should be sown in all the earth, in Thy holy churches, and should bring forth fruits of healing: Do Thou, the Same Master, Who art the giver of all good things, through the intercession of the Saints whose relics Thou hast graciously permitted to be placed in this Thy venerable Altar, enable us without condemnation to offer unto Thee thereon the bloodless sacrifice: And grant us all those petitions which are unto salvation, vouchsafing also to the relics therein of those who have suffered for thy holy Name, that they may work miracles unto our salvation.
For Thine art the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
There follows a shorter prayer in which the Bishop once again asks for God’s Blessings and help:
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
THE BISHOP: O Lord, God our Saviour, Who createst all things and makest the race of man for salvation, accept the prayer of us, Thine unworthy servants; and enable us at this present hour without condemnation to accomplish the consecration of this Church, founded to Thy praise in the name of (Church’s Name) and to consummate the building therein of an Altar.
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 ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Following these two prayers the Bishop places the gold box containing the Holy relics into a special cavity in the altar. In order to seal them permanently the Bishop pours wax/mastic over them. The wax/mastic contains many sweet smelling and fragrant spices, which were used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to anoint the Body of Christ in preparation for burial. The Holy Altar represents the Tomb in which our Lord’s body was placed. All of this takes place during the reading of Psalm 145.
READER:
Psalm 145
I will magnify Thee, O God, my King; and I will praise Thy Name forever and ever. Every day will I give thanks unto Thee: and praise Thy Name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and marvelous worthy to be praised; there is no end of his greatness. One generation shall praise Thy works unto another and declare Thy power. As for me I will be talking of Thy worship, Thy glory, Thy praise, and wondrous works; so that men shall speak of the might of Thy marvelous acts; and I will also tell of Thy greatness. The memorial of Thine abundant kindness shall be showed and men shall sing of Thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful; longsuffering, and of great goodness. The Lord is loving unto every man; and His mercy is over all His works. All thy works praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints give thanks unto Thee. They show the glory of Thy Kingdom, and talk of Thy power, that Thy power, Thy glory, and mightiness of Thy Kingdom, might be known unto men. Thy kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all ages. The Lord upholdeth all such as fall, and lifteth up all those that are down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him; yea, all such as call upon Him faithfully. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them. The Lord preserveth all them that love Him; but scattereth abroad all the ungodly. My mouth shall speak the Praise of the Lord; and let all flesh give thanks unto Him holy Name forever and ever.
As the Bishop removes the excess wax/mastic, Psalm 23 is read. The Deposition (placing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table) is now completed, and the Bishop prepares to wash and anoint the Altar Table.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture, and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness of His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But Thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
~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.
