Chapter 38

1Let the appointment of a deacon be thus. Let the bishop alone lay a hand? on him, because he is not appointed to the priesthood, but for the service of attendance on the bishop and the Church.? Over the deacon then, let the bishop say thus : PRAYER OF ORDINATION* OF A DEACON O God, who didst create all things, and didst adorn [them] by the Word; who dost rest® in the pure ages;® who didst minister to us eternal life by Thy prophets; who didst enlighten us with the light of knowledge; O God, who doest great things,’ and [art] the Maker of all glory’ Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,2 whom Thou didst send to minister to Thy will,!? that all the race of mankind might be saved, and didst make known to us and didst reveal Thy Thought, Thy Wisdom, Thine Energy, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord of light, the Prince of princes, and God of gods; give the spirit of grace and earnestness to" this Thy servant, that there may be given to him earnestness, quiet, strength, power to please Thee; give him, O Lord, as a worker in the law without shame, kind, a lover of orphans, a lover of the pious, a lover of widows, fervent in spirit, a lover of good things; and 1S.: and the way. Lagarde conjectures: the duty of the way. enlighten, O Lord, him whom Thou hast loved and chosen to minister to Thy Church, offering in holiness to Thy holy place? those things which are offered to Thee from the inheritance of Thy high priesthood; so that ministering without blame and purely and holily and with a pure conscience, he may be counted worthy of this high and exalted office, by Thy good will, praising Thee continually through Thy Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ,3 our Lord, by whom [be] praise and might to Thee for ever and ever. The people: Amen.