The Book of Common Prayer,
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Concerning the Service

When a bishop is to confer Holy Orders, at least two presbyters must be
present.
 
From the beginning of the service until the Offertory, the bishop presides from a chair placed close to the people, and facing them, so that all may 
see and hear what is done.
 
The ordinand is to be vested in a surplice or alb, without tippet or other vesture distinctive of ecclesiastical or academic rank or office.
 
When the ordinand 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.
 
After receiving Holy Communion, the new deacon assists in the
distribution of the Sacrament, ministering either the Bread or the Wine,
or both.
 
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 Deacon

A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung. 
 
The people standing, the Bishop 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. 
 
Bishop
 
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 bishop and people sit.  A Priest and a Lay Person, and additional
presenters if desired, standing before the bishop, present the ordinand,
saying
 
N., Bishop in the Church of God, on behalf of the clergy and
people of the Diocese of N., we present to you N.N. to be
ordained a deacon in Christ's holy catholic Church. 
 
Bishop
 
Has he been selected in accordance with the canons of this
Church? And do you believe his manner of life to be suitable
to the exercise of this ministry? 
 
Presenters
 
We certify to you that he has satisfied the requirements of the
canons, and we believe him qualified for this order. 
 
The Bishop says to the ordinand
 
Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of
Christ as this Church has received them?  And will you, in
accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop
and other ministers who may have authority over you and
your work? 
 
Answer
 
I am willing and ready to do so; and I 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 Ordinand then signs the above Declaration in the sight of all present.
 
All stand.  The Bishop says to the people
 
Dear friends in Christ, you know the importance of this ministry, and the weight of your responsibility in presenting N.N. for ordination to the sacred order of deacons. Therefore 
if any of you know any impediment or crime because of 
which we should not proceed, come forward now and make 
it known.
 
If no objection is made, the Bishop continues
 
Is it your will that N. be ordained a deacon? 
 
The People respond in these or other words
 
It is. 
 
Bishop
 
Will you uphold him in this ministry? 
 
The People respond in these or other words
 
We will. 
 
The Bishop then calls the people to prayer with these or similar words
 
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
 
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 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 Bishop may
select Readings from the Proper of the Day.
 
Old Testament    ,   or  
Psalm   84,   or 119:33-40 
Epistle   ,   or ,   or 
							
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, the Deacon, or if no deacon is present, a Priest reads 
the Gospel, first saying
 
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 
		according to____________. 
People  	Glory to you, Lord Christ.
 
		, or  
 
After the Gospel, the Reader says
 
		The Gospel of the Lord. 
People  	Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Congregation then says or sings the Nicene Creed
 
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 Examination
 
All are seated except the ordinand, who stands before the Bishop. 
The Bishop addresses the ordinand as follows
 
My brother, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ,
serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood 
directly under your bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ, you 
are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the 
sick, and the lonely.
 
As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy 
Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model 
your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his 
redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship.  You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. You are to assist the bishop and priests in public 
worship and in the ministration of God’s Word and 
Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are 
to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.
 
My brother, do you believe that you are truly called by God
and his Church to the life and work of a deacon?
 
Answer	I believe I am so called. 
 
Bishop  	Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility? 
Answer  	I do. 
 
Bishop  	Will you  be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your bishop? 
Answer  	I will.

Bishop  	Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the reading 
		and study of the Holy Scriptures? 
Answer  	I will. 
 
Bishop  	Will you look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need? 
Answer  	I will. 
 
Bishop  	Will you do your best to pattern your life [and that of your family, or household, or community] in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people? 
Answer  	I will. 
 
Bishop  	Will you in all things seek not your glory but the 
		glory of the Lord Christ? 
Answer  	I will. 
 
Bishop  	May the Lord by his grace uphold you in the service he lays upon you. 
Answer  	Amen.

The Consecration of the Deacon

All now stand except the ordinand, who kneels facing the 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 Bishop then says this Prayer of Consecration

O God, most merciful Father, we praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ, who took on himself the form of a servant, and humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on 
the cross. We praise you that you have highly exalted him, 
and made him Lord of all; and that, through him, we know 
that whoever would be great must be servant of all. We praise you for the many ministries in your Church, and for calling 
this your servant to the order of deacons. 
 
Here the Bishop lays hands upon the head of the ordinand, and prays
 
Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your
Holy Spirit to N.; fill him with grace and power, and make
him a deacon in your Church.
 
The Bishop then continues
 
Make him, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant,
to observe the discipline of Christ. Let his life and teaching so
reflect your commandments, that through him many may
come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be
served but to serve, may this deacon share in Christ's service,
and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and
the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
 
The People in a loud voice respond    Amen. 
 
The new deacon is now vested according to the order of deacons. 
 
The Bishop gives a Bible to the newly ordained, saying
 
Receive this Bible as the sign of your authority to proclaim
God’s Word and to assist in the ministration of his holy
Sacraments.

The Peace
 
The Bishop then says to the congregation
 
		The peace of the Lord be always with you. 
People  	And also with you. 
 
The Bishop and the Clergy present now greet the newly ordained.
 
The new Deacon then exchanges greetings with family members and 
others, as may be convenient.
 
The Clergy and People greet one another.

At the Celebration of the Eucharist
 
The liturgy continues with the Offertory.
 
The newly ordained Deacon prepares the bread, pours sufficient wine
(and a little water) into the chalice, and places the vessels on the
Lord’s Table.
 
The Bishop goes to the Table and begins the Great Thanksgiving.

After Communion
 
In place of the usual postcommunion prayer, the following is said
 
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 Bishop blesses the people, after which the new Deacon dismisses
them
 
		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.