Chapter 45

1A reader is instituted + [who is | pure, quiet, meek,’ wise, with much experience, learned and of much learning, with a good memory,® vigilant, so that he may deserve a higher degree? First let the book be given him in the sight of the people, on the first day of the week. Buta hand is not laid on him. But he heareth from the bishop [the following]: Thou, O N., whom Christ hath called to be a minister’? of His words, be careful, and strive that thou mayest appear approved ® both in this rule and in a higher degree, even by our Lord Jesus Christ; so that He in His everlasting habitations may pay thee a good reward for these things. And let the priests say: So be it, so be it, so be it.