Service of Baptism

Prayer for the Catechumen

Priest:	Let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	In Thy Name, O Lord God of truth, and in the Name of Thine Only-begotten Son, and of Thy Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon Thy servant, [name], who has been found worthy to flee unto Thy holy Name, and to take refuge under the shelter of Thy wings. Remove far from him his former delusion and fill him with the faith, hope and love which are in Thee; that he may know that Thou art the only true God with Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Thy Holy Spirit. Enable him to walk in all Thy commandments, and to fulfill those things which are well pleasing unto Thee; for if a man do those things, he shall find life in them. Inscribe him in Thy Book of Life, and unite him to the flock of Thine inheritance. And may Thy holy Name be glorified in him, together with that of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Thy life-giving Spirit. Let Thine eyes ever regard him with mercy, and let Thine ears attend unto the voice of his supplication. Make him to rejoice in the works of his hands, and in all his generation; that he may render praise unto Thee, that he may sing, worship and glorify Thy great and exalted Name always, all the days of his life. For all the Powers of Heaven sing praises unto Thee, and Thine is the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People:	Amen.

Prayer of Exorcism

Priest:	Let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	The Lord puts you under a ban, O Devil: He who came into the world, and made His abode among men, that He might overthrow your tyranny and deliver men; who also upon the Tree did triumph over the adverse powers, when the sun was darkened, and the earth did quake, and the graves were opened, and the bodies of the Saints arose; who also by death annihilated Death, and overthrew him who exercised the dominion of Death, that is you, the Devil. I charge you by God, who revealed the Tree of Life, and arrayed in ranks the Cherubim and the flaming sword which turns all ways to guard it: be under a ban. For I charge you by Him who walked upon the surface of the sea as it were dry land, and laid under His ban the tempests of the winds; whose glance dries up the deep, and whose interdict makes the mountains melt away. The same now, through us, puts you under a ban. Fear, begone, and depart from this creature, and return not again, neither hide yourself in him neither seek to meet him, nor to influence him, either by night or by day; either in the morning or at noonday; but depart hence to your own infernal abyss until the great Judgment Day which is ordained. Fear God who sits upon the Cherubim and looks upon the deeps; before whom tremble Angels and Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, Powers, the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim; before whom, likewise, heaven and earth do quake, the seas and all that they contain. Begone, and depart from this sealed, newly enlisted warrior of Christ our God. For I charge you by Him who rides upon the wings of the wind, and makes His Angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire: Begone, and depart from this creature, with all your powers and your angels. For glorified is the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People:	Amen.

Prayer of Exorcism

Priest:	Let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	O Lord and Master who hast created man in Thine own likeness, and bestowed upon him the power of life eternal; who also despisest not those who have fallen away through sin, but hast provided salvation for the world through the Incarnation of Thy Christ: Do Thou, the same Lord, delivering also this Thy creature from the bondage of the enemy, receive him into Thy heavenly kingdom. Open the eyes of his understanding, that the illumination of Thy Gospel may shine brightly in him. Assign unto him an angel of light, who shall deliver him from every snare of the adversary, from encounter with evil, from the demon of the noonday, and from evil thoughts. Expel from him every evil and unclean spirit which hides and makes its lair in his heart, (these words are repeated three times while breathing on the catechumen) — the spirit of deceit, the spirit of evil, the spirit of idolatry and of every covetousness; the spirit of falsehood and of every uncleanness which operates through the prompting of the Devil. And make him a reason-endowed sheep in the holy flock of Thy Christ, an honorable member of Thy Church, a child of the light, and an heir of Thy Kingdom; that having lived in accordance with Thy commandments, and preserved inviolate the Seal, and kept his garment undefiled, he may receive the blessedness of the Saints in Thy Kingdom. Through the grace and bounties, and love towards mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
People:	Amen.

The sponsors with the catechumen turn about and face the West, with their backs to the priest. The priest then asks the following questions.

Priest:	Do you renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his angels, and all his service, and all his pride?
Catechumen:	I do renounce him. [This is repeated three times.]
Priest:	Have you renounced Satan?
Catechumen:	I have renounced him. [This is repeated three times.]
Priest:	Breathe and spit upon him.

The sponsors and the catechumen to be baptized spit symbolically toward the west. Then they turn back to the East, and stand facing the priest.

Priest:	Do you unite yourself unto Christ?
Catechumen:	I do unite myself to Christ. [This is repeated three times.]
Priest:	Have you united yourself to Christ?
Catechumen:
I have united myself to Christ. [This is repeated three times.]
Priest:	Do you believe in Him?
Catechumen:	I believe in Him as King and God. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Priest:	Have you united yourself to Christ?
Catechumen:	I have united myself to Christ. [This is repeated three times.]
Priest:	Bow down also before Him.
Catechumen:	I bow down before the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence and undivided.
Priest:	Blessed is God, who desires that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People:	Amen.

The Sacrament of Baptism
The priest leads the sponsors with the catechumen into the Baptistry, or the place where Baptism is performed. Lighted candles are given to the sponsors. A censing is made around the baptismal font. At the conclusion of the censing, the priest begins.

Priest:	Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People:	Amen.
Priest:	In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That this water may be sanctified with the power, effectiveness, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That there may be sent down into it the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That there may come upon this water the purifying operation of the transcendental Trinity, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That we may be illumined by the light of understanding and piety, by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That this water may prove effective unto the averting of every snare of enemies, both visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That he who is baptized therein may be made worthy of the incorruptible Kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	For him who is now come unto holy Baptism, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That he may prove himself a child of the Light, and an heir of eternal good things, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That he may be a member and partaker of the death and resurrection of Christ our God, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That he may preserve his baptismal garment and the betrothal to the Spirit pure and blameless unto the dreadful Judgement Day of Christ our God, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That this water may be to him a bath of regeneration, unto the forgiveness of sins, and a garment of incorruption, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That the Lord God will hearken unto the voice of our petition, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	That He will deliver him and us from every sorrow, anger, and want, let us pray to the Lord.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
People:	Lord, have mercy.
Priest:	Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
People:	To Thee, O Lord.

Prayer for Blessing of the Water

Priest:

Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvelous are Thy works, and there is no word which is sufficient to hymn Thy wonders. [3 times] For Thou, of Thine own good will, hast brought into being all things which before were not, and by Thy might, Thou upholdsest creation, and by Thy providence Thou orderest the world. When Thou didst join together the universe out of four elements, Thou didst crown the circle of the year with four seasons. Before Thee tremble all the Powers endowed with intelligence. The sun sings unto Thee. The moon glorifies Thee. The stars meet together before Thy presence. The light obeys Thee. The deeps tremble before Thee. The springs of water are subject unto Thee. Thou hast spread out the heavens like a curtain. Thou hast established the earth upon the waters. Thou hast set round about the sea barriers of sand. Thou hast poured forth the air for breathing. The Angelic Powers serve Thee. The choirs of the Archangels fall down in adoration before Thee. The many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim as they stand around and fly, veil their faces in awe before Thine ineffable glory. For Thou, who art God inexpressible and everlasting, hast descended upon earth, and hast taken on the semblance of a servant, and wast made in the likeness of man. For, because of the tender compassion of Thy mercy, O Master, Thou couldest not endure to behold mankind oppressed by the Devil; but Thou hast come, and hast saved us. We confess Thy grace. We proclaim Thy mercy. We conceal not Thy gracious acts. Thou hast delivered the generations of our mortal nature. By Thy birth Thou hast sanctified the Virgin’s womb. All creation magnifies Thee, who hast manifested Thyself. For Thou, O our God, hast revealed Thyself upon earth, and dwelt among men. Thou hast hallowed the streams of Jordan, sending down upon them from heaven Thy Holy Spirit, and hast crushed the heads of the dragons who lurked there. Wherefore, O King who lovest mankind, come Thou now and sanctify this water, by the coming of Thy Holy Spirit. [3 times] And grant unto it the grace of redemption, the blessing of the Jordan. Make it the fountain of incorruption, the gift of sanctification, the forgiveness of sins, the remedy of infirmities, the final destruction of demons, unassailable by hostile powers, filled with angelic might. Let those who would ensnare Thy creature flee far from it. For we have called upon Thy Name, O Lord, and it is wonderful, and glorious, and terrible unto adversaries. [The Priest then blesses the water by dipping the fingers of his right hand into it and tracing the sign of the Cross three times saying:] Let all adverse powers be crushed beneath the sign of the image of Thy Cross. [3 times] We pray Thee, O God, that every aerial and unseen phantom may withdraw itself from us; and that no demon of darkness may conceal himself in this water; and that no evil spirit which instills darkening of intentions and rebelliousness of thought may descend into it with him who is about to be baptized. But do Thou, Master of all, show this water to be the water of redemption, the water of sanctification, the purification of flesh and spirit, the loosing of bonds, the remission of sins, the illumination of the soul, the laver of regeneration, the renewal of the spirit, the gift of adoption to sonship, the garment of incorruption, the fountain of life. For Thou hast said, O Lord: "Wash, be clean, and put away evil things from your souls." Thou hast bestowed upon us from on high a new birth through water and the Spirit. Wherefore, O Lord, manifest Thyself in this water, and grant that he who is baptized therein may be transformed; that he may put away from him the old man, which is corrupt through the lusts of the flesh, and that he may put on the new man, and be renewed after the image of Him who created him; that being buried, after the pattern of Thy death, in baptism, he may, in like manner, be a partaker of Thy Resurrection; and having preserved the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, and increased the measure of grace committed unto him, he may receive the prize of his high calling, and be numbered with the firstborn whose names are written in heaven, in Thee, our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. For unto Thee are due all glory, dominion, honor, and worship, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The priest will then bless the oil.

The Anointing with Oil

Priest:	[Anointing the water thrice:] Let us attend! Alleluia.
People:	Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Priest:	[Anoints the forehead, the breast and the shoulders of the catechumen, saying:] Blessed is God, who illumines and sanctifies every man that comes into the world, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. The servant of God, (name), is anointed with the oil of gladness; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Unto the healing of soul and body. Unto the hearing of faith. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. That he may walk in the way of Thy commandments. This anointing with oil denotes the catechumen's healing from infirmities of soul. [Then submerging the catechumen three times into the blessed water, the priest says:] The servant of God (name), is baptized, in the Name of the Father, Amen; and of the Son, Amen; and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Prayer for the Garment
The priest then takes the white baptismal garment symbolizing purity of soul, and placing it upon the newly baptized says:

Priest:	The servant of God (name), is clothed with the garment of righteousness; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
People:	Grant unto me a robe of light, O Thou who clothest Thyself with light as with a garment; O most merciful Christ our God.

Sacrament of Chrismation immediatly follows.

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