Confirmation

This service gives you the opportunity
to publicly declare your faith in Christ
to publicly declare that your faith is the same as the faith of Christians throughout the world
to receive prayer from the bishop, in order that you might be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit

Confirmation is for people who are 14 or over, and who have been baptised.

If you were baptised as a child, it is an opportunity for you to say the baptism promises yourself.
If you were baptised as an adult, it is an opportunity to re-declare your faith in Jesus and to receive prayer from the bishop.

What happens at the service?
The candidates declare their faith in Christ using the words on the back of this letter. There may also be an opportunity for some to say what they believe in their own words.  Candidates who have not been baptised will receive baptism. The Bishop then lays his hands on each candidate’s head and prays that God will confirm them with the gift of his Holy Spirit.

When is the next confirmation service?
We hope to have a confirmation service in the Autumn, but this depends on when a Bishop will be here in Moscow. We will begin preparation sessions in September.

Will there be any preparation?
Yes. There will be preparation. This helps people find out more about confirmation and what it involves.

If you would like to find out more about confirmation, please speak to the chaplain

THE CONFIRMATION SERVICE

The preparation
The bishop asks those who are candidates for baptism
Do you wish to be baptized?
Candidates: I do.

The bishop asks the candidates for confirmation who have been baptized
Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
Candidates: I have.

The bishop asks all the candidates (including those wishing to reaffirm baptism vows)
Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
Candidates: I am.

The questions
In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.

Therefore I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
Candidates: I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
Candidates: I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
Candidates: I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
Candidates: I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
Candidates: I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
Candidates: I come to Christ.

The prayer the Bishop prays over you
Almighty and ever-living God,
you have given these your servants new birth in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen.

The bishop addresses each candidate
N, God has called you by name and made you his own.

He then lays his hand on the head of
Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

The commission
Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God.

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders, by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.