On Sunday, September 7, 2008, in the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, there will be the second ever Consecration of a Bishop at the Cathedral. The first Consecration, which took place in 1992, was of our current Archbishop Kyrill of the Western American Diocese. Now the Consecration of Archimandrite Theodosy Ivashchenko, the pastor of St. Tichon of Zadonsk Church and the vice Director of our Sts. Cyril and Methodius Russian school, will take place. He will be bishop of Seattle and Vicar Bishop for the Western American Diocese. The word “consecration” (“Chirotonia” in Russian) means the laying on of hands and being blessed to fulfill a certain obligation. The consecration will take place in the altar. In view of the fact that many of our parishioners know very little about the order of events in an Bishop’s consecration, we would like to offer to the readers of the Messenger, a short description of what will take place on the 6th and 7th of September of this year. First, in his capacity as the newly-elected Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion will lead the festivities at the Cathedral in San Francisco. (It will be his first visit to San Francisco since he was elected Metropolitan.) Before the bishop is consecrated, there are two parts: the rite of appointment to bishop and the rite of confession and oath of a bishop.
Rite of Appointment
The rite of appointment will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2008, at 5:15 p.m. before the all-night vigil. (We will be greeting Metropolitan Hilarion at 5 p.m.) Metropolitan Hilarion will walk to the middle of the church and all of the bishops in their “mantles” (mantias) will take their places at the table. On the table there will be the Gospel and a cross. Two senior clerics will lead the candidate for bishop, Archimandrite Theodosy, out of the altar. Everyone will stand and the archdeacon will read the announcement of the nomination of the candidate for bishop. The candidate answers, “I thank you, I accept, and I say nothing against it.” Then the bishops (by themselves, without the participation of the other clergy members) sing a short moleiben to the Holy Spirit. After the moleiben, the candidate, Archimandrite Theodosy, will give his speech of thanksgiving and a few words about his appointment. After that, he will kiss the cross and be sprinkled with Holy Water. Then the all-night vigil will begin.
Rite of Profession of Faith
On Sunday, September 7, 2008, (on that day there will only be one Divine Liturgy) at 9 a.m. we will meet Metropolitan Hilarion. After he is vested and the hours are read, the senior cleric and the archdeacon will lead the candidate for bishop, Archimandrite Theodosy, to the rug at the center of the church with the image of an eagle on it. The candidate stands on the tail of the eagle. To the question,“What do you believe?” Archimandrite Theodosy recites the Creed. After that, Archimandrite Theodosy is led to the middle of the rug and is asked to explain more specifically what he believes. He gives his answers about his appointment, as well. After his confession of faith, he is taken to the head of the eagle and Metropolitan Hilarion will ask Archimandrite Theodosy how he will keep the canons of the Holy Church and the sacred tradition of the church. The candidate answers that he will be faithful to all of the canons (rules) of the Holy Apostles, Councils, and Holy Fathers. Besides that, he promises that he will keep peace within the church to his very last breath. He will not do anything against the Orthodox Faith, and he will be obedient to the Synod of Bishops. He will be focused on pastoral learning, not be influenced by powerful people, earthly wealth, or crowds of people. He promises to always act with wisdom and meekness. The candidate goes into the altar, stands on the eagle rug, but does not take part in the Divine Liturgy.
Consecration
The Bishop’s Consecration takes place after the Small Entrance and the singing of the Trisagion. (This is the “Holy God” before the reading of the Epistle.) The senior cleric and the archdeacon lead the candidate through the deacon’s door and two bishops meet him at the Royal Doors. The consecration of a bishop is similar to that of a deacon or a priest; the difference being that the open Gospel is placed upon the head of the candidate for Bishop. After the consecration, the new Bishop is dressed in the vestments of a bishop.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan gives words of instruction to the new Bishop and hands him a staff. Upon receipt of the staff, Bishop Theodosy of Seattle will bless the people with both hands while, “Is polla eti Despota” (Many Years to the Bishop) is sung.
Published in the August 2008 issue of The Messenger,
Holy Virgin Cathedral, San Francisco
Translated from Russian by Yelena DeYoung and Ginny Hayes
