Ode 9.

**Exapostilarion.** Women, hear.

**First Prayer.**

Then they pour into the earthenware casserole the wax and all the materials of the wax-mastic — 60 grams each of mastic, myrrh, aloes, incense, resin and laudanum — and place it on the fire. After they have melted, they keep the casserole near the fire, so that the contents do not go cold before they are needed. In the same way they fill the other earthen casserole with water and set it on the fire to become hot for the washing of the Altar.

A Stone not cut by human hand was cut from you, O Virgin, unhewn mountain: Christ the head of the corner, who joined together the natures that were parted; and so with joy, Mother of God, we magnify you.

**Second Prayer.**

Then those who have taken down the Table tie the pieces of paper round the lip of column, so that they protrude by an inch.

Come, and, as we contemplate with pure heart and sober spiritual eyes the loveliness of the Church, the King’s daughter, which shines brighter than gold, let us magnify her.

Then they bring the powdered marble and fill up inside the circle of the papers, so that the wax-mastic does not run.

Rejoice and be glad, bride of the great King, for you clearly reflect the beauty of your Bridegroom, and you cry with your people, ‘Giver of life, we magnify you!’

Grant your Church, O Saviour, the defence from on high, for she knows no other but you, who laid down your life for her of old, as with grateful thanks she magnifies you.

Hail, Full of grace, Bride of the great King, for through you we have all been delivered from the curse of Eve and have found life in your child-bearing, pure Maiden without bridegroom.

By your Holy Spirit, Lord, Lover of mankind, renew the souls and hearts of those who celebrate with faith the sacred Dedication of your all-revered House. In it accept as a sacrifice the prayers of us who worship you, O Saviour.

Let everything that has breath **and** Praise the Lord**, the Bishop descends from the pontifical Throne and, having come opposite to it in the middle of the Church, where a prayer carpet with a cushion on it has been placed, he kneels down and, looking towards the east, he reads the following two Prayers by Kallistos, the most holy Patriarch of Constantinople.**

**Lord, our God, with only a word you fashioned creation and brought it into being, while with ineffable words you formed it in different ways, sent your Spirit who was borne upon it and poured out on it the light of the sun for its renewal. You inspired your servant Moses to offer special praise to your excellent craftsmanship and to say that you saw the light, that it was good, and you called it Day.** As we too see this light and this radiant sun renewing creation every day, we glorify you, the Sun of the true day and the Light that knows no evening. Through your Son you commanded our nature to be renewed by your Holy Spirit, so that through this gift the just might shine like the sun. We entreat you and implore you, Father of the Word, our Lord and our God: Since by your ineffable love for humankind and your measureless mercy creation has received renewal, as did the old Law, as a type of the New Covenant, by your divine vision on Mount Sinai and in that wondrous Bush, in the Tabernacle of Witness and in the Solomon’s Temple of outstanding beauty, look with a merciful eye upon us sinners and your unworthy servants, who dwell in this House, that is as high as heaven, the boast of the inhabited world, the true Altar of your ineffable glory. And send down your all-holy Spirit on us and upon your inheritance, and, like godly David, renew an upright spirit in our hearts, and strengthen us with a sovereign spirit. To our Rulers give trophies and victories over visible and invisible enemies, and to us harmony and peace. To those, who with divine love have worked with zeal for the construction this building and the dedication of the Church, grant forgiveness of offences; give them their requests that are for salvation; rouse them to the working of your commandments; bestow on them the renewal of the gift of your Holy Spirit, so that, without condemnation, they may worship you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, at the prayers of the Mother of God and of all your Saints. Amen.

**Pre-eternal Word and only-begotten Son of God, true God and Fashioner of all creation both physical and spiritual, with infinite wisdom you made this creation beautiful, you brought the liquid nature of the waters that was spread out over the earth into one gathering and assembly,** and by your divine Spirit you ordered the whole earth and made new the whole universe. Through Moses you skilfully set in order that Tabernacle of Witness and dedicated by your Holy Spirit. You ordered Solomon the wise to build a holy and majestic House of your ineffable glory that is beyond description and dedicated it by your Holy Spirit. And when the glory and grace of your Holy Spirit overshadowed it you ensured that they were seen by the Assembly of the Elders of the Jews. We beg and implore you, Word without beginning and Son of the Father who has no beginning, that you would send down to us at this hour the grace of your all-holy Spirit, and that you would establish and empower the Church which has now been erected to give you glory and praise, preserving it until the consummation of the ages, and that you would dedicate it by your Holy Spirit, so that we, who in it offer you sacrifices without shedding of blood, may become partakers in the Holy Spirit, who has been renewed in our inmost being, who makes firm the sovereign part of our thought and mystically gives us grace to offer you, our Master and God, spiritual sacrifices for the cleansing of the mind, to the glory of your immortal Father who has no beginning, of you, his only-begotten Son and of your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Bishop rises, takes the kairos, escorted by two deacons, holding the dikiritrikiron, venerates the holy Icons and prepares for the divine Liturgy, as usual, while the 1st Choir chants:

Our Master and High Priest protect, Lord, for many years! Eis polla eti, Despota!

When the Bishop has entered the holy Altar, where he vests, the Troparia of Lauds, in accordance with the Typikon, are sung at once.

Tone 4.

You have given as a sign.

Today the divine, sacred, honoured and light-bearing House of Christ’s Resurrection is radiantly dedicated. The divine Tomb distributes life to the world and furnishes an immortal fount. It gushes forth streams of grace; makes rivers of wonders burst forth; grants healings to those who sing its praise it with faith.

The brilliant, shining beam has blazed from on high and enlightens all things. Faithfully, then, let us all honour the Resurrection of Christ the Creator, and let us feast with hymns and celebrate with psalms the life-bearing divine festival of sacred Dedication, that we may find the Saviour and Lord full of mercy.

Bidden to contemplate the holy sceptre of the Cross exalted in the midst of the earth, let us purify our souls, make our minds shine. Let us be made bright with light and, gleaming with divine power, let us sing the praise of Christ, who grants sanctification through its revered Wood to those who honour him in faith and devoutly sing his praise.

**Of the Patron Saint.**

**of the Dedication. Tone 5.**

O Word, who rest in the bosom of the Father, send down your Holy Spirit on the Church which has been erected to your name.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.

Note that when Matins has finished and all have rested for a little while, the Bishop, accompanied by the Clergy and the Deacon gather again and enter the new Church. There the Bishop gives orders and they bring everything that has been previously got ready for the Dedication.

The Bishop’s white garment, the ‘katasarkion’ of the Table, the four pieces of cloth, the Antimensia, the holy Myron and the casket for the holy Relics are placed somewhere inside the Sanctuary. Each one brought at the right moment and put where it will be needed.