The Order of Worship for Holy Baptism

Thanksgiving after Childbirth

 

KAUMA

 

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be forever. Amen.

P:        Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

C:        Blessed is He who has come and is to come again in the name of the Lord.            Hosanna in the highest.

P:        Holy art Thou, O God.

C:        Holy art Thou, Almighty Lord.

P:        Holy art Thou, Immortal Lord.

C:        O Lord, the Messiah, who was crucified for us, V have mercy on us (Thrice, with the sign of the cross).

P:        Lord, have mercy upon us.

C:        Lord, have compassion and mercy upon us.

P:        Lord, accept our prayers and worship, and have mercy upon us.

C:        Glory to You, O God.

P:        Glory to You, Creator of all.

C:        Glory to You, O King, the Messiah, for You have compassion on Your sinful servants. Bless us, O Lord.

P:        Our Father in Heaven,

C:        Hallowed be Your name. May Your kingdom come. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from the evil one. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours now and forever. Amen.

P:        O Lord God, who reigns over everything by Your great wisdom and power, accept the thanks and praise we offer in Your glorious presence. We thank You for protecting this Your daughter from all the dangers and difficulties of childbirth and for enabling her (and her husband) to come to Your holy church today, to worship You and praise Your holy name. Lord, by the abundance of Your grace, look upon her and bless her. O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, shower Your grace upon us all.

C:        Amen.

 

PROMEON

 

P:        Let us pray to the Lord for his grace and mercy.

C:        Merciful Lord, have mercy and help us.

P:        Help us, O Lord, continually to offer You praise, adoration, worship, thanksgiving and glory.  Save those who come to You. You are the refuge of those who depend on You. You know the needs of Your children and help them by Your grace. You are the One who purifies all uncleanness and forgives and sanctifies the sinner.  As we give thanks with this Your daughter, You are worthy of praise and honor, now and all the days of our life.

C:        Amen.

 

SEDRA

 

P:        O Lord the Messiah, You know every aspect of our lives and help us. You are the Giver of all goodness and the One who pardons our sins. We praise and adore Your holy name for the love and mercy You gave to this Your daughter. Now O Lord, stretch forth Your right hand and bless the one who has come to Your holy altar. Multiply Your goodness upon her. Enable her to walk in the path of eternal life, to abide in the true faith, to complete her life in purity and to be a partaker in the eternal blessings of all who have pleased You. We ascribe praise and thanksgiving to You and to the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C:        Amen.

 

D:        Brothers and sisters let us stand in silence and reverence and listen to the proclamation of the living Word of God from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

P:        Peace be with You all V.

C:        May the Lord make us all worthy to listen to His Word.

P:        The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which proclaims life and salvation to the world as recorded by the Evangelist Luke.

C:        Blessed is He who has come and will come again. Praise to the Father who sent Him for our salvation. May His blessings be ever upon us.

P:        After the birth of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, God incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it happened in this way.

C:        So, we believe and affirm.

 

READING OF THE GOSPEL

St. Luke 2:22-26

 

P:        When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every first-born male shall be designated as holy to the Lord” and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons”.

Now, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

P:        Peace be with you allV.

C:        And also, with you.

 

THE SUPPLICATION OF MAR APREM

 

Karthaveanugrahika

Sushrushakaikollaname

Daivamevalamkaineetty

Anugrahikanindasiye(dasikale)

 

Nin kalpanakaldhyanichu

Nin sathyampadippanarulka

Karunayinvalamkayyale

Nadathanameswargathekku.

 

Prarthanakalkelkkunnone

Ya - chanakalnalkunnone

Njungalinprarthanakalkeettu

Ya - janakalnalkeedaname.

 

Translation

 

O Lord, bless us and accept our worship. Stretch forth Your right hand and bless this Your servant. Grant her grace to meditate on Your commandments daily. Protect her by Your gracious right hand and guide her to Your Kingdom. 

O Lord who hears our prayers and answers our supplications, hear our prayer and be reconciled to us and by Your blessings answer us.

 

BLESSING

 

P:        May the Almighty Lord God stretch forth his right hand and bless You. May He protect you day and night. May He save you from all miseries of this world, from all sorrow and pain. May He make you worthy of everlasting blessedness and eternal life in the world to come.

C:        Amen.

 

[The Priest places his right hand on the woman’s head and says:]

 

P:        May the Almighty God have compassion on you, pardon all your sins, heal all your sickness and lead you to eternal life.

C:        Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Order of Worship for Holy Baptism & Chrismation

 

INTRODUCTION

The child or the adult who receives Holy Baptism joins the Christian Church as its member. Identifying himself/herself with the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ who is the head of the church, he/she receives divine graces through Him. 

There are some who doubt the efficacy of baptizing children. To think that Jesus who welcomed children and blessed them during His ministry will not receive them today is fallacious. We can surely hold that the faith of the parents or other members of the Christian faith can provide an occasion for bestowing divine blessings on children. It must be definitely emphasized that both the parents and the godparents of children receiving baptism have a great responsibility to bring the children up in devotion to God and in the Christian faith.

 

KAUMA

 

Or

 

P:        Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

C:        Shower upon us, O Lord, weak and sinful as we are, Your blessings and mercies in this world and in the world to come, now and forever.  Amen.

P:        Make us worthy, O Lord, for this ministration of Holy Baptism, which You have commanded through Your holy Apostles. Grant salvation to this child who has come now for Baptism, through the mediation of us Your sinful servants, and may we all obtain blessings and mercies now and forever.

C:        Amen.

P:        O Lord God of the heavenly hosts, bless this Your servant who now joins Your holy church.  Enlighten his/her mind that he/she may see the vanity of this world and renounce all the works of death, and so offer to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, praise, and glory now and forever.

C:        Amen.

 

PROMEON

 

P:        Let us pray to the Lord for His grace and mercy.

C:        Merciful Lord, have mercy and help us.

P:        Help us O Lord, continually to offer to You praise, adoration, worship, thanksgiving and glory. To our Lord Christ, who is the true and indescribable Light, and who in His divine wisdom has instituted this Holy Baptism for His spiritual flock, be honor, praise and adoration, now at the Baptism of this Your servant and all the days of our lives.

C:        Amen.

 

SEDRA

 

P:        O Lord Jesus Christ, You have gathered us from straying in sin. You have invited us to observe Your holy commandment and admitted us to Your spiritual fold. You have called us to the streams of salvation and the fountain of eternal life, and with Your life-giving voice have offered to cleanse us from our hearts’ defilement. Lord, bless this Your servant who has come to receive the seal of life. Accept him/her into Your fold. Number him/her among Your sheep. May Your countenance shine upon him/her. Make him/her worthy of regeneration to become a child of Your Father. Enable him/her to put off the old being and to put on the imperishable new being.  Help him/her to grow to the full stature of Christian perfection and after a peaceful and holy life bring him/her to eternal glory. We praise You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C:        Amen.

 

CHANT

 

Njangaludekarthave-mamodeesai-kkaiyeha

Vannorreedasare nee-kathukolninsleebayal.

Vellathal en snapanam-varuvontethuruhayal

EnnalloSkariasuthan-atharavoducholli.

 

Skariasuthanyuhannan-aattarikathananju

Dhootharkumaranjasakthi-than snanthinayvannu

Karthansnanthinnayum-yuhannansakshyathinum

Evanenvalsalasuthanennuthathanumcholli.

 

Translation

 

O Lord, protect with Your cross this person who has come for Baptism. Zechariah's son said that he baptized with water, but the One who was to come after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist came to the river Jordan. The Mighty One hidden to the angels drew near to be baptized by him. Our Lord came for Baptism, and John witnessed to Him. The voice of the Heavenly Father from above said, "This is my beloved Son.”

 

P:        O Lord, abundant in blessings, we pray for this Your servant who has come prepared for Holy Baptism. May he/she be sealed for eternal life, may he/she become an heir in Your household, may he/she be bound by Your holy commandments and offer praise and thanksgiving to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

C:        Amen.

D:        From the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans.

C:        Praise to You, O Lord of the Apostles.  O Lord, grant us grace to discern Your word.

 

READING OF THE EPISTLE

Romans 5:20 - 6:8

 

D:        Law was introduced in order to increase wrong doing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more. So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God's grace will increase? Certainly not; we have died to sin – how then can we go on living in it? For surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with His death. By our baptism, then we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also, we might live a new life. For since we have become one with Him in dying as He did, in the same way we shall be one with Him by being raised to life as He was. And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on His cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin. For when a person dies, he is set free from the power of sin. Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.

D:        Brothers and sisters let us stand in silence and reverence and listen to the proclamation of the living Word of God from the Gospel our Lord Jesus Christ.

P:        Peace be with you all. V

C:        May the Lord make us all worthy to listen to His Word.

P:        The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which proclaims life and salvation to the world as recorded by the Evangelists Luke and John.

C:        Blessed is He that has come and will come again. Praise to the Father who sent Him for our salvation. May His blessings be ever upon us.

P:        In the days of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Word of life, God incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it happened in this way.

C:        So we believe and affirm.

 

READING OF THE GOSPEL

St. Luke 3:15-16

 

P:        As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, I baptize you with water; but He who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

 

St. John 3:5-6

 

P:        Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to You, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.”

Peace be with you all. V

C:        And also with you.

 

NAMING THE CHILD

[The priest makes the sign of the cross with his thumb on the forehead of those to be baptized, saying:]

 

P:        <Name > is sealed in the name of the Father V, and of the Son, V and of the Holy Spirit. V

C:        Amen.

P:        O Lord God, cast out all the wicked dealings of the evil one from this your creation and handiwork, who has been sealed in Your holy name. V Rebuke the rebellious traitor. V Cleanse him/her from the spirit of deceit. V May he/she not be the dwelling place of Satan, but the sanctuary of God.

C:        Amen.

 

[Then the Godparent (the Godfather in the case of a boy, the Godmother in the case of a girl) holding the left hand of the child with his/her left hand, repeats (thrice) the words of renunciation after the priest.]

 

I who am being baptized – renounce Satan – all his angels – all his hosts – all his worship – and all his deceits.

 

[Then, holding the right hand of the child with his/her right hand, the Godparent repeats the following:]

 

I who am being baptized – believe and accept Jesus Christ and all the divine teachings – entrusted to our holy fathers through the Apostles and Prophets.

 

BAPTISMAL OATH

[Then the Godparent places his/her right hand on the child's head and repeats:]

 

I renounce Satan

            I believe in Christ

I renounce Satan

I believe in Christ

Renouncing Satan, I fully believe in Christ.

 

NICENE CREED

P: We believe in the One true God, the Father Almighty;

C: Maker of heaven and earth and all things visible and invisible.

We believe in theOne Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Begotten of the Father, before all worlds. Light of light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man. He was crucified for us in the days of Pontius Pilate, suffered, died and was buried. The third day He rose again by His own will, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead. Of His kingdom there will be no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life. Who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets and Apostles.

We believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins and look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the new life of the world to come. Amen.

 

P:        Lord, by sending Your Holy Spirit, out of nothing You have created this child as a living being, and by Your love You have made him/her worthy of Holy Baptism.  O Lord, build him/her upon the foundation of Your holy Apostles.  Plant him/her to grow and flourish in your Church.  Make him/her open to the mystery of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Perfect him/her with Your divine gifts.  May the hearts of these Your worshipers be kindled with Your light that they may be free from the bondage of sin.

C:        Amen.

 

ANOINTING WITH SYTH

[As a mark of rebirth (born again) experience, the priest anoints the forehead of the candidate with Syth and says:]

 

P:        As a token of being born anew as a child of God, <Name> is sealed with holy oil, in the name of the Father V, and of the Son V, and of the Holy Spirit V.

C:        Amen.

 

[Then the priest, mixing hot and cold water in the font, blesses the water:]

 

P:        O Lord, accept our humble prayers by the mercies, grace and love for humankind of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, and sanctify this water. O Lord, You have given us the fountain that truly cleanses us from all the defilements of sin. As You are the One who saves us, washes us clean and grants all good gifts, we offer praise and thanksgiving to You and to Your only Son and to the Holy Spirit.

C:        Amen.

 

KUKAYA

Chant

 

Jaathikaleithine-kelppeenhalelluyya

Yuhannansnanajalathe-kalarthee-dunnitha

Mshihasuddhamchaithirangi-athil-munggidunnu

 

Jalathilninnu than-kayarioruneram

Vaanam-Bhoomi-suryanChandranum

 

Tharakayodihameghangal -avanemaanikunnu

Nadikaloottukalsudheekarippone-vazhtheedunnu

 

Hallelluyyah-oo-Hallelluyyah

Pithruputhraparishuthalmannusthuthi

 

Translation

 

Hear this, all your nations. John stood in the river Jordan. The Messiah entered the water, sanctified it and was baptized in it. When He came up out of the water heaven and earth honored Him; sun, moon, stars and clouds praised Him who sanctified all rivers and streams. Barekmar.

 

Glory beto the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever.  Amen.

 

P:        We beseech You, O Lord, sanctify this water by Your mercy and abundant grace. Grant that those who are baptized in this water may put off the defiling lusts of the old being and put on the new being that recreates them into the image of the Creator. We offer praise and thanksgiving to You, to Your only Son and to Your Holy Spirit.

C:        Amen.

 

[To be repeated thrice]

 

All in unison: Lord have mercy/Kurieeleison

 

[The priest makes the sign of the cross three times on the water and says:]

 

P:        Almighty God, grant to those who are baptized in this water cleansing from defilement, freedom from bondage, remission of sins, forgiveness of trespasses V, a holy inheritance, imperishable garments, newness of the Holy Spirit V and identification with death and resurrection of Your only begotten Son V.

C:        Amen.

 

[The priest holds theMuron and says:]

 

P:        Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit.

C:        As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever. Amen.

P:        We pour the holy oil upon this water: In the name of the Father V, and the Son V, and of the Holy Spirit V.

C:        Amen.

P:        O Lord, perfect him/her who is now being baptized. Cleanse this Your servant by Your saving baptism and make him/her a fellow heir with Your Messiah. Let him/her be renewed and dignified through the fullness of Your grace. May he/she use the gifts that You bestow upon him/her. We will offer praise and thanksgiving to You, and to Your Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C:        Amen.

 

BAPTISM

[The candidate is placed in the water facing east and water is poured thrice over his/her head by the priest.]

 

P:        <Name> is baptized in the hope of the remission of sins and eternal life.  In the name of the Father V, the Son V, and the Holy Spirit V.

C:        Amen.

 

[The candidate is taken in procession.]

 

CHANT

Karthaave-anugrahikka

Shushrooshakaikollaname

 

Daivamevalamkaineetti

Vazhthanamenindasane (dasiye)

 

Nin karthrithwathesthuthippan

Nalkanameninkripa ye

 

Prarthanakalkelkunnone

Yachanakalnalkunnone

 

Njangalinprarthanakalkettu

Yachanakalnalkeedaname

 

Translation

 

Lord, bless us and accept our worship.  Lord stretch forth Your right hand and bless this Your servant. Give him/her grace from above to glorify Your majesty. Grant him/her Your Holy Spirit that he/she may do Your will and praise Your holy name. O Lord, who hears our prayers and answers our supplications, hear our prayer now, forgive us and grant us Your blessings.

 

 

EXHORTATION

 

P:        You who by baptism are the light of the world, be strong by the Holy Spirit with power from on high. Renounce the transient and deceitful lusts of fallen humanity and turn away from them. May you be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to hold forth the Word of God in the midst of unbelievers, always conscious that you are striving towards the eternal life promised to the faithful. May you be made worthy to reign with the Messiah forever, according to the riches of His grace.

C:        Amen.

 

CONFIRMATION

[The Muron is anointed on the forehead, chest, both palms, and feet.]

 

            <Name> is anointed with holy oil as a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit given to true believers.  In the name of the Father V and of the Son V and of the Holy Spirit V. 

C:        Amen.

P:        O Lord God, adorn Your servant with the crown of the radiance and glory of Your holy name. May his/her life be subject to Your sovereignty and reflect the glory of Your majesty. May he/she show forth the grace of sonship, be adorned with the crown of glory, and be worthy to offer praise and thanksgiving to You, to Your Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C:        Amen.

 

CHANT

 

Vaadamudiyeningalsirasilvachallo

Paadeeduvinningaladharathaalsthothram

 

Snaanamakkalepovin-samadha-nathode

NingalekatheedumMashihayevannippeen.

 

 

Translation

 

Unfading crowns have been placed on Your heads: Let Your lips sing his praises.  Children of God through baptism depart in peace and worship the glorified Christ.

 

[The following exhortation is given to the parents and godparents, before the final blessing of the Holy Baptism Service.]

 

P:        On behalf of this child, you have declared today the baptismal oath, "I renounce Satan and I believe in Jesus Christ," before God and His holy church. Thus, you have taken a great responsibility upon yourselves. 

You should pray for him/her regularly. You must be an example for this child in every respect. As the child grows, he/she should come to believe Jesus Christ as his/her own Lord and Savior. It is your responsibility to train the child in such a way that he/she will make his/her own declaration of faith in public, "I renounce Satan and I believe in Jesus Christ," as he/she reaches the age of understanding.  The Church entrusts you with this great responsibility.

May the Lord Almighty enable you to be diligent in carrying out this task.

 

BENEDICTION

 

P:        My beloved, go in peace as I commend you to the grace and blessings of the Holy Trinity V.

C:        Amen.

P:        May God the Father be with youV, the Holy Son keep you and the Holy Spirit make you perfect.

C:        Amen.

P:        May this Holy Trinity guard you from the damnation of sin and save you from all evil, now and forever V.

C:        Amen.