The Admission of a Canon, Archdeacon or Dean

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The Admission of a Canon, Archdeacon or Dean

The Admission of a Canon, Archdeacon or Dean is an occasional service of the Reformed Episcopal Church used for the bishop's formal admission of a canon, archdeacon, or dean to office.

Overview

This rite provides a brief episcopal form for admitting a person to an appointed office of diocesan or cathedral service, with presentation, promises, admission, and blessing.

Full Text of the Service

¶ The Bishop, seated in his chair near the Holy Table, shall appoint a Presbyter who shall present the Canon, Archdeacon or Dean to the Bishop for Admission.

The Presentation

¶ The congregation being seated, the Canon, Archdeacon or Dean shall stand at the chancel gate, facing the Bishop. The Sponsor shall say,

RIGHT Reverend Sir, I present unto you this godly and well learned person to be admitted to the Office of Canon (or Archdeacon, or Dean) in this Diocese.

Bishop. Is the person whom you present unto us duly prepared to exercise his ministry to the honour of God and the edifying of the Church?

Presbyter. I believe him so to be.

The Examination

¶ The Bishop, addressing the Canon, Archdeacon or Dean, shall say,

DEARLY beloved, who has been appointed to the Office of Canon (or Archdeacon, or Dean) in this Diocese, are you convinced that the work of this ministry is so important that, while you are appointed thereto, you should be diligent in performing the same?

Answer. I am so convinced.

Bishop. Will you try faithfully and reverently to execute the duties of your Office to the best of your ability, as unto the Lord and not unto men?

Answer. I will try to do so.

Bishop. Will you strive to live in accordance with the sacredness of this Office?

Answer. I will so strive, the Lord being my helper.

Bishop. May God guide and bless you in the doing of this work.

The Admission

¶The Bishop admits the Canon, Archdeacon or Dean with the following words and may present a pectoral cross or some other token of office.

I ADMIT you to the Office of Canon (or Archdeacon, or Dean) in the Diocese of ————; (and I give you this ———— as a token of your ministry;) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Conclusion

Bishop.

The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Bishop.

Let us pray.

O LORD, without whom our labour is but lost: We humbly beseech thee to prosper all works in thy Church undertaken according to thy holy will; and grant to thy labourers a pure intention, patient faith, sufficient success on earth, and the blessedness of serving thee in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O ETERNAL God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten with thy grace the Canon (or Archdeacon, or Dean) of this Diocese, and so rule his mind and guide his counsels, that in all things he may seek thy glory and the welfare of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Notes on Use

  • Use under the bishop's authority when a canon, archdeacon, or dean is admitted to office.
  • Adapt the office title only where the text gives explicit alternatives.
  • Prepare any token of office before the service begins.

Liturgical Structure

  • Presentation
  • Examination and promises
  • Admission
  • Token of office if used
  • Prayer and blessing

Theological Themes

  • Office as service rather than honor alone.
  • Faithful assistance in episcopal and diocesan ministry.
  • Prayer for grace to fulfill a defined ecclesial charge.

Source

This text is transcribed from the official Reformed Episcopal Church PDF.[1]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ The Admission of a Canon, Archdeacon or Dean, The Reformed Episcopal Church. Official source hub: Book of Occasional Services.
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