Chapter 35

1Let him be in everything like the eye of the Church, admonishing with fear, so that he may be an example of piety to the people. Let him admonish them as follows:

2Admonition of the Deacon

3Let us arise. Let everyone know his place. Let the catechumens depart. See that no one polluted and no one slothful remains. Lift up the eyes of your hearts. The angels are watching. See that whoever does not trust withdraws. …

4Let us beseech in harmony. Let no fornicator and no wrathful person remain. If anyone who serves evil is here, let him withdraw. … our Lord and our God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

5When the presbyter or bishop begins the prayer, let the people pray and kneel. Then let the deacon say:

6For the peace that comes from heaven, let us beseech that the Lord in his mercy may give us peace.

7For our faith, let us beseech that the Lord may enable us to keep faithfully to the end the faith that is in him.

8For harmony and concord, let us beseech that the Lord may keep us together in the concord of the Spirit.

9For patience, let us beseech that the Lord may bestow on us patience to the end in all afflictions.

10For the apostles, let us beseech that the Lord may enable us to please him, as they also pleased him, and may make us worthy of their inheritance.

11For the holy prophets, let us beseech that the Lord may number us among them.

12For the holy confessors, let us beseech that the Lord God may enable us to complete our course with the same mind as they had.

13For the bishop, let us beseech that our Lord may preserve him for us for many days in faith, rightly dividing the word of truth and presiding over the Church purely and blamelessly.

14For the presbyters, let us beseech that the Lord may not take away from them the spirit of the presbyterate, but may bestow on them earnestness and piety to the end.

15For the deacons, let us beseech that the Lord may enable them to run a perfect course and perfect holiness, and that he may remember their work and their love.

16For the presbyteresses, let us beseech that the Lord may hear their supplications, keep their hearts perfect in the grace of the Spirit, and help their work.

17For the subdeacons, readers, and deaconesses, let us beseech that the Lord may grant them a reward for their patience.

18For the faithful laity, let us beseech that the Lord may enable them to keep the faith perfectly.

19For the catechumens, let us beseech that the Lord may count them worthy of the washing of forgiveness and sanctify them with the seal of holiness.

20For the kingdom, let us beseech that the Lord may bestow tranquility upon it.

21For the exalted powers, let us beseech that the Lord may grant them prudence and fear of him.

22For the whole world, let us beseech that the Lord may provide for each person what is fitting.

23For those who travel by sea and those who journey by land, let us beseech that the Lord may guide them with the right hand of mercy.

24For those who are persecuted, let us beseech that the Lord may grant them patience and knowledge and bestow on them a completed labor.

25For those of the Church who have fallen asleep, let us beseech that the Lord may bestow on them a place of rest.

26For those who have fallen, let us beseech that the Lord may not remember their follies against them, but may moderate his threats toward them.

27And let all of us who need prayer beseech that the Lord may protect and preserve us with the peaceful Spirit. Let us persuade and beseech the Lord to receive our prayers.

28After the deacon has commemorated them, let the bishop make a sign with his hand. Let the deacon say:

29Let us arise in the Holy Spirit so that, having been made wise, we may grow in his grace and boast in his name. Being built on the foundation of the apostles, let us beg and beseech the Lord that, being persuaded, he may receive our prayers.

30Then let the bishop complete the prayer. Let the people say, “Amen.”