Book of Needs of the Holy Orthodox Church

by Russkaia pravoslavnaia tserkov

Then the Archpriest signeth his head crosswise, saying, Blessed be the Lord, lo, the servant of God, name, becometh protopresbyter of the most holy church of God, name, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

And the Archpriest, laying his hand upon his head, exclaimeth, Axios, iii. And the singers sing, Axios, thrice. Then they range the protopresbyter with the other clergy according to rite, and they go into the altar through the royal doors, and they act with the ministers according to rite.

THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ABBOT.

He that is to be appointed abbot is conducted by a protodeacon, or by two deacons, to the Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest standeth at the time of the introit with the gospel, if the Archpriest himself be celebrating the liturgy. But if not, they bring to the Archpriest the epitrachelion, the maniples, and the omophorion, and he vesteth himself, standing in his place. And he that is to be appointed abbot is conducted to his place, and inclineth himself to his girdle before the Archpriest thrice, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him with the hand upon his head thrice. And, rising, he layeth his hand upon his head, and the protodeacon having said, Let us pray to the Lord,

the Archpriest saith this prayer.

O God, who ever makest provision for the salvation of men, and gatherest together in one this thy rational flock; do thou, O Master of all things, in thy measureless love to man, thyself preserve this same blameless, keeping thy commandments continually, so that not one sheep thereof may be lost, and be devoured by the wolf. And declare this thy servant, whom thou art pleased to appoint abbot over it, worthy of thy grace, and adorn him with all virtues, that he, by his works, may be a good example to them that are under him, that they, being emulators of his blameless conversation, may stand with him uncondemned before thy fearful judgment-seat.

Exclamation. 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. Singers. Amen.

Archpriest. Peace to all.

Singers. And to thy spirit. Protodeacon. Bow your heads to the Lord. Singers. To thee, O Lord.