Additional Directions

At all Ordinations

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist may be according to Rite One or Rite Two. In either case, the rubrics of the service of ordination are followed. The Summary of the Law, the Gloria in excelsis, the Prayers of the People after the Creed, the General Confession, and the usual postcommunion prayer are not used.

At the Presentation of the Ordinand, the Declaration "I do believe the Holy Scriptures..." is to be provided as a separate document to be signed, as directed by Article VIII of the Constitution of this Church and by the rubrics in each of the ordination rites. (Where there are more ordinands than one, each is to be presented with a separate copy for signature.)

The hymn to the Holy Spirit before the Prayer of Consecration may be sung responsively between a bishop and the congregation, or in same other convenient manner.

If vestments or other symbols of office are to be dedicated, such blessing is to take place at some convenient time prior to the service. The following form may be used.

V.  Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
R.  The maker of heaven and earth.
V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And also with you.

Let us pray.
Everliving God, whose power is limitless, we place before you, with our praise and thanks, these tokens of your servant's ministry and dignity. Grant that N., who has been called to leadership in your Church, and bears these signs, may faithfully serve you and share in the fullness of your life-giving Spirit; through the high priest and good shepherd of us all, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At the Ordination of a Bishop

Following the Consecration Prayer, and while the new bishop is being clothed with the vesture of the episcopate, instrumental music may be played.

Following the presentation of the Bible, and the formula "Receive the Holy Scriptures..." a ring, staff, and mitre, or other suitable insignia of office may be presented.

During the Eucharistic Prayer, it is appropriate that some of the consecrating bishops, and representative presbyters of the diocese, stand with the new bishop at the Altar as fellow ministers of the Sacrament.

The newly ordained bishop, assisted by other ministers, distributes Holy Communion to the people. When necessary, the administration may take place at several conveniently separated places in the church.

After the pontifical blessing and the dismissal, a hymn of praise may be sung.

The bishops who are present are not to depart without signing the Letters of Consecration.

At the Ordination of a Priest

Reasonable opportunity is to be given for the priests present to join in the laying on of hands.

The stole worn about the neck, or other insignia of the office of priest, is placed upon the new priest after the entire Prayer of Consecration is completed, and immediately before the Bible is presented. Afterwards, other instruments or symbols of office may be given.

If two or more are ordained together, each is to have his own presenters. The ordinands may be presented together, or in succession, as the bishop may direct. Thereafter, references to the ordinand in the singular are changed to the plural where necessary. The ordinands are examined together.

During the Prayer of Consecration, the bishop and priests lay their hands upon the head of each ordinand. During the laying on of hands, the bishop alone says over each ordinand "Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to N.; fill him with grace and power, and make him a priest in your Church." When they have laid their hands upon all the ordinands, the bishop continues "May they exalt you, O Lord, in the midst..."

A Bible is give to each new priest, and the words, "Receive this Bible..." are to be said to each one.

All the newly ordained take part in the exchange of the Peace, and join the bishop and other priests at the Altar for the Great Thanksgiving. Similarly, all the new priests break the consecrated Bread and receive Holy Communion.

At the Ordination of a Deacon

The stole worn over the left shoulder, or other insignia of the office of deacon, is placed upon the deacon after the entire Prayer of Consecration is completed, and immediately before the Bible is given.

If two or more are ordained together, each is to have his own presenters. The ordinands may be presented together, or in succession, as the bishop may direct. Thereafter, references to the ordinand in the singular are changed to the plural where necessary.

The ordinands are examined together.

During the Prayer of Consecration, the bishop is to lay hands upon the head of each ordinand, and say over each "Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to N.; fill him with grace and power, and make him a deacon in your Church." When they have laid their hands upon all the ordinands, the bishop continues "Make them, O Lord, modest and humble..."

A Bible is to be given to each new deacon, and the words "Receive this Bible..." are also to be said to each one.

After participating in the Peace, the deacons go to the Altar for the Offertory. If there are many deacons, some assist in the Offertory and others administer Holy Communion. One, appointed by the bishop, is to say the dismissal.

When desired, deacons may be appointed to carry the Sacrament and minister Holy Communion to those communicants who, because of sickness or other grave cause, could not be present at the ordination.

If the remaining Elements are not required for the Communion of the absent, it is appropriate for the deacons to remove the vessels from the Altar, consume the remaining Elements, and cleanse the vessels in some convenient place.