Thyranoixia, or Opening the Doors
Ideally, as reflected in the liturgical books of the Church, a new church temple is consecrated before its first use. The present order of "Opening the Doors" has developed for those occasions when the consecration will be deferred. It includes elements of the blessing of the water and elements of the consecration.
The Bishop dons his mantle, epitracheilion and omophorion and takes his liturgical staff. The deacon is vested in exorasson and orarion. No other clergy are vested at this point.
The Bishop and deacon stand before the closed doors of the new church temple, in front of a covered table upon which lie a pair of candlesticks, a large bowl of water, sprigs of fresh basil, and a sanctification cross.
The Bishop sprinkles the closed doors of the church, the exterior of the new church and the people gathered. Following this, the Bishop, standing before the closed doors of the new temple, exclaims:
O God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who are blessed unto the ages of ages, do Thou, O Lover of mankind, Master, look down upon us, Thine unworthy servants, who are Opening the Doors of the venerable temple for the Church of St. John Chrysostom, for the work of Thy holy Church. Make it firm until the end of the ages, unshakable and glorified, and make us worthy within it to offer to Thy glory our praises and doxologies. May our prayers, and those of all Thy people, be acceptable to Thy goodness, through the intercessions of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, and of all the saints.
Amen.
The Bishop stands before the closed doors of the church and knocks thrice, saying: Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall enter.
Who is the King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.
The Bishop knocks again, saying: Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall enter.
Who is the King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.
The Bishop knocks again, saying: Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall enter.
Who is the King of Glory?
The Lord of hosts: He is the King of Glory!
The Bishop now opens the doors and blesses the new temple with the holy water crosswise while chanting the Kontakion of the Dedication (tone 4): The Church is a brightly lit heaven which illuminates all the faithful and in which we cry out, "O Lord, firm this house."
Then all enter now following the Bishop and enter the brightly lighted church, singing the Great Doxology. Meanwhile the Bishop continues sprinkling the entire temple with the blessed water. Then he ascends the side episcopal throne for the celebration of Great Vespers.
Comments
Why was the consecration deferred?
I think they are also planning to host some gathering of the bishops at St. John Chrysostom and would like to hold the consecration then. I will be very excited to see the consecration with so many bishops in attendance!!