Vesting the Bishop – Full Video
11 minutes

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Note: The Liturgy was recorded on December 7, 2013, at St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church, Brampton, Ontario, Canda. Protodeacon David Kennedy is the primary deacon.

Vesting Prayers for a Bishop

If a bishop vests upon entry to the nave of the church, the following prayers are taken. Depending upon the bishop’s preference, the deacon will continue to chant each prayer while continually incensing he hierarch. Alternatively, the bishop will recite or chant the prayer himself after each “Lord have mercy”.

The Vesting of a Bishop

As the bishop enters, he is met with a server and a tray covered with a cloth. The bishop will remove his outer garments down to his under cassock and place them on the tray. The server will take the tray to the sacristy and return with the bishop’s vestments.

The deacon(s) greet the bishop from the ambon with censors.

Deacon: Master give the blessing.

Bishop: + Blessed is Our God, Always now and ever, and forever.

Choir: Amen.

The deacon continually incenses the bishop throughout the vesting.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

(This intonation and response are repeated for each prayer.)

He puts on the Sticharion (Alb), saying:
+ My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation; and the robe of gladness He has wrapped around me. He has placed on me, as a bridegroom, a crown: He has adorned me as a bride, with jewels.

Deacon: Always now and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

(This intonation and response are repeated for each prayer.)

Then, he puts on the Epitrachelion (Stole), saying:
+ Blessed be God who pours out His grace upon His priests like ointment on the head, running down upon the beard, the beard o Aaron, running down to the hem of his garment.

Then he girds himself with the Zone (Girdle), saying:
+ Blessed be God who girds me with strength and keeps my way blameless, who makes my feet like the feet of a deer and who sets me on high places.

Then he puts on the right Epimanikon (Cuff), saying:
+ Your hand, O Lord is glorified in strength; Your right hand, has shattered the enemy. And in the multitude of Your glory You have crushed Your adversaries.

Then he puts on the left Epimanikon (Cuff), saying:
+ Your hands have made me and formed me; give me understanding and I will learn Your commmandmnts.

Then, he puts on the Epigonation (Sword), saying:
+ Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one, in your comliness and your goodness. And make ready and succeed and reign because of truth and meekness and justice; and Your right hand shall conduct you wonderfully, always, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Then the Sakkos (Chasuble), saying:
+ Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice and Your venerable ones shall rejoice with joy, always, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Then, he puts on the Omophorion (Stole), saying:
+ Thou, O Christ, didst take upon Thy shoulders our human nature which had gone astray and did ascend and offer it to God the Father, Always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

Then he puts on the Pectoral Cross, saying:
+ If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me, Always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then he puts on the Panagia, saying:
+ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and an upright spirit renew in me.

Then – if there is a second Holy Image – he puts on the Panagia, saying:
+ My heart pours forth good words; I speak of the things which concern the King. My tongue is the pen of a swift writer.

Then he puts on the Miter (Crown), saying:
+ The Lord has set upon your head a crown of precious stones. Youu ask life of Him, and He shall you length of days, Always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

Then he takes up his Staff (Crozier), saying:
+ The Staff of the Lord has sent you as power from Zion that you shall prevail amidst thine enemies, Always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After the Deacons finish incensing, the Bishop, standing on the Ambon of the Hierarch, receives the trikeri and dikeri. The deacon, standing at the ambon, incenses him, intoning: Let your light shine before people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven, always, now and forever and ever. The bishop blesses with the trikeri and dikeri in the form of a cross to the east, the west, the south and the north, saying: Lord, Lord, look down from heaven and see; etc.