Chapter 30

1Let the appointment of the presbyter take place as follows. Let the whole priestly company conduct him. The bishop shall lay his hand upon his head, while the presbyters touch and hold him. Then the bishop shall begin and say:

2Prayer for the Ordination of a Presbyter

3O God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Ineffable One, the Light who has neither beginning nor end, the Lord who has ordered all things, set bounds for them, and by reason defined the order of everything you created: hear us and look upon this servant of yours.

4Make him a participant in the Spirit of grace, reason, and strength, and grant him the Spirit of the presbyterate, who does not grow old and is indissoluble and of one nature, loving the faithful and rebuking them, so that he may help and govern your people through labor, reverence, a pure heart, holiness, excellence, wisdom, and the working of the Holy Spirit, through your care, O Lord.

5Just as when you looked upon your chosen people, you commanded Moses to ask for elders, and filled them with your Spirit and bestowed him upon your servant, so now, O Lord, bestow your Spirit abundantly upon this man—the Spirit whom you gave to those whom you yourself made disciples and to all who through them truly believed in you.

6Fill him with your wisdom and your hidden mysteries, and make him worthy to shepherd your people with holiness of heart, purity, and truth; always praising, blessing, extolling, giving thanks, and offering glory to your holy and glorious name, day and night; laboring with cheerfulness and patience; being a vessel of your Holy Spirit; and always possessing and bearing the cross of your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom praise and might be to you with the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

7Let the people say, “Amen.”

8Let both the priests and the people give him the peace with a holy kiss.