Chapter 21

1Being such as this, let him receive ordination” on the first day of the week, all consenting to his appointment, and bearing witness to him, with all the neighbouring presbyters and bishops. Let those bishops lay hands on him, having first washed their hands, but let the presbyters stand beside them, not speaking, in fear, lifting up their hearts in silence. After [that], let the bishops lay hands on him, saying: We lay hands on the servant of God, who hath been chosen in the Spirit, for the true and pious ® disposing ® of the Church, which alone hath the principality, and which is not dissolved, of the invisible [and] living God, and for the delivering of true judgment and divine and holy revelations, and of divine gifts and faithful doctrines of the Trinity, by the cross, by the resurrection, by the incorruptibility, in the holy Church of God. After this, one bishop, commanded by the other bishops, shall lay hands on him, saying his calling of appointment, thus : PRAYER OF ORDINATION™ oF A BISHOP O God, who hast done ™ all things in power, and hast established them, and hast founded the inhabited world in reason, and hast adorned the crown of all these things which ! Or: sacraments. 2M.B.: carried away. 3M.: or. See Note. Nl yecporovia transliterated. 2 Or: made. were made by Thee; who hast given to them to keep Thy commandments in fear; who hast bestowed upon us the understanding of the truth, and hast made known unto us that good Spirit of Thine; who didst send Thy beloved Son, the only Saviour, without spot, for our salvation; O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies and God of all comfort who in the pure heights dost dwell eternally, who art high and adorable, dreadful? and great ; who seest all things, who knowest all things before they are, with whom all things were before they were [made]*; who gavest illumination to the Church by the grace * of Thy Onlybegotten Son, having foreordained from the beginning those who delight in just things, and do those things that are holy, to dwell in Thy habitations ; who didst choose Abraham, who pleased Thee by his faith, and didst translate holy Enoch ° to the treasure-house of life; who hast ordered princes and priests in Thine upper” sanctuary; O Lord, who didst call [them] to praise and glorify the Name of Thee and of Thy Only-begotten in the place of Thy glory; O Lord God, who before the foundation of the world didst not leave Thine upper’ sanctuary without a ministry, and also, since the foundation of the world, hast adorned and glorified Thy sanctuaries [on earth] with faithful princes and priests, after the pattern ® of Thine [own] heaven; Thou, Lord, even now also art ® well pleased to be praised, and hast vouchsafed that there should be princes for Thy people: Cause to shine forth and pour out understanding, and the grace which cometh from Thy princely Spirit, which 4 Thou didst deliver to Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ; give wisdom, O God, [give] reasoning,” strength, power, unity of spirit 1° to do all things by Thy 4Or: lovingkindness. So often. this passage. co-operation. Give the Spirit which is Thine, O holy God; send to Thy holy and pure Church, and to every place which singeth to Thee “Holy,” Him who was given to Thy Holy One ; and grant, O Lord, that this Thy servant may please Thee? for doxology,? and for laud without ceasing, O God, for fitting hymns of praise, and for suitable times,* for acceptable prayers, for faithful asking, for an upright mind, for a meek heart, for the working of life and of meekness and of truth, for the knowledge of uprightness. O Father, who knowest the hearts,> [grant] to this Thy servant whom Thou hast chosen for the episcopate, to feed Thy holy flock, and to stand at the head of the priesthood without fault, ministering to Thee day and night; grant that Thy face® may be seen by him ; vouchsafe, O Lord, that he may offer to Thee the offerings of Thy holy Church carefully [and] with all fear ; bestow upon him that he may have Thy powerful?’ Spirit to loose all bands, as Thou didst bestow [Him] on Thy apostles, to please Thee in meekness; fill him full of love, knowledge, understanding, discipline, perfectness, strength, and a pure heart, when he prayeth for the people, and when he mourneth for those who commit folly and draweth them to [receive] help; when he offereth to Thee praises and thanksgivings and prayers for a sweet-smelling savour® through Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are given] to Thee praise and honour and might, with the Holy Ghost, both before the worlds, and also now, and at all times, and for ever and ever without end. Amen. And let the people say: Amen. And then let them® cry out : He is worthy, He is worthy, He is worthy. After he is [ordained], let the people keep the feast three days, according to the mystery that in three days [our i Lit.: work. Lord] rose from the dead. And let every one give him the Peace.