- The Three Processions around the Church Building
The Bishop and Clergy together with all the Faithful prepare for processing three times around the Church. The Three Processions represent the setting aside of an area which will be separate and sacred from all other areas. The Bishop raises the covered Paten on which the Holy Relics were placed, and prepares to leave the Church.
The procession is led by the Altar Boys carrying processional items and the icon of the patron Saint of our Church, the Holy Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist, followed by the Chanters, the Priests, the Bishop carrying the Relics, and the Faithful, leaving the Church empty. When the first procession reaches back to the front of the Church, the Bishop places the Holy Relics on a table, which has been previously placed there. Readings from the Epistle and Gospel follow. Once finished, the Bishop picks up the Paten, and the second procession begins around the Church, while the Chanters sing the stanzas of the Consecration Canon. When the procession reaches again the front doors of the Church, the Relics are placed on the table, and readings from the Bible follow.
The Bishop picks up the Paten one last time with the Holy Relics, and the final procession takes place. The Chanters continue to sing the Consecration Canon. At the end of the third procession the Bishop places the Paten on the table and recites a solemn intercessory prayer.
The Bishop goes in front of the Doors of the Church and knocks on it with his bishop’s staff. He offers the words from Psalm 24: “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of Glory may come in.” (Psalm 24:7) A priest, who has remained inside the church, answers back: “Who is this King of Glory?” (v. 8) The bishop then replies, “The Lord, strong and might, the Lord, mighty in battle! He is the King of glory!” (v. 8, 10) The dialogue takes place three times. At this point the Bishop raises the Paten and makes the sign of the Cross before the Church doors three times. Then the door of the church opens, and the faithful enter in and the service continues. The faithful enter into the church now, which, through the Consecration Service is now be set apart forever as a house of God.
The Bishop enters the Church carrying the Holy Relics followed by all the clergy and the congregation. The faithful light candles, venerate the Holy Icons in the Narthex, and return to their seats.
- The Placing of, and Sealing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table.
The Bishop enters the Sanctuary, carrying the Paten with the Holy Relics. Uncovering the Paten, he places the Holy Relics in a small silver box. He then pours Holy Chrism (myrrh) over the Relics; this act symbolizes the union between our Lord, and His Martyrs. Having done this the Bishop prays for the founders of the Church — all parishioners who have fallen asleep (died).
In the early years of Christianity, the Church was not allowed to exist; for many years the early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ. In those days, the Christians met in underground burial places and celebrated the Eucharist on the graves of the martyred Saints. When the persecutions ended, and the Church was allowed to exist, the custom of celebrating the Eucharist over the graves of Martyrs continued by placing Holy Relics in the Altar at the time of the Consecration. In this manner, we are always reminded that the Church was built on the Blood of the Martyrs and their faith in the Lord. Since the Consecration centers around the Holy Altar Table (for it represents the center of all Sacraments and services of the Church), the Bishop prays and asks for God’s help to accomplish the service.
Following these prayers, the Bishop places the box containing the Holy Relics into a special receptacle in the altar. In order to seal them permanently the Bishop pours a combination of wax/mastic over them. The wax/mastic contains many sweet smelling and fragrant spices, reminding us of those used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to anoint the Body of Christ in preparation for burial. The Holy Altar represents the Tomb in which our Lord’s body was placed. All of this takes place during the chanting of Psalm 144(145).
As the Bishop removes the excess wax/mastic, Psalm 22 (23) is chanted. The Deposition (placing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table) is now completed, and the Bishop prepares to wash and anoint the Altar Table.
- The Washing and Anointing of the Altar Table
Since the Altar Table represents the Tomb of Christ and His body lies therein, the Altar must undergo its own “Baptism” (washing) and “Chrismation” (anointing). Before washing and anointing the Altar Table the Bishop puts on a white linen garment called the Savanon. While the faithful kneel, the Bishop reads the Prayer of Consecration.
A basin of water is then brought to the Bishop who blesses and prays for its sanctification. The Bishop then pours water on the Altar three times saying: “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”, and washes the Altar Table while Psalm 83(84) is chanted. This act symbolizes Baptism: The Altar is cleaned by washing, and sanctified (made Holy) by the Grace of the Holy Spirit. After washing, the Altar is then dried.
The Bishop then sprinkles Rosewater on the Altar Table (Rosewater is a sweet-smelling fragrance which was used to anoint the Body of Christ for burial. The Bishop continues with verses from Psalm 50 (51) while the Altar Table is wiped dry by the assisting Priests.)
The Bishop anoints the Holy Altar with Holy Chrism (once in the center and then on either side) while he sings: “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia”. He spreads the Holy Chrism over the entire Altar Table as he recites a section from Psalm 133 (134).
The Priests then wipe the excess Chrism with the Antimensia ( an Antimension a rectangular piece of cloth, of linen or silk, with representations of the entombment of Christ, the four Evangelists, and scriptural passages related to the Eucharist). St. Symeon of Thesalonika, in writing about the anointing of the Altar Table, says the following: “Since the Altar is anointed with the Holy Chrism, which represents the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Altar Table then becomes a source of Grace to all people through the Sacraments which are celebrated thereon. The Holy Gospel is placed on the Altar, the Holy Relics are within, so we see that the Altar becomes the Altar of Christ, a throne of Glory, the dwelling place of God, and the Tomb of Christ.”
Next, icons of the four Evangelists are fastened to the Altar (one in each corner). The completed Altar represents the entire Church, which from the four corners of the world is held together by the Lord, and is built on Him through the preaching of the Gospel. Following the Anointing, the Bishop begins the vesting (putting on the new coverings) of the Altar Table.
- The Placing of the new Altar Coverings and other Holy Articles on the Holy Table.
The Altar Table is now covered with the “Katasarkion”. This white linen cloth represents the Lord’s burial shroud. The Katasarkion is tied with a cord which represents the cord with which our Lord’s hands were tied as He stood before the High Priests. The Katasarkion will never be removed and will remain on the Altar for as long as the Church remains standing. As the Katasarkion is being placed on the Altar, Psalm 131(132) is chanted by the psalti. Having placed the Katasarkion over the Altar, the Bishop says: “Glory to You our God unto Ages of Ages.” He washes his hands, and covers the Altar Table with a brighter and more elaborate cover which symbolizes the Glory of God. While he covers the Altar Table, the reader chants Psalm 92(93).
The Bishop proceeds to place the other Holy Articles on the Altar Table. First, he places the Antimension; on top of this is placed the Gospel Book (representing the teachings of Christ) The Artoforion, in which the Body and Blood of our Lord is placed, and is reserved for Communion of the sick. The Artoforion is contains the Eucharist which is the real presence of our Lord. Candlesticks are also placed last represent the Light of Christ as well, shining forth during the Sacred Services. Since the Altar has been consecrated, sanctified and adorned with all its furnishings, the Altar and the entire Church is now censed with incense while Psalm 26 is chanted.
- The Anointing of the Church and the Lighting of the Vigil Light
The Bishop then proceeds to anoint the walls of the Church, in all four directions, and the Holy Icons, making the sign of the Cross on them with Holy Chrism. This act symbolizes the sanctification of all creation with the Grace of Christ.
During the service the Bishop invites the faithful to come forward and to offer a few drops of oil in a Vigil Light. This they do as an offering to the Church. The Bishop will later light the Vigil Light and will place it on the Altar Table in front of the Artoforion. This light will be kept burning at all times and is symbolic of the never-failing light of Christ which came into darkness of the world to be a light to enlighten all people.
Bishop then removes the Savanon. The Savanon will be cut up into small pieces and each person in Church will receive a piece of it to keep as a “Phylacton” (a blessed reminder from the Consecration service for all faithful).
After this, the service continues with the First Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated Church.