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Euchologion >

Reception into the Catechumenate

The following texts 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.

The following rite may take place at the end of the Divine Liturgy immediately after the Ambon Prayer.  If it is said outside the Liturgy, then it is introduced by the usual beginning, “Blessed is our God...” until, “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory...” and is concluded with the usual dismissal, “Glory to you, O Christ God... Glory to the Father... May Christ our true God have mercy on us and save us…  Amen.”

The priest, vested in the epitrachilion and the phelonion, meets the candidates in the narthex, to enroll them in the catechumenate.

The priest sets each candidate facing east (toward the holy table), breathes three times upon the face, signs the forehead and chest three times, and then places his hand upon the candidate's head, and says this prayer:

Deacon:      Let us pray to the Lord.

Response:    Lord, have mercy.

Priest:         In your name, O Lord, the God of truth, and in the name of your only-begotten Son and of your Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon your servant (name) whom you have deemed worthy to flee to your holy name and to be protected in the shadow of your wings. Free him (her) from the ancient deceit, and fill him (her) with faith in you, hope in you and love for you, that he (she) would know that you alone are the one true God and your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Grant that he (she) may walk in the way of all your commandments and do what is pleasing to you, for “the one who observes the law shall live by it.”

Inscribe his (her) name in your book of life and unite him (her) to the flock of your inheritance.  May your holy name be glorified in him (her), together with the holy name of your beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and of your life-creating Spirit.

Let your eyes always look mercifully upon him (her), and let your ears hear his (her) supplications.  Let him (her) rejoice in the work of his (her) hands and in all his (her) posterity, that he (she) may confess you, worshipping and glorifying your great and most exalted name, ever praising you all the days of his (her) life. For all the heavenly powers sing to you, and yours is the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

Response:    Amen.

Announcement of Instructions

On the first Sunday of the Great Fast, immediately following the Gospel, the deacon [or priest] makes a public announcement about the instruction of catechumens who are scheduled to be baptized at the following Pascha:

Beloved faithful! We know of your sincere faith in Christ and the value you place on holy baptism. We exhort you to support and assist these catechumens who are now approaching the time of their enlightenment that they may be instructed properly about the divine teachings according to the rule of faith. Behold, the Resurrection of our Lord is approaching. Let these catechumens approach the Church to receive the seal of Christ that they may be protected from all evil, and from the works of the evil one. We appeal to you to be a good example for them and to take care for their instruction, that they may approach the holy mystery of baptism with understanding.

Those catechumens who are to be baptized at the following Pascha should complete their instructions during the Great Fast.  They should especially understand the meaning of the holy Symbol of Faith (The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed). This is best done on the weekday evenings of the Great Fast, Monday being the most highly recommended day. Beginning with the Wednesday following the Third Sunday (The Veneration of the Cross), the Litany for Those Preparing for Baptism is to be intoned at the Presanctified Divine Liturgy.