And in like manner all the priests that be present.
And be it known that as many times as the petition is said by the deacon, while the petition is being said by him, each of the priests in his order saith the above mentioned prayer in a low voice nigh unto the dead, and exclaimeth,
For thou art the resurrection....
And now by the first priest, or by the archpriest, the prayer, O God of spirits.... is said with a loud voice, as is mentioned above.
And, after the exclamation, the kiss is given.
And we sing the present stichera of similar rhythm.
When from the tree....
Tone ii.
Come, brethren, let us give the last kiss to the dead, and render thanks to God; for he hath left his kinsfolk, and hasteneth to the grave: to him there is no care concerning vanities and carnal toil. Where now are kinsfolk and where friends? Lo, we are parted from him, whom, Lord, we pray thee to give rest.
What, O ye brethren, is this parting? what this weeping? what this wailing in the present hour? Come, kiss ye then him whom but lately was with us; for he is given to the grave, is cover’d with a stone, in darkness dwelleth, is buried with the dead, and now is parted from all kinsfolk and from friends; and him, O Lord, we pray thee to give rest.