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Singing the services >

Singing the Baptismal Service

on Great and Holy Saturday

This article covers the practical aspects of singing the services for the Mysteries of Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation in the Byzantine Catholic Church, when they are celebrated at the Paschal Vigil on Great and Holy Saturday.

You will need a copy of the service book for Great and Holy Saturday, and this leaflet with propers for the baptismal service.

Baptism at the Paschal Vigil

When baptisms are conducted at the Vigil Divine Liturgy on the night of Holy Saturday, the reception into the catechumenate, exorcisms, and profession of faith will already have been done.

There are additional petitions at the Litany of Peace for the blessing of water and for those being baptized, but otherwise the service continues as usual until the festal entrance and the singing of "O joyful light."

If there is a separate baptistery, the clergy, candidates for baptism, sponsors, and a cantor will go in procession to the baptistery for the rite of baptism and chrismation, beginning with the blessing of water. The baptisms are done as usual, with the cantor leading the ordinary responses. After all the candidates have been baptized and clothed in white garments, the cantor sings this troparion in tone 8 (from the propers leaflet):

* Note that the Parma book for baptism has the word "give" in place of "grant" in this troparion, but the melody is otherwise unchanged.

and the priest chrismates the newly-baptized.

During this time, in the nave of the church, the reader or a second cantor has been chanting the Old Testament readings — as necessary. At the close of the final reading (Daniel 3:1-90), the priest exclaims from the baptistery, "For you are holy, our God, and we render glory to You, Father Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever." The cantors respond "Amen", and begin the singing of the hymn, "All you who have been baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. Alleluia!" During the singing of this hymn, those in the baptistery go in procession back into the church, and the Divine Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday continues as prescribed.

If there is no separate baptistery, then a selection of Old Testament readings may be taken. After the final reading (Daniel 3:1-90), the baptisms are performed in the middle of the church, beginning with the blessing of water; the cantor leads the responses as usual. After all the candidates have been baptized and clothed in white garments, the cantor chants the troparion "O most merciful Christ our God..." (above), and the priest chrismates the newly-baptized.

Then priest exclaims, "For you are holy, our God, and we render glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever." The cantors respond "Amen", and begin the singing of the hymn, "All you who have been baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. Alleluia!" During the singing of this hymn, the clergy, the newly baptized and their sponsors, and the cantors go in procession once around the church, and the Divine Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday continues as prescribed.

At Holy Communion, the newly baptized and chrismated (and their sponsors) should be the first to receive Holy Communion, immediately after the clergy.

If the rites of removal of chrism and first tonsure are done, they may take place after the Ambon Prayer at this service, or after the Ambon Prayer on Thomas Sunday.