In preparation for the tonsuring, the candidate shall have a cassock and his sticharion and orarion by the day of the tonsuring. On the eve of his tonsuring, the candidate shall attend Vespers and, after having a light supper, begin his Eucharistic Fast. During that time, he shall interact as little as possible with anyone and spend that time praying and preparing himself for the elevation. Married candidates shall refrain from marital relations during this time. He shall have his confession heard either after Vespers or before Orthros on the day of the tonsuring.

If the tonsuring is to take place during Vespers, it is done following the Aposticha. If it is to take place prior to the Divine Liturgy, it is done following the Great Doxology, but before the apolytikion which follows. The candidate is led by the Bishop’s Assistant to the center of the solea in front of the Bishop. He makes three prostrations toward the Holy Altar. Then, he turns and makes one prostration toward the Bishop and stops on his knees. The Bishop lays his hand on the candidate’s head.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Bishop: O Lord our God, Who, through one and the same Holy Spirit distributing gifts of grace to each one of those whom Thou hast chosen, hast given to Thy Church diverse Orders; Who, through Thine inscrutable providence, hast appointed degrees of ministry therein, for the service of Thy Holy and Immaculate Mysteries; and Who, through Thine ineffable foreknowledge, hast ordained this Thy servant, (Name), to be worthy to serve in Thy Holy Church: Do Thou, the same Lord, preserve him uncondemned in all things. And grant that he may love the beauty of Thy House, stand before the doors of Thy Holy Temple and kindle the lamps in the Tabernacle of Thy glory. And make him Thy perfect servant in the time of Thy Second Coming, that he may receive the recompense of those who are well-pleasing in Thy sight. For Thine is 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.

People: Amen.

The new Subdeacon kisses the Bishop’s right hand and stands. The Bishop takes the sticharion, blesses it and, with the help of the Bishop’s Assistant, puts the sticharion on the new Subdeacon. The same is done with the orarion. Following any words of wisdom or instruction from the Bishop, the new Subdeacon takes his place among the Subdeacons, while the people sing:

People: Eis polla eti, Dhespota.