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67

PRIEST: The Angel of peace, faithful guide, guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask from the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

PRIEST: Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask from the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

PRIEST: That which is good and profitable to our souls, and peace to the world, let us ask from the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

PRIEST: That we may complete the time of our sojourn-
ing here in peace and repentance, let us ask from the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

PRIEST: That the end of our lives may be according to our Christian profession, peaceful, without pain, and without confusion of face; and that we may render a good account at the fearful judgment-seat of Christ, let us ask from the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

PRIEST: Having prayed for the unity of the faith, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life, to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST (silently).

(S. Chrys.)

To Thee, O Master, Lover of men,
we commit in trust all our life and hope,
and beseech, and pray, and supply-
cate: make us worthy to partake of
Thy Heavenly and awful Mysteries of
this Holy and Spiritual Table with a
pure conscience, for

PRIEST (silently).

(S. Basil.)

O our God, the God of salvation,
teach us worthily to thank Thee for
Thy benefits which Thou hast done,
and art doing for us. Thou, our God,
who hast received these Gifts, cleanse
us from every pollution of flesh and
spirit, and teach us to accomplish holi-
ness in Thy fear, that we, with the
pure witness of our conscience, receiv-
ing the portion of Thy Hallowed Gifts,
may be united to the Holy Body and
Blood of Thy Christ; and receiving
Them worthily, may have Christ dwell-
ing in our hearts, and may become a
temple of Thy Holy Spirit. Yea, O our
God, and make none of us guilty of

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Offices of the Oriental Church.

forgiveness of sins,
for pardon of trans-
gressions, for Com-
munion of the Holy
Ghost, for inherit-
ance of the King-
dom of Heaven, for
confidence in Thee,
not for judgment,
nor for condemna-
tion.

These Thy awful and Heavenly Mysteries, nor infirm in soul and body from unworthily partaking of Them; but grant us till our last breath worthily to receive the portion of Thy Hallowed Gifts for a provision for the journey to eternal life, for an acceptable defense at the fearful tribunal of Thy Christ, that we, with all the Saints who have pleased Thee forever, may become partakers of Thy eternal Goods, which Thou hast prepared for those who love Thee, O Lord.

ALOUD: And make us worthy, O Master, with confidence and without condemnation, to dare to call upon Thee, our God and Heavenly Father, and say:

CHOIR: Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done, as in Heaven, so on earth; Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, now, and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

PRIEST: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST (silently).

(S. Chrysostom.)

We give thanks unto Thee, in-
visible King, Who hast framed all
things by Thy measureless power,
and in the multitude of Thy mercy
has brought all things into being
from non-existence. O Master,
look down from Heaven upon
those who have bowed down their

PRIEST (silently).

(S. Basil.)

O Master, Lord, Father
of mercies, and God of all
comfort; bless them that
have bowed down their
heads unto Thee, hallow,
confirm, strengthen them,
keep them from every

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69

heads unto Thee, for they bowed
not to flesh and blood, but to
Thee, the terrible God. Bestow,
therefore, O Master, on all of us,
an equal good from the presented
Gifts, according to the proper need
of each; sail with those sailing;
journey with those journeying;
heal the sick, O Physician of our
souls and bodies.

evil work, knit them to
every good work and
make them worthy to
partake without condem-
nation of These Thy spot-
less and life-giving Mys-
teries, for forgiveness of
sins, for Communion of
the Holy Ghost.

ALOUD: Through the grace, compassions and love to men of thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom, and with Thy All-Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, Thou art Blessed; now, and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (silently): Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, out of Thy holy dwelling place, and from the Throne of glory of Thy Kingdom, and come to sanctify us Thou Who sittest above with the Father, and yet are here invisibly present with us; and by Thy mighty Hand make us worthy to impart to ourselves of Thy Spotless Body, and Precious Blood, and by us to all the people.

PRIEST: O God, be gracious to me a sinner. (Three times.)

PRIEST: Let us attend.

The Holy for the Holy.

CHOIR: One Holy, one Lord Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

THE COMMUNION HYMN.

Praise the Lord from the Heavens: praise Him in the Highest.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

PRIEST: The Lamb of God is broken and distributed; broken and not divided asunder; ever eaten and never consumed, but sanctifying all who are partakers thereof.

PRIEST: The fullness of the Cup, of faith, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRIEST: Blessed is the fervor of Thy Saints, always, now, and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

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The fervor of faith is full of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRIEST: I believe, Lord, and confess, that Thou art the true Christ, the Son of the living God, Who camest to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I believe also, that this is Thy Most Holy Body, and that This is Thy Most Holy Blood, and pray therefore to Thee, Have mercy upon me, and pardon my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, which I have committed in word and deed, knowingly and unknowingly, and grant me without condemnation to be a partaker of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, for the forgiveness of my sins, and for life everlasting.

O Son of God, accept me to-day as a partaker of Thy Mystical Supper, for I will not reveal the Mystery to Thine enemies. I will not give Thee a kiss as Judas, but as the thief I will confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

Let not, O Lord, the Communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be to my judgment, or condemnation, but for the healing of my soul and body.

The Priest then communicates of the Holy Bread, saying:

The Precious and All-Holy Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is communicated to me N., Priest, for the forgiveness of my sins, and for life everlasting.

He then communicates of the Holy Cup, saying:

I, N., Priest, the servant of God, partake of the Pure and Holy Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of my sins, and for life everlasting.

Behold, This hath touched my lips, and shall take away my transgressions, and cleanse me from my sins.

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, we adore the Holy Lord Jesus, Who alone is without sin. Thy Cross, O Lord, we worship, and glorify Thy Holy Resurrection. For Thou art our God, we know none other beside Thee, we call upon Thy Name.

O come, all ye Faithful, let us adore the Resurrection of Christ, for by His Cross great joy is come unto all the world. Therefore, ever blessing the Lord, we celebrate His Resurrection, Who suffered on the Cross, and hath overthrown death by death.

Shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is risen

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upon thee; exult and rejoice, O Sion, for the pure Virgin glorifieth thee by her exalted Childbirth. O Christ, the Great Passover and High Priest, the Wisdom, the Word, and Power of God, make us worthy to partake of Thee more truly, and day without night, in Thy Kingdom.

Through Thy Holy Blood, and the intercession of Thy Saints, cleanse from their sins, O Lord, those whom we have remembered.

**ALOUD**: With the fear of God, faith and love draw near.

**CHOIR**: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord: the Lord is God, and is manifest unto us.

The Priest communicates the people, saying to each:

The servant of God, N., is made partaker of the Pure and Holy Body and Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of his (or, her) sins, and for life everlasting.

Then, when all have communicated, he saith :

O God, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.

**CHOIR**: We have seen the True Light, we have received the Spirit from Heaven, we have found the True faith, by worshiping the undivided Trinity, Who hath saved us.

**PRIEST**: Be Thou, O God, exalted above the Heavens, and Thy Glory above all the earth.

Blessed is our God, (Aloud.) Always, now, and ever, and to ages of ages.

**CHOIR**: Amen.

Let our mouth be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Thy Glory, for that Thou hast vouchsafed to make us partakers of Thy Holy, Divine, Immortal, and Life-giving Mysteries: preserve us by Thy Holiness all our days, that we may learn Thy righteousness.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

**PRIEST**: Having duly participated of the Divine, Holy, Spotless, Immortal, Heavenly, Life-giving and Terrible Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

**CHOIR**: Lord, have mercy.

**PRIEST**: Help, save, have mercy, and guard us, O God, by Thy Grace.

**CHOIR**: Lord, have mercy.

**PRIEST**: Praying that we may finish this day in holiness,

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PRIEST: Glory be to Thee, O Christ, our God and Hope, Glory be to Thee.

CHOIR: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

Both now, and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)

PRIEST: Christ, our true God, Who arose from the dead; (or if it be not Sunday, Christ, our true God :) through the intercession of His all-spotless Mother; the honorable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; the holy and all-celebrated Apostle; our holy Father, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople; (or, on the days his Liturgy is appointed to be used, our holy Father Basil the Great, of Cæsarea, in Cappadocia;) Saint —, Guardian of this Holy Temple; Saint —, whose memory we this day celebrate; and all Saints: have mercy, and save us, as Thou art good, and the Lover of men.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Priest then distributes The Antidoron, and the people depart.

# HOLY BAPTISM.

## (a) *Prayers with a Woman on the first Day after her Delivery.*

**PRIEST:** Blessed be our God always; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

**READER:** Amen.

Glory be to Thee, O our God, glory be to Thee.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Thou Spirit of Truth, omnipotent and filling all things, Treasure of Goodness and Giver of Life, come and make Thine abode in us, Thou gracious One, purify us from every stain and save our souls.

*Then the Trisagion:* O Holy God, Holy (and) Mighty, Holy (and) Immortal, have mercy upon us. *(Thrice.)*

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; purify us, O Lord, from our sins; forgive us, O Master, our transgressions; visit our infirmities, O Holy One, and heal them for Thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. *(Thrice.)*

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, etc.

**PRIEST:** For Thine is the Kingdom, etc.

**READER:** Amen.

After the Trisagion the Dismissal—Troparion of the day; and then:

Glory be to the Father, etc.

For the sake of the intercessions of all Saints and of the Mother of God, grant us, O Lord, Thy Peace, and have mercy upon us, as the only gracious One.

**PRIEST:** Let us pray to the Lord.

**READER:** Lord, have mercy.

## FIRST PRAYER...

**PRIEST:** Master and Lord Almighty, Who healest every disease and every infirmity, heal also this Thine handmaid

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N., delivered this day, and raise her up from the bed on which she lies; for, as the Prophet David saith, we are conceived in sin and are all polluted before Thee. Preserve her and the babe she hath borne; cover them with the shadow of Thy wings from this day unto the end of their life, for the sake of the intercessions of the all-spotless Mother of God and all Saints, because Thou art highly praised from ages to ages.

READER: Amen.

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

## SECOND PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord and Master, our God, Who wert born of our all-spotless Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, wert laid as a Babe in a manger and carried about in the arms as a Child, have mercy on this, Thine handmaid, who to-day hath borne this child, and forgive her all her errors, both intentional and undesigned, and guard her against every vexation of the devil: preserve the babe born of her from all poison, from all violence, from every assault of the adversary, from the evil spirits of the day and the night; preserve her by Thy mighty hand, and grant that she soon may arise; cleanse her from impurity; heal her pains; give her strength and health in body and soul; surround her with the shining angels of light, and preserve her from every surprise of the spirits of darkness—yea, Lord, from every disease and weakness, from envy and jealousy, from the evil glance of the eye, and have mercy upon her and her child according to Thy great mercy. Purify her from her bodily uncleanness, and from every inner grief which may come upon her, and lead her by Thy speedy grace, so that, recovering from the weakness of her body, she may soon be restored. Grant that the babe born of her may enter the earthly house of God, which Thou hast prepared for the praise of Thy Holy Name; for to Thee are due all praise, honor and worship, together with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

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THIRD PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, Who didst will to come down from Heaven and for us sinners and for our salvation to be born of the Holy Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, Who knowest well the weakness of human nature, be favorable according to the fullness of Thy mercy to this Thine hand-maid N., who to-day hath borne a child; for Thou, O Lord, hast said: Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it. Therefore do we, Thy servants, pray Thee, and, trusting in Thy long-suffering kindness towards man-kind, do we in reverence call upon the Holy Name of Thy Kingdom: look down from Heaven and behold the weakness of us, condemned sinners, and be graciously inclined to this Thine handmaid N., and to the whole house in which this child is born, and to those who care for her, and grant remission to all who are here, as the good and gracious God; for Thou alone hast the power to forgive sins: for the sake of the intercessions of the Holy Mother of God and all Thy Saints.

READER: Amen.

Then the Benediction of Dismissal:

PRIEST: Wisdom. Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

READER: Thee, honored above the Cherubim, and beyond comparison glorified above the Seraphim, who hast borne without corruption God the Word, true Mother of God, thee do we praise.

PRIEST: Glory be to Thee, Christ, O God, our Hope, glory be to Thee.

READER: Glory be to the Father, etc.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Give the Benediction.

PRIEST: Christ, our true God, through the intercessions of His all-spotless Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-celebrated Apostles, of the holy N. N. (of the day), and of all Saints, have mercy upon us, and save us, for Thou art good and gracious.

READER: Amen. Lord have mercy. (Thrice.)

(b) Prayer at the Blessing of the Child, when on the eighth day after its birth it receives its name.

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On the eighth day after its birth the child is brought by its nurse to the church. She remains standing at the entrance into the church, and the Priest begins :

Blessed be our God always, etc.

READER: Amen.

Glory be to Thee, etc.—Heavenly King, etc.

Then the Trisagion : *Holy God*, etc. After : *Our Father*, etc.; the Dismissal-Troparion of the day, or of the Saint of that church.

Then the Priest signs the forehead, mouth and breast of the babe, and says the following prayer :

Let us pray to the Lord.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

## THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, we pray Thee and call upon Thee. Show the light of Thy countenance on this Thy servant (handmaid) N.N., and sign the Cross of Thine Only-Begotten Son in his (her) breast and in his (her) heart, in his (her) spirit, that he (she) may flee from the vanity of the world and all evil devices of the enemy, and may follow Thine ordinances. Grant, O Lord, that Thy holy Name may remain forever upon him (her), when at the proper time he (she) is incorporated into Thy Holy Church, and made perfect through the terrible Mysteries of Thy Christ: so that he (she), living according to Thy commandments and preserving the Seal unbroken, may attain unto the blessedness of Thine elect in Thy Kingdom: through the grace and mercy of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with whom Thou art highly praised, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Priest takes the infant in his hands, remains standing before the entrance of the church, or before the picture of the Most Holy Mother of God, makes with it the sign of the Cross, and says :

Exult, highly favored Virgin, Mother of God; for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness. Christ our God, enlightening those who sat in darkness. Rejoice, also, thou just old man, thou who hast borne in thy arms the Redeemer of our souls, who hath given unto us the Resurrection.

Then the Benediction, etc.

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(c) *Prayers with a Mother on the Fortieth Day after her Delivery.*

On the fortieth day the child is brought again to the church, in order to be received into the Church, i. e., to commence attendance at church. It is brought by the mother immediately after her purification, in the presence of the future sponsors.

The PRIEST begins: Blessed be our God always, etc.
READER: Amen. Glory be to Thee, etc., Heavenly King, etc.

Then the Trisagion, *Holy God*, etc. After: *Our Father* follows the Dismissal, Troparion of the day, or of the appointed Saint, and then:

Glory be to the Father, etc.
For the sake of the intercessions, etc.

The mother with the child in her arms then bows her head, and the Priest makes the sign of the Cross over the child; and then lays his hand upon the head of the child and says the following prayer:

## THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast formed all creatures, rational and irrational, by Thy Word, and hast called all things out of nothingness into being, we pray Thee and call upon Thee: purify this Thy handmaid N.N., whom Thou hast restored again according to Thy will (and who now comes to Thy church) from all her sins and from every spot, that she may be made worthy, without judgment, to partake of Thy holy sacraments.

(If the child be already dead, then follows immediately the conclusion: For Thou art a good and gracious God, etc. But if it be alive the Priest continues.)

Bless also the infant born of her; suffer it to grow up; sanctify it and make it wise, intelligent, chaste, noble-minded, well-disposed; and because Thou hast brought it into existence, and caused it to see the light of Nature, grant that in Thine own good time spiritual light may also be given to it, and it may be numbered with Thy holy flock through Thine Only Begotten Son, with whom Thou art highly praised, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

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READER: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

READER: And to thy Spirit.

PRIEST: Bow your heads before the Lord.

READER: To Thee, O Lord.

The Priest reads the prayer for the mother of the child.

O Lord, our God, who didst come for the salvation of the human race, come now also to this Thine handmaid N., and make her worthy, through Thy venerable Priesthood, of an entrance into the temple of Thy worship; wash her clean from her bodily stain, and from the defilement of the soul in the period of the forty days; make her worthy to partake of Thy precious Body and Blood; for most holy and highly praised is Thy most honored and exalted Name with the Father and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

The Priest blesses the child and says over it the following prayer for the child:

O Lord, our God, who as a child wast brought on the fortieth day to Thine appointed temple by Mary, Thy Holy Mother, who knew no man, and wert borne in the arms of the just Simeon, bless, O Almighty Ruler, also this infant, brought hither for presentation before Thee, the Creator of all things, and may it grow up for all works, good and well-pleasing unto Thee; drive away from it every hostile power by the sign of Thy Cross (for Thou, O Lord, art the protector of children), so that it, made worthy of Holy Baptism, may receive its portion with the elect in Thy Kingdom, preserved with us by the grace of the holy, consubstantial and undivided Trinity. For to Thee, together with Thine Eternal Father, and the all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, are due all praise, and thanksgiving, and worship; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

READER: And to thy Spirit.

READER: To Thee, O Lord.

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THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O God and Father Almighty, who, through the noblest of the prophets, Isaiah, hast announced to us the Incarnation of Thine Only Begotten Son, and our God, of the Virgin, who also, according to Thy good pleasure, and through the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, in order to save us men according to Thy infinite mercy in the latter days, didst will to become a child by her, and, according to the custom of Thy holy law, after the days of purification were accomplished, didst permit Thyself, the true Law-Giver, to be presented in the sanctuary, and to be borne in the arms of the just Simeon, a type of which mystery we acknowledge in the vision of the same prophet when he saw a live coal taken with the tongs from off the altar; the imitation of which, according to grace, we faithfully preserve. Do Thou now, O Lord, who protectest infants, bless also this child, together with its parents and sponsors, and grant that at the proper time it may be born again of water and the Spirit; number it in Thy holy flock of reasonable sheep, which is called after the Name of Thy Christ, for Thou art He who dwellest on high and beholdest the lowly, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory, now and forever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

If the child be not yet baptized, the following order of the presentation is postponed until after the baptism; but if already baptized, the presentation takes place in the following manner:

The Priest takes the child, makes with it the sign of the Cross before the church door, and says:

The servant (handmaid) of God, N., is received into the Church in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

Then he brings it into the church and says:

It will enter into Thine house, and will worship toward Thy holy temple.

Then he comes into the middle of the church and says:

The servant (handmaid), etc.

READER: Amen.

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out of them by Thy great mercy, that she may recover from
the weakness of her body, and raise her from the bed on
which she lies. Because we are conceived in sins and in
transgressions, and are all defiled before Thee, O Lord, we
cry out in fear and say: Look down from heaven and be-
hold the weakness of us condemned sinners. Pardon this
Thine handmaid N., who, taken in sins intentional or unde-
signed, has fallen into condemnation and has lost that which
was conceived in her; have mercy also upon those who assist
and care for her, and pardon them according to Thy great
mercy, as the good God and rich in grace; for Thou alone
hast the power to forgive sins and transgressions, through the
intercessions of Thine All Holy Mother and all Saints. For
to Thee, with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit are due all
praise, honor and worship; now and ever, and to ages of ages.
Amen.

Then follows the Benediction of Dismissal.

(e) *Prayers at the Reception of the Catechumens.*

The Priest looses the girdle of the one coming for illumination, disrobes him, takes off his shoes and turns him towards the east in plain dress, without girdle, without covering for the head, barefoot and with arms hanging down, breathes thrice in his face, crosses him thrice on the forehead and the breast, lays his hand upon his head, and says:

Let us pray to the Lord.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: In Thy Name, O Lord God of Truth, and in the Name of Thine Only-Begotten Son and of Thy Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon Thy servant (handmaid) N., who is made worthy to flee unto Thy holy Name, and to be protected under the shadow of Thy wings. Remove far from him (her) that ancient deceit, and fill him (her) with Faith in Thee, with Hope of Thee, and with Love to Thee, so that he (she) may acknowledge that Thou only art the true God, and Thine Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Thy Holy Spirit. May he (she) walk according to all Thy commandments, and do what is well-pleasing unto Thee; for whosoever doeth this shall find therein his life. Write him (her) down in Thy Book of Life; unite him (her) to the flock of Thine inheritance, so that in him (her) may be glorified Thy

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holy Name, and that of Thy well-beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Thy life-giving Spirit. May Thine eyes ever be graciously turned toward him (her), and Thine ears to hear the voice of his (her) prayers. Let him (her) find joy in the works of his (her) hands and in all his (her) generation: so that he (she) may worship Thee, praise Thy great and glorious exalted Name, and magnify Thee always through all the days of his (her) life. For all heavenly powers sing Thy praise, and Thine is the Glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

THE FIRST EXORCISM.

PRIEST: Satan, the Lord conjures thee; He, Who came into the world and dwelt among men, that He might destroy thy tyranny and deliver mankind from it; Who on the Cross triumphed over the adverse powers, when the sun was darkened, and the earth trembled, and the graves were opened, and the bodies of the saints arose; Who by death destroyed death and took away the strength of him who had the power of death, that is of thee, Satan. I conjure thee by God, Who kept the way of the Tree of Life, and set over it the Cherubim and the flaming sword, turning hither and thither to guard it. Thou art conjured! for I conjure thee by Him, Who walked over the waves of the sea as on dry land, and subdued the stormy wind; at Whose look the depths of the sea are dried up, and at Whose reproof the mountains melt. He it is Who also now conjures thee by us: tremble, depart, get thee away from this creature; return not back again; hide not thyself in him, encounter him not, work not upon him, neither by night nor by day, neither in the morning nor at noontide; but depart into thy hell until the great Day of the Judgment, which is already prepared. Fear before God, Who sitteth upon Cherubim and looketh into the abysses, before Whom tremble angels, archangels, thrones, lordships, princes, powers, dominions, the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim; before Whom tremble the heavens and the earth, and the sea and all that therein is. Depart,

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and get thyself away from the sealed and newly-elected soldier of Christ, our God; for I conjure thee by Him, Who rideth upon the wings of the wind, and maketh His angels a flame of fire. Depart and get thee out of this creature with all thy power and all thine angels. For glorious is the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

## SECOND EXORCISM.

PRIEST: God the holy, the terrible and all glorious, incomprehensible and unsearchable in all His works and His power, hath ordained to thee, Satan, the punishment of eternal torments, and He commandeth thee and every power working with thee, by us, his unworthy servants, to depart from this person, signed with the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true God. I conjure thee, thou depraved, unclean, polluted, abominable and hostile spirit, by the might of Jesus Christ, who hath all power in heaven, and on earth, who commanded the deaf and dumb devil: Depart out of the man, and enter not into him again. So get thee away, acknowledge that thy might is vain, since thou hast not power even over the swine; remember Him who once granted thy petition that thou mightest enter into the herd of swine. Fear before God, at whose command the earth and the waters stand fast; who hath formed the heavens; who hath established the mountains by weight and the valleys by measure; who has set the sand as the bounds of the sea, and hath made a sure way through the stormy waters; who toucheth the mountains and they smoke; who clothed Himself with light as with a garment; who hath spread out the heavens as a curtain; who frameth in the waters His chambers, and hath established the earth on its sure foundation that it shall not be moved forever and ever; who calleth the water of the sea and poureth it forth over the face of the whole earth. Depart and get thee away from this person, who is prepared for the holy illumination. I conjure thee by the saving passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, by His precious body and blood, and by his terrible second advent;

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for He will come and not delay to judge the whole earth, and will torment thee and the powers working with thee in the fire of hell, giving thee over to the outer darkness, whose worm dieth not, and whose fire is unquenchable, for the power is of Christ, our God, and of the Father, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

### THIRD EXORCISM.

PRIEST: Lord of Sabaoth, God of Israel, Who healest all diseases and all infirmities, look down upon Thy servant (handmaid), search and prove him (her) and drive from him (her) all operations of the devil; conjure the unclean spirits and drive them out, and purify the works of Thy hands; exert Thy powerful might and beat down Satan speedily under the feet of Thy servant (handmaid); give him (her) victory over him and his unclean spirits, so that he (she) may receive Thy grace; be worthy of Thy immortal and heavenly sacraments, and offer up praise to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost: now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

### THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: Lord and Master, Who hast created man after Thine image and Thy likeness, and hast given him fitness for eternal life; and Who, after that he had fallen into sin, hast not despised him, but hath brought about, through the Incarnation of Thy Christ, the salvation of the world; redeem now also this Thy creature from the bondage of the enemy, and receive him (her) into Thy Kingdom of Heaven; open the eyes of his (her) understanding, so that the light of Thy gospel may shine clearly upon him (her); join to him (her) through life the Angel of Light to rescue him (her) from all snares of the adversary, from diabolical encounters, from the evil spirit of the noonday, and from diabolical apparitions.

Holy Baptism.

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Then the priest breathes upon the mouth, the forehead and the breast of the Catechumen, and says:

Drive out of him (her) all evil and unclean spirits that have hidden and concealed themselves in his (her) heart (*thrice*): the spirit of deceit, the spirit of wickedness, the spirit of idolatry, and all covetousness, avarice, the spirit of falsehood and all uncleanness, which worketh after the teaching of the devil. Make him (her) an acceptable sheep of the holy flock of Thy Christ, a worthy member of Thy Church, a son (daughter) and heir of Thy Kingdom, that he (she) may live according to Thy commandments, preserve the seal unbroken, keep the garment spotless and attain to the blessedness of the saints in Thy Kingdom, through the grace and compassion and mercy of Thine Only Begotten Son, with whom Thou art highly praised, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

Then the Priest turns the candidate towards the west, disrobed, barefoot and holding up his hands, and says:

Dost thou renounce Satan and all his works, all his angels, all his pride, and all his pomp ?

THE CATECHUMEN, or if the candidate be a *pagan* or a child, instead of him the godfather: Yes, I renounce them.

The same question and answer are repeated the second and third time.

Then the Priest asks the candidate:

Hast thou renounced Satan ?

THE CATECHUMEN OR HIS SPONSOR: Yes, I have renounced him.

And after this has been three times said, the Priest says to the candidate:

Then blow and spit on him.

After this done, the candidate drops his arms, is turned towards the east and the Priest says to him:

Dost thou adhere to Christ ?

THE CATECHUMEN OR HIS SPONSOR: Yes, I adhere to Christ ?

This is also three times said; then the Priest:

Hast thou adhered to Christ ?

THE CATECHUMEN OR HIS SPONSOR: Yes, I have adhered to Him.

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**PRIEST:** And dost thou believe in him?

**ANSWER:** Yes, I believe in Him, as the King and God—
*and then says the Confession of Faith (Creed):*

I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And
in One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-Begot-
ten, Begotten of the Father before all ages: Light of Light,
True God of True God; Begotten, not made; Consubstantial
with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for
us men and for our Salvation came down from the heavens,
and was Incarnate of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary,
and became Man; and was crucified for us under Pontius
Pilate, and suffered, and was buried; and rose again the
third day according to the Scriptures; and ascended into the
heavens, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He
shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the
dead; of Whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And in the
Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Life-giver; Who proceedeth from
the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is
worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets. and
in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge
One Baptism for the Remission of Sins; I look for the Res-
urrection of the dead, and the Life of the Age to come.
Amen.

After the declaration of this Creed the Priest says again to the Catechumen:

Hast thou adhered to Christ?

**ANSWER:** Yes, I have adhered to Him.

**PRIEST:** And dost thou believe in Him?

**ANSWER:** Yes, I believe in Him, as the King and God.

*And then says again the Creed:* I believe in one God, the
Father, etc.

After the Catechumen has said the Creed through a second time, the Priest asks him the third time:

Hast thou adhered to Christ?

**ANSWER:** Yes, I believe in Him, as the King and God,

*And then says the third time the Creed:* I believe in one God,
the Father, etc.

When the Catechumen has confessed the Creed fully for the third time, the
Priest asks him:

Holy Baptism.

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Hast thou adhered to Christ?

ANSWER: Yes, I have adhered to Him.

After this question and answer have been given three times, the Priest says:

Then fall down before Him.

The Catechumen falls down before Him and says:

I fall down before the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the consubstantial and undivided Trinity.

PRIEST: Blessed be God, Who willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

READER: Lord, have mercy.

## THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord and Master, our God, call this Thy servant (handmaid) N. unto holy illumination in Thee, and make him (her) worthy of the great grace of Thy Holy Baptism; put off from him (her) the old man, and renew him (her) unto eternal Life; fill him (her) with the power of Thy Holy Spirit unto union with Thy Christ; so that he (she) may not be a child of the flesh, but a child of Thy Kingdom: through the good-will and grace of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with whom Thou art highly praised, together with Thine all-holy, and good and life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

### (f) The Administration of Baptism.

The Priest puts on his vestments while all the lights are lit; takes the censer, walks to the font, censes around it, then gives up the censer and bows.

READER: Master, give the Blessing.

PRIEST: Blessed be the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER: In Peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

For the Peace from above and for the Salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

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CHOIR: Lord, have mercy (and so after each sentence of the Ektene).

For the Peace of the whole world, for the prosperity of the holy Churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy House, and for those who, with faith, piety and fear of God enter into it, let us pray to the Lord.

For the most Holy Governing Synod, for the Bishop N. N. for the honorable Presbytery, for the Diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.

For our most pious and God-protected Sovereign and family, all their court and army, let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may be hallowed with power and virtue, and with the Presence of the Holy Ghost, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be sent down upon it the gracious gift of Redemption, the Blessing of Jordan, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may come upon this water the purifying virtue of the supersubstantial Trinity, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be enlightened with the light of knowledge and piety by the Presence of the Holy Ghost, let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may drive away all snares of visible and invisible enemies, let us pray to the Lord.

That he (she) who is to be baptized therein, may be made worthy of the Kingdom, which passeth not away, let us pray to the Lord.

For him (her) now coming to the holy illumination, and for his (her) salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That he (she) may become a son (daughter) of the light, and heir of the eternal blessings, let us pray to the Lord.

That he (she) may be planted together with, and partake of, the death and the resurrection of Christ, our God, let us pray to the Lord.

That he (she) may preserve the robe of Baptism and the earnest of the Spirit undefiled and spotless unto the terrible day of Christ, our God, let us pray to the Lord.

That to him (her) this water may become the laver of regeneration, for the remission of sins and the vesture of incorruption, let us pray to the Lord.

That God, the Lord, may hear the voice of our supplications, let us pray to the Lord.

Holy Baptism.

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That he (she) and we may be delivered from all affliction,
wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Help, save, have mercy and guard us, O God, by Thy
grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, spotless, most blessed and
glorious Lady, the Mother of God, and ever-Virgin Mary,
with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other,
and all our life to Christ, our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

While the Deacon is saying this, the Priest prays in a low voice the following
prayer:

O merciful and gracious God, Who triest the hearts and
the reins and alone knowest the secrets of men, because
nothing is invisible to Thee, but all is naked and open before
Thine eyes, Thou Who knowest what is within me: despise
me not and turn not Thy face from me, but forgive me in
this hour my transgressions, O Thou Who hast regard to men
in their sins, that they may be converted; wash away the
uncleanness of my body and the defilement of my soul, and
sanctify me wholly with Thine invisible, all-perfect power and
spiritual rectitude so that I, proclaiming freedom to others
and offering it to them in perfect trust on Thine unspeakable
grace, may not myself, as a servant of sin, be found repro-
bate.

Nay, O Master, alone good and gracious, let me not be put
to shame, but send me power from above, and strengthen me
for the administration of Thy great and heavenly Sacrament,
which is even now to be completed. Form Thy Christ in him
(her) who is to be born again through my humility; build
him (her) upon the foundation of Thine Apostles and
Prophets, and cast him (her) not down; plant him (her) as a
plant of truth in Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church,
and pluck him (her) not up; so that he (she) increasing in
piety may glorify Thine all-holy Name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages
of ages. Amen.

At the close of the Ektene the Priest says aloud the following prayer:

Great art Thou, O Lord, and wonderful are Thy works;
there is no word that can express Thy wonders, for by Thine
own will Thou hast brought all things out of nothingness
into being, by Thy power Thou upholdest the creation, and

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by Thy providence Thou rulest the world. From four elements hast Thou made the creation, and crowned the circle of the year with four seasons. All spiritual powers tremble before Thee; the sun sings Thy praise; the moon blesses Thee; the ministering stars surround Thee; the light obeys Thee; before Thee tremble the abysses; the fountains stand at Thy command. Thou hast spread forth the heaven as a curtain; Thou hast established the earth above the waters; Thou hast bounded the sea with a wall of sand; Thou hast poured forth the air to breathe. The powers of the angels serve Thee; the choirs of the archangels bow down before Thee; the many-eyed Cherubim and six-winged Seraphim, standing and flying about Thee, cover themselves through fear of Thine inaccessible glory. For Thou art an ineffable, eternal and unspeakable God, Who didst come to earth, take the form of a servant, and become like other men; for Thou, O Master, on account of the goodness of Thy grace, wert not able to look upon the race of men, tormented by the devil, but didst come, and hast redeemed us. We acknowledge Thy grace, proclaim Thy mercy and hide not Thy loving-kindness.

Thou hast delivered the human race, and hallowed the Virgin's womb by Thy birth. The whole creation praiseth Thee, the manifested One; for Thou, our God, hast appeared upon earth and dwelt with men; Thou, too, hast hallowed the streams of Jordan, in that Thou hast sent down from Heaven Thy Holy Spirit and bruised the heads of the serpents which had hidden themselves there. Come, now, also, Thyself, O King full of grace, in the visitation of Thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this water (thrice); and give it the gracious gift of Redemption, and the blessing of Jordan; make it a fount of incorruption and a gift of sanctification, for the relief of sins, the healing of diseases, the destruction of evil spirits, unapproachable by hostile powers, filled with angelic strength: so that the plotters against Thy creation may flee away from it, for I have called upon Thy Name, O Lord, wonderful, highly exalted, and so terrible to the adversaries.

After this the Priest crosses the water thrice, dipping his finger into it, breathes upon it and says:

Under the sign of the form of Thy Cross let all hostile powers be destroyed (thrice).

Holy Baptism.

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Let all invisible idols of the air be removed from us, and no evil spirit of darkness hide itself in this water; also let there not descend with the candidate, we pray Thee, O Lord, any evil spirit, which may bring with it darkness of thoughts and confusion of the mind; but O Thou Ruler of all, make this water, the water of Redemption, the water of sanctification, the purification of the body and the spirit, the loosening of bonds, the forgiveness of transgressions, the illumination of souls, the laver of regeneration, the renewal of the spirit, the gracious gift of adoption, the vesture of incorruption, the fountain of life. For Thou, O Lord, hast said: Wash you and be clean, put away the evil-doings from your souls; and thou hast given us the new birth by water and the Spirit from above. Come then upon this water, O Lord, and grant that he (she) to be baptized therein may be changed to the putting off of the old man, which is corrupted by deceitful lusts, and to the putting on of the new man, which is renewed after the image of its Maker; so that he (she) being planted through Baptism in the likeness of Thy death, may also be a partaker of Thy resurrection, and, preserving the gift of the Holy Ghost and increasing the pledge of grace, may receive the honorable prize of the calling on high, and be numbered with the first-born who are written in Heaven with Thee, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. For to Thee, together with Thine eternal Father, and the all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit are due the glory, and the power, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy Spirit.

READER: Bow your heads before the Lord.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

After this the Priest breathes thrice upon the oil-vessel, which is held by the Deacon, and crosses thrice the oil.

READER: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

The prayer for the consecration of the oil:

PRIEST: Lord and Master, God of our fathers, Who didst send to those in Noah's Ark the dove, which bore in its beak the olive-branch as a sign of reconciliation and deliverance from the deluge, and Who didst thereby foreshadow the mys-

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tery of grace, and didst appoint the fruit of the olive tree for the fulfillment of Thy mysteries; Who hast by the same filled those who were under the law with the Holy Ghost, but makest perfect those who are in grace, bless also this oil with power and efficacy, and with the visitation of Thy Holy Spirit, so that it may be the anointing for incorruption, the weapon of righteousness, the renewal of the soul and the body, the defense against all diabolical influences, the healing of all evil for those who are anointed in faith, or partake of it, to the glory of Thee and Thine Only Begotten Son, and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER: Let us attend.

The Priest sings now the *Hallelujah* thrice with the people, pours the oil into the water, so as to make with it three signs of the Cross, and then says aloud:

Blessed be God, Who enlighteneth and sanctifieth every man coming into the world; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The candidate is now brought forward, and the Priest takes some of the oil with two fingers and makes the sign of the cross on the candidate's forehead, breast, and between the shoulder-blades, and says:

The servant (handmaid) of God, N. N., is anointed with the oil of gladness in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Signing the breast, he says:

For the healing of the soul and the body.

*Signing the ears:* So that he (she) may hear the faith.

*Signing the hands:* Thy hands have made and fashioned me.

*Signing the feet:* So that he (she) may walk in the path of Thy commandments.

And after he has anointed the whole body the Priest baptizes the candidate, held erect and looking toward the east, and says:

The servant (handmaid) of God, N., is baptized in the Name of the Father, Amen; and of the Son, Amen; and of the Holy Ghost, Amen; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Baptism.

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At each invocation he immerses the candidate and raises him again. After that the Priest washes his hands and sings with the people the Psalm:

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose
sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord im-
puteth not sin, neither is there guile in his mouth; for I was
silent, my bones grew old through my crying all the day; for
day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; I was turned
into misery, pierced by the thorn. I acknowledged my sin,
and hid not mine iniquity. I said I will confess mine iniquity
to the Lord, and Thou forgavest the wickedness of my heart.
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a fit-
ting time; but in a deluge of many waters they shall not
come nigh him. Thou art a refuge from affliction that sur-
roundeth me; my joy, delivering me from those compassing
me about. I will inform thee and teach thee in the way
wherein thou shalt go; I will cause Mine eyes to rest upon
thee. Be not as horse and mule, in whom is no under-
standing; with bit and bridle thou must hold their cheeks
that they shall not draw nigh thee. Many are the pains of
the sinner, but he who trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall sur-
round him. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous,
and exult all ye true of heart.

Then the Priest clothes the candidate, and says:

The servant (handmaid) of God, N., is clothed with the
robe of righteousness, in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of
ages. Amen.

After this is sung the following Troparion :

Give me the robe of light, Thou who clothest Thyself with
light as with a garment, O merciful Christ, our God.

THE ADMINISTERING OF THE HOLY CHRISM.*

(a) *The anointing of the baptized.*

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: Blessed art Thou, Lord God Almighty, Fountain of all goodness, Sun of righteousness, Who causest the light of salvation to rise on those who wandered in darkness, through the manifestation of Thine Only-begotten Son, and our God; Who hast granted us, unworthy as we are, in the holy water a blessed purification, and in the life-giving Chrism a divine sanctification; Who hast also now vouchsafed to Thy servant (handmaid), of late illuminated, to be newly born of water and the Spirit, and hast granted him (her) the remission of voluntary and involuntary sins. Merciful Master and King over all, bestow on him (her) also the seal of the gift of Thy holy and omnipotent and adorable Spirit, and to partake of the holy body and precious blood of Thy Christ; keep him (her) in Thy sanctification; confirm him (her) in the orthodox faith; deliver him (her) from the evil one, and all his devices, and preserve his (her) soul by the saving fear of Thee in innocence and righteousness, so that he (she) may please Thee in every deed and word, and become a son (daughter) and heir of Thy heavenly kingdom, for Thou art our God, a God of mercy and salvation, and to Thee we offer up praise and glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

After this prayer the Priest anoints the candidate in the form of a cross with the Chrism on the forehead, the eyes, the nostrils, the mouth, both ears, the breast, the hands and the feet, and says each time:

* This sacrament follows, in the Oriental Church, immediately after the baptism.

Administering of the Holy Chrism.

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The seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the Priest walks with the sponsor and the candidate around the font thrice, and sings with the choir:

As many of you as are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ; Hallelujah.

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: (The Prokimenon Psalm, xxvii: 1.) The Lord is my illumination and my Savior; whom shall I fear?

READER: The Lord is a defense of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

CHOIR: The Lord is my light and my salvation; before whom shall I be afraid?

READER: The Lord is my illumination.

CHOIR: And my salvation; before whom shall I be afraid?

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: The reading from the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans (vi: 3-12).

PRIEST: Let us attend.

READER: Brethren, so many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into the death; that, like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life. For, if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, so also shall we be of the resurrection; knowing this that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we no longer should serve sin. For he, who is dead, has been justified from sin. Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that also we shall live with Him, knowing that Christ raised from the dead dieth no more; death no longer ruleth over Him; for in that He died, He died unto sin once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. So also count yourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PRIEST: Peace to thee.

READER: And to thy spirit.

PRIEST: Wisdom, let us attend.

READER: Hallelujah. (Thrice.)

PRIEST: Wisdom! Upright; let us hear the holy gospel.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

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PRIEST: The reading from the holy evangelist, Matthew. (Chap. xxviii: 16 to the end.)

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord; glory be to Thee.

PRIEST: Let us attend.

PRIEST: At that time the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, unto a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And as they saw Him they worshipped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake to them, saying: All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you all days, unto the end of the world. Amen.

PRIEST: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy; we pray Thee hear, and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice; so also after each sentence of the Ektene.)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for strength, victory, long and sole rule, health and salvation of the most pious and God-protected sovereign, —, and we most earnestly beseech the Lord, our God, to prosper him in all things, and put under his feet all who hate and oppose him.

Again, we pray for the most holy governing synod, for our metropolitan, and for all our brethren in Christ.

Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness and remission of sins of the servants of God, N. N. (the sponsors.)

Again, we pray for the newly baptized servant (hand-maid) of God, N. N., that he (she) may be preserved in the faith of the pure confession in all piety and fulfilment of the commands of Christ through all the days of his (her) life.

PRIEST: For Thou art a gracious and merciful God, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the benediction.

### (b) Prayers at the ablution after the Chrism.

On the eighth day the candidate is brought again into the church, in order that he may be washed off. The Priest looses his (her) clothes and girdle, and says the following prayer:

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head before Thee, that he (she) may be an invincible warrior
against those who, with vain enmity, assail him (her) and us;
and grant that we may all be victorious to the end and receive
Thine incorruptible crown; for to Thee belong mercy and
salvation, and to Thee, together with Thine eternal Father,
and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, we offer up
praise and glory, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Priest loosens the girdle of the candidate and his linen clothes, washes him with clean water, and says:

Thou art justified, enlightened, sanctified, washed in the
Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the Spirit of our
Lord.

After this he takes a sponge dipped in water, washes off the face, head, breast, etc., of the candidate, and says:

Thou art baptized, enlightened, anointed, sanctified,
washed in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

(c) Prayers at the cutting of the hair.

THE FIRST PRAYER.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: O Lord and Master, our God, who hast honored
man with Thine image, and endowed him with a reasonable
soul and a beautiful body, so that the body should be subject
to the rational soul, for Thou hast placed over all his head,
and planted within the same a number of senses, not inter-
fering with one another, and covered the head with hair that
it should not be injured by the changes of the atmosphere;
and hast fitly joined together all his members, so that he
should show himself thankful through all of them to Thee,
the most excellent artificer; do Thou, O Master, who, by the
vessel of Thine election, Paul the Apostle, hast bidden us
do all things whatsoever we do to Thine honor; bless this
servant (handmaid), N. N., who has come to offer to Thee his
first fruits, the hair of his (her) head, together with his spon-
sors, and may they learn Thy commandments and do what is
well-pleasing unto Thee, for Thou art a merciful and gracious

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God; and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

## THE SECOND PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, Who, through the fullness of the laver of baptism, according to Thy grace, hast sanctified those who believe in Thee, bless the infant present, and let Thy blessing come upon its head; even as Thou didst bless king David by Thy prophet Samuel, so bless also the head of Thy servant (handmaid) N. by my hand, although I am a sinner, since Thou wilt be present with him (her) by Thy Holy Spirit, so that he (she), as he advances in age, even until gray hairs, may offer up praise and glory to Thee, and see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of his (her) life, for to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are due all the glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

After this the Priest cuts the hair of the candidate in the form of a cross, and says:

The hair of the servant (handmaid) of God, N., is cut in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then follows the Ektene.

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy; we pray Thee, hear and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice so after each sentence of the Ektene.)

PRIEST: Again, we pray for grace, life, peace, health, and salvation of the servant of God, N., sponsor, and the newly-enlightened N.

PRIEST: For Thou art a merciful and gracious God, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we

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CHOIR: Amen.

Then the benediction.

(d) *Order of private baptism in case of necessity.*

*The Priest begins:* Blessed be the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

*After this the Trisagion:* O Holy God, etc.

After *Our Father* the Priest says the following prayer:

READER: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER.

PRIEST. Lord, God Almighty, Creator of all the visible and invisible universe, Who hast formed the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that therein is, and hast gathered together the waters into one, and shut up the abyss, and sealed it with Thy glorious and terrible Name, and hast spread out the waters above the firmament; Who hast founded the earth upon the waters, hast made the sea fast by Thy power, and hast crushed the heads of the serpents in the waters; Thou art terrible, and who can withstand Thee? Look down, O Lord, upon this Thy creature, and upon this water, and give it the gracious gift of the redemption, the blessing of Jordan; make it the fount of incorruption, for the gift of salvation, the remission of sins, the healing of infirmities, the destruction of evil spirits, unapproachable by hostile forces, filled with angelic power, so that the plotters against Thy creation may flee away from it; for I have invoked Thy Name, O Lord, wonderful, highly exalted, and so terrible to the adversaries.

Then the Priest pours oil into the water and baptizes the child, while he says:

The servant (handmaid) of God, N. N., is baptized in the Name of the Father, Amen; and of the Son, Amen; and of the Holy Ghost, Amen; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

After this he clothes the candidate and anoints him with the holy Chrism, and says:

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Sealing of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then he goes with him three times around the font, according to the custom, and sings:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ; Hallelujah.

Finally, after this, the benediction.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF CONFESSION.

THE Priest leads each penitent alone, not two or more at once, with uncovered
head before the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, and begins:

Blessed be our God always, now and ever, and to ages of
ages. Amen.

Glory be to Thee, O our God, Glory be to Thee.

Heavenly King, Comforter, etc.

Then the Trisagion: O Holy God, etc.

After: Our Father, etc., Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Come, let us worship before the King, our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the
King, our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself,
our King and God.

(Psalm 50.) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
Thy great mercy, and according to the fulness of Thy com-
passions blot out mine iniquity. Wash me thoroughly from
my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowl-
edge my wickedness, and my sin is before me continually.
Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil before Thee.
That Thou might be justified in Thy words, and prevail in
Thy judgment. For, behold, in iniquities I was conceived,
and in sins did my mother bear me. For, behold, Thou didst
love truth; the uncertain and the hidden things of Thy wis-
dom Thou didst make known to me. Sprinkle me with hys-
sop and I shall be cleansed; wash me and I shall be whiter
than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness so that the
broken bones shall rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins, and
blot out all my transgressions. Create a clean heart in me,
O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not
away from Thy Presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from
me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and strengthen
me with Thy guiding Spirit. I will teach the wicked Thy
ways, and the ungodly shall be converted unto Thee. De-

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The Administration of Confession.

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liver me from blood (guiltiness), O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. For if Thou didst desire sacrifice I would give it; burnt offerings Thou dost not delight in. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a heart broken and humbled, God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and build the walls of Jerusalem. Then shall Thou delight in a sacrifice of righteousness, an oblation and burnt offerings; then shall they offer upon Thine altar young bullocks.

*Troparion:* Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us; we sinners, who have no excuse, bring to Thee, as our Master, this prayer: Have mercy upon us.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Lord, have mercy upon us; in Thee resteth our hope; be not so angry with us, and think not of our misdeeds; but look down as the Gracious One also now, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we all are the work of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy Name.

Now and ever, etc.

Open to us the gates of mercy, thou blessed Mother of God, so that we, who hope in thee, may not perish, but may be freed by thee from every misery; for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.

Lord, have mercy.

## FIRST PRAYER.

Let us pray to the Lord.

O God, our Saviour, who, by Thy prophet, Nathan, didst grant forgiveness to David, when he repented of his sins, and didst accept the prayer of penitence from Manasseh, receive also this Thy servant (handmaid), N. N., repenting of his (her) sins, according to Thy wonted kindness, and overlook all that he (she) hath done, forgiving his (her) fault, and passing over his (her) transgressions. For Thou hast said, O Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but that he should turn and live; also Thou hast said that we should forgive offences seventy times seven. For as Thy greatness is without equal, so also boundless is Thy grace. If Thou

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shouldst be extreme to mark iniquities, who shall stand?
Thou art a God of the penitents, and to Thee, the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory,
now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

## SECOND PRAYER.

Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Shepherd and Lamb, Who hast borne the sins of the world, Who didst remit the debt to the two debtors, and Who didst bestow the forgiveness of her sins on the sinful woman : do Thou, O Master, remit, forgive, and pardon the sins, misdeeds, and errors, both voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown, which have been done in commission and omission by these Thy servants. And if they, as men who walk in the flesh and dwell in the world, have been led astray by the devil, whether they have sinned in knowledge or ignorance, or have despised the priestly word, or have fallen under the priestly ban, or a curse of their own, or have bound themselves by an oath : vouchsafe Thyself, as the good Master, in Whom is no evil, to loose these Thy servants by the Word, and to forgive them their own curse and oath according to Thy great mercy. Yea, gracious Lord and Master, hearken unto us, who implore for these Thy servants Thy grace, and forgive them as the gracious One all their errors, and remove them from the eternal torments; for Thou, O Master, hast said : Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven. For Thou only art without sin, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

## THE EXHORTATION TO THE PENITENT.

Behold, my child, here stands Christ invisible, and He receives thy prayer of penitence: so be not ashamed and fear not, conceal also nothing from me; be not afraid, but tell me all that thou hast done, so that thou mayest obtain forgiveness from our Lord Jesus Christ. Behold, before us is also His holy image, and I am only a witness, so that I can

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testify all that thou wilt say to me; therefore, if thou con-
cealest anything thy sin shall be double. Consider where-
fore thou hast entered this place of healing, so that thou
mayest not go hence unhealed.

After this the Priest proposes to the penitent the questions, one after another, pausing a little after each, until the answer follows. After he has proposed the questions, which concern faith and morals, according to the difference of rank and sex and age of the penitent, and received the answers, he says:

From all these sins must thou henceforth abstain, since
thou hast received a second baptism according to this Chris-
tian mystery. So make now, with God's help, a good begin-
ning, and do not imprudently return to thy former sins, so as
to become a derision to men, for this is not becoming to a
Christian; but he should live honorably, and righteously,
and godly, and to this God help thee with His grace.

When the confessor has said all this, and again examined the penitent, and the latter has disclosed all that is within him without concealment, he says to him: Bow thyself.

The penitent bows his head, and the confessor prays.

THE FINAL PRAYER.

Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord and God of the salvation of Thy servants, gracious,
and merciful, and long-suffering, Who art grieved at our
misdeeds, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but
rather that he should be converted and live, have mercy now
upon Thy servant (handmaid) N.; grant him (her) true peni-
tence, and the pardon and forgiveness of sins; remit to him
(her) all transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary;
reconcile and unite him (her) with Thy Holy Church through
Jesus Christ Our Lord, with Whom be power and glory as-
cribed unto Thee, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

At the conclusion of the holy sacrament of confession, the Priest pronounces
over the kneeling penitent the absolution.

THE ABSOLUTION.

Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, forgive thee, my child
N., by the grace and mercy of His kindness, all thy trans-
gressions; and through the power granted unto me, I also,
unworthy priest, forgive thee and absolve thee from all thy

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sins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.

At the close the Priest signs with his right hand the penitent with the sign of the cross. Then he says:

> It is indeed right to call thee blessed, etc.

After this the benediction, etc.

THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK.

THE Priest takes a part of the Holy Sacrament, puts it into the chalice, and pours upon it a little wine. And then he says:

Reader. Amen.

After this the Trisagion: O Holy God, etc.

After: Our Father, etc. Lord, have mercy.

After this the Creed: I believe in One God, the Father,
Almighty, etc.

Then: Accept me to-day, O Son of God, as a partaker of
Thy mystical supper; for, I will not reveal the Mystery to
Thine enemies, nor give Thee a kiss as Judas; but I will
confess Thee, as the thief: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy
Kingdom.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Thou Spirit of Truth,
omnipresent and filling all things, Treasure of blessings and
Giver of Life, come and take Thine abode in us, Thou
gracious One, purify us from every spot, and save our souls.

Now and ever, etc.

We have acknowledged Him to be God, who was born of
thee in the flesh, O Virgin, Mother of God; pray Him, that
He would save our souls.

Lord, have mercy.

FIRST PRAYER.

O Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and Saviour, who alone,
as the good and gracious God, hast power to forgive sins,

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pardon this Thy servant (handmaid) N. all his (her) past
offences, known and unknown, and make him (her) worthy
without condemnation to partake of Thy Holy Sacrament,
not to torment and not to the increase of sins, but to the
cleansing of the soul and body, and to the gift of Thy King-
dom. For Thou art our strength and strong wall, a Defence
against the adversary and Cleanser of the sins of Thy servant
(handmaid): for Thou art the merciful and gracious God,
and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
we offer up praise and glory. Amen.

SECOND PRAYER.

Lord, I know, that I am not worthy, that Thou shouldst
enter under my roof, into the house of my soul, which is all
waste and in ruins, and Thou hast in me no worthy place to
lay Thy head. But since Thou wilt be with me, I come to
Thee, trusting in Thy kindness. Command me to open the
doors of my unworthy mouth, and I shall be satisfied with
Thee, the only One; enter into me, and cleanse me from
every bodily and spiritual defilement; be my helper and
advocate, and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand.
For the sake of the prayers and intercessions of our all-spot-
less Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and all
Saints, who have always been well-pleasing unto Thee: for
Thou art highly praised forever. Amen.

THIRD PRAYER.

God, the Lord, the All-merciful, be gracious unto thee.
The Lord Jesus Christ grant thee all good desires. The
Almighty God deliver thee from every temptation. The
Lord teach thee. The Lord give thee understanding. The
Lord help thee. The Lord deliver thee. The Lord protect
thee. The Lord guard thee. The Lord purify thee. The
Lord fill thee with spiritual joys. The Lord be the helper of
thy soul and thy body. The Lord give the remission of sins,
as the merciful, good and gracious One. The Lord and God,
Jesus Christ, have mercy upon thee in the day of judgment,
and bless thee all the days of thy life. For to Him are due
all praise, honor and worship, together with His eternal
Father, and His all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit; now
and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

The Communion of the Sick.

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If the sick person has already confessed, the Holy Sacrament is now given to him; but if he has not yet confessed, the Priest bids those present to withdraw for a season, and now questions the sick person concerning his various transgressions, taking great care that he shall not conceal anything and be silent from shame. After the confession the Priest says:

FOURTH PRAYER.

O Lord, our God, who didst forgive the sins of Peter and the sinful woman because of their tears, and didst justify the publican, who acknowledged his transgressions: accept the confession of Thy servant (handmaid) N., and forgive him (her) as the gracious One his (her) voluntary and involuntary sins, with which he (she) hath sinned against Thee, whether in word, or in deed, or in thought. For Thou only hast the power to forgive sins, as a God of mercy and kindness, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

After the Communion the Priest says:

Now, lettest Thou, Lord, Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and a glory of Thy people Israel.

Then the Trisagion: *O Holy God, etc.*

After *Our Father*, the Troparion of the day; and then—

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Lord, have mercy.

In conclusion follows the benediction, etc.

# ORDINATION.

## (a) Office at the Ordering of an Acolyte, Reader and Singer.

He who is to be made an Acolyte, Reader, or Singer, is conducted by two Subdeacons into the church, where he bows thrice toward the Altar, then toward the Bishop, and again toward it; then goes to the Bishop and inclines his head before him. The latter crosses him thrice upon his head, lays his hand upon him, and prays.

### THE FIRST PRAYER.

O Lord, who hast enlightened all creatures with the light of Thy marvels, and knowest already the design of each before it was made, and strengthenest those who are determined to serve Thee, adorn with Thy pure and undefiled garment also this Thy servant N., who at the Service of Thy Mysteries is resolved to bear the tapers before them. So that he, enlightened, may go before also, in the coming world, receive the incorruptible, honorable crown of life, and rejoice in eternal blessedness with Thine Elect. So that hallowed may be Thy Name, and hallowed Thy Kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

If no Liturgy is said, the Bishop then begins this office, saying:

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON: Heavenly King, Comforter.

After this the Trisagion: *O Holy God*, etc.

After *Our Father*, etc., the Troparion of the day is said.

But if the Holy Liturgy is said, then: *Heavenly King and the Trisagion are not sung, but the following Troparia are read:*

Holy Apostles, pray the merciful God that He may grant our souls the forgiveness of sins.

Bursting forth in splendor like the fire's light, the grace of thy mouth hath enlightened the earth, won for the world

Ordination.

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better treasures than those of covetousness, and displayed to
us the grandeur of humility; do Thou now, O Father John
Chrysostom, who hast instructed us by thy words, pray
Christ, God, the Word, to deliver our souls.

Over every land, which hath received thy word, thy voice
went forth, by which thou hast taught, well-pleasing unto
God, hast enlightened the children of men, and hast made
clear the morals of men. Royal priesthood, holy Father
Basil, pray God, Christ, for us, to deliver our souls.

The shepherd's flute of thy theology hath overpowered
the trumpets of the orators, for as thou hast searched the
depths of the spirit, so also hath perfection in eloquence
become thy portion; now, therefore, Father Gregory, pray
God, Christ, to deliver our souls.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Then the Bishop cuts the hair of the candidate in the form of a cross and says:

In the name of the Father.

PROTO-DEACON (or a Reader, or a Singer) : Amen.

BISHOP : And of the Son.

PROTO-DEACON : Amen.

BISHOP : And of the Holy Ghost.

PROTO-DEACON : Amen.

After this the Bishop puts upon him the short Phelonion, crosses again thrice
his head, lays his hand upon him and prays.

## THE SECOND PRAYER.

O Lord, Almighty God, choose this Thy servant and sanctify him; grant that he, with all wisdom and understanding, may give instruction in Thy holy Word, and the reading of it; keep him also in a blameless course of life. By the grace and mercy and compassion of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art highly praised, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit; now, etc.

After this prayer the Bishop opens the Book of the Apostles over the head of the Reader; then the Sub-deacons lead him away from the Bishop, place him in the middle of the church, with his face toward the east, and give him the Book of the Apostles, and he reads:

The reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to
the Romans (or some other church):

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He reads from the beginning to the end of a lection, turns toward the Bishop and bows to him thrice. The Sub-deacons take off his short Phelonion and lead him to the Bishop, who crosses his head again thrice. After this the Sticharion is handed to the Bishop, who blesses it thrice on the Cross; the candidate crosses himself, kisses the Cross on the Sticharion, and also the hand of the Bishop, and after this is vested with the Sticharion by the Sub-deacons; when the Bishop makes to him the following address:

## THE ADDRESS.

My son, the first step to the priesthood is that of the Reader; so it is becoming to thee that thou shouldst daily read in the Divine Scriptures, so that the hearers, seeing thee, may be edified, and thou thyself prepared for a higher station, and in no way disgrace thine election; for by a sober, and holy, and righteous life thou wilt obtain the grace of the merciful God, and also make thyself worthy of a higher ministry, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Then the Bishop cries aloud:

Blessed be the Lord! Behold the servant of God N. N., has become a Reader of the Holy Church, N.: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Then the Bishop gives him a taper, and the ordained places himself before the Bishop in the place appointed for him. If several readers are to be ordained, they are ordered together, and the prayer is couched in the plural form.

### (b) *Office at the Ordination of a Sub-deacon.*

If he, who is ordered Reader or Singer, is to be made a Sub-deacon the same day, after he has been vested with the Sticharion, the Sub-deacons hand the Bishop the Sticharion-girdle. The Bishop crosses the girdle, the candidate kisses the girdle and the hand of the Bishop, and the girdle is put upon him. The Bishop crosses his head thrice, and the Proto-deacon says:

Let us pray to the Lord.

The Bishop lays his hand on the candidate and prays.

## THE PRAYER.

O Lord, our God, Who by one and the same Holy Ghost grantest gifts to those whom Thou hast chosen; Who hast granted to Thy Church divers orders, and hast ordained different grades of the Ministry for the administration of Thy holy and spotless Mysteries; Who hast also, by Thine ineffable foreknowledge, predestinated this Thy servant to be

Ordination.

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worthy to serve Thy Holy Church: do Thou Thyself, O Master, preserve him blameless in all things, and let him love the beauty of Thy house, to stand at the doors of Thy Holy Temple, and to kindle the lights of the habitation of Thy glory. Plant him in Thy Holy Church as a fruitful olive tree, which beareth the fruits of righteousness, and show this, Thy servant, perfect, at the time of Thy coming again, to receive the reward of those who are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory of the Father, etc.

After this prayer, the Sub-deacons give the candidate a basin of water, and lay a towel on his shoulders. The Bishop washes his hands, while the candidate pours water on them. After this the candidate and all the Sub-deacons kiss the Bishop's hand, and go to their place, where the candidate for Sub-deacon, remaining until the Cherubic Hymn of Praise, holds the ewer, the basin of water and the towel, and says silently for himself the prayers:

*Trisagion*: O, Holy God, etc.: Most Holy Trinity, etc.; Our Father, etc.

*The Creed*: I believe in One God, etc.

Forgive, remit, pardon, O God, our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, committed in knowledge and ignorance, by night and by day, in deed and in thought; forgive us all of them, as the good and gracious One.

And, at his pleasure, he reads also other prayers.

During the Cherubic Hymn he is conducted to the Bishop before the holy doors; the Bishop washes his hands as usual and says the prayer; then he blesses the water thrice in the form of the cross, and sprinkles with the water his eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth. At the Great Entrance the candidate goes behind all, and when the Bishop takes the Most Holy of all, and all the priests enter the sanctuary, the Sub-deacon to be ordered bows toward the Bishop, and bears water to the right and left choir, and then before the people, and all sprinkle themselves with the water. After this the candidate is led back into the sanctuary, where what remains of the water is poured back into the receptacle. After this the candidate is led forth before the holy doors, where he remains standing in one place, until the Bishop in the Mass says the words: And the grace of the great God, etc. After this exclamation he is led into the sanctuary, where he receives the blessing of the Bishop, and places himself among the other Sub-deacons.

### (c) Office at the Ordination of a Deacon.

After the Bishop has said the words in the Mass: And the grace of the great God, etc., the Sub-deacons take the Bishop's throne, and place it before the holy table a little to the left side, so that he shall not sit with his back to the holy place. As soon as the Bishop is seated, two Sub-deacons from both sides go to the candidate standing in the middle of the church, so that each one lays one hand upon his neck, but with the other holds his hand, and causes him to bow according to custom. Then one of the Deacons in the sanctuary cries out: *Command!* Then those

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with the candidate step forward a little, and make him bow as before. Then another Deacon says: *Command!* and they go to the holy doors, and make the candidate bow before the Bishop a third time. Then the Proto-deacon says: *Command, Right Reverend Ruler.*

Then the Sub-deacons leave the candidate in the holy doors, and there draw near to him a Proto-deacon and a Deacon, and take him one by the right hand and the other by the left, while he bows toward the Bishop. He blesses him in the form of the cross with his hand, and those who are with him lead him around the holy Table and sing with the rest:

Holy Martyrs, who have graciously striven and are crowned, intercede with the Lord, that He may have mercy on our souls.

Those outside of the sanctuary sing also the same. The candidate kisses the four corners of the holy Table, the hand of the Bishop and the Epigonation resting upon his knee. Then they go again around the holy Table, and sing:

Glory to Thee, Christ, God, Thou praise of the Apostles and joy of the Martyrs, who preached the consubstantial Trinity.

Those outside the sanctuary repeat this also. The candidate kisses again the four corners of the holy Table, the hand and the Epigonation of the Bishop. Then they go for the third time around the holy Table and sing:

Rejoice, Isaiah, the Virgin hath conceived in the womb, and hath borne the Son, Immanuel, God and Man, Day-spring is His Name; highly exalting Him, we call the Virgin blessed.

Those outside the sanctuary sing the same. The candidate kisses for the third time the holy Table, the hand and the Epigonation of the Bishop. Then the Bishop stands up, his throne is removed, the candidate places himself on the right side of the Bishop, bows thrice toward the holy Table, and says:

God be merciful to me, a sinner.

After this the candidate kneels upon the right knee, lays both hands crosswise on the holy Table, and his forehead on the same. The Bishop lays the end of the Omophorion on the candidate's head, and crosses him thrice upon the head. Then the Proto-deacon or Deacon says:

Let us attend.

The Bishop lays his right hand upon the candidate's head, and says, loud enough to be heard by all:

The Grace of God, which always healeth all that is weak, and supplieth all that is wanting, advances this most pious Sub-deacon N. to be Deacon by the laying on of hands; let us therefore pray for him, so that the Grace of the all-holy Spirit may come upon him.

Ordination.

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The Priests on the right side of the Altar sing thrice:

Lord, have mercy.

Then the Priests on the left side of the Altar sing the same thrice.

After this both choirs in the church sing alternately thrice:

Lord, have mercy.

All sing very slowly, until the Bishop has completed the following prayers.
The Bishop crosses thrice the head of the candidate for ordination, lays his right
hand upon him, and the Proto-deacon says in a low voice:

Let us pray to the Lord.

The Bishop prays in a low voice.

## THE FIRST PRAYER.

O Lord, our God, Who, according to Thy foreknowledge, sendest down the Gift of Thy Holy Spirit upon those whom Thou, according to Thy unsearchable might, hast appointed to minister and to assist at the administration of Thy spotless Mysteries, do Thou Thyself, O Master, keep in all good conduct also this man, whom Thou, by my laying on of hands, hast vouchsafed to advance to the ministration of the Diaconate, so that he may preserve the mystery of the Faith in a pure conscience. Give him the grace which Thou didst give Stephen, the first Martyr, whom Thou didst first call to the work of Thy Diaconate. Make him worthy, by Thy goodness, to fulfil the office bestowed according to Thy good pleasure: for they who minister will procure for themselves a good degree; show also Thy servant perfect. 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.

Then the Proto-deacon says in a low voice the following Ektene, and after each sentence response is made with the words:

Lord, have mercy.

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls,
let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, the stability of the holy
churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the
Lord.

For our Bishop (or Patriarch, Metropolitan, Bishop or
Archbishop of the Eparchy) N. and his Priesthood, his de-

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fence, his prosperity, his peace, his health and his salvation, and for the works of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.

For the servant of God N., who is now advanced to be Deacon by the laying on of hands, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That the gracious God may grant him a spotless and blameless Diaconate, let us pray to the Lord.

For our most pious and Divinely-protected Monarch (Emperor or King, Prince of the respective country) N. N., for all his court and army, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city (for this holy abode, *if it is a cloister*), for every city and country, and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be delivered from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Help, save, have mercy, and guard us, O God, by Thy grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, spotless, most blessed and glorious Lady, the mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life, to Christ, our God.

RESPONSE: To Thee, O Lord.

The Bishop holds during this his hand upon the head of the candidate and prays in a low voice.

## THE SECOND PRAYER.

O God, our Saviour, Who with Thine imperishable voice by Thine Apostles hast ordained the law of the Diaconate, and appointed Stephen, the first Martyr, as such, and called him first to the fulfilment of the work of the Diaconate, as it stands written in Thy Holy Gospel: Whosoever will be first among you, let him be your servant. Fill, O Master, Ruler of all, also this Thy servant, whom Thou hast made worthy to undertake the ministry of a Deacon, with all Faith and with all Love, power and holiness, by the visitation of Thy Holy and life-giving Spirit: for not by the laying on of my hands, but by the descent of Thy rich mercies is grace given to those, who are worthy of Thee; so that also he, free from all sin on the terrible day of Thy judgment, may stand blameless before Thee and receive the sure reward of Thy promises. For Thou art our God, and to Thee the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

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Then they raise the person so ordained, and loose his girdle. The Bishop takes the Orarion, lays it upon his left arm and exclaims aloud:

“Worthy.”

And those in the sanctuary repeat singing thrice “Worthy;” even so both choirs in the church.

After this the maniples are given to him; the Bishop exclaims aloud:

“Worthy.”

And those in the sanctuary and choir repeat it. Also the fan is given to him; the Bishop exclaims the third time:

“Worthy.”

And those in the sanctuary and the choir sing it again. After this the newly ordained kisses the Bishop on the arm, and he is placed at the right side of the holy Table, where he fans the Most Holy Sacrament. At the time of the Communion the newly ordained receives the Holy Sacrament before all other Deacons, and says in the Holy Liturgy:

Let us worthily give thanks, etc.

If the Ordination precedes the Liturgy of the Presanctified (here however can only that of the Deacon be completed), it takes place after the bearing of the Holy Gifts from the Prothesis to the holy Table (after the Great Entrance).

(d) Office at the Promotion of an Arch-deacon and Proto-deacon:

He, who is advanced to be Arch-deacon or Proto-deacon, is conducted by a Proto-deacon and a Deacon to the Right Reverend Bishop, standing during the Little Entrance in the middle of the Church. Here the candidate bows thrice, and inclines the head. The Bishop sits down and crowns him thrice on the head, then rising lays his hand on his head.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

THE PRAYER.

BISHOP: O Lord and Master, our God, who by Thine ineffable foresight hast granted to our race the Archidiaconate (office of Proto-deacon), whereby those endowed with the same administer the order and the service with inferior helpers at Thy holy Mysteries; clothe with the same grace of the Archidiaconate this Thy present servant N.; adorn him with dignity to stand at the head of the Deacons of Thy people, and to serve as a good example to those who follow him. Let him attain an old age full of blessing, and praise Thy most glorious Name of the Father, etc.

After this the Bishop crosses him on the head and says:

Blessed be the Lord! Behold, the servant of God N. has

120

become an Arch-deacon (or Proto-deacon) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

The Bishop lays now his hand upon his head and says thrice: *Axios*. The choir repeats the same thrice, and then they go according to Order into the sanctuary.

### (e) Office at the Ordination of a Presbyter (i. e. Priest.)

The candidate for Ordination standing in the middle of the church after the Cherubic Hymn is led by two Deacons on each side before the holy doors; here two Priests receive him and lead him before the holy Table to the right of the Bishop. The Bishop blesses him crosswise, and then the Priests lead him thrice around the holy Table in the same way as at the Ordination of a Deacon, and sing:

*Holy Martyrs, etc.*

*Glory be to Thee, O Christ, etc.*

*Rejoice, Isaiah, etc.* (as in the Ordination of a Deacon.)

After this the candidate kneels on both knees before the holy Table, lays both hands crosswise upon the same and his forehead on his hands. The Bishop lays the end of the Omophorion on his head and crosses it thrice:

Then the Priest conducting him says:

Let us attend.

The Bishop lays his hand on the head of the candidate and says aloud:

The Grace of God, which always healeth all that is weak, and supplieth all that is lacking, advances this most pious Deacon N. to be Presbyter by the laying on of hands; let us therefore pray for him, so that the Grace of the all-holy Spirit may come upon him.

Within the sanctuary the Priests on the right side sing thrice: *Lord, have mercy*, and even so those on the left side; then also the singers in the right and the left choir of the church: *Lord, have mercy*, antiphonally thrice, all very slowly, until the Bishop has prayed the following prayer to the end. The Bishop crosses thrice the head of the candidate, lays his right hand on it, and the Proto-deacon says with a low voice:

Let us pray to the Lord.

## THE FIRST PRAYER.

O, God without beginning and end. Who art elder than all creatures, and hast honored with the name of priest those who shall be accounted worthy of this rank, so that they may administer the word of Thy truth in a priestly manner; do Thou Thyself, O Ruler over all, vouchsafe that

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this man whom Thou hast been pleased to advance by my
laying on of hands, may receive the great grace of Thy Holy
Spirit in a blameless course of life and firm faith; make Thy
servant perfect; so that he may please Thee well in all things,
and live worthy of the gracious gift of the great priestly
office granted him by Thy fore-knowing power; for Thine is
the might of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost, and Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the
Glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

The Priest or Proto-presbyter reads now with low but audible voice, the following Ektene, and to each suffrage they respond: *Lord, have mercy.*

For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls,
let us, etc.

For our Bishop (Patriarch, Metropolitan, Archbishop or
Bishop of the Eparchy) N. and his priesthood, his protection,
his prosperity, his peace, his health and his salvation, and
for the works of his hands, let us, etc.

For the servant of God N., who is now advanced to be
Priest, by the laying on of hands, and for his salvation, let
us pray to the Lord.

That the gracious God may grant him a spotless and
blameless Priesthood, let us pray, etc.

For our most pious and Divinely protected Monarch, etc.,
*and so the Ektene as far as: To Thee, O Lord.*

The Bishop holds his hand on the head of the candidate and prays in a low
voice.

## THE SECOND PRAYER.

O God, great in power, unsearchable in wisdom, and wonderful in counsel above the sons of men, do Thou, O Lord, fill this man, whom Thou hast vouchsafed to enter into the priestly rank, with the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that he may be fit to stand blameless before Thine Altar, to proclaim the Gospel of Thy Kingdom, to administer the word of Thy truth in a priestly manner, to offer unto Thee spiritual gifts and sacrifices and to renew Thy people through the laver of regeneration; so that also he, at the second coming, meeting the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Thine Only Begotten Son, may receive the reward of a good administration of his office, according to the fulness of Thy

["122", "Offices of the Oriental Church.", "bounty. So that highly blessed and glorified may be Thy
rious and exalted Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of\nthe Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.", "And then they raise up the newly ordained and bring the Epitrachelion. The Bishop takes from him the Orarion, blesses the Epitrachelion and gives it to the ordained to kiss; and after he has kissed it and the hand of the Bishop the Bishop puts it about his neck and exclaims:", "\"Worthy.\"", "Those in the sanctuary sing thrice:", "\"Worthy.\"", "And both choirs sing antiphonally the same thrice.", "And then the Bishop gives him the girdle; the ordained kisses it and the hand of the Bishop, girds himself, and the Bishop says again:", "\"Worthy.\"", "And again the same is repeated in the sanctuary and both choirs sing thrice. So also is done at the delivery of the Phelonion and the Mass-book. Finally the ordained kisses the Omophorion and the hand of the Bishop, goes forth and kisses the Archimandrites and all his fellow-servants on the upper part of the arm, and places himself among the Priests.", "(f) *Office at the Promotion of a Proto-presbyter.*", "He, who is to be advanced as Proto-presbyter, is led by a Proto-deacon, or two Deacons, to the Bishop, standing in the middle of the Church during the Little Entrance, bows thrice toward the Bishop, and inclines his head. The Bishop sits down, and crosses him in blessing thrice upon his head; then rising, lays his hand upon his head. The Proto-deacon says:", "Let us pray to the Lord.", "## THE PRAYER.", "**BISHOP:** Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, our God, who hast granted to our race the priestly office, and clothed us with this gift and dignity, and graciously counted us worthy to perform priestly rites, and to lead subordinate helpers in Thy Mysteries: clothe with Thy grace also this our brother N.; adorn him with honor to stand at the head of the Priests of Thy people; make him worthy to become a good example for those who are with him; preserve his life unto old age, that he may end it in piety and honor, and have mercy upon us all, as a gracious God. For Thou art the giver of wisdom, and the whole creation praises Thee for ever and ever.", "Then the Bishop blesses the candidate on his head, and says:", "The Lord be praised! Behold, the servant of God N., has"]

Ordination.

123

become Proto-presbyter in the most holy church of God N.,
in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.

Then the Bishop lays his hand on the head of the ordained and exclaims thrice: *Axios*; the singers repeat, singing thrice the same word. Then they place the Proto-presbyter with the other Priests, according to his rank, and he goes through the holy doors into the Sanctuary.

### (g) *Office at the Promotion of an Abbot and Archimandrite.*

He who is to be advanced as Abbot or Archimandrite is led by a Proto-deacon, or two Deacons, to the Bishop, standing in the middle of the Church during the Little Entrance, bows thrice toward the Bishop and inclines his head. The Bishop sits down and crosses him in blessing thrice on his head; then, arising, lays his hand on it, and the Proto-deacon says:

> Let us pray to the Lord.

## THE PRAYER.

> BISHOP: O God, Who carest ever for the salvation of men, and hast brought into unity this rational flock: do Thou, O Ruler over all, preserve the same by Thine unbounded grace blameless, to keep Thy commandments without ceasing, so that not a single sheep from it shall be lost and driven away by the wolf; show this, Thy servant, whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint over them as Abbot (or Archimandrite), worthy of Thy grace, and adorn him with every virtue, so that he by his good works may be a good example to those who are under him: that they may be emulators of his blameless course of life, and at length with him stand uncondemned before Thy terrible Judgment Seat. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory of the Father, etc.

> CHOIR: Amen.

> BISHOP: Peace to all.

> CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

> PROTO-DEACON: Bow your heads before the Lord.

> CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

> BISHOP, SOFTLY: Incline, O Lord, Thine ear; hear our prayer and show this Thy servant, Abbot (or Archimandrite) of this holy cloister, as a faithful and wise ruler of that reasonable flock entrusted to him by Thy grace, that he may do Thy will in all things, and be worthy of Thy heavenly Kingdom.

> ALOUD: Through the grace and compassions and mercy

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of Thine Only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art highly praised, together with, *etc.*

**PROTO-DEACON ALOUD:** Command, O Master.

**THE BISHOP EXCLAIMS:** The grace of the all-Holy Spirit advances thee through our lowliness to be Abbot (or Archimandrite) of the holy abode, which is dedicated to our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ (*or*, to the all-holy Mother of God, our Lady, *or*, the holy N.).

After this the Bishop lays his hand upon the candidate's head and exclaims thrice: *Axios*; and the singers sing thrice: *Axios*.

In Russia a mitre is also placed upon the Archimandrite.

Thereupon the promoted kisses the Bishop's Omophor, then the right and left shoulder, and goes among the Abbots and Archimandrites according to his rank. Then they all enter the sanctuary according to rank, and the Mass is continued.

After the close of the Liturgy the Bishop delivers to the Abbot or Archimandrite the staff and says:

Receive the staff, supported on which thou must lead the flock; for thou hast an answer to give for them to our God on the day of judgment.

If this solemnity takes place in a cloister where the candidate is to be installed, and the Bishop does not perform the Liturgy, it proceeds in the following manner: The Bishop standing in his place, vests himself with the Epitrachelion, wristlets and the Omophorion, and begins as usual:

Choir: Amen.

Heavenly King, *etc.* Then *the Trisagion*: O, Holy God, *etc.* After: Our Father, *the Troparion of the saint to whom the cloister is dedicated, and to the holy Virgin*.

Then the Elect is conducted by the monastic Priests to the Bishops with the following words:

The Very Reverend, chosen and confirmed, monastic
Priest N. is presented to receive the holy prayers, and to be
installed as Abbot (or Archimandrite) and shepherd of the
holy abode N.

After the foregoing presentation the Bishop exclaims:

The Grace of the Holy Ghost be with thee, enlightening,
strengthening, and informing thee through all the days of
thy life.

*One of the Priests:* Let us attend.

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125

THE PRAYER.

The Bishop, holding his right hand on the head of the presented candidate,
says thus:

O God, our God, Who ever carest for the salvation of men, and hast gathered together this reasonable flock in Thy Name, do Thou, O Ruler over all, protect the same by Thine unbounded grace under the shadow of Thy wings, and keep it unharmed by any assault of the adversary. Preserve Thy servant, the monastic Priest N., whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint Abbot (Archimandrite) over the same, blameless; that he may keep Thy commandments unceasingly and watch continually over the flock entrusted to him, so that not one sheep may be lost from it by the pernicious threatening of the spiritual wolf. Yea, Lord, show this Thy servant worthy of Thy goodness, and adorn him with every virtue, so that he by his works may be a good example to those who are under him; may he also lead them on to emulation of his blameless conduct, and with them at length stand uncondemned before Thy terrible judgment seat. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory of the Father, etc.

After this follows the same Ektene which is read at the Ordination of a Priest,
only more closely connected with the Abbot, the cloister and the brotherhood. The
Bishop says the second prayer above: Incline, O Lord, etc.; and the laying on of
hands ends as above.

Afterward the Bishop enthrones the person promoted, on his seat in the middle of the church, and says:

The servant of God, monastic Priest N., is enthroned as Abbot (or Archimandrite) and shepherd of the holy abode N.

All the monks exclaim thrice: *Axios, Axios, Axios*. The Bishop and all the
monks embrace him and the staff is given to him, as above.

(n) *Bishop's Ordination.*

1. *The Ceremony of Nomination.*

In Russia when the time is come to fill the vacant Bishop's throne, a consultation takes place in the Holy Governing Synod, and each member writes with his own hand the name of the person whom he thinks worthy of this high office. When all has been maturely considered, they choose from the nominated two names and lay them before the Emperor for his decision. After the Emperor has made the choice, the ceremony of nomination takes place in the following manner: On the appointed day all the Bishops, present in the capital, are invited to the Holy Synod, and after these are assembled the Presiding Bishop puts on his Epitaph-chelion, and begins:

126

Blessed be our God, always; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

*All the others*: Amen. Heavenly King, Comforter, etc.

*After this the Trisagion*: O, Holy God, Holy and Mighty, etc. *After*: Our Father, etc., *the following Troparia*:

Blessed be Thou, O Christ, our God, Who hast made the fishermen wise by the Holy Ghost sent to them, and through them hast caught the whole world; O, Thou gracious One; glory be to Thee.

When the Most High came down, and confounded the languages, He divided the nations; but when He distributed the fiery tongues, He summoned all to unity: and now we praise with one voice the Holy Ghost.

Then the first Bishop says the following Ektene:

O God, have mercy upon us according to Thy great mercy; we pray Thee, hear us, and have mercy upon us.

*All respond*: Lord have mercy (*thrice, and so also after each suffrage of the Ektene*).

*The first Bishop*: Again we pray for the most pious Monarch, our Emperor, etc.

Again we pray for the Holy Governing Synod.

Again we pray for the Right Reverend (Archimandrite or monastic Priest) N., who is now chosen to the episcopal chair of the God-protected cities N. N.

Again we pray for all brethren, and for all Orthodox Christians.

For Thou art the merciful and gracious God, and to Thee, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Ghost we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

*All others*: Amen.

Then the benediction of dismissal.

At the close of this the first Bishop says:

Christ, our true God, Who hath sent down the all-holy Spirit in form of fiery tongues from Heaven on his holy disciples and Apostles, through the intercession of His all-spotless Mother, the venerable and renowned prophet and fore-runner John the Baptist, the holy N. (*whose day it is*), and all Saints, be gracious to us and deliver us, for He is good and rich in mercy.

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Now is announced to the newly nominated his choice, by the Synodal Secretary, in the following manner:

Venerable Father (Archimandrite or monastic Priest), N., the Most Illustrious and Most Autocratic great Monarch and Emperor N., Autocrat of all Russians, commands in his own decree, and the Most Holy Governing Synod for all Russia gives its blessing thereto, that your Holiness should become Bishop of the God-protected cities, N. N.

*The Elect answers:* Since the Most Illustrious and Most Autocratic great Monarch and Emperor N., Autocrat of all Russians, has decreed to place me in this service, and the Most Holy Governing Synod for all Russia has judged me worthy of the same, I offer thanks for it, accept it and in no way oppose.

After this the Bishops present sit down and place the newly-chosen among them.

The singers sing "For Many Years" for the God-fearing Emperor, for the Most Holy Governing Synod and for the newly-chosen. When the singing is completed, the Presiding Bishop stands up, blesses the newly-chosen with the cross, sprinkles him with hallowed water, and the office is concluded.

## 2. The Ordination.

On the evening before the Ordination of the Bishop a broad platform is raised in the Ambon of the church opposite the holy doors, which is covered with carpets; upon which are set the chairs for the Bishops present according to their rank; that of the Metropolitan with 8, of the Archbishop with 6, of the Bishop with 4 steps. In the middle of the church, near the Ambon, a carpet is spread out, having the figure of an eagle with one head and its wings spread out, and a city so worked with its walls and towers that the eagle appears to stand upon a tower.

Then the Bishops and all others assemble in the cathedral church, and ascend, clothed as before described, that broad platform. The Archimandrites, Arch-priests and the assembled clergy place themselves on each side.

Then the Bishops order a Proto-presbyter and a Proto-deacon to bring in the person to be ordained. These bow, kiss the hands of the Bishops, lead the candidate in full Priest's vestments from the Altar, and place him on the tail of the eagle, where he bows thrice, while the Proto-deacon announces his first approach:

The well-beloved of God, Archimandrite (or monastic Priest) N., elected and confirmed as the Bishop of the God-protected cities N. N., is conducted hither, so that he may receive consecration by the laying on of hands.

The Elect holds a confession of the Holy Orthodox Faith written by himself in his hands, and the Presiding Bishop asks him:

Wherefore art thou come, and what desirest thou of our humility?

128

THE ELECT: The imposition of hands for the holy gra-
cious gift of the Episcopal Office.

THE PRESIDING BISHOP: And what believest thou ?

The Elect says aloud the holy Confession of Faith:

After this the Presiding Bishop blesses him, and says:

The grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Ghost be with thee.

Then the Elect is led to the middle of the eagle, and the Proto-deacon an-
nounces again:

The well-beloved of God, Archimandrite (or monastic
Priest), N., chosen and confirmed as Bishop of the God-pro-
tected cities, N. N., is conducted hither, that he may receive
consecration thereto by the laying on of hands.

The Presiding Bishop says now to him, standing on the middle of the eagle:

Explain yet more fully: what is thy confession concern-
ing the incarnation of the inhypostatic [i. e., in one Hyposta-
sis] Son and Word of God ?

The Elect reads now, in a voice loud and audible to all, the Second Confession:

I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of the
Heaven and the earth and all visible and invisible, without
beginning, and unbegotten, and unoriginated, the Author of
nature and the Origin of the Son and the Spirit. I believe
also in His Only Begotten Son, Who, without emanation and
without time is begotten of Him, and is of One Being with
Him, by Whom all was made. I believe also in the Holy
Ghost, Who proceedeth from the same Father, is glorified
equally with Him, eternal equally with Him, and equally
honored with Him on the same Throne, and is the Founder
of Creation. I believe also in the tradition concerning God
and Divine things, and in the doctrine of the only Catholic
and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge One Baptism for the
Remission of sins; and look for the Resurrection of the dead
and the Life of the coming world. Amen. But those who
herein think otherwise I reject as heretics, anathematize
Arius and those who agree with him, and the partakers of his
insane evil doctrine; even so I reject and anathematize Mace-
donius, and those with him who are rightly named "Spirit-
fighters;" Nestorius and the other originators of heresies

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129

and their adherents; and distinctly and with loud voice I cry
out: Anathema to all heretics, Anathema to heretics of all
places. But our Lady, the Mother of God, Mary, I acknowl-
edge really and in truth as she who hath borne the only
Christ of the Trinity, our God, according to the Flesh; may
she be my helper, guard and defence through all the days of
my life. Amen.

The Presiding Bishop blesses him with the sign of the Cross, and says:

The grace of the Holy Ghost be with thee to enlighten and
confirm thee, and to lead thee into all truth through all the
days of thy life.

After this the Elect is placed on the head of the eagle, while the Proto-deacon
for the third time exclaims:

The well-beloved of God, Archimandrite (or monastic
Priest) N., elected and confirmed as Bishop of the God-pro-
tected cities N. N., is conducted hither, so that he may re-
ceive consecration by the laying on of hands.

The Presiding Bishop says now to him, standing on the head of the eagle:

Explain still, how thou holdest the Canons of the Holy
Apostles and the Holy Fathers.

**THE ELECT:** Besides this, my Confession of the Holy
Faith, I promise to observe the Canons of the Holy Apostles,
of the Seven General and also of the venerable Provincial
Church Councils, which are lawfully instituted for preserving
the right commandments; and whatsoever Canons and holy
Decrees have ever been established at divers times and in di-
vers years by the true defenders of the Holy, Oriental, Or-
thodox Religion, all these I bind myself by this my promise
to maintain, firm and unimpaired, unto the end of my life;
and all that they have received, I also receive, and what they
have rejected, I also reject. Again I also promise to main-
tain the peace of the Church and strenuously to uphold it,
zealously to teach the people entrusted to me, and in no way
nor manner to indulge in sophistry against the Orthodox, Ori-
ental Christian Religion, through all the days of my life;
but always to follow and to obey the Most Holy Governing
Synod for all Russia in everything which was instituted by
His Majesty the Emperor, Peter the Great, of pious and ever
celebrated memory, and is graciously confirmed by His Ma-
jesty, the prosperously reigning Emperor; also with the

130

highly venerable Metropolitan, Archbishops, Bishops, as my
brethren in everything to agree and work together according
to the Divine laws and rules of the Holy Apostles and the
Holy Fathers, also to be bound to them in spiritual love
with my whole soul, and to esteem them as brethren. Also
I promise in the fear of God in a fitting manner to lead the
flock entrusted to me, teaching them with all zeal and dili-
gence to beware of all suspicion of evil, of Latinism, and of all
other heresies. Also I acknowledge further by this my writ-
ing, that I have not attained by promise of gold or silver,
or present to this service, for I have not given anything to
any person to obtain this dignity, and also I have not prom-
ised to give anything to any one, but have obtained it gra-
tuitously according to the will of His Majesty, the most
serene and autocratic Monarch our Emperor N., Autocrat of
all the Russians, and by the election of the Most Holy Gov-
erning Synod for all Russia; but I hold that they who obtain
it by riches are worthy of deposition, like Simon the Sorcerer,
who thought to obtain this gift of grace by worldly goods.
Moreover, I promise that I will do nothing on compulsion,
though urged by powerful persons or by the multitude of the
people, even if they should command me with threat of death
to do something which is not permitted to do according to the
Divine and holy rules; neither will I in the Eparchy of an-
other Metropolitan, Archbishop or Bishop, perform the Lit-
urgy or any other spiritual function without consent of the
Bishop of that Eparchy, except in the Eparchy assigned to
me by the Most Holy Governing Synod for all Russia. And
wherever I may chance to be, that I will ordain no one as
Priest or Deacon, or to any other clerical office of another's
Eparchy, or receive those ordained elsewhere, without the
Letters Dimissory of their own bishops.

I also promise further, that if the Most Holy Governing
Synod for all Russia shall please to summon me to any
Church assembly with the brethren, I will go to the Church
assembly, without any excuse or pretence, and if any
potentate, or the multitude of people, would hinder me
therefrom, still I bind myself not to be disobedient to the or-
ders of the Most Holy Governing Synod for all Russia. Even
so I promise to adopt no strange customs in the ecclesiastical
tradition and Church ordinances, especially no novelties,
added by the Latins, but to preserve unaltered all traditions

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and Church ordinances in the Oriental, Orthodox Church, agreeing and in harmony with the Most Holy Governing Synod for all Russia, and with the four Most Holy Patriarchs, the preservers and rulers of the Oriental worship of God. I bind myself in the service of one Liturgy not to ordain two, or three, or more Priests or Deacons to the same rank, but in one Liturgy only one Priest and one Deacon; also in the Liturgy of the pre-sanctified to ordain only one Deacon, as the Church order of the Holy Oriental Church requires, and as the rule of the Most Holy Patriarchs requires, and the Bishops of Greece, Great and Little Russia, holding with them, prescribe. Also I believe and hold, that the transubstantiation of the body and the blood of Christ in the Divine Liturgy, as the Oriental and our ancient Russian doctors teach, comes to pass through the reception and the operation of the Holy Ghost, by means of the episcopal or priestly invocation in the words of prayer to God the Father: *And make this bread the precious body of thy Christ, etc.*

Also I promise further and swear, that I will and must serve faithfully and without hypocrisy His Imperial Majesty, my true and natural, most gracious and great monarch, the Emperor N., Autocrat of all Russians, and His Imperial Majesty's successor to the throne, who shall be appointed thereto, also faithfully and without hypocrisy, and be obedient in everything, without sparing my life to the last drop of blood; all power and authority belonging to His Imperial Majesty's most sublime authority, Autocracy, with its lawfully determined and yet to be determined rights and privileges, according to my utmost understanding, power and ability to maintain and to defend, and therein to be extremely circumspect, to demand all that concerns the faithful service of His Imperial Majesty and the advantage of his most supreme government, in every event; but so soon as I perceive anything which injures, hurts or lessens the interest of His Majesty, I will not only at the proper time declare it, but also exert myself in every way to hinder and not to permit it; keep strictly every secret entrusted to me; the office entrusted and given to me, appointed according to both general and personal instructions, regulations and ordinances, and to be appointed from time to time in the name of His Imperial Majesty by the authorities placed over me, in a proper way conscientiously to fulfil, and not to manage for

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private advantage according to relationship, friendship and
enmity, contrary to my duty and my oath; and in this way
to behave myself, and set an example as is becoming to a
faithful subject of His Imperial Majesty and my duty, and as
I can always answer for it before God and His terrible judg-
ment, so help me God spiritually and bodily. To the sealing
of this mine oath, I kiss the word and the cross of my Saviour.
Amen.

Moreover, I promise also to anathematize no one, whoso-
ever he may be, according to my passion, or on account of
any quarrel with me or with my dependent, whether in a
family, collectively or for himself alone; also not to refuse the
Sacraments of the Church, unless one appear an open trans-
gressor and subverter of the Divine commands, or to be a her-
etic against the Church; if he has been thrice admonished ac-
cording to the word of Christ, but still does not humble and
amend himself, to anathematize and exclude him for himself
alone, and not with his whole household. To deal with the
adversaries of the Holy Church prudently, regularly and
gently, as the apostle Paul says, that the servant of the
Lord must not contend, but be gentle toward all, apt to
teach, enduring evil, in meekness instructing those who are
adverse; if, peradventure, God may give them repentance
to acknowledgment of truth. To keep the monks by their
rules and laws of order; not to allow them to go about from
one monastery to another, or to enter citizens' houses with-
out my knowledge and my written permission, unless it hap-
pen in most urgent cases on petition, and otherwise for a good
purpose. To build no superfluous churches merely for my
pleasure, nor to suffer others to build, lest such churches
hereafter for want of necessary funds should go to decay.
Also, for the sake of filthy lucre, not to increase the priests
and deacons and other clergy beyond what is necessary, nor
to take any out of regard to inheritance, but only to feed the
flock and from the real need of the Church. Also, I promise
that I will personally visit and inspect all the flock now en-
trusted to me, if possible yearly, in any event every two or
three years, according to the example of the Apostles; I will
not visit them for the sake of vain advantage or honor, but
apostolically and in the Lord, in order to see if the faithful
live religiously and in the practice of good works, but espe-
cially the priests, and diligently inspect, teach and warn them,

Ordination.

133

so that no sectarianism, superstition, or worship displeasing
to God arise, and that no tombs unknown and not warranted
by the Church be esteemed holy. Those who hypocritically
pretend to be inspired, with elf-locks, barefoot, and in shirts
only, I will not only punish with words, but also give them
over to the civil authority, and endeavor to prevent, that
under the pretence of piety, anything fraudulent be done by
clergymen or laymen, so that the holy pictures shall not be
worshipped as divine, and no false miracles ascribed to them,
in order that thereby the true worship be not perverted, and
no occasion be given to adversaries to deride the orthodox;
but that they shall be venerated according to the sense of
the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church, as it is established in
the definition of the second, holy, general Council of the
Church at Nicæa. In worldly affairs and customs I will in
no way meddle, unless there be an open injustice; such as
do this, I will first admonish, and then also announce in writ-
ing to His Imperial Majesty in order according to the Apos-
tle to help the weak. In short, I presume and acknowledge
myself to be bound to observe inviolably all that is pre-
scribed to me by the regular law of the Most Holy Governing
Synod for all Russia and by the synodal diploma, which will
be given me concerning the exercise of the office entrusted to
me; also what may hereafter by the same Most Holy Synod
according to permission obtained of His Imperial Majesty be
unanimously enjoined and lawfully commanded to hold my-
self strictly thereto, according to which I will strive zealously
to fulfil what is commanded and in all obedience, and singly
and solely at all times to regard only the real truth and real
justice. But all this I will fulfil, conscientiously to serve
without respect of persons, nor to be led by enmity, envy, ob-
stinacy or avarice, nor in a word to be taken by any passion,
but in the fear of God, bearing always in memory His incor-
ruptible judgment with zealous love of God and my neighbor,
setting before myself as the final aim of all my thoughts
and efforts and actions the glory of God, the salvation of man-
kind and the edification of the entire, whole Church, and not
seeking what is mine own, but what belongs to Jesus, the
Lord. And I swear by the living God that I will always remem-
ber His dreadful word: "Cursed be every one who doeth the
work of God negligently," and in all matters of this vocation
as in the work of God, not negligently, but with all diligence,

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will act according to my utmost ability. Also I will not allege
my ignorance, but if I am not sure about anything, I will in
every way seek instruction, both in the teaching of the holy
scripture, and also in the Canons of the Councils and in the
agreement of the ancient great Doctors. But if I transgress
in any way against that, which I have hereby promised, or
show myself disobedient or hostile to the holy Canons and
Rites of the Oriental, Orthodox Church, or the Most Holy
Governing Synod for all Russia; or if I wish to seclude my-
self from the Eparchy entrusted to me, or in any way to be
disobedient toward the Most Holy Governing Synod for all
Russia; then will I without any excuse and objection be de-
prived of all my dignity and power, and the heavenly gift of
grace which has been given to me in the imposition of hands
by the consecration of the Holy Ghost. Also I swear by the
all-seeing God, that all this now promised by me I do not un-
derstand in any other sense than as I pronounce it with my
mouth, i. e., the sense and meaning these words here written
import to those reading and hearing them. But that all
which I have to-day promised with a living word I bind my-
self to fulfil in deed unto my latest breath for the sake of
future salvation; this I confirm with my oath: God, who
searcheth the hearts, be witness to my vow, that it is not
false; and if it be false and not according to my conscience
may He be my Judge and Avenger. But in my just and
zealous duty and activity the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
be my Helper. To Him, together with the Father and the
Holy Ghost be glory and power, honor and adoration; now
and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

These confessions and vows are taken from the person to be ordained, signed with his own hand. And after this is done, the Bishop blesses him and says:

The grace of the Holy Ghost promotes thee, the well be-
loved of God Archimandrite (or monastic Priest) N., chosen
Bishop of the God-protected cities N. N., through my
Humility.

The Elect bows himself thrice toward the Bishops, is led to them by the Proto-
deacon and kisses their right hands; then he descends from the Ambon and bows;
the Bishop crosses him with his hand and says:

The grace of the Holy Ghost be with thee.

Then he is again placed upon the eagle, and the singers sing the "Many
Years" to his Imperial Majesty, the Synod and the newly-elected Bishop.

Ordination.

135

Then begins the Holy Liturgy. After the singing of the Trisagion: *O Holy God, Holy Mighty, etc.*, the person to be ordained is led by the Proto-presbyter and Proto-deacon before the holy doors, and received by the Bishops in the sanctuary before the holy Table, where he kneels down among the Bishops. These take the Holy Gospel, open it and lay with the letters inverted upon his head, while they hold it on all sides. The leading Bishop says, audibly to all:

By the choice and examination of the Bishops, well-
beloved of God and all the holy congregation.

The grace of God, which ever healeth all that is weak,
and supplieth every defect, advanceth thee, the well-beloved
of God Archimandrite (monastic Priest) N., chosen, to be
Bishop of the God-protected cities, N. N., by the laying on
of hands. Let us therefore pray for him, that the Gift of the
All-holy Spirit may come upon him.

THE PRIESTS: Lord, have mercy (*thrice*).

And while the Bishops hold the Gospel on the head of the one to be ordained, the leading Bishop crosses him thrice on the head and says:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Then all the Bishops lay their right hands on the head of the one to be or-
dained, and the principal prays thus:

THE FIRST PRAYER.

O Lord and Master, our God, Who by Thine illustrious
Apostle Paul hast appointed to us the succession of degrees
and offices, to serve at Thy holy Altar in Thy sacred and
spotless Sacraments, and to wait upon them, first the Apos-
tles, then the Prophets, thirdly the Teachers: do Thou, O
Ruler over all, strengthen by the laying on of hands of us
present, fellow Bishops and ministers, with the reception,
and with the power, and with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit
also this elect one, who has become worthy to take upon him
the yoke of the gospel and the Episcopal dignity, as Thou
hast strengthened the Holy Apostles and Prophets, as Thou
hast anointed Kings, as Thou hast consecrated Bishops.
Prove his Episcopal worthiness without fail, present him
holy, and adorned with every honor, that he may be worthy
to pray for the Salvation of the people, and to be heard of
Thee: for Thy Name is hallowed and Thy Kingdom glorified
of the Father, and of the Son, etc.

After this prayer one of the ordainers says aloud, so that the bystanders only
can hear him, and can respond to the following suffrages:

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For the peace of the whole world, stability of the holy
churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Most Holy Governing Synod, the Priesthood, their
defence, good conduct, peace, health, their welfare and that
of the works of their hands, let us pray to the Lord.

For the servant of God, N., who is now advanced to be
Bishop (or Archbishop) by laying on of hands, and for his
salvation, let us, etc.

That the gracious God would make his Episcopal admin-
istration without spot and blemish, let us pray to the Lord.

For the most pious Monarch, etc.

While this is said, the leading Bishop lays his hand on the head of the candi-
date and prays in the following Manner.

THE SECOND PRAYER.

O Lord, our God, because it is impossible that human
nature should endure the Divine Substance, therefore hast
Thou by Thy governance appointed for us subordinate teach-
ers, weak like us, who occupy Thy seat in order to offer unto
Thee sacrifices and gifts for all Thy people: do Thou, O
Lord, make also this man, who has now become a steward of
Episcopal grace, an imitator of Thee, the true Shepherd, Who
gavest Thy life for Thy sheep. Make him a guide of the
blind, a light of those who are in darkness, a corrector of the
unwise, a teacher of the young, a light in the world, so that
he, after that he has made perfect the souls committed to
him in this life, may appear without shame before Thy
throne, and receive the great reward which Thou hast pre-
pared for those who have endured for the preaching of Thy
Gospel—for it is Thine, O our God, to have mercy and to save
us, and to Thee, the Father, etc.

After this they place the Gospel on the holy Table and vest the newly-ordained
with the Sakkos and the Omophorion.

*The leading Bishop exclaims:* "Worthy."

The clergy repeat the same thrice.

Then all Bishops present kiss the newly-ordained, and after a customary greet-
ing they ascend the elevation to the throne, which is erected in the sanctuary above

Ordination.

137

the holy Table. The Bishop says: Peace to all, as is customary before the reading of the Apostle, and thus the Holy Liturgy is continued.

At the close of the Holy Liturgy the Bishops take off their vestments in the sanctuary. Then they conduct the newly-ordained to the leading Bishop, and vest him with the Episcopal upper garment, which the leading Bishop blesses also with the Panagion and Mandyon, then the head-covering Kamelaykon and the veil of the same, and gives him the rosary. Then they go out of the sanctuary and ascend the Ambon erected in the middle of the church; and the Proto-presbyter and Proto-deacon lead the newly-ordained likewise upon the Ambon, where the pastoral staff is delivered to him with the following instruction:

Right Reverend Bishop (or Archbishop) N. N.

Since God, our all-gracious Maker, has seen fit to arrange the common life of men with every order, holiness and honesty, so that we may unceasingly praise and bless Him for His unspeakable mercy and grace toward us in His Three Persons but one Godhead, for in Him are all things, and in Him we live and move according to the teaching of the holy Apostle Paul: therefore there is also appointed the official authority and power for the conduct of our life, and the ecclesiastical welfare is established according to the heavenly ordinance for the salvation and great good of men. So art thou now also, Episcopal grace, by the mercy of the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, on that account chosen to be Bishop, and advanced to be Bishop (or Archbishop) of the God-protected cities, N. N., by means of our humility through the laying on of hands, so that thou shouldst wait on the ministry and care, to feed the Church of Christ, which He, Christ, our blessed Saviour, hath preserved with His Blood; so that thou shouldst keep diligent oversight over the reasonable flock of Christ in thy whole Eparchy, and at the same time manifest thyself as a pattern of all virtues. Thou art now bound, thus to care for the Episcopal dignity, and in everything, as is becoming, to be obedient to the Church of God and the Most Holy Governing Synod for all Russia, without any opposition. Be, then, harmonious in working, and in concord with thy brethren, the Bishops, as thou hast taken thy vow here in the sanctuary of the Lord before the whole Church, and hast subscribed the same with thy hand; for thou wilt be called to account for all according to thy vow, by Christ, our God; so art thou in like manner also here already for each error and each negligence in the trust committed to thee, and for each disobedience against the Church of God subjected to the legal prohibitions. Therefore guard

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thyself from all evil and every iniquity; but against him, who lurketh in the way of temptation, arm thee with prayer and fasting, as a valiant warrior of Jesus Christ and a right-eous administrator of the Divine Mysteries. Be temperate in all things according to the teaching of the holy Apostle Paul, who thus saith: "Every one contending for a prize controls himself in all things." Since now our humility fer-vently wishes for thee such a prudent conduct in thy Episco-pal dignity, we deliver to thee the Episcopal pastoral staff, with which, while pasturing the flock of Christ, thou shalt obtain the incorruptible crown of honor, and, together with thy flock, attain to the heavenly, ever-joyful Kingdom, for never-ending ages. Live, then, long and happily, N., Bishop of the God-protected cities N. N., take part in the gracious gifts of God, the Lord, and in the intercession of the all-holy Virgin, Mother of God, Mary and all Saints well-pleasing to God, invoking them in prayer also for the most pious, autocratic and great Monarch, our Emperor N., and for all the family of His Imperial Majesty, for their orthodox magistrates, army officers, city authorities, and for all their Christ-loving army; so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and honesty, and all inherit the heavenly blessedness, highly praising the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

The Bishop, who delivers the pastoral staff, often says, instead of that, this shorter admonition:

Receive the staff to pasture the flock of Christ entrusted to thee: to the obedient be thou thyself a staff and stay; but to the disobedient and gainsayers use also this staff, so that this staff of obedience may keep them in their duty of sub-jection.

And after this they all depart, and the Proto-presbyter and Proto-deacon accompany the newly-ordained to his house.

# MATRIMONY.

## (a). *The Betrothal.*

After the conclusion of the Holy Liturgy, the bridal pair place themselves near the entrance to the nave of the church, the man on the right and the woman on the left. On the right side of the Holy Table lie their two rings, one of gold and one of silver, near each other. Then the Priest signs the heads of the bridal pair thrice with the Cross, and gives them lighted wax tapers, leads them into the nave of the church, and censes in the form of a cross.

DEACON: Sir, give the Blessing.

PRIEST: Blessed be our God always; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy (so also after each suffrage of the Ektene).

DEACON: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house of God and for those who in faith, devotion and the fear of God enter into it, let us, etc.

For (the Holy Governing Synod, the Patriarch, the Metropolitan, Archbishop), the Bishop N. N., for the reverend Priesthood, for the Diaconate in Christ, for the entire clergy and for all the people, let us, etc.

For our God-fearing, God-protected Monarch (Emperor or King or Prince) N. N., for all his court and his army, let us, etc.

For the servant of God N., and the handmaid of God N., who are now to be betrothed, and for their salvation, let us, etc.

That children may be given them for a continuation of the race, and all their desires for salvation may be fulfilled, let us, etc.

That perfect peaceful Love and support may be sent down upon them, let us, etc.

140

That they may be preserved in concord and true fidelity,
let us, etc.

That they may be blessed with a blameless life and conversation, let us, etc.

That the Lord our God may grant them an honorable
marriage and a bed undefiled, let us, etc.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath and
necessity, let us, etc.

Help, deliver, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by
Thy grace.

Remembering our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Parent of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life to Christ, our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, are due all glory, honor and adoration; now and
ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

Then the Priest prays with a loud voice.

## THE FIRST PRAYER.

PRIEST: Eternal God, Who hast brought the separated to
union, and hast made the tie of love indissoluble; Who
hast blessed Isaac and Rebecca, and made them heirs of Thy
promise; bless also these Thy servants N. and N., and con-
duct them in every good work. For Thou art a merciful and
gracious God, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and
to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

## THE SECOND PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord our God, Who from out of the nations
hast espoused the Church as a pure virgin, bless also this

Matrimony.

141

alliance, and unite and preserve these Thy servants in peace and concord: for to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are due all glory, honor and adoration; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Priest takes the rings, gives first to the man the golden, and to the woman the silver, and says to the man:

The servant of God N. is betrothed to the handmaid of God N. in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

And then to the woman:

The handmaid of God N. is betrothed to the servant of God N., in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

After he has said this to each thrice, he makes the sign of the Cross over the heads of the bridal pair with their rings, which he then places on their right fingers. Then the conductor of the bride changes the rings, and the Deacon says:

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

### THE THIRD PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, Who hast accompanied the servant of the Patriarch Abraham to Mesopotamia, when he was sent forth to win a wife for his master Isaac, and revealed to him at the drawing of water to espouse Rebecca: bless also the betrothal of Thy servants N. and N., and strengthen the word spoken by them, confirm them by the hallowed union, which is of Thee; for Thou hast in the beginning created the sexes male and female, and hast joined to the man the woman for a help and for the continuation of the human race. Do Thou now, O Lord, our God, Who hast sent down Thy blessing on Thine heritage and Thy promises to Thy servants, our fathers, Thine elect, from generation to generation, look upon Thy servant N. and Thy handmaid N., and confirm their betrothal in fidelity and in unanimity, in rectitude and in love; for Thou, O Lord, hast ordained that the betrothal shall be completed and in all things made sure. With a ring was authority given to Joseph in Egypt; with a ring was great honor conferred on Daniel in the land of Babylon; with a ring was the true relation of Thamar dis-

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closed; with a ring hath our Heavenly Father showed Him-
self benevolent to His son: Put a ring, said He, on his hand,
and kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and be merry. Thine
own right arm, O Lord, hath encircled Moses in the Red Sea;
through Thy word of truth are the heavens made firm, and
the earth established; through Thy mighty word and through
Thine uplifted Arm is the arm of Thy servants made strong.
Bless then, O Master, with Thy heavenly blessing this ex-
change of rings, and let Thine Angel go before them all the
days of their life. For Thou dost bless and hallow all things,
and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of
ages. Amen.

The Deacon says now the following Ektene:

Lord, have mercy upon us, according to Thy great mercy;
we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy upon us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) So after each
suffrage of the Ektene.

Again we pray for our God-fearing, God-protected Mon-
arch, etc.

Again we pray for (the Holy Governing Synod, the Patri-
arch, the Metropolitan, the Archbishop) the Bishop N. N.,
and for all our brethren in Christ.

Again we pray for all the Christ-loving army.

Again we pray for the Servants of God N. and N., who
are now betrothed to each other.

Again we pray for all our brethren and for all Christians.

PRIEST: For Thou art a merciful and gracious God, and
to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we
offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of
ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the final Blessing.

(b) *The Celebration of a First Marriage.*

If the bridal pair desire to be married immediately after the betrothal, they go with lighted tapers in their hands behind the Priest, carrying the censer to the Analogion placed in the middle of the church, while the Priest sings the 127th Psalm, in the following manner:

PRIEST: Blessed are all they that fear the Lord.

PEOPLE: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

PRIEST: Who walk in His ways.

Matrimony.

143

PRIEST: The labor of thine hands thou shall eat.

PRIEST: Well is it to thee, and happy shall thou be.

PRIEST: Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine about thine house.

PRIEST: Thy sons like fresh olive-branches round about thy table.

PRIEST: Thus shall be blessed the man that feareth the Lord.

PRIEST: The Lord bless thee out of Sion, that thou shall see the prosperity of Jerusalem all thy life long.

PRIEST: And that thou shall see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel.

Then the Priest gives the bridal pair an instructive address on the Sacrament of Matrimony, and how fitting it is to live piously and honorably in Matrimony. At the end of this the Priest asks the bridegroom:

Hast thou, N., a good and unbiassed will and a firm resolution to take this N., whom thou seest here with thee, as thy wife?

BRIDEGROOM: Yes, I have, reverend Father.

PRIEST: Hast thou engaged thyself to no other bride?

BRIDEGROOM: No, I have not engaged myself, reverend Father.

Then the Priest turns to the bride, and asks her:

Hast thou, N., a good and unbiassed will and a firm resolution to take this N., whom thou seest here with thee, as thy husband?

BRIDE: Yes, I have, reverend Father.

PRIEST: Hast thou engaged thyself to no other man?

BRIDE: No, I have not engaged myself, reverend Father.

PRIEST: Blessed be the Kingdom of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

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creatures and saidst: It is not good for man to be alone upon the earth; I will make him a help, who shall be meet for him: and didst take one of his ribs, and hast made thereof a woman. But Adam, after that he had seen her, said: This is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Send now, O Lord and Master, our God, Thy heavenly blessing upon these Thy servants N. and N., and let this Thine handmaid be in all things subject unto her husband, and this thy servant be the head of this woman, so that they may live according unto Thy will. Bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Abraham and Sarah; bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Isaac and Rebecca; bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Jacob and all the patriarchs; bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Joseph and Asenath; bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Moses and Zipporah; bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Joachim and Anna: bless them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast blest Zacharias and Elisabeth; preserve them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast preserved Noah in the ark; preserve them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast preserved Jonah in the belly of the whale; preserve them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast preserved the three holy children in the fire, sending down upon them the dew of heaven; that joy may come upon them, such as the fortunate Helena had, when she found the precious Cross. Remember them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast remembered Enoch, Shem, Elias; remember them, O Lord, our God, as Thou hast remembered Thy holy forty martyrs, to whom thou hast sent down crowns from heaven. Remember also, O God, their parents, who have nurtured them, for through the prayers of parents are the foundations of houses made sure; remember, O Lord, our God, Thy servants, the bridal party, who have come together to these festivities. Remember, O Lord, our God, Thy servant N., and Thy handmaid N.; bless them; give them fruit of their body, well-nurtured children, concord of soul and body; lift them up like the cedars on Lebanon, like the luxuriant vine; grant them corn rich in ears, that they in possession of such abundance may be rich in works good and well-pleasing

Matrimony.

147

unto Thee; that they may see their children's children like
fresh olive branches around their table; that they may be
well-pleasing unto Thee, and shine in Thee, O Lord, our God,
like the lights in Heaven. For to Thee, together with Thine
eternal Father, and Thy life-giving Spirit are due all praise
and power, and honor and adoration; now and ever, and to
ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

The Priest reads with a very loud voice:

THE THIRD PRAYER.

Holy God, Who out of the earth hast created man, and
out of his rib fashioned woman, and hast united her with him
for his help, as was meet for him; for so hath it pleased Thy
Majesty, that man should not be alone on earth; stretch forth,
O Ruler, Thy hand from Thy holy habitation, and unite this
Thy servant N., with this Thy handmaid N., for by Thee the
woman is united to the man. Unite them in harmony and
marry them to be one flesh; grant them fruit of their body
and the nurture of well-formed children. For Thine is the
might, and Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the
Glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now
and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Priest takes the crowns, crowns first the bridegroom, and says:

The servant of God N. is crowned for the handmaid of
God N., in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then he crowns the bride and says:

The handmaid of God N. is crowned for the servant of
God N., in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then he blesses them thrice and says thrice:

O Lord, our God, crown them with glory and honor.

Then the Reader says the Prokimenon:

Crowns of precious stone hast Thou set upon their heads;
they asked life of Thee, and Thou hast given it unto them.

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CHOIR: The same.

READER: Even as Thou wilt give them the blessing eternally, and make them glad with the joy of Thy countenance.

CHOIR: Crowns of precious stone, etc.

READER: Crowns of precious stone hast Thou set upon their heads.

CHOIR: They asked life of Thee, and Thou hast given it unto them.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The Reading from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

DEACON: Let us attend.

The Reader reads (Eph. v. 20-33.)

Brethren, give thanks always for all things in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God and the Father, and be subject one to another in the fear of God. Wives be subject unto your husbands, as unto the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as also Christ is the Head of the Church, and He is the Saviour of the body. But as the Church is subject unto Christ, so also the wives to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify it and cleanse it by the laver of water with the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought also husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself; for no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as also the Lord the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and the twain shall become one flesh. The Mystery is great; but I speak in regard to Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, ye also, each one love his wife as himself, but let the wife fear the husband.

PRIEST: Peace be to thee.

DEACON: Wisdom, let us attend.

READER: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

VERS: Lord, Thou wilt guard us, and protect us from this generation even for ever.

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DEACON: Wisdom. Stand upright, and let us receive the Holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel of John.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

DEACON: Let us attend.

The Priest reads the Gospel of John, ii. 1-11.

At that time there was a marriage at Kana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus and His disciples were also bidden to the marriage. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith unto her: Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants: Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. Now, there were six stone water pots set there for use in the Jewish purification, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them: Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He saith unto them: Draw out now and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. But when the ruler of the feast tasted the water that had become wine (and knew not whence it was, but the servants knew, who had drawn the water), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, and saith unto him: Every man giveth first good wine, and when they have drunk, then the worse; thou hast kept the good wine until now. This is the first sign that Jesus did at Kana, in Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.

DEACON: Let us say with our whole soul, and with our whole spirit, let us say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: O Lord, Almighty, God of our Fathers, we pray Thee, hear us, and have mercy upon us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy; we pray Thee, hear us, and have mercy upon us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

DEACON: Again we pray for the grace, life, peace, health, salvation and for the visitation of the servants of God N. and N., the newly married.

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CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, Who according to Thy gracious Providence hast ordained to be present at the marriage of Kana in Galilee, in order thereby to show that marriage is honorable, wilt Thou also preserve these Thy servants N. and N., whom it hath pleased Thee to unite to one another, in peace and concord; make honorable their marriage; keep their bed undefiled; grant that their life together may be blameless, that they may keep Thy commandments with a pure heart and attain unto old age. For Thou art our God, a God of mercy and salvation, and to Thee, together with Thine eternal Father, and Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON: Help, deliver, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy Grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: That we may pass this whole day in holiness, peace and innocence, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

DEACON: For the Angel of peace, the faithful guide, guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask, etc.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

DEACON: For pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us, etc.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

DEACON: For all good and profitable things, for our souls, and for the peace of the whole world, let us, etc.

CHOIR: Grant, O Lord.

DEACON: That we may pass the remainder of our life in peace and penitence, let us, etc.

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hold the crowns over their heads; but the Priest and the people sing the following Troparia:

Rejoice Isaiah; the Virgin hath conceived in her womb, and hath borne the Son, Immanuel, God and Man, Day-spring is His Name; highly exalting Him we praise as blessed the Virgin.

Holy Martyrs, who have gloriously contended, and are crowned, pray for us with the Lord, that He may have mercy on our souls.

Glory be to Thee, Christ, God, Thou Praise of the Apostles, and Joy of the Martyrs, who proclaim the Consubstantial Trinity.

Then the Priest takes the crown of the bridegroom and says to him:

Thou bridegroom, be great as Abraham, and blest as Isaac, be multiplied as Jacob, walking in peace and living in obedience to the commandments of God.

Then he takes the crown of the bride and says:

And thou bride, be great as Sarah, and full of joy as Rebecca, and multiplied as Rachel; rejoicing in thy husband, observing the limits of the law, for so is well pleasing unto God.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

## THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O God, our God, Who didst come to Kana in Galilee, and hast blest the marriage there celebrated, bless also these Thy servants, who by Thy Providence are bound in marriage fellowship; bless all their going out and coming in; make their life full of good things; exalt their crowns in Thy Kingdom, preserving them spotless and without reproach, and safe from every pollution unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost,

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the all-holy, and consubstantial, and life-giving Trinity,
One God and Lord, bless you and grant you a long life,
well-fashioned children, acceptance in life and faith, fill you
with all earthly good, and make you worthy to receive all
good things promised, through the intercessions of the holy
Parent of God and all the Saints. Amen.

Then the people advance and congratulate the newly married, and after that they have kissed one another, they are dismissed by the Priest in the usual manner.
For the blessing of Dismissal the Priest says:

He, Who by His presence at Kana in Galilee showed
marriage to be honorable, Christ our true God have mercy
upon us, for the sake of the intercessions of His immaculate
Mother, the holy, highly honored and glorious Apostles, the
holy, God-crowned, and equal to the Apostles, Emperor
Constantin and Helena, the holy, great Martyr Procopius
and all the Saints, and preserve us, as the good and gracious
One.

(c) *Prayer on the Eighth Day at the Removal of the Crowns.*

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, who hast blest the crown of the year in its seasons, and hast commanded those who were bound by the law of Matrimony to lay upon them their present crowns, granting them this as the reward of chastity, because they have entered pure into lawful matrimony ordained by Thee; bless also these who are united to each other at the removal of their crowns, and preserve their union indissoluble, that they may always give thanks to Thy Most Holy Name, of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages and ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: We, Thy servants, O Lord, who have obtained
our united wishes, and have performed the service of Matri-
mony as at Kana in Galilee, and have removed the tokens of
it, offer up praise and glory to Thee, the Father, and the

Matrimony.

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CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

## THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord, our God, Who from among the nations hast espoused unto Thyself the Church, as a pure virgin, bless also this betrothal, and unite and preserve these Thy servants in peace and concord: for to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are due all glory, honor and adoration; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Here the Priest takes the rings, gives first to the husband the gold, then to the wife the silver one, and says to the husband:

The servant of God, N., is betrothed to the handmaid of God, N., in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages and ages. Amen.

In the same manner to the wife:

The handmaid of God, N., is betrothed to the servant of God, N., in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages and ages. Amen.

Then he makes with the rings the sign of the cross over their heads, places the rings on the right finger, and the conductor of the bride changes the rings.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

## THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: Lord and Master, our God, compassionate unto all and caring for all, Who art acquainted with the secrets of men and knowest all things; blot out our sins, and forgive Thy servants their misdeeds; recall them to conversion and grant them the knowledge of transgressions, cleansing from sins, pardon of their offences voluntary and involuntary: for unto Thee is the weakness of human nature well known, since Thou art its Maker and Fashioner. Thou, Who didst pardon the unchaste Rahab, and accept the repentance of the publican, remember not the sins of our ignorance from youth up: for if Thou so markest transgressions, O Lord,

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who shall stand, and what flesh shall be righteous before
Thee? For Thou alone art righteous, sinless, holy, full
of mercy, pitiful in heart, repenting the misdeeds of men.
Do Thou now, O Ruler, Who hast made Thy servants N. and
N. Thine own, unite them together in love; grant them the
publican's conversion, the tears of the unchaste, the male-
factor's confession; that they in penitence with their whole
heart, obeying Thy commandments in concord and peace,
may at length be found worthy of Thy heavenly Kingdom.
For Thou art the Governor of all, and to Thee, the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Ghost we offer up praise and
glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: O Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God, Who, exalted on the venerable and life-giving Cross, hast torn the handwriting, which was against us, and hast redeemed us from the power of the devil: blot out the transgressions of Thy servants, who, not being able to bear the burden and heat of the day and the fire of the flesh, are entering into a second marriage, as Thou hast ordained by the vessel of Thine election, the Apostle Paul, on account of our weakness, and hast said: It is better to enter into marriage in the Lord than to burn. Do Thou now, as the good and gracious One, have mercy and pardon, blot out, remit, forgive us our sins; for Thou art He Who hath borne our weakness on Thy shoulders, and no one is without sin, or without fault, who hath lived but one day, save Thou alone; Thou hast alone walked sinless in the flesh, and hast endowed us with eternal freedom from passion. For Thou art God, the God of the penitent, and to Thee, together with Thy Father, and Thy Holy Spirit, we offer up praise and glory, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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THE PRAYER.

PRIEST: Holy God, Who out of the earth hast created man, and out of his rib fashioned woman, and hast united her with him for his help, as was meet for him: for so hath it pleased Thy Majesty, that man should not be alone on earth. Stretch forth now, O Ruler, Thy hand from Thy holy habitation, and unite this Thy servant N. with this Thy handmaid N., for by Thee the woman is united to the man. Unite them in harmony, and marry them to be one flesh; grant them fruit of their body and the nurture of well-formed children. For Thine is the might, and the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Priest takes the crowns, crowns first the bridegroom, then the bride, and continues the holy function to the end, in the same manner as at the first marriage.

# THE HOLY UNCTION.

OFFICE OF THE HOLY UNCTION, AS IT IS ADMINISTERED BY SEVEN PRIESTS IN THE CHURCH, OR IN A HOUSE.

THERE is a table, on which are placed the Holy Gospel and a vessel with wheat. In the wheat is an empty oil cruet, and about it are placed seven twigs wound with cotton for anointing, and to all the Priests tapers are given. Vested in the Phelonion, the seven Priests stand around the table; the first of them takes a censer with incense and censes around the oil placed on the table, the whole church or chamber, and all present; then stands before the table with his face turned toward the east, and says:

Blessed be our God always: now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER: The Trisagion: O Holy God, Holy Mighty, etc. After that: Our Father, etc., Lord, have mercy (twelve times).

PSALM 142.—Lord, hear my prayer, receive my supplication for Thy truth's sake, hear me for Thy righteousness' sake. Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for no living man is righteous before Thee. For the enemy pursued my soul, smote my life down to the ground, laid me in the darkness, as the dead in the world. My spirit is vexed within me, my heart despairs in my bosom. Yet have I remembered the former days, and have mused on all Thy works, and considered the work of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul longeth after Thee, as a thirsty land. Lord, hear me soon, my spirit faileth; hide not Thy face from me, that I be not like unto them that go down into the pit. Let me hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust. Cause me, O Lord, to know the way that I should

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walk in; for unto Thee lift I up my soul. Deliver me from
mine enemies, O Lord; for unto Thee do I flee. Teach me to
do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Let Thy good Spirit lead
me on a level path. For Thy Name's sake, O Lord, revive
me with Thy righteousness; bring forth my soul out of dis-
tress. Blot out mine enemies in Thy grace, and destroy all
that vex my soul; for I am Thy servant.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God
(thrice).

DEACON: Again and again in peace let us pray to the
Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: Help, deliver, have mercy and preserve us, O
God, by Thy grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most
blessed and glorious Lady, the Parent of God and ever-Vir-
gin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend our-
selves, and each other, and all our life, to Christ our God.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, are due all praise, glory, and adoration; now
and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Vers. 1.—Lord, correct me not in Thy wrath, and chasten
me not in Thy sore displeasure.

Vers. 2.—Lord, have mercy upon me, for I am weak.

Then the Troparia: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, etc.
Lord have mercy upon us, etc.; open unto us the gates of
mercy, etc.

Then the 50th Psalm: Be gracious unto me, O God, ac-
cording to Thy kindness, etc.

Then the Kanon :

I. HYMN.

Irmos. Over the paths of the Red Sea did Israel once
pass dry-shod, and Moses with hands uplifted in the form
of the Cross smote down in the desert the strength of Amalek.

Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me.

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Thou, Who with the oil of mercy dost ever refresh the souls and bodies of men, and with oil preservest the faithful, O Ruler; have compassion on those who approach Thee by oil.

The whole earth, O Ruler, is full of Thy grace; therefore do we who to-day shall be anointed with Thy Divine, highly venerated oil, confidently beseech Thee: grant us Thy grace, that passeth all understanding.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

Thou, Who didst command Thine Apostles graciously to administer Thy holy Unction to Thy sick servants, show Thyself, O gracious One, through their intercessions, merciful to all in this sealing.

Now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Alone pure, who hast brought forth the uncreated (Prince) of Peace, deliver by thine eternal intercessions with God thy servant (handmaid) from all diseases and pain, so that he (she) may unceasingly praise thee.

## II. HYMN.

*Irmos.* In Thee is Thy Church joyful, O Christ, and cries out: Thou, O Lord, art my Strength, my Refuge, and my Fortress.

Have mercy upon me, etc.

Thou alone the wonderful, and gracious to faithful men, O Christ, send down upon this sufferer Thy grace from on high.

Have mercy, etc.

Thou, Who once showed an olive branch as the Divine token that the flood had ceased, O Lord, deliver this sufferer by Thy grace.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

With the illumination of the Divine Light, O Christ, enlighten according to Thy mercy by the Unction him (her) who now turns in Faith to Thy grace.

Now and ever, etc.

Look down benevolently from on high, thou Mother of the Creator of all things, and remove the bitter pains of the sufferer through thy intercessions.

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161

1. KATHISMAL HYMN.

Divine Stream of grace, ocean Abyss of great mercy, O gracious One, show the Divine billows of Thy grace, and heal all; let the fountains of Thy wonders flow freely, and wash all; for to Thee we fly full of fervor, and pray for Thy grace.

2. KATHISMAL HYMN.

Physician and Helper of the sick, Redeemer and Deliverer of all the infirm, Thou Lord and Ruler over all, grant recovery to this Thy servant (handmaid) now lying ill; have pity and have mercy on his (her) many transgressions, and redeem him (her) from iniquities, O Christ, that he (she) may praise Thy Divine Power.

IV. HYMN.

*Irmos.* As Thy Church saw Thee, O Sun of Righteousness, exalted on the Cross, she arose, full of veneration, crying aloud: Praised be Thy strength, O Lord.

Have mercy, etc.

Thou imperishable Oil of Unction, pouring forth Thyself in grace, and cleansing the world, O Saviour, have pity and have mercy upon him (her), who in Divine Faith anoints the infirmities of the flesh.

Have mercy, etc.

Sign with the encouraging seal of Thy mercy, O Ruler, the mind of Thy servants, and make for them the entrance of all hostile powers impenetrable and insurmountable.

Glory be, etc.

Thou, Who hast bidden us call the Priests, who administer Thy Divine ordinances, to the sick, that by their prayer and their Unction recovery may be given: deliver, O Thou gracious One, by Thy grace the sufferer.

Now and ever, etc.

All-holy and ever-Virgin, Parent of God, my firm protection and guardian, harbor and wall, leader and bulwark, have mercy and have pity on the sick: for to thee alone he (she) fleeth.

V. HYMN.

*Irmos.* O Lord, my Light, Thou holy Light art come into

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the world, that Thou mayest convert from the darkness of
ignorance those who, full of faith, praise Thee.

Have mercy, etc.

O Thou good One, Abyss of mercy, have mercy, Thou
gracious One, according to Thy Divine grace, on this sick
person, as the compassionate One.

Have mercy, etc.

Hallow, O Christ, in an ineffable manner our souls and
bodies with the Divine impress of Thy seal from on high,
and heal all with Thy hand.

Glory be, etc.

O Lord, Thou most gracious One, Who according to Thine
effable Love didst receive the anointing of myrrh from the
sinful woman, have pity upon Thy servant (handmaid).

Now and ever, etc.

All-glorious, pure and gracious Lady, have mercy upon
those who anoint themselves with the Divine oil, and save
thy servant (handmaid).

VI. HYMN.

*Irmos*. The Church, purified from the blood of evil spirits
by the Blood flowing out of Thy side according to Thy grace,
singeth unto Thee; Lord, I offer Thee sacrifice with the voice
of thanksgiving.

Have mercy, etc.

Thou, O gracious One, Who by Thy word hast ordained
the anointing of kings, and performed it by the Bishops,
save by Thy seal also this sufferer, as the compassionate
One.

Have mercy, etc.

Oh! that the congregation of raging, evil spirits may not
disturb him (her), whose mind Thou hast sealed with the
Divine Unction, O Saviour; but give him (her) peace with the
shield of Thine honor.

Glory be, etc.

Stretch forth Thy hand from on high, O Thou gracious
One, and, hallowing Thine oil, grant it, O Saviour, to Thy
servant (handmaid) for health and for redemption from all
offences.

Now and ever, etc.

In the house of God hast thou, O Mother of the Creator,

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shown thyself as a fruitful olive-tree, through which the world appears to be filled with grace; so now assist with thy intercessions and save this sufferer.

### KONTAKION.

Thou, Who art the Fountain of grace, O most gracious One, redeem from all disease those who, in the fervor of faith, sink down, O compassionate One, before Thine ineffable grace, and, removing their offences, grant them Thy Divine grace from on high.

### VII. HYMN.

*Irmos.* The children of Abraham in the Persian fiery furnace, inflamed more by love of virtue than the fiery flames, cried out: Blessed art Thou, O God, in the temple of Thy glory.

Have mercy, etc.

Thou, Who in mercy and pity healest all sorrows of soul and wounds of the body, O Saviour, Thou only God, heal and make whole also him (her) who lies prostrate in sickness.

Have mercy, etc.

Because with the oil of Unction all heads are anointed, give, O Lord Christ, through the gift of Thy rich mercy to this person, seeking the grace of deliverance, the joy of consolation.

Glory be, etc.

A sword against the evil spirits is Thy seal, O Saviour; and a fire which consumes the sorrows of the soul are the prayers of the Priests: therefore, we, who obtain this healing, praise Thee faithfully.

Now and ever, etc.

Thou, who didst receive Him Who holdeth all things in His hand, O Mother of God, into the womb of thy body after a manner worthy of God, and hast given Him a Body in an ineffable way: we pray thee, move Him to have mercy on this sufferer.

### VIII. HYMN.

*Irmos.* Daniel stretching forth his hands shut the jaws of the lions in the den, and the youths given to piety and

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clothed with virtue quenched the violence of the fire, while
they cried: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

Have mercy, etc.

Have mercy upon all, O Saviour, according to Thy great
and Divine mercy; for therefore are we all here assembled,
and represent in a mysterious manner the inclination of
Thy benevolence, offering the Unction of oil to this Thy ser-
vant (handmaid) full of faith; oh! visit him (her).

Have mercy, etc.

With the streams of Thy grace, O Christ, and with the
Unctions of Thy Priests, wash away, O Lord, as the gracious
One, the pains, the disease, and the sorrows coming upon this
person tormented in the pangs of affliction, so that he (she)
being delivered, may praise Thee thankfully.

Glory be, etc.

Because we represent the sign of inclination and benevo-
lence from on high, the Divine mercy: take not away from
us Thy grace, O Ruler, and despise not him (her) who faithfully and continually cries out: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

Now and ever, etc.

Glorious as a crown doth nature receive thy Divine Off-
spring, O thou pure One, Who beats down the hostile armies,
and overcometh them with might: therefore we, crowned
with the joyful ornaments of thy benefits, sing unto thee, O
Lady highly praised.

## IX. HYMN.

*Irmos:* The Stone, unhewed by hand of man is cut out
from thee, the unbroken rock, O Virgin, as the Corner-Stone;
Christ, who hath united the elements of nature fallen asunder:
therefore are we joyful, and praise thee, O Parent of
God.

Have mercy, etc.

Look down from Heaven, O compassionate One, show Thy
mildness to all, grant now Thy help and Thy power to him
(her) who cometh to Thee by means of the Divine Unction
through Thy Priest, O Thou gracious One.

Have mercy, etc.

Most gracious Saviour, rejoicing we have seen the Divine
oil from Thy Divine inclination already received by the par-

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165

takers through Thee, and by anticipation already offered to
those who share the Divine Laver.

Glory be, etc.

Have pity, have mercy, O Savior; redeem and deliver the
souls and bodies of Thy servants from evils and sorrow and
from the darts of the evil one, as the gracious Lord, who pre-
parest healing by the Divine Unction.

Now and ever, etc.

Receive, O Immaculate Virgin, the praises and prayers of
thy servants, and redeem by thine intercessions from heavy
pains and sorrows, him (her) who takes refuge through us
under the Divine protection.

*After the Kanon:* It is truly sweet to praise thee as
blessed, ever blessed and immaculate Parent of God, and
Mother of our God. Honored above the Cherubim, and be-
yond comparison glorified above the Seraphim, who without
a stain hast borne God, the Word, true Parent of God, we
praise thee.

*Exapostallarion:* O Thou, Who art rich in grace, look
down with Thine eye on the prayer of us, who this day are
assembled in Thy holy temple, to anoint with the Divine oil
Thy sick servant (handmaid).

Then the following Sticharia:

Thou, O gracious One, inclined to reconciliation, hast
through Thine Apostles given unto us the gifts of grace,
through Thy holy oil to heal the wounds and sickness of all
mankind: heal, and be gracious now according to Thy be-
nevolence to this person, who now in faith approaches to
Thine oil; make him (her) free from all disease, and make
him (her) worthy of Thine imperishable joy.

Look down from Heaven, O Thou inconceivably merciful
One, blot out our sins, O Thou gracious One, with Thy Divine
oil by Thine invisible hand, grant him (her) in faith, fleeing
unto Thee and praying Thee, the forgiveness of his (her) sins
and health of soul and body, so that he (she) with fervor may
praise Thee and magnify Thy glorious might.

Heal, O gracious One, from on high Thy servant (hand-
maid) by the Unction with Thine oil and by the service of
Thy Priests; liberate him (her), O Savior, from sicknesses,
wash and cleanse him (her) from the pollution of sin, redeem
him (her) from manifold temptations, soothe the pains, drive

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away the doubts, remove the trials, as the compassionate and benevolent One.

Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and ever, etc.

Thee I invoke, most immaculate palace of the King, O Thou, who art highly praised: purify my spirit stained with every sin, and make it a pleasing abode of the Divine Trinity, that I, Thy redeemed unprofitable servant, may magnify thy might and immeasurable grace.

READER: Trisagion: O Holy God, etc.

After the *Our Father*, etc., the Troparion:

Thou, Who alone art swift to help, O Christ, show a speedy visitation from on high to Thy suffering servant (handmaid); liberate him (her) from sickness and bitter pains; raise him (her) up, to praise and bless Thee unceasingly, through the intercessions of the Parent of God.

Then the Deacon, if one be there, or if not, the first Priest, says immediately the Ektene:

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy (so after each suffrage of the Ektene).

For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us, etc.

For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy Churches of God, and for the Union of all, let us, etc.

For this holy house of God, and for those who in faith, piety and the fear of God enter into it, let us, etc.

That this oil may be blest with power and ability and with the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, let us, etc.

For the servant (handmaid) of God N., and for his (her) visitation in God, that the grace of the Holy Ghost may come upon him (her), let us, etc.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us, etc.

Help, deliver, etc.

Remembering our all-holy, etc.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

Hereupon the first of the Priests present pours water and then oil over it into the empty oil-vessel, and says over it the following prayer. (In some churches of the Orient, wine instead of water is poured into the empty oil-flask.)

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CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER AT THE BLESSING OF THE OIL.

PRIEST: O Lord, Who by Thy grace and mercy healest the infirmities of our souls and bodies, hallow, O Ruler, this oil, that it may afford to those who are anointed with it health and the banishing of all pains, pollution of the body and soul and every evil; so that thereby may be glorified Thy most holy Name, of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

The remaining Priests read silently together the prayer above. While this is done, the following Troparia are sung:

Thou, Who alone art swift to help, etc. (as above).

Blind in spiritual eyesight, come I to Thee, O Christ, and as blind from birth cry I penitently to Thee; have mercy upon us, Thou, Who art only inclined to reconciliation.

Lift up, O Lord, by Thy Divine assistance my soul lamed by many sins and disgraceful deeds, as of old Thou didst lift up the cripple, so that delivered I may cry unto Thee: Benevolent Christ, grant me health.

*To S. James.* As a disciple of the Lord thou didst receive the Gospel, O righteous one; as a martyr thou hast the imperishable (crown); as the brother of the Lord, courage; as High Priest, the power to make intercession; so pray to Christ as God for the salvation of our souls.

The Only-begotten of the Father, God, the Word, Who came unto us in the latter days, made thee, O divine James, the first shepherd and teacher of those at Jerusalem, and a faithful steward of the spiritual Mysteries; therefore do we all honor thee, O Apostle.

*To S. Nikolaos.* At Myra hast thou, O Saint, shown thyself a Priest; for thou, O pious one, hast fulfilled the Gospel of Christ, hast given thy soul for thy people, and delivered the innocent from death; therefore art thou become holy, as a great steward of the grace of God.

The world hath found in thee a great defender in dangers, thou warrior, who hast overcome the nations. As thou hast humbled the pride of Lyaev, and hast made Nestor valiant for the conflict; so pray now, holy Demetrius, to Christ our God, that He will grant us His great grace.

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Panteleimon, thou holy warrior and physician, ask now of
the gracious God, that he may grant to our souls the forgive-
ness of sins.

*To Kosmos and Damian.* Holy, unmercenary ones and
wonder-workers, visit our weaknesses; what ye have freely
received give unto us freely.

*To the Holy Apostle John.* Who can recount thy great-
ness, virgin soul? Thou streamest forth wonders and gushest
forth healings, and prayest for our souls as taught of God and
the friend of Christ.

Thou fervent prayer and impregnable wall, fountain of
grace, refuge of the world, fervently we cry unto thee: Parent
of God, O Lady, come forward and deliver us from perils, as
the only one speedily representing (us).

DEACON: Let us attend.

FIRST PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

DEACON: Wisdom; let us attend.

THE READER reads the Prokimenon: Lord, let Thy grace
be with us, like as we do hope in Thee.

THE CHOIR *repeats the same*.

*Vers.*: Rejoice, ye righteous in the Lord. The pious
shall praise Him gloriously.

CHOIR: Lord, let Thy grace, etc.

READER: Lord, let Thy grace be with us.

CHOIR: As we do hope in Thee.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The reading from the general Epistle of the
holy Apostle James.

DEACON: Let us attend.

READER, or DEACON, if one be there: (James v., 10-17).
Brethren, take for an example of suffering and of patience
the prophets, who have spoken to you in the Name of the
Lord. Behold, we call them blessed, who have endured.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end
of the Lord, for the Lord is merciful and compassionate.
But above all, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven,
nor by the earth, nor by any other oath. But let your
yea be yea, and nay, nay; that ye fall not into condem-
nation; is any among you suffering, let him pray; is
any cheerful, let him sing praise. Is any sick among you,
let him call for the Priests of the Church, and let them pray

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over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed; the powerful prayer of the righteous availeth much.

FIRST PRIEST: Peace to thee.

READER: And to thy spirit.

READER: Alleluia (thrice). Then Vers.: Grace and justice will I sing to Thee, O Lord.

DEACON: Wisdom; let us stand upright and receive the Holy Gospel.

FIRST PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

FIRST PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel of Luke.

DEACON: Let us attend.

FIRST PRIEST: (Luke x., 25-38.) At that time came a lawyer to Jesus, tempted Him and said: Master, what shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life? But He said unto him, How standeth it written in the law, how readest thou? And he answered and said: Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thy self. And He said unto him: Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shall live. But he, wishing to justify himself, said unto Jesus: And who is my neighbor? Then Jesus answering, said: A man went down from Jerusalem towards Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him and covered him with blows, and departed, and left him half dead. But by chance a certain priest went down that way, and seeing him passed by on the other side. And in like manner also a Levite, when he came to the place, seeing him passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan journeyed and came to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And on the morrow he departed, and took two denaria, gave them to the host, and said unto him: Take care of him, and whatsoever more thou spendest, I will repay

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thee when I return. Which of these three, thinkest thou,
was neighbor unto him who fell among the robbers? And
he said: He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said
unto him: Go and do thou likewise.

DEACON: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy; we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy upon us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy (thrice; so after each suffrage of the Ektene).

DEACON: Again let us pray for the grace, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, and for the forgiveness of the sins of the servant (handmaid) of God, N.

That he (she) may be forgiven every sin, intentional and unintentional, let us, etc.

FIRST PRIEST: For Thou art a gracious and merciful God, and to Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER OF THE FIRST PRIEST.

Without beginning or end, Holy of Holies. Thou, Who hast sent down Thine Only-begotten Son to heal all sicknesses and infirmities of our souls and bodies, send down Thy Holy Ghost, and hallow this oil, and make it an Unction to this Thy servant (handmaid) for the perfect forgiveness of sins and inheritance of Thy kingdom.

Some close here at once the prayer with the conclusion following below, to be said aloud: *For thine it is to have mercy, etc.* Others continue to pray in the following manner:

For Thou art a God, great and wonderful, Who keepest Thy covenant and Thy grace with them that love Thee, forgivest sins through Thy Holy Child Jesus Christ, Who hath washed us clean from sins by Holy Baptism, and sanctified us by the Holy Ghost, enlightened the blind, raised up the fallen, Who loveth the righteous and is gracious to sinners; Who hath called us out of darkness and the shadow of death, saying unto them that are in bonds: Go forth; and

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to those in darkness: Be enlightened; Who hath enkindled in our hearts the light of His knowledge since the time when for our sakes He appeared on earth, and walked among men; Who hath given to them that acknowledge Thee the power to become children of God; Who through the laver of Regeneration hath given unto us the adoption, and hath made the dominion of the devil to have no part in us; because it is not well-pleasing unto Thee that we should purify ourselves by the blood of beasts, but by the holy oil Thou hast given unto us the likeness of his Cross, so that we might become His flock, the royal priesthood, the holy nation. Do Thou, O Lord and Master, grant us Thy grace to this Thy service, as Thou hast granted to Moses, Thy servant well-pleasing unto Thee, and Samuel, Thy beloved, and John, Thine elect, and all who from generation unto generation have been well-pleasing unto Thee. Make us also by this oil servants of Thy new Covenant, which Thou hast prepared by the precious Blood of Thy Christ; so that we, unclothing ourselves from worldly pleasures, may die unto sin and live unto truth, may put on our Lord Jesus Christ by the Unction of Sanctification, the complete anointing. O Lord, may this oil be an oil of joy, an oil of sanctification, a royal robe, an armor of strength, a shield against every devilish influence, a seal, which cannot be counterfeited, of the heart's pleasure, eternal delight: so that those who are anointed with this oil of the Regeneration may be terrible to the adversaries, and shine clear in the light of Thy saints, not having spot nor wrinkle, and be taken into Thine eternal rest, and receive the reward of the calling from on high. For Thine it is, our God, to have mercy and to deliver us, and to Thee, together with Thine Only-begotten Son, and the all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

After this prayer the Priest takes one of the branches, dips it into the holy oil, and anoints the sick person in the form of a Cross on the forehead, on the nostrils, on the cheeks, on the mouth, on the breast, on both sides of the hands, and says the following prayer:

THE PRAYER AT THE UNCTION.

O Holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, Who hast sent down Thine Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,

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Who healeth from every sickness, and redeemeth from death, heal also this Thy servant (handmaid) N. from the infirmity which possesses his (her) soul and body, and quicken him (her) by the grace of Thy Christ, for the sake of the intercessions of our all-holy Lady, the Parent of God and ever-Virgin Mary, through the protection of the highly honored, heavenly, incorporeal powers, through the strength of the precious and life-giving Cross, of the highly honored, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, the holy, highly honored and glorious Apostles, the holy, blessed and victorious Martyrs, our reverend and God-filled fathers, the Saints and Physicians, and unmercenary Kosmos and Damian, Cyrus and John, Pantelæmon and Hermolaos, Sampson and Diomed, Photius and Anicetas, the holy and righteous grandparents of the Saviour, Joachim and Anna, and all Saints. For Thou, our God, art the Fountain of health, and to Thee, together with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy consubstantial Spirit, we offer up praise and glory; now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON: Let us attend.

SECOND PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

THE READER reads the Prokimenon: The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and is become my Salvation.

CHOIR: *The same.*

READER: *Vers.* The Lord hath indeed chastened me heavily; but hath not given me over unto death.

CHOIR: The Lord is my Strength, *etc.*

READER: The Lord is my Strength and my Song of praise.

CHOIR: And is become my Salvation.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The reading from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.

DEACON: Let us attend.

READER: (Rom. xv. 1-8). Brethren, we that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for good, unto edification. For Christ also pleased not Himself, but as it standeth written: The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me. But what was written before

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was written for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. But the God of
patience and of comfort grant you to be likeminded one toward
another according to Christ Jesus: that ye, with one accord
and with one mouth, may glorify God and the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, like as
Christ also received you to the glory of God.

SECOND PRIEST: Peace to thee.

READER: And to thy spirit.

READER: Alleluia (thrice). Then Vers. I will sing, O
Lord, of Thy grace, at all times.

SECOND PRIEST: Peace to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

SECOND PRIEST: The reading from the Gospel of Luke.

DEACON: Let us attend.

The Second Priest reads the Gospel of Luke (xix., 1-11):

At that time Jesus went through Jericho, and behold,
there was a man, named Zacchæus, and he was a chief publi-
can, and was rich; and he sought to see Jesus, who He was,
and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree, that
he might see Him; for He was to pass that way. And as
Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and
said unto him: Zacchæus, make haste and come down, for
to-day in thy house must I abide. And he made haste and
came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw
it, all murmured, saying that He went in to lodge with a man
that is a sinner. But Zacchæus stood and said unto the
Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor, and if I have wronged any one in anything, I restore
fourfold. And Jesus said unto him: To-day is salvation
come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for
the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost.

DEACON: *The Ektene*; Have mercy upon us, etc.

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After the Ektene, THE DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER OF THE SECOND PRIEST.

Great and most High God, Who art adored by every creature, Fountain of wisdom, truly unsoundable Depth of goodness, and boundless Sea of mercy; Thou benevolent Ruler, God of the ages and of wonders, whom no man by thought can comprehend: look down and hear us, Thine unworthy creatures, and where we, in Thy great name, offer this oil, send down the gift of Thy healing and the forgiveness of sins, and grant recovery to this N. according to the abundance of Thy mercy. Yea, O Lord, Thou art inclined to reconciliation, alone benevolent and gracious, for it repents Thee of our wickedness, and Thou knowest how the mind of man is inclined to evil from his youth up; Thou willest not the death of the sinner, but that he should turn again and live; remaining God, Thou art become man for the salvation of the sinner, and for the restoration of Thy creature. Thou art He who hath said: I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance; Thou art He who sought the lost sheep; Thou art He who diligently sought and found again the lost piece of money; Thou hast said: Him who cometh to Me, I will not cast out; Thou art He Who did not repel the sinful woman, when she washed Thy precious feet with tears; Thou art He who hath said: As oft as thou fallest, arise, and thou shalt be delivered; Thou art He who hath said: There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth. Do Thou, O gracious Ruler, look down from Thy holy height, overshadow us sinners and Thine unworthy servants with the gifts of Thy Holy Ghost at this hour, and rest upon this. Thy servant (handmaid) N., who confesses his (her) sins, and draws nigh unto Thee in faith; receive him (her) according to Thy favor, and if he (she) hath sinned before, in word or in deed, or in thought, pardon, forgive him (her), and purify him (her) from all sins; abide with him (her) forever, and keep him (her) for the remaining period of his (her) life, that he (she) may walk in Thy commandments, and not become a scorn to the devil: and also that in him (her) Thine all-holy Name may be glorified. For Thine it is, O Christ,