Chapter XVIII.
THE MORTUARY ORDER OVER A DEPARTED PRIEST.
When one of the secular priests departeth to the Lord, three priests come and lift him from the bed, and lay him on the floor upon a mat. And since it behoveth not that he be washed, being naked, by the priests, they sponge him with pure oil. Then they clothe him in his customary garments, and after that with all the priestly vestments, and cover his face with the aër, and lay the holy gospel upon him. Then the priests come vested in the priestly vestments.
And the president maketh, Blessed be our God....
And they that are standing by begin,
Holy God.... O most holy Trinity.... and Our Father.... For thine is the kingdom....
And straightway they sing these troparia, tone iv.
With the spirits of the righteous.... Page [138].
The deacon saith,
Have mercy upon us, O God.... Vide page [139].