The Book of Common Prayer,
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Episcopal Services

Preface to the Ordination Rites
 
The Holy Scriptures and ancient Christian writers make it clear that from 
the apostles’ time, there have been different ministries within the Church. 
In particular, since the time of the New Testament, three distinct orders 
of ordained ministers have been characteristic of Christ's holy catholic 
Church. First, there is the order of bishops who carry on the apostolic 
work of leading, supervising, and uniting the Church. Secondly, 
associated with them are the presbyters, or ordained elders, in subsequent 
times generally known as priests. Together with the bishops, they take 
part in the governance of the Church, in the carrying out of its missionary 
and pastoral work, and in the preaching of the Word of God and 
administering his holy Sacraments. Thirdly, there are deacons who assist 
bishops and priests in all of this work. It is also a special responsibility of 
deacons to minister in Christ's name to the poor, the sick, the suffering, 
and the helpless.
 
The persons who are chosen and recognized by the Church as being 
called by God to the ordained ministry are admitted to these sacred 
orders by solemn prayer and the laying on of episcopal hands. It has 
been, and is, the intention and purpose of this Church to maintain and 
continue these three orders; and for this purpose these services of 
ordination and consecration are appointed.  No persons are allowed to 
exercise the offices of bishop, priest, or deacon in this Church unless they 
are so ordained, or have already received such ordination with the laying 
on of hands by bishops who are themselves duly qualified to confer Holy 
Orders.
 
It is also recognized and affirmed that the threefold ministry is not the 
exclusive property of this portion of Christ's catholic Church, but is a gift 
from God for the nurture of his people and the proclamation of his 
Gospel everywhere. Accordingly, the manner of ordaining in this Church 
is to be such as has been, and is, most generally recognized by Christian 
people as suitable for the conferring of the sacred orders of bishop, priest, 
and deacon. 

Note: In earlier printings of this book, the phrase “The Episcopal Church” found in the promises was instead “the [Protestant] Episcopal Church [in the United States of America].

Concerning the
Ordination of a Bishop

In accordance with ancient custom, it is desirable, if possible, that
bishops be ordained on Sundays and other feasts of our Lord or on the
feasts of apostles or evangelists.
 
When a bishop is to be ordained, the Presiding Bishop of this Church, or a bishop appointed by the Presiding Bishop, presides and serves as chief consecrator. At least two other bishops serve as co_consecrators.
Representatives of the presbyterate, diaconate, and laity of the diocese
for which the new bishop is to be consecrated, are assigned appropriate
duties in the service.
 
From the beginning of the service until the Offertory, the chief
consecrator presides from a chair placed close to the people, so that all 
may see and hear what is done.  The other bishops, or a convenient
number of them, sit to the right and left of the chief consecrator.
 
The bishop-elect is vested in a rochet or alb, without stole, tippet, or 
other vesture distinctive of ecclesiastical or academic rank or order.
 
When the bishop-elect is presented, his full name (designated by the
symbol N.N.) is used.  Thereafter, it is appropriate to refer to him only by 
the Christian name by which he wishes to be known.
 
At the Offertory, it is appropriate that the bread and wine be brought to 
the Altar by the family or friends of the newly ordained.
 
The family of the newly ordained may receive Communion before other 
members of the congregation. Opportunity is always given to the people 
to communicate.
 
Additional Directions are on page 552.

The Ordination of a Bishop

Hymns, psalms, and anthems may be sung during the entrance of the
bishops and other ministers.
  
The people standing, the Bishop appointed says
 
		Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
People  	And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.  
		Amen.
  
In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost
 
Bishop  	Alleluia.  Christ is risen. 
People  The Lord is risen indeed.  Alleluia. 
 
In Lent and on other penitential occasions
 
Bishop  	Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. 
People  	His mercy endures for ever. 
 
The Bishop then says
 
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hid.  Cleanse the thoughts of our 
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may 
perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; 
through Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 
The Presentation
 
The bishops and people sit.  Representatives of the diocese, both Priests 
and Lay Persons, standing before the Presiding Bishop, present the 
bishop_elect, saying
 
N., Bishop in the Church of God, the clergy and people of 
the Diocese of N., trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, 
have chosen N.N. to be a bishop and chief pastor. We therefore 
ask you to lay your hands upon him and in the power of the 
Holy Spirit to consecrate him a bishop in the one, holy, 
catholic, and apostolic Church. 
 
The Presiding Bishop then directs that the testimonials of the election be 
read.
  
When the reading of the testimonials is ended, the Presiding Bishop 
requires the following promise from the Bishop_elect
 
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit, I, N.N., chosen Bishop of the Church in N., solemnly 
declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and 
New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all 
things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to 
conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The 
Episcopal Church.
 
The Bishop_elect then signs the above Declaration in the sight of all 
present. The witnesses add their signatures.
 
All stand.
 
The Presiding Bishop then says the following, or similar words, and asks 
the response of the people

Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, you have heard testimony given that N.N. has been duly and lawfully elected to be a 
bishop of the Church of God to serve in the Diocese of N. 
You have been assured of his suitability and that the Church 
has approved him for this sacred responsibility.  Nevertheless, 
if any of you know any reason why we should not proceed, 
let it now be made known.
 
If no objections are made, the Presiding Bishop continues
 
Is it your will that we ordain N. a bishop?
 
The People respond in these or other words
 
That is our will. 
 
Presiding Bishop
 
Will you uphold N. as bishop?

The People respond in these or other words
 
We will.

The Presiding Bishop then says
 
The Scriptures tell us that our Savior Christ spent the whole
night in prayer before he chose and sent forth his twelve
apostles. Likewise, the apostles prayed before they appointed
Matthias to be one of their number. Let us, therefore, follow
their examples, and offer our prayers to Almighty God before
we ordain N. for the work to which we trust the Holy Spirit
has called him.

All kneel, and the Person appointed leads the Litany for Ordinations, or some other approved litany. At the end of the litany, after the Kyries, the Presiding Bishop stands and reads the Collect for the Day, or the 
following Collect, or both, first saying
 
		The Lord be with you. 
People  	And also with you.
 
Let us pray.
 
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look
favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred
mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry
out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world
see and know that things which were cast down are being 
raised up, and things which had grown old are being made 
new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection 
by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity 
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

 
The Ministry of the Word

Three Lessons are read.  Lay persons read the Old Testament Lesson and 
the Epistle.
 
The Readings are ordinarily selected from the following list and may be
lengthened if desired.  On a Major Feast or on a Sunday, the Presiding
Bishop may select Readings from the Proper of the Day.
 
Old Testament   Isaiah 61:1_8,  or Isaiah 42:1_9 
Psalm   99,   or 40:1_14,   or 100 
Epistle   Hebrews 5:1_10,   or 1 Timothy 3:1_7,   or 2 Corinthians 3:4_9

The Reader first says
 
A Reading (Lesson) from_____________. 
 
A citation giving chapter and verse may be added. 
 
After each Reading, the Reader may say
 
		The Word of the Lord. 
People  	Thanks be to God.
 
or the Reader may say  Here ends the Reading (Epistle).

Silence may follow.

A Psalm, canticle, or hymn follows each Reading.

Then, all standing, a Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying
 
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 
		according to_____________. 
People  	Glory to you, Lord Christ.
 
  		John 20:19_23,   or John 17:1_9,18_12,   or Luke 24:44_49a
  
After the Gospel, the Reader says
 
		The Gospel of the Lord. 
People  	Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon
 
After the Sermon, the Congregation sings a hymn.

The Examination

All now sit, except the bishop_elect, who stands facing the bishops. The Presiding Bishop addresses the bishop_elect
 
My brother, the people have chosen you and have affirmed
their trust in you by acclaiming your election.  A bishop in
God’s holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in
proclaiming Christ's resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and 
King of kings.
 
You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of 
the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all 
things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the 
entire flock of Christ.
 
With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of
the Church throughout the world.  Your heritage is the faith
of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of
every generation who have looked to God in hope.  Your joy
will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
 
Are you persuaded that God has called you to the office of
bishop?
 
Answer  	I am so persuaded.
 
The following questions are then addressed to the bishop_elect by one or more of the other bishops

Bishop  	Will you accept this call and fulfill this trust in obedience to Christ? 
Answer  	I will obey Christ, and will serve in his name. 
 
Bishop  	Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the study of 
Holy Scripture, that you may have the mind of 
		Christ? 
Answer  	I will, for he is my help. 
 
Bishop  	Will you boldly proclaim and interpret the Gospel of Christ, enlightening the minds and stirring up the conscience of your people? 
Answer  	I will, in the power of the Spirit. 
 
Bishop  	As a chief priest and pastor, will you encourage and support all baptized people in their gifts and 
ministries, nourish them from the riches of God’s grace, pray for them without ceasing, and celebrate 
with them the sacraments of our redemption?  
Answer  	I will, in the name of Christ, the Shepherd and 
		Bishop of our souls. 
 
Bishop  	Will you guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church of God? 
Answer  	I will, for the love of God. 
 
Bishop  	Will you share with your fellow bishops in the government of the whole Church; will you sustain 
your fellow presbyters and take counsel with them; 
will you guide and strengthen the deacons and all others who minister in the Church? 
Answer  	I will, by the grace given me. 
 
Bishop  	Will you be merciful to all, show compassion to the poor and strangers, and defend those who have no helper? 
Answer  	I will, for the sake of Christ Jesus.

All stand.  The Presiding Bishop then says
 
N., through these promises you have committed yourself to
God, to serve his Church in the office of bishop. We therefore call upon you, chosen to be a guardian of the Church's faith, 
to lead us in confessing that faith.
 
Bishop_elect
 
We believe in one God. 
 
Then all sing or say together
 
We believe in one God,
	the Father, the Almighty,
  	maker of heaven and earth,
  	of all that is, seen and unseen.
 
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
  	the only Son of God,
  	eternally begotten of the Father,
  	God from God, Light from Light,
  	true God from true God,
  	begotten, not made,
  	of one Being with the Father.
  	Through him all things were made.
  	For us and for our salvation
 	   he came down from heaven:
  	by the power of the Holy Spirit
 	   he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
	   and was made man.
  	For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
	   he suffered death and was buried.
	   On the third day he rose again
	      in accordance with the Scriptures;
	   he ascended into heaven
	      and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

	He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
	   And his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
	who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
  	With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
  	He has spoken through the Prophets.
  	We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
  	We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
  	We look for the resurrection of the dead,
	   and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

The Consecration of the Bishop

All continue to stand, except the bishop_elect, who kneels before the
Presiding Bishop. The other bishops stand to the right and left of the
Presiding Bishop.
 
The hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus, or the hymn, Veni Sancte Spiritus, is 
sung.
 
A period of silent prayer follows, the people still standing.
 
The Presiding Bishop then begins this Prayer of Consecration
 
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies 
and God of all comfort, dwelling on high but having regard 
for the lowly, knowing all things before they come to pass: 
We give you thanks that from the beginning you have 
gathered and prepared a people to be heirs of the covenant of Abraham, and have raised up prophets, kings, and priests, 
never leaving your temple untended.  We praise you also that from the creation you have graciously accepted the ministry 
of those whom you have chosen.

The Presiding Bishop and other Bishops now lay their hands upon the 
head of the bishop_elect, and say together
 
Therefore, Father, make N. a bishop in your Church.  Pour 
out upon him the power of your princely Spirit, whom you bestowed upon your beloved Son Jesus Christ, with whom he endowed the apostles, and by whom your Church is built up in every place, to the glory and unceasing praise of your Name.
 
The Presiding Bishop continues
 
To you, O Father, all hearts are open; fill, we pray, the heart 
of this your servant whom you have chosen to be a bishop in your Church, with such love of you and of all the people, that 
he may feed and tend the flock of Christ, and exercise 
without reproach the high priesthood to which you have 
called him, serving before you day and night in the ministry 
of reconciliation, declaring pardon in your Name, offering the holy gifts, and wisely overseeing the life and work of the 
Church. In all things may he present before you the acceptable offering of a pure, and gentle, and holy life; through Jesus 
Christ your Son, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and power and glory in the Church, now and for ever.
 
The People in a loud voice respond   Amen.
 
The new bishop is now vested according to the order of bishops.
 
A Bible is presented with these words
 
Receive the Holy Scriptures. Feed the flock of Christ 
committed to your charge, guard and defend them in his 
truth, and be a faithful steward of his holy Word and Sacraments.
 
After this other symbols of office may be given.

The Presiding Bishop presents to the people their new bishop.
 
The Clergy and People offer their acclamation and applause.

The Peace
 
The new Bishop then says
 
		The peace of the Lord be always with you. 
People  	And also with you. 
 
The Presiding Bishop and other Bishops greet the new bishop.
 
The People greet one another.
 
The new Bishop also greets other members of the clergy, family 
members, and the congregation.
 
The new Bishop, if the Bishop of the Diocese, may now be escorted 
to the episcopal chair.

At the Celebration of the Eucharist
 
The liturgy continues with the Offertory.
 
Deacons prepare the Table.
 
Then the new Bishop goes to the Lord's Table as chief Celebrant and, 
joined by other bishops and presbyters, proceeds with the celebration of 
the Eucharist.

After Communion
 
In place of the usual postcommunion prayer, one of the bishops leads the people in the following

Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy
food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us
through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry 
of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that N. may be to us 
an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life.  Grant that we, with him, may serve 
you now, and always rejoice in your glory; through Jesus 
Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and 
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The new Bishop blesses the people, first saying

		Our help is in the name of the Lord;
People	The maker of heaven and earth.

New Bishop	Blessed be the name of the Lord.
People	From this time forth for evermore. 
 
New Bishop	The blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty, 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you for ever.  Amen. 
 
A Deacon dismisses the people
 
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the 
		power of the Spirit. 
People  	Thanks be to God.

From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost, “Alleluia, alleluia,” may 
be added to the dismissal and to the response.