Audio Text
205.1 Epistle Following Chrismation, all sing, “All you who have been baptized into Christ etc.”, three times, then glory be, etc. as is normally done in the Divine Liturgy. While this is being sung, the priest and deacon return to the soleas us taking their usual places. The priest behind the altar, the deacon at the Royal Doors. The deacon intones, “Let us be attentive”, the priest, “Peace be to all”, the deacon, “Wisdom, let us be attentive. The prokimenon is chanted then the deacon intones, “Wisdom”, the reader announces the epistle, the deacon, “Let us be attentive”.
205.2 Alleluia At the conclusion of the reading, the priest blesses saying, “Peace be to you reader”, the deacon, Wisdom, let us be attentive”. The choir sings the Alleluia. The deacon then takes the censer and with the priest’s blessing, incenses the Holy Table, the entire soleas, the iconostasis, the people and the priest.
205.3 Gospel Unlike in the Divine Liturgy, the priest will read the Gospel, therefore the deacon does not ask for the blessing upon the reader of the Gospel. When the alleluia is completed, the deacon (not the priest) intones, “Wisdom. Stand aright. Let us listen to a reading from the Holy Gospel”. The priest, “Peace be to all”. The choir, “And to your spirit”. The priest, “A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the name of the evangelist.”. The choir, “Glory be to you etc.” The deacon, “Let us be attentive”. After the conclusion of the Gospel a homily may be delivered.
Notes
Always arrange for the reader of the Epistle before the baptism begins. Ensure the reader is clear about what to read and then the reading is taken. Also ensure the reader knows the sequences of “Wisdom”, the announcing of the reading “Let us be attentive”.