Ordination of an Archdeacon
An archdeacon is ordained by a bishop on the recommendation of the clergy and congregation, with prayer for the Holy Spirit, laying-on of hands, and participation in the Divine Liturgy.[^1][^5]
Also known as: Archdeacon, Ordination of · Ordination to the Archdeaconate · Archdeacon ordination
Candidate and Minister
The ordination of an archdeacon is performed by a bishop on the recommendation of the congregation and clergy, in accordance with the sacrament of holy orders.1 The account of the rite specifies that the candidate is a deacon of proven aptitude who has been recommended for the archdeaconate.2
Place in the Divine Liturgy
The rite of diaconal and archdiaconal ordination usually follows the Prayer of Reconciliation: the candidate is presented to the bishop, metropolitan, or patriarch celebrating the Divine Liturgy and kneels before the sanctuary steps.3 The archdeacon’s ordination service takes place immediately after the prayer of the aspasmos, or Kiss of Peace, and before the congregation sings the hymn of the aspasmos.1
Ordination Prayer and Laying-on of Hands
The bishop’s prayer recalls God’s establishment of the orders and canons of the Church and asks that the grace of the Holy Spirit descend upon the candidate.2 It invokes Stephen, described in the prayer as the first deacon, first martyr, and first archdeacon, as the model for the ordinand’s service.4
The prayer asks that the candidate be made worthy to assist the priest at the bloodless sacrifices and hold the chalice of the Precious Blood. It also names responsibilities toward orphans, widows, worshipers, and those needing instruction or correction, asking that the archdeacon become a good example to other ministers.4
The prayer attributes the gift of grace to divine compassion rather than to the officiants’ hands: “It is not through the imposition of our hands that this grace is given, but by the visitation of Thy rich compassion, O Lord.”4 The separate account of the office explicitly states that the bishop then lays hands upon the candidate, who takes part in the Divine Liturgy.5
Concluding Actions
The newly ordained archdeacon kneels before the sanctuary, kisses the cross in the bishop’s hand, and kisses the altar. After Communion, the bishop gives him the blessing prescribed for a newly ordained deacon.6 In the preceding description of that blessing, the bishop breathes upon the ordinand’s face, saying “Receive ye the Holy Spirit,” and lays his hand upon him while saying “axios,” meaning “worthy,” three times.7
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 492)
On the recommendation of the congregation and the clergy, a bishop ordains an archdeacon in accordance with the sacrament of holy orders. The ordination service follows immediately after the prayer of the aspasmos (Kiss of Peace) and before the congregation sings the hymn of the aspasmos.
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 532)
When a deacon of proven aptitude has been recommended for the order of archdeacon, the bishop says this prayer: Master, Lord God, great in mercy and righteousness, who, through Thy only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, hast established the heavenly Jerusalem and given all the orders and canons of the Church, do Thou now, our King who lovest mankind, accept our supplications, and send the grace of Thy Holy Spirit upon Thy servant [name]
- 3.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 530)
The ordination of a deacon or archdeacon usually takes place after the Prayer of Reconciliation. The candidate is presented to the bishop (or metropolitan or patriarch) who is celebrating the Divine Liturgy, and kneels before the steps of the sanctuary.
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 533)
Make him worthy to be archdeacon in Thy Holy Church, in the likeness of one of the seven ministrants set up by the pure apostles, namely Stephen, the first deacon and first martyr. Fill him with power and understanding like Stephen, the first archdeacon, in Thy Holy Church [to assist the priest] at the service of the bloodless sacrifices and hold the chalice of the Precious Blood of the Lamb without blemish, which is Thine only-begotten Son, that he may minister unto the orphans, help the widows, attend to worshipers, teach the unenlightened, censure the ill-bred, chide the insubordinate and b
- 5.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 493)
The bishop then lays hands upon him, and he takes part in the celebration of Divine Liturgy.
- 6.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 533)
Here the newly ordained archdeacon kneels before the sanctuary, kisses the cross in the bishop's hand, and kisses the altar. After communion, the bishop gives him the blessing, as in the consecration of the deacon.
- 7.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 532)
After communion, the bishop insufflates on his face, saying, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit," and lays his hand upon him saying axios [worthy] three times.
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