APPENDIX. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.

CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.

PAGE.

The office for the appointment of a reader and singer 5

The office that is used at the laying on of hands of a subdeacon 9

The office that is used at the laying on of hands of a deacon 12

The office that is used at the appointment of an archdeacon and a protodeacon 17

The office that is used at the laying on of hands of a presbyter 18

The order of the office for the making of a protopresbyter 23

The office that is used at the appointment of an abbot 24

The office that is used at the appointment of an archimandrite 27

THE OFFICE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A READER AND SINGER IS PERFORMED ON THIS WISE.

He that is to be made a taper-bearer is brought by two subdeacons into the middle of the church, and he maketh three reverences. And, turning himself, he boweth thrice to the Archpriest; and, having been conducted to the Archpriest, he boweth his head, and the Archpriest signeth him crosswise with the hand upon his head thrice. And after this, placing his hand upon his head, he saith this prayer.

Lord, who with the light of thy wonders enlightenest all Creation, who knowest the intention of each before it is formed, and strengthenest them that desire to serve thee; do thou thyself adorn with thine unspotted and undefiled robes thy servant, name, who is minded to precede thy holy mysteries as a taper-bearer, that, being enlightened and meeting thee in the world to come, he may obtain an incorruptible crown of life, rejoicing with thine elect in everlasting blessedness.

Exclamation. For hallowed is thy name, and glorified is thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And be it noted that, if the liturgy be not celebrated, the Archpriest maketh the beginning, Blessed be our God.... and then is sung, O heavenly King.... Trisagion. O most holy Trinity.... Our Father.... For thine is the kingdom.... And the troparion of the day is said.

But if the liturgy be celebrated, O heavenly King.... and Trisagion and Our Father.... are not sung, and only these troparia are said.

O holy apostles, pray the merciful God that he may grant our souls remission of sins.

The grace of thy mouth, shining forth like fire, hath illuminated the universe, hath offered the world treasures of liberality, and hath shewed to us the height of humility. And as thou instructest by thy words, O father John Chrysostom, pray Christ, the Word of God, to save our souls.

Thy sound is gone forth into all the earth, which hath received thy word, whereby thou hast divinely taught, hast explained the nature of things that are, and brightened the customs of men, O royal divine, venerable father: pray thou Christ God to save our souls.

The shepherd’s reed of thy divinity hath overcome the trumpets of the orators; for as to him that seeketh the deep things of the spirit, so was the grace of language accorded thee. Then, father Gregory, pray Christ God to save our souls.

Glory. Both now.

Through the prayers, O Lord, of all the saints, and of the God-bearing one, grant thy peace to us, and have mercy upon us, as being alone compassionate.

Then the Archpriest sheareth his head crosswise, saying, In the name of the Father. A protodeacon and a reader, or a singer, say, Amen. Archpriest. And of the Son. Protodeacon. Amen. Archpriest. And of the Holy Ghost. Protodeacon. Amen.

Then the Archpriest putteth the short phelonion on him, and again thrice signeth him crosswise on his head with the hand, and layeth his hand upon him, and prayeth thus,

O Lord God almighty, elect this thy servant, and sanctify him, and grant unto him, in all wisdom and understanding, to practise the study and reading of thy divine words, preserving him in a blameless course of life.

Exclamation.

Through the mercy, and compassions, and love to man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And after the prayer the Archpriest openeth the book of the apostles over the head of the reader. And the subdeacons conduct him from the Archpriest, and place him in the middle of the church, with his face towards the east, and give him the book of the apostles, and he readeth thus, The reading of the message of the holy apostle Paul to the Romans (or, to others). And he readeth the portion of the epistle that is appointed, from the beginning to the end, and turneth himself and boweth thrice to the Archpriest according to rite. And the subdeacons take off from him the phelonion, and conduct him to the Archpriest. And the Archpriest again signeth his head thrice with the hand. And they bring the sticharion to the Archpriest, and he signeth the sticharion with his hand over the cross. And he that hath been appointed, having signed himself with his hand, kisseth the cross upon the sticharion, and the hand of the Archpriest; and the subdeacons vest him with the sticharion. And the Archpriest addresseth him on this wise,

Child, the first degree of the priesthood is that of reader. Therefore it becometh thee to read every day in the divine scriptures, that they that hear, considering thee, may receive edification, and that thou, in nowise shaming thine election, mayest prepare thyself for a more advanced degree. For, living temperately, holily, and righteously, thou shalt gain the mercy of the man-loving God, and make thyself worthy of a higher ministry, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory to ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Archpriest saith on this wise,

Blessed be the Lord, lo, the servant of God, name, becometh reader of the most holy church, name, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

And the Archpriest giveth him a lamp, and he standeth before the Archpriest with the lamp in the indicated place.

And if there be several readers to receive the laying on of hands they receive this together, and the prayer is said in the plural.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE LAYING ON OF HANDS OF A SUBDEACON.

Now if on the same day he is to receive the laying on of hands for the subdiaconate, after the investing with the sticharion, the subdeacons bring a sticharion-girdle to the Archpriest. And the Archpriest maketh the sign of the cross upon the girdle, and he that is to receive the laying on of hands kisseth the girdle, and the hand of the Archpriest, and they gird him. And the Archpriest signeth him with the hand upon the head thrice. After this the protodeacon saith, Let us pray to the Lord. And the Archpriest, having laid his hand upon him, saith this prayer.

O Lord our God, who through one and the same holy Spirit, distributest gifts to them whom thou hast chosen, bestowing various orders in thy church, and appointing degrees of service therein for the ministration of thy divine and spotless mysteries, who, in thine unspeakable foreknowledge, dost also appoint this thy servant to be worthy to serve in thy holy church; do thou thyself, O Master, preserve him blameless in all things, and grant unto him to love the beauty of thy house, to stand at the doors of thy holy temple, to kindle the lamp of the tabernacle of thy glory; and plant him in thy holy church as a fruitful olive-tree that beareth fruit of righteousness; and, at the time of thine advent, declare thy servant perfected to receive the reward of them that have been acceptable unto thee.

Exclamation.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And after the prayer the subdeacons give a ewer to him that is receiving the laying on of hands, and lay a towel upon his shoulder; and the Archpriest washeth his hands. And he that is receiving the laying on of hands for subdeacon poureth water on the hands of the Archpriest. After this he that is receiving the laying on of hands, and the other subdeacons, kiss the Archpriest’s hand, and betake themselves from him to the indicated place. And he that is receiving the laying on of hands for subdeacon standeth, holding the ewer, and the wash-hand basin, together with the towel, until the cherubic hymn. And he saith, Trisagion. O most holy Trinity.... Our Father.... Lord, have mercy. I believe in one God.... Forgive, remit.... and whatever else he is minded to say secretly. And during the cherubic hymn he is conducted before the royal doors to the Archpriest; and the Archpriest washeth his hands according to rite, and saith the prayer. Then he signeth the water with his hand crosswise thrice. And the Archpriest with this sanctified water wetteth his eyes, ears, nostrils, and lips. And at the great introit he walketh behind all the ministers. And when the Archpriest taketh up the holy things, and all the ministers proceed into the altar, he that is receiving the laying on of hands for subdeacon boweth to the Archpriest, and beareth water to the right and left choirs, and to the people, and they all splash themselves with this water. And they conduct him back to the altar, and they pour the water that remaineth into the piscina. And, being conducted, he remaineth before the royal doors, and standeth in the indicated place according to rite. And when the Archpriest hath said, And may the mercies.... after this exclamation he is conducted into the altar by the subdeacons according to rite, and, having received a blessing from the Archpriest, he standeth with the subdeacons.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE LAYING ON OF HANDS OF A DEACON.

After the Archpriest hath said,

And may the mercies of the great God.... the subdeacons bring forward the throne, and place it before the holy table, but somewhat on the left side, so that they may not turn their backs towards the holy things. And the Archpriest seateth himself thereupon, and they take him that is to receive the laying on of hands from the middle of the church, two subdeacons holding him between them, each of them laying one hand upon his neck, and with the other hand holding him by the hands, and they bow him down as lowly as possible. And a deacon in the altar saith, Bid. Then, having advanced somewhat, they bow him down as before. And another deacon saith, Bid ye. Then they come nigh unto the holy gates of the altar, and bow him down before the Archpriest.

And the protodeacon saith,

Bid, right reverend master.

And the subdeacons leave him that is to receive the laying on of hands at the royal gates, and two receive him, a protodeacon and a deacon, one by the right and the other by the left hand, and he boweth himself to the Archpriest. And the Archpriest signeth him with the hand crosswise, and they conduct him round the holy table, they that lead him and the others singing,

O holy martyrs, who valiantly contended, and are crown’d; pray ye the Lord for mercy on our souls.

Then they that are without sing the same once. And he that is receiving the laying on of hands kisseth the four corners of the holy table, and the hand of the Archpriest, and his knee. Then they conduct him round again, singing,

Glory to thee, Christ God, apostles’ boast, and martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

And the choir without singeth the same once. And he that is receiving the laying on of hands again kisseth the holy table in like manner as before, and the Archpriest’s epigonation, and his hand.

Then again they conduct him round, singing,

Rejoice, O Esaias, the virgin is with child, and bringeth forth a son, Emmanuel, God and man: the orient is his name, whom magnifying, we call the virgin blessed.

And they make the rite, as before written. And they sing the same without. Then the Archpriest riseth, and they remove the throne, and he that is receiving the laying on of hands goeth to the right side of the Archpriest, and boweth himself before the holy table thrice, saying, O God, cleanse me, a sinner. And, bending the right knee, he placeth his palms crosswise on the holy table, and layeth also his forehead between his hands on the holy table. The Archpriest placeth the end of the omophorion on the head of him that it receiving the laying on of hands, and blesseth him upon the head thrice. And the protodeacon or the deacon having said, Let us attend, the Archpriest, holding his hand upon his head, readeth aloud in the hearing of all them that stand in the altar,

The divine grace, which always remedieth that which is feeble, and supplieth that which is lacking, layeth hands upon, name, the most pious subdeacon to be deacon: let us therefore pray for him, that the grace of the all-holy Spirit may come upon him.

And the priests within sing, from the right hand side, Lord, have mercy, thrice. Then again, from the left hand side, the same thrice. And the singers without, in the right and left choirs, Kyrie eleison, antiphonally thrice slowly, while the Archpriest readeth the prayer. Then the Archpriest blesseth him upon the head thrice, holding his hand upon the head of him that is receiving the laying on of hands. The protodeacon saith, Let us pray to the Lord, in a low voice.

And the Archpriest saith the prayer secretly.

O Lord our God, who, by thy foreknowledge sendest the gift of thy holy Spirit on them that are destined, by thine unsearchable might, to be ministers, and to serve at thy spotless mysteries; do thou thyself, O Master, preserve in every virtue this man whom thou art well-pleased to lay hands upon by me for the ministry of the diaconate, he holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Give unto him the grace which thou gavest to thy protomartyr Stephen, whom thou didst first call to the work of thy ministry; and make him worthy to use, as may be acceptable unto thee, the degree which, by thy goodness, is given unto him (for they that minister well prepare for themselves a good degree); and do thou declare him thy perfect servant.

Exclamation.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And the protodeacon readeth that which is of peace in a low voice. In peace let us pray to the Lord. And they answer to each petition, Lord have mercy, once. For the peace that is from above.... For the peace of the whole world.... For our archpriest, name, for his priesthood, assistance, continuance, peace, health, salvation, and for the work of his hands, let us pray to the Lord. For the servant of God, name, now receiving the laying on of hands for deacon, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord. That the man-loving God may bestow on him a spotless and blameless diaconate, let us pray to the Lord. For our Most Pious, Autocratic Great Lord, THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVITCH of all Russia, and for all HIS palace and army, let us pray to the Lord. For this city.... For our deliverance.... Help us, save us, have mercy on us.... Commemorating our most holy, most pure.... They answer, To thee, O Lord.

And the Archpriest, holding his hand on the head of him that is receiving the laying on of hands, saith the second prayer.

O God our Saviour, who, by thine incorruptible voice, didst appoint the law of the diaconate unto thine apostles, and didst declare the protomartyr Stephen of such rank, and proclaim him the first to fulfil the work of a deacon, as it is written in thy holy gospel, Whosoever desireth to be the first among you, let him be your minister; do thou, O Master of all, fill this thy servant, whom thou hast made worthy to enter on the ministry of a deacon, with all faith, and love, and power, and sanctification, through the visitation of thy holy and life-creating Spirit (for it is not by the imposition of my hands, but by the presence of thy compassions, that grace is given unto them that are worthy of thee), that he, being without any sin, may stand blameless before thee in the fearful day of thy judgment, and may receive the unfailing reward of thy promise.

Exclamation. For thou art our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Then they raise him up, and loosen his girding. And the Archpriest, taking the orarion, layeth it upon his left shoulder saying with a loud voice, Axios. And they sing in the altar thrice, Axios. And in like manner without by both choirs. Then the maniples are given him, and the Archpriest saith, Axios. And they sing the same in the altar thrice, and in like manner without. Then the fan is given him, and the Archpriest saith, Axios. And they sing in the altar and without according to custom. And he kisseth the Archpriest on the shoulder, and placeth himself by the altar, and fanneth the holy things.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ARCHDEACON AND A PROTODEACON.

He that is to be appointed an archdeacon is led by a protodeacon and a deacon unto the right reverend Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest is standing at the time of the introit with the gospel; and he inclineth himself to his girdle before the Archpriest thrice, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him with the hand on his head crosswise, thrice; and, rising, he layeth his hand upon his head. And the deacon having said, Let us pray to the Lord,

the Archpriest saith this prayer.

Master, Lord our God, who, by thine unspeakable providence, hast given to our race archdeaconship, that they that are endued therewith may command and serve, with the subordinate ministers at thy divine mysteries; do thou thyself endue with this grace of archdeaconship thy present servant, name, and adorn him with thy virtue to stand at the head of the deacons of thy people, and to be a good example to them that are under him. And make him to attain unto a ripe old age to glorify thy majestic name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Archpriest signeth his head crosswise, saying, Blessed be the Lord, lo, the servant of God, name, is archdeacon (or protodeacon) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

And the Archpriest, laying his hand upon his head, exclaimeth, Axios, thrice. And the singers sing, Axios, thrice. And they enter the altar according to rite.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE LAYING ON OF HANDS OF A PRESBYTER.

After the conclusion of the cherubic hymn, he that is to be appointed presbyter is conducted by an archdeacon, or by one of the other deacons, through the royal gates unto the holy table before the Archpriest on the right hand side. And the Archpriest signeth him with the hand crosswise, and he is conducted round the throne thrice, as it is written in the diaconal laying on of hands, while all in the altar sing these troparia.

O holy martyrs, who valiantly contended and are crown’d; pray ye the Lord for mercy on out souls.

Once.

Glory to thee, Christ God, apostles’ boast and martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

Once.

Then, Rejoice, O Esaias, the virgin is with child, and bringeth forth a son, Emmanuel, God and man: the orient is his name, whom magnifying, we call the virgin blessed.

Once.

And he bendeth both knees, and placeth his palms crosswise on the holy table, and layeth his forehead between his hands on the holy table. The Archpriest placeth the end of the omophorion on the head of him that is receiving the laying on of hands, and blesseth him upon the head thrice. And the leading priest having said, Let us attend, the Archpriest, holding his hand upon his head, readeth aloud in the hearing of all them, that stand in the altar,

The divine grace, which always remedieth that which is feeble, and supplieth that which is lacking, layeth hands upon, name, the most pious deacon, to be presbyter: let us therefore pray for him, that the grace of the all-holy Spirit may come upon him.

And the priests within sing, Lord, have mercy, thrice from the right hand side. Then again thrice from the left hand side. Then in like manner also the singers without in the right and left choirs, Kyrie eleison, antiphonally thrice slowly, while the Archpriest readeth the prayer. The Archpriest again blesseth him thrice, having his hand lying upon the head of him that is receiving the laying on of hands. And the protodeacon saith, Let us pray to the Lord, in a low voice.

The Archpriest saith the prayer secretly.

O God, unbeginning and unending, who art older than every created thing, who honourest with the tide of presbyter them who are made worthy in this degree to minister sacredly the word of thy truth; do thou thyself, O Master of all, vouchsafe that this man, whom thou art well-pleased to lay hands upon by me, may receive, in a blameless conversation and in unswerving faith, this great grace of thy holy Spirit, and declare him thy perfect servant, acceptable unto thee in all things, and worthily exercising this great priestly honour vouchsafed unto him by thy foreknowing power.

Exclamation.

For thine is the might, and thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And the priest readeth that which is of peace in a low voice.

In peace let us pray to the Lord. They answer to each petition, Lord, have mercy, once. For the peace that is from above.... For the peace of the whole world.... For our archpriest, name, for his priesthood, assistance, continuance, peace, health, salvation, and for the work of his hands, let us pray to the Lord. For the Servant of God, name, now receiving the laying on of hands for presbyter, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord. That the man-loving God may bestow on him a spotless and blameless priesthood, let us pray to the Lord. For our Most Pious, Autocratic Great Lord, THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVITCH of all Russia, and for all HIS palace and army, let us pray to the Lord. For this city.... For our deliverance.... Help us, save us.... Commemorating our most holy, most pure.... They answer, To thee, O Lord.

The Archpriest, having his hand lying on the head of him that is receiving the laying on of hands, prayeth thus,

O God, mighty in power, and unsearchable in understanding, wonderful in counsels above the sons of men; do thou thyself, O Lord, fill with the gift of thy holy Spirit this man, whom thou art well-pleased should attain unto the presbyterial degree, that he may be worthy to stand blamelessly at thine altar, to declare the gospel of thy kingdom, to minister sacredly the word of thy truth, to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices, and to renew thy people by the laver of regeneration, that he, meeting thee at the second coming of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, thine only-begotten Son, may receive the reward of a good stewardship of his order, in the plentitude of thy grace.

Exclamation.

For blessed and glorified is thine all-revered and majestic name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Then they raise him up, and bring the epitrachelion, and taking the orarion from him that hath received the laying on of hands, the Archpriest giveth him the epitrachelion, having blessed it, and he that hath received the laying on of hands kisseth the epitrachelion, and the Archpriest’s hand. And the Archpriest layeth it upon his neck, saying with a loud voice, Axios. And they sing in the altar thrice, Axios. And the singers without sing the same in both choirs. In like manner he giveth him also the girdle, and he kisseth it, and the Archpriest’s hand, and girdeth himself. And the Archpriest saith, Axios. And they sing in the altar and without in like manner. And they do the same with the phelonion, and with the sloujébnik. And the Archpriest saith with each, Axios. And they sing according to custom. And, having kissed the omophorion and the Archpriest’s hand, he that hath received the laying on of hands as priest goeth out and kisseth the archimandrites, and all the co-ministrants on the shoulder, and standeth with the priests.

THE ORDER OF THE OFFICE FOR THE MAKING OF A PROTOPRESBYTER.

He that is to be appointed protopresbyter is conducted by a protodeacon, or by two deacons, to the right reverend Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest standeth at the time of the introit with the gospel. And he inclineth himself to his girdle before the Archpriest thrice, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him with the hand on his head crosswise thrice. And, rising, he layeth his hand upon his head. And the protodeacon having said, Let us pray to the Lord,

the Archpriest saith this prayer.

Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who hast bestowed priesthood on our race, and hast endued us with the grace of this gift and honour, and hast appointed us who are sufficiently pious to rule the priestly order, and the other subordinate ministers of thy mysteries; do thou thyself endue our brother, name, with thy grace, and adorn him with virtue to stand at the head of the presbyters of thy people, and make him worthy to be a good example to them that are with him; and be thou pleased that he may finish his life in piety and virtue unto a good old age; and, as the good God, have mercy upon us all. For thou art the giver of wisdom, and all creation singeth thee to ages of ages.

Then the Archpriest signeth his head crosswise, saying, Blessed be the Lord, lo, the servant of God, name, becometh protopresbyter of the most holy church of God, name, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

And the Archpriest, laying his hand upon his head, exclaimeth, Axios, iii. And the singers sing, Axios, thrice. Then they range the protopresbyter with the other clergy according to rite, and they go into the altar through the royal doors, and they act with the ministers according to rite.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ABBOT.

He that is to be appointed abbot is conducted by a protodeacon, or by two deacons, to the Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest standeth at the time of the introit with the gospel, if the Archpriest himself be celebrating the liturgy. But if not, they bring to the Archpriest the epitrachelion, the maniples, and the omophorion, and he vesteth himself, standing in his place. And he that is to be appointed abbot is conducted to his place, and inclineth himself to his girdle before the Archpriest thrice, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him with the hand upon his head thrice. And, rising, he layeth his hand upon his head, and the protodeacon having said, Let us pray to the Lord,

the Archpriest saith this prayer.

O God, who ever makest provision for the salvation of men, and gatherest together in one this thy rational flock; do thou, O Master of all things, in thy measureless love to man, thyself preserve this same blameless, keeping thy commandments continually, so that not one sheep thereof may be lost, and be devoured by the wolf. And declare this thy servant, whom thou art pleased to appoint abbot over it, worthy of thy grace, and adorn him with all virtues, that he, by his works, may be a good example to them that are under him, that they, being emulators of his blameless conversation, may stand with him uncondemned before thy fearful judgment-seat.

Exclamation. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Singers. Amen.

Archpriest. Peace to all.

Singers. And to thy spirit. Protodeacon. Bow your heads to the Lord. Singers. To thee, O Lord.

The Archpriest prayeth secretly.

Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hearken unto our prayer, and declare this thy servant to be abbot of this honourable habitation, a faithful and wise administrator over the rational flock committed to him by thy grace, he doing thy will in all things, and becoming worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.

Exclamation.

Through the grace, and compassions, and love to man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And the protodeacon saith with a loud voice, Bid, master.

And the Archpriest saith with a loud voice,

The grace of the all-holy Spirit, through our mediocrity, appointeth thee abbot of the honourable habitation of our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, name, whatever title of him the temple may be, or, of our most holy God-bearing Lady, whatever title of her the temple may be, or, of Saint, name, to whom may be dedicated the temple.

Then, laying his hand upon his head, the Archpriest exclaimeth, Axios, thrice. And the singers sing, Axios, thrice.

After this he that hath been appointed abbot kisseth the Archpriest’s omophorion on the right and left shoulder; and, being conducted, he rangeth himself with the other abbots according to rite; and they go into the altar through the royal doors, and he acteth with the ministers according to rite.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ARCHIMANDRITE.

He that is to be appointed archimandrite is conducted by a protodeacon, or by two deacons, to the Archpriest in the middle of the church where the Archpriest standeth at the time of the introit with the gospel, if the Archpriest himself be celebrating the liturgy. But if not, they bring the epitrachelion, the maniples, and the omophorion to the Archpriest, and he vesteth himself standing in his place. And he that is to be appointed archimandrite is conducted to his place, and he inclineth himself to his girdle thrice before the Archpriest, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him with the hand upon his head thrice. And if he that is to be appointed archimandrite be not an abbot, the Archpriest saith over him the prayers which are said over an abbot. But if he be already an abbot the prayers for an abbot are not said over the archimandrite, and the protodeacon only saith with a loud voice,

Bid, master.

And the Archpriest exclaimeth with a loud voice,

The grace of the all-holy Spirit, through our mediocrity, appointeth thee archimandrite of the honourable habitation of our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, or, of our most holy God-bearing Lady, whatever temple of her it may be, or, of Saint, name, to whom may be dedicated the temple.

Then the Archpriest, laying his hand on the head of him that is appointed, exclaimeth Axios, thrice.

And the singers sing, Axios, thrice.

And if, by the command of our Most Pious, Autocratic Great Lord, THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVITCH of all Russia, and with the blessing of the Most Holy Governing Synod, the mitre be given to the archimandrite, then after the procession from the altar with the gospel at the divine liturgy, the archimandrite is conducted to the Archpriest. And the Archpriest doth not say the prayer, but only blesseth the archimandrite with the hand. And he kisseth the Archpriest’s hand, and the mitre; and they place the mitre on the archimandrite. And, being conducted, he rangeth himself with the archimandrites and abbots according to degree, and they go into the altar through the royal doors, and he acteth with the ministers according to rite.