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Greek Orthodox Catechism
Constantine Callinicos, London, 1926
Part III. Ceremonial, The Services of Ordination, Marriage, Holy Unction and Funeral
How is the Service of Ordination celebrated?
According to the rank of the Priesthood one desires to enter. If it is a question of the ordination of a Deacon, the Service takes place after the consecration of the Holy Gifts, when two deacons conduct the future-deacon into the Sanctuary, and pass round the Altar with him three times, and then lead him in front of the Bishop, who blesses him and bids him to bend one knee. This being done, the Bishop exclaims:—“The Divine Grace ordains N. to be a deacon; let us pray, therefore, on his behalf.” And, after laying his hand on him and reciting the proper prayers, he puts on him the Orarion, the sign of the Deacon’s ministry. If it is a question of the ordination of a Priest, the Service takes place after the singing of the Cherubic Hymn, when two priests conduct the candidate into the Sanctuary, where they go round the Altar with him three times, and then lead him to the Bishop, who is seated near, and who blesses him. The priest-to-be bends both knees, after which the Bishop, in the hearing of all, exclaims:—“The Divine Grace ordains N, to be a presbyter; let us, therefore, pray on his behalf.” And, after laying his hands on him and reciting the proper prayers, he puts on him the Epitrachilion, which is the vestment of the priesthood. If it is a question of the consecration of a Bishop, the Service takes place even earlier, that is, before the Gospel in the Divine Liturgy, when two Bishops conduct the future Bishop into the Sanctuary, pass round the Altar with him three times, and then lead him before the Archbishop, who blesses him. The candidate bends both his knees before the Altar and inclines his head, having the Book of the Gospels laid open upon him. Then the Archbishop exclaims:—“The Divine Grace ordains N. to be a Bishop; let us, therefore, pray on his behalf,” And, laying his hand on him together with the hands of the other Bishops, prays abundantly for him, and, finally, invests him with the Pallium or Omoforion, which is the special mark above all of the Episcopacy.
How is Marriage celebrated?
The engaged couple stand together in the Church, having behind them the Sponsor, and in front of them the officiating Priest; who first affiances them, placing the rings on their fingers, as symbols of union. Afterwards he duly prays for them, and, joining their hands, he places crowns on the heads, because, in crushing intemperance, they lay the foundations of a legal union. And, after the bridegroom and the bride have drunk from the “common cup” given by the Priest to them, so as to show that they will share in common both the happiness and the misfortunes of life, they walk three times round the Table, in manifestation of spiritual joy, attended by the clergy and their intimate friends, while the hymn “Go to dance, Isaiah!” is sung joyfully.
How is the Holy Unction celebrated?
For the celebration of the Holy Unction more than one Priest is needed; and only in great urgency does one suffice. Its celebration takes place either in the Church if the sick person can be carried to it, or in the house and by the bedside if it is impossible to move him to Church. The Ceremony of Unction consists, strictly speaking, of seven parts, each containing one reading from the Epistles proper to the occasion, one passage from the Gospels, and a prayer of intercession on behalf of the sick person. On the table an oil lamp burns all the time; from which the Priests, taking oil at the end of the Service, anoint one after the other the forehead, breast, hands and feet of the sick person, praying to the Physician of bodies and souls to heal His present servant of his bodily as well as spiritual disease.
What is the funeral Service?
The corpse is carried from the house to the Church with the singing of psalms and followed by the friends and relatives, bidding him God-speed to his heavenly home. And, after the moving funeral “Troparia” have been sung, which speak of the vanity of this world and the sweetness of Paradise, and the relations and friends have taken farewell with a last kiss, the coffin is carried to the tomb, and is buried by the grave-diggers. The Priest, meanwhile, throws earth on the coffin, thereby declaring the dissolution of the body, and prays for the eternal memory of the dead; for the soul lives eternally, and eternally will it rejoice in any good act it has done.