Chapter 21

1If he is such a man, let him receive ordination on the first day of the week, with everyone consenting to his appointment and bearing witness to him, together with all the neighboring presbyters and bishops. Let those bishops lay their hands on him, having first washed their hands. Let the presbyters stand beside them without speaking, in fear, lifting their hearts in silence.

2Then let the bishops lay their hands on him and say: We lay hands on the servant of God, who has been chosen in the Spirit for the true and pious ordering of the Church, which alone possesses authority and is not dissolved, belonging to the invisible and living God; for delivering true judgment and divine and holy revelations, divine gifts, and faithful doctrines of the Trinity, through the cross, the resurrection, and incorruptibility, in the holy Church of God.

3After this, one bishop, commanded by the other bishops, shall lay his hands on him and declare his appointment as follows:

4O God, who have made all things in power, established them, founded the inhabited world in reason, and adorned the crown of all that you made; who gave them your commandments to keep in fear; who bestowed upon us understanding of the truth and made known to us your good Spirit; who sent your beloved Son, the only Savior without spot, for our salvation:

5O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who dwell eternally in the pure heights; who are high and worthy of adoration, awesome and great; who see all things and know all things before they come to be, with whom all things existed before they were made; who gave light to the Church through the grace of your only-begotten Son, having foreordained from the beginning that those who delight in righteous things and do what is holy should dwell in your habitations; who chose Abraham, who pleased you by his faith, and transferred holy Enoch to the treasury of life; who appointed rulers and priests in your upper sanctuary:

6O Lord, who called them to praise and glorify your name and the name of your only-begotten Son in the place of your glory; O Lord God, who before the foundation of the world did not leave your upper sanctuary without ministry, and since the foundation of the world have adorned and glorified your sanctuaries on earth with faithful rulers and priests after the pattern of your own heaven:

7You, Lord, even now are pleased to be praised and have granted that there should be rulers for your people. Cause understanding and the grace that comes from your princely Spirit to shine forth and be poured out, which you delivered to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

8Give wisdom, O God, reasoning, strength, power, and unity of spirit to do all things with your cooperation. Give the Spirit who is yours, O holy God. Send to your holy and pure Church, and to every place that sings “Holy” to you, him who was given to your Holy One.

9Grant, O Lord, that this servant of yours may please you through doxology and unceasing praise, through fitting hymns of praise and suitable times, through acceptable prayers and faithful petitions, through an upright mind and a meek heart, through the working of life, meekness, truth, and the knowledge of uprightness.

10O Father, who know the hearts, grant that this servant whom you have chosen for the episcopate may feed your holy flock and stand at the head of the priesthood without fault, ministering to you day and night. Grant that your face may be seen by him. Grant, O Lord, that he may offer the offerings of your holy Church carefully and with all fear.

11Bestow upon him your powerful Spirit, so that he may loose every bond, as you bestowed him upon your apostles, and may please you in meekness. Fill him with love, knowledge, understanding, discipline, perfection, strength, and a pure heart when he prays for the people, mourns for those who act foolishly, and draws them to receive help; when he offers you praises, thanksgivings, and prayers as a sweet-smelling fragrance through your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom praise, honor, and might are given to you with the Holy Spirit, before all worlds, now, at all times, and forever and ever without end. Amen.

12Let the people say, “Amen.” Then let them cry out, “He is worthy! He is worthy! He is worthy!”

13After he is ordained, let the people keep the feast for three days, according to the mystery that our Lord rose from the dead in three days. Let everyone give him the Peace.