Rite of Consecration
Excerpt from the Rite of Consecration of the Consecrated Women, prayed by the bishop over the novice after the morning Raising of Incense.
Bishop: O Lord, who is wise in His counsel and created mankind in His image and likeness – He created males and females in His image and likeness, and granted them blessing; we ask You, O Lord, to hear us and have mercy on us.
People: Lord have mercy.
Bishop: O Lord, who granted the gift of prophecy to Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, and to Deborah, Huldah, and Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, and allowed Philip the evangelist to have virgin daughters who prophesy; we ask You, O Lord, to hear us and have mercy on us.
People: Lord have mercy.
Bishop: O You who poured out Your Holy Spirit on men and women alike, and gave them the gifts of the Spirit; we ask You, O Lord, to hear us and have mercy on us.
People: Lord have mercy.
Bishop: O Lord, who decided to send Mary Magdalene to inform Your holy Apostles of Your glorious Resurrection, and allowed Phoebe to become a deaconess in Your holy Church. As You allowed it in the past, O Lord, allow this woman (these women) who is (are) standing before You, today, to participate in Your service, and make us worthy to fulfill this service without falling into condemnation before You, and pour out the grace of Your Holy Spirit upon her (them)…
Bishop: O Lord, God, who does not reject the women who present themselves to serve with good intention as it is according to the divine will, but You have decided to call them Your servants. Grant Your maidservant(s) the grace of the Holy Spirit, she who desires to present herself to You and fulfill Your service, as You have granted the grace of this service to Your servant Phoebe, whom You have called to do works in Your Church – she became a helper to Your servant Paul the Apostle. Pour out Your gifts on her…
Bishop: O eternal Lord, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look now to Your maidservant who is called for the service of consecration. Give her the grace of the Holy Spirit and purify her from every defilement of body and spirit that she may be worthy to fulfill the work that You have pledged to her.
Glory and worship are due to You with Your Only Begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Bishop: O Lord, God, the Holy and Almighty, who sanctified women by the birth of Your only Son from the Virgin St. Mary; we ask You, O Lord, to hear us and have mercy on us.
O You who granted the grace of the Holy Spirit, not only to men but to women also. Now, O Lord, look to Your maidservant; call her to service and pour out the gift of Your Holy Spirit upon her. Keep her in the Orthodox Faith to fulfill Your service continually, without blame, according to Your will. For Yours is the glory, the honor, and the worship, O Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.