The Exorcisms Before Baptism
The following texts, translated from the Roman Malyj Trebnyk (1952), are based on the work of the Inter-Eparchial Liturgical Commission of the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Metropolitan Church of Pittsburgh, and being made available for study by cantors enrolled in the courses of the Metropolican Cantor Institute. These texts are unofficial and provisional, and you should obtain episcopal permission before using them for any purpose other than private self-study.
Following the instructions given during the fourth, fifth and sixth weeks of the Great Fast, the following exorcisms are to be said for those about to be enlightened. These exorcisms are to be said in church, in the narthex, and the priest vests with the epitrachilion.
In the Fourth Week, the following exorcism is said:
Priest: The Lord rebukes you, Satan: the Lord who came into the world and dwelt among us to destroy your tyranny and to deliver humanity; the Lord, who upon the tree triumphed over hostile powers, when the sun was darkened and the earth quaked, when the graves were opened and the bodies of the saints arose; the Lord, who by death destroyed death, and left powerless him who had the power of death, that is you, Satan.
I adjure you by God who has shown us the tree of life and set in place the Cherubim and the flaming sword every way to guard it. Be rebuked! I rebuke you by him who walked upon the surface of the sea as on dry land and rebuked the stormy winds, whose frown dries up the sea and whose rebuke melts away the mountains, for he himself now commands you through us! Be afraid, depart and keep away from these creatures (this creature) and never dare to return or hide yourself within them (him, her); lie not in wait for them (him, her) nor scheme against them (him, her) neither during the night nor during the day, neither in the morning nor at the noonday, but depart into your own dark abyss until the great day prepared for judgment.
Fear God who is enthroned upon the Cherubim and looks upon the depths, fear him before whom the angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, virtues, the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim tremble, before whom tremble heaven and earth, the sea, and all they contain.
Begone and depart from the sealed and newly-enlisted warrior(s) of Christ our God; for I rebuke you by him who walks on the wings of the wind and who makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flaming fire. Begone and depart from these creatures (this creature) together with all your power and your angels.
For glorified is the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
Response: Amen.
In the Fifth Week, the following exorcism is said:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, you heal every disease, look now upon your servant(s). Seek, search and drive out from them (him, her) every work of Satan. Rebuke the unclean spirits and expel them, and purify the works of your hands; quickly crush Satan under their (his, her) feet and grant your servant(s) victory over him and his unclean spirits, that, having obtained mercy from you, they (he, she) may become worthy of your immortal and heavenly mysteries, and glorify you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
Response: Amen.
In the Sixth Week, the following exorcism is said:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Eternal One, Master, Lord, you created us in your image and likeness, and gave us the power of eternal life. When we then fell into sin, you did not turn away from us but brought about the salvation of the world by the incarnation of your Christ. Now deliver these creatures (this creature) from slavery to the enemy and receive them (him, her) into your heavenly kingdom. Open the eyes of their (his, her) mind(s) so that the light of the gospel may shine brightly within them (him, her). During their (his, her) lifetime(s), give them (him, her) the companionship of an angel of light to rescue them (him, her) from every snare lying in their (his, her) path, from the encounter of the evil one, from the noonday demon and every evil imagination.
The priest breathes in the form of the sign of the Cross upon the mouth, forehead and breast of the first candidate, saying the following:
Drive out from him (her), O Lord, every evil and unclean spirit hiding and lurking in his (her) heart:
He does this three times for each candidate, then continues:
the spirit of deceit, the spirit of wickedness, the spirit of idolatry and all greed, the spirit of falsity and every impurity instigated by the devil. Make them (him, her) spiritual lambs (a spiritual lamb) of the holy flock of your Christ, a worthy member of your Church, children (a son, a daughter) and heirs (an heir) to your kingdom; that living according to your commandments, preserving the seal unbroken and keeping their (his, her) baptismal robe(s) without stain, they (he, she) may obtain the happiness of the saints in your kingdom. Through the grace, the mercies, and the loving-kindness of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and forever.
Response: Amen.