office baptism_completion.doc

Rite Whereby a Priest Fulfilleth a Holy Baptism Which Hath Been Performed by a Layman

And the Deacon intoneth the Litany of Peace, to each petition of which the people respond, Lord, have mercy!:

People: Amen.

The Priest must first thoroughly investigate whether he who performed the baptism used the effective words and natural water, or instead employed something of his own devising. If the Priest hath even the slightest doubt, he must repeat the baptism and perform all the rites thereof. But when there is no doubt that the baptism was performed properly, the Priest must fulfil the rites thus: Even if the person baptized was given a name during the baptism, the following prayer is still read over him or her:

And after this prayer, the Priest anointeth with chrism the one who had received baptism, making the sign of the Cross on his [her] brow, eyes, nostrils, mouth, both ears, shoulders, hands and feet., saying each time:

Then straightway the Priest beginneth: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

O Lord our God, Thee do we entreat, and Thee do we beseech, that the light of Thy countenance may be signed upon this Thy servant [handmaid], N., and that the Cross of Thine only-begotten Son may be signed in his [her] heart and thoughts, that he [she] may flee the vanity of the world and every assault of the wicked foe, and may follow Thy precepts. And grant, O Lord, that Thy holy name may remain unrejected by him [her] who hath been united to Thy Holy Church and perfected by the dread Mysteries of Thy Christ; that, having lived according to Thy commandments, and preserved Thy seal intact, he [she] may receive the blessed state of the elect in Thy kingdom, through the grace and love for mankind of Thine only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

And the Priest readeth this prayer over him [her]: O Master and Lord, Who through holy baptism hast given Thy servant [handmaid] deliverance from sins and imparted unto him [her] the life of regeneration, be Thou Thyself well-pleased to shine continually in his [her] heart the splendor of Thy countenance; preserve the shield of his [her] faith unassailed by the enemy; keep the garment of incorruption, wherewith he [she] hath been clothed, undefiled, through grace preserving the seal of the Spirit inviolate in him [her]; and being merciful unto him [her] according to the multitude of Thy compassions. Exclamation: For blessed and glorified is the all-honored and majestic name of Thee

People: Amen.

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

And the Priest readeth this second prayer: O Master, Lord our God, Who through the font grantest illumination unto those baptized, Who hast given new birth to Thy servant [handmaid] N., who hath been newly-enlightened by water and the Spirit; and Who hast bestowed upon him [her] the remission of sins, voluntary and involuntary! Set Thy mighty hand upon him [her], and preserve him [her] in the power of Thy goodness; keep his [her] pledge inviolate, and vouchsafe that he [she] may live eternally and be well-pleasing unto Thee. Exclamation: For Thou art our sanctification, and we send up glory unto Thee

People: To Thee, O God.

For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

And the Priest readeth this prayer: He [She] who hath clothed himself [herself] in Thee, Christ our God, with us boweth his [her] head unto thee. Him [Her] do Thou preserve as an athlete unvanquished by those who in vain bear enmity against him [her] and us, and with Thine imperishable crown show us all to be victors even unto the end. Exclamation: For Thine it is to have mercy and to save, and we send up glory unto Thee, and Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Priest: For all glory, honor and worship is due unto Thee

For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy Churches of God, and the union of them all, let us pray to the Lord.

And the Priest readeth this prayer: O Master Lord our God, Who hast honored man with Thine image, and hast fashioned him of a rational soul and a magnificent body, that the body might serve the reason-endowed soul; Who didst set the head in the uppermost parts, and didst establish in it the manifold senses, which hinder not one another: Thou hast covered the head with hair, that it might not suffer harm from the vagaries of the weather, and hast planted all the members thereof as is needful, that with them all man may give thanks unto Thee, his sovereign Artificer. O Master Who by the Apostle Paul, the vessel of Thine election, didst command us to do all things to Thy glory, bless Thy servant [handmaid] N., to make the cutting of the hair of his [her] head as an offering of firstfruits; and with him [her] bless also his [her] sponsor, and grant that they all may meditate upon Thy law and do those things which are well-pleasing unto Thee.

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

For this holy temple, and for those who with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

And the Priest saith this prayer: O Lord our God, Who hath in Thy goodness sanctified all who believe in Thee through the fullness of the font, bless this Thy child, and cause Thy blessing to descend upon his [her] head. And as by Thy Prophet Samuel Thou didst bless David the king, so bless also the head of Thy servant [handmaid] N. through the hand of me, a sinner, coming unto him [her] through Thy Holy Spirit, that as he [she] increaseth in stature and unto the gray hair of old age, he [she] may send up glory unto Thee and behold the good things of Jerusalem all the days of his [her] life. Exclamation: For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit

People: Amen.

For our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness, Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop N.); for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

The Deacon then intoneth this litany, to each petition of which the people respond, Lord, have mercy! thrice:

Then the Priest saith this prayer:

For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

the following prayer is still read over him or her:

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

For the God-preserved Russian Land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Amen.

That He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray to the Lord.

Deacon: Wisdom!

For this city, for every city and land, and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Deacon: Wisdom!

For seasonable weather, abundance of the fruits of the earth, and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.

For travelers by sea, land and air, for the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Deacon: Let us attend.

For the newly enlightened one, and for his [her] salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: Peace be to thee who readest.

That we may be illumined by the light of understanding and piety, through the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

Reader: And to thy spirit.

That he [she] may prove himself [herself] to be a son [daughter] of the light and heir of eternal good things, let us pray to the Lord.

Deacon: Wisdom!

That he [she] may be a member and partaker of the death and resurrection of Christ our God, let us pray to the Lord.

Reader: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

That he [she] may preserve his [her] baptismal garment and the pledge of the Holy Spirit pure and blameless unto the dread Day of Christ our God, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

That the Lord God may hearken unto the voice of our supplication, let us pray to the Lord.

Deacon: Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

That He may deliver him [her] and us from all tribulation, wrath and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, and all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Deacon: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!

Anointing with the oil of gladness doth not take place, because the wild olive branch hath already been grafted onto Christ (cf. Rom. 11: 17; and the Catechetical Homilies of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem). Therefore, after the Litany, the Priest and the people, in gratitude for the baptism already received, together chant Psalm 31:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, / and whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not sin, /and in whose mouth there is no guile. Because I kept silence, / my bones are waxed old through my crying all the day long. / For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me; / I was reduced to misery whilst the thorn stuck fast in me. Mine iniquity have I acknowledged, / and my sin have I not hid. / I said: I will confess mine iniquities before the Lord against myself. / And Thou forgavest the ungodliness of my heart. For this shall every one that is holy pray unto Thee in a seasonable time; / moreover, in a flood of many waters shall they not come nigh unto him. / Thou art my refuge from the affliction which surroundeth me; / O my Rejoicing, deliver me from them which have encircled me.

People: Lord, have mercy!

I will instruct thee and teach thee in this way which thou shalt go; / I will fix Mine eyes upon thee. / Be ye not as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding; / whose jaws thou must hold with bit and bridle, lest they come nigh unto thee. Many are the scourges of the sinner, / but mercy shall encircle him that hopeth in the Lord. / Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous; / and glory, all ye that are upright of heart.

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord God Almighty, Source of good things, Sun of righteousness, Who hast shone forth the light of salvation upon those in darkness through the appearance of Thine only-begotten Son, our God, and hast given us, who are unworthy, blessed purification in holy water, and divine sanctification in life-giving chrismation; Who even now hast been well-pleased that Thy newly-illumined servant [handmaid] N., be born again by water and the Spirit, and hast given him [her] the remission of sins, voluntary and involuntary. Do Thou Thyself, O Master, loving King of all, grant him [her] the seal of the gift of Thy holy, omnipotent and worshipful Spirit, and communion of the holy Body and precious Blood of Thy Christ. Keep him [her] in Thy sanctity; establish him [her] in the Orthodox Faith; deliver him [her] from the evil one and all his wiles; and by the saving fear of Thee preserve his [her] soul in purity and righteousness, that, being well-pleasing unto Thee in every deed and word, he [she] may be a son [daughter] and heir of Thy heavenly kingdom.

People: Amen.

Exclamation: For Thou art our God, the God Who hath mercy and saveth; and we send up glory unto Thee

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

People: Lord, have mercy!

The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

At this point, the circuit of the font is not performed, since the use of the font doth not figure in this rite. Instead, a circuit is made around the table on which stand the phial of Holy Chrism and the Holy Gospel-book, while all chant: As many of ye as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia! Thrice.

People: Amen.

And the Reader intoneth the Prokimenon, in Tone 3:

Priest: Peace be unto all.

The Lord is my light and my Savior. Whom then shall I fear?

People: And to thy spirit.

Stichos: The Lord is the defender of my life. Of whom then shall I be afraid?

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

And the Reader readeth Romans 91 [Rom. 6: 3-11] Brethren: As many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: To Thee, O Lord!

And the Deacon readeth Matthew 116 [Mt. 28: 16-20] At that time, the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying: All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

People: Amen.

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Then followeth the tonsure.

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

And the Priest looseth the person s cincture and bands; and having tied the ends thereof together, he moisteneth them with pure water, and sprinkleth the persons therewith, saying:

People: Lord, have mercy!

Thou art justified; thou art illumined; thou art sanctified; thou art washed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

And taking up a new sponge moistened with water, he wipeth the face, breast, and the other parts of the person who hath been chrismated, saying:

People: Amen.

Thou art baptized; thou art illumined; thou hast been anointed with chrism; thou art sanctified; thou art washed: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Exclamation: For Thou art the merciful God Who loveth mankind, and we send up glory unto Thee

People: And to thy spirit.

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

And the Priest then performeth the tonsure in the form of the Cross, saying:

People: To Thee, O Lord.

The servant [handmaid] of God N. is tonsured: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy. We pray Thee: Hearken, and have mercy.

People: Amen.

Again we pray for our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness, Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop N., whose diocese it is) and all our brethren in Christ. Again we pray for this land, its authorities and armed forces.

People: Amen.

Again we pray for the God-preserved Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora and for their salvation.

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, Who lovest mankind; and we send up glory unto Thee

Again we pray to the Lord our God that He may deliver His people from enemies visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety.

now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and the remission of sins of the servant [handmaid] of God N., the sponsor.

People: Amen.

Again we pray for the newly-enlightened servant [handmaid] of God N., that he [she] be preserved in the faith of a pure confession, in all piety, and the fulfilling of the commandments of Christ all the days of his [her] life.

Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God our hope, glory to Thee!

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Priest: May Christ our true God, Who for our salvation deigned to be baptized by John in the Jordan, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles, of (the Patron of the Temple, and the Saint of the newly baptized), of our holy and God-bearing fathers and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.

Father bless.

People: Amen.

Revised 10/29/2025 Rite Whereby a Priest Fulfilleth a Holy Baptism Rite Whereby a Priest Fulfilleth a Holy Baptism

Priest: A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation, and good success in all things, grant, O Lord, to Thy newly-illumined servant, N., and his sponsor(s) N., and preserve them for many years!

The Priest must first thoroughly investigate whether he who

People: Many Years! Thrice.

performed the baptism used the effective words and natural water, or instead employed something of his own devising.

the slightest doubt, he must repeat the baptism and perform all the rites

But when there is no doubt that the baptism was performed properly, the Priest must fulfil the rites thus: Even if the person baptized was given a name during the baptism,

O Lord our God, Thee do we entreat, and Thee do we beseech, that

the light of Thy countenance may be signed upon this Thy servant

signed in his [her] heart and thoughts, that he [she] may flee the vanity of the world and every assault of the wicked foe, and may follow Thy And grant, O Lord, that Thy holy name may remain unrejected by him [her] who hath been united to Thy Holy Church and perfected by

the dread Mysteries of Thy Christ; that, having lived according to Thy

commandments, and preserved Thy seal intact, he [she] may receive the blessed state of the elect in Thy kingdom, through the grace and love for begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed,

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and

Rite Whereby a Priest Fulfilleth a Holy Baptism