Diocesan Office

His Grace's Schedule

Clergy Assignments

Upcoming Ordinations and Elevations

Deacon Justin Havens to the Holy Priesthood on Sunday, December 14, 2008, at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.

August 16-17)

Reception of the Bishop

Last Updated: 07/01/2008 06:49 PM

The reception of the Bishop in the back of the Church is done for all services in which the Bishop is presiding, unless otherwise directed by the Bishop. Prior to the Bishop’s arrival at the Church, eagle rugs are placed in the narthex (head pointed toward the east), on the solea (head pointed toward the west), and at the Episcopal Throne (head pointed toward the north). If the Bishop will be serving, eagle rugs are also placed on the amvon (head pointed toward the west), in front of the Holy Table (head pointed toward the east), and at the High Place (head pointed toward the west).

The first Priest and the first Deacon shall vest according to the type of service. If it is a Eucharistic Service, they shall both be fully vested. If it is a non-Eucharistic Service, the first Priest shall vest in his exorasson, epitrachelion and phelonion. The first Deacon shall vest in his sticharion and orarion. All other clergy shall wear the exorasson.

When the Bishop arrives at the Church, the first Priest takes the Gospel Book and the first Deacon takes the Hand Cross. The first Priest and the first Deacon proceed through the Royal Doors, followed by the remaining clergy in order of seniority, from senior to junior. When they reach the back of the Church, the first Priest stands before the Bishop facing west, while the remaining clergy stand on either side of the Bishop facing north and south (facing each other, with the seniors closest to the Bishop), thus forming a corridor toward the Altar. The first Deacon stands next to the Bishop on his right side.

The first Priest begins with the following:

Priest:      Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:    Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest:       Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.

People:    Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest:     Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP and for our Father and Bishop JOSEPH and all our brotherhood in Christ.

People:    Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest:      For Thou art a merciful God Who lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People:    Amen.

The first Priest offers the Gospel Book to the Bishop for veneration, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. The first Deacon hands the Hand Cross to the Bishop, himself kissing the Bishop’s right hand. The clergy process to the solea from junior to senior, with the first Priest immediately before the Bishop and the first Deacon immediately before the first Priest, as the people sing the following hymn in Tone 4:

People:    God is the Lord Who hath appeared unto us! Celebrate the feast and come with gladness. Let us magnify Christ with palms and branches singing: Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 Download Music for this Hymn

Before reaching the solea, the junior clergy stop and allow the senior clergy to pass. The clergy form two lines, facing east, in order of seniority from senior to junior, with the first Priest and the first Deacon at the steps of the solea in front of each line. When the first Priest reaches the solea, he enters the Altar through the Royal Doors, places the Gospel Book on the Antimins, and then takes his place in line.

When the Bishop reaches the solea, the people sing the following very slowly, as the Bishop blesses the people, hands the Hand Cross to the Bishop’s Assistant, and ascends the Episcopal Throne:

People:    Eis polla eti, Dhespota.

The Priests and Deacons move to stand in the same order on either side of the Episcopal Throne.

October 10-12, 2008

November 14-16, 2008

 Local Events