The Form for the Setting Apart of Sub Deacons

The Order for Setting Apart of Sub Deacons and Deaconesses

 

The Form for the Setting Apart of

Sub Deacons

¶ The setting apart of Sub Deacons shall occur at Morning or Evening Prayer after the collects.

¶ All things being in readiness, a Priest shall present to the Bishop, sitting in his chair near the Holy Table, such as are to be set apart as Sub Deacons, saying,

REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these men, to be set apart to the office and work of Sub Deacons

The Bishop.

TAKE heed that the persons, whom ye present unto us, be apt and meet, for their learning and godly conversation, to exercise their Ministry duly, to the honour of God, and the edifying of his Church.

The Priest shall answer,

I HAVE inquired concerning them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. And it hath been so certified unto us, as the Canons require, by them whose word we trust. Nevertheless, if there be any who can allege aught on account of which it is inexpedient that these persons be so set apart, let protest be now made openly and before all men.

¶ If no good reason be alleged by any why any should not be set apart, the following Lesson shall be read.

Romans 12.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

¶ Then shall be said or sung Psalm 100, or the Benedictus.

Psalm 100. Jubilate Deo.

O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; * we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; * be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Bishop ask of the candidate the following questions, to which each Candidate shall answer for himself.

DEARLY beloved in the Lord, who are minded to take upon you this service in the Church of God, have you duly considered how weighty an undertaking this is, and are you prepared with a willing mind to take upon you this office of ministering to the suffering and needy, and in all humility and godly submission to help the Ministers of God’s Word and Sacraments?
Answer. I have so considered it, and will do so, by the help of God.
Bishop. Will you be obedient to those who are over you in the Lord, cheerfully and faithfully performing the service that shall be appointed to you?
Answer. I will, by the help of God.
Bishop. Inasmuch as this office is not to be lightly undertaken, is it your desire to give yourself to the work of the Lord as a Deaconess in singleness of heart?
Answer. I desire to do so, by the help of God.

The candidate shall kneel before the bishop. The bishop then makes the sign of the Cross three times over the candidate, each time saying:

In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The Priest shall say

Let us pray to the Lord.

The Bishop shall place his hand on the candidate and pray

Lord, our God, Who through the one and same Holy Spirit distribute gifts of grace to each one whom You have chosen; Who have given to the Church different orders; and have established different degrees of ministry therein for the service of Your holy, pure Mysteries; and Who through Your ineffable foreknowledge have ordained this Your servant (name) worthy to serve in Your holy Church.  Preserve him, Lord, uncondemned in all things.

Grant that he may love the beauty of Your house, standing before the doors of Your holy temple, and lighting the lamps of the dwelling place of Your glory.  Plant him in Your holy Church like a fruitful olive tree bringing forth the fruits of righteousness.  Make him Your perfect servant at the time of Your Second Coming, that he may receive the reward of those who are pleasing in Your sight.

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.