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Offices of the Holy Eastern Church
tr. Littledale, 1863
7. Ordination of a Deaconess
After the Holy Oblation is made, and the doors have been opened, before the Deacon says: Making mention of all Saints, the Candidate for ordination is brought to the Bishop, and he, reciting the Divine Grace, while she bows her head, lays his hand on her head, and making three signs of the Cross, prays as follows:
Holy and Almighty God, Who hast hallowed woman by the birth of Thine Only-Begotten Son our God from a Virgin after the flesh, and Who hast given the grace and visitation of Thy Holy Spirit not to men alone, but to women also, look now, O Lord, on this Thy servant, and call her to the work of Thy ministry, and send down on her the rich gift of Thy Holy Spirit, keep her in Thy orthodox faith, and always fulfilling her office in blameless conversation according to Thy good pleasure. For Thee befits &c.
And after the Amen, one of the Deacons prays as follows:
In peace &c. (as for the Deacon, but with this suffrage). For her who is now appointed Deaconess, and for her salvation, let us &c.
While the Deacon is repeating this prayer, the Bishop, still keeping his hand on the head of the Candidate, prays as follows:
O LORD GOD, Who dost not reject women who offer themselves in accordance with the Divine will to minister in Thy holy places, but admittest them into the rank of ministers, give the grace of Thy HOLY SPIRIT to this Thy servant, who desires to offer herself to Thee and to fulfil the grace of the Diaconate, as Thou didst give the grace of Thy Diaconate unto Phœbe, whom Thou calledst to the work of the ministry. Grant to her, O God, to abide blamelessly in Thy holy temples, to be mindful of her own conversation, and especially of continence, and make Thy servant perfect, that she, standing at the judgment-seat of Christ, may receive the reward of her good conversation. Through the mercy and loving-kindness of Thine Only-Begotten Son (23)
And after the Amen, he puts the diaconal stole on her neck, under the wimple, bringing the two ends forward, and then the Deacon who stands on the ambon says:
Making mention of All Saints &c.
After she has partaken of the Holy Body and the Holy Blood, the Archbishop gives her the: Holy Chalice, which she receives and places on the Holy Table. (24)