Chapter 38

1Let the appointment of a deacon be as follows. Let the bishop alone lay a hand on him, because he is not appointed to the priesthood but to the service of attending the bishop and the Church. Over the deacon, let the bishop say:

2Prayer for the Ordination of a Deacon

3O God, who created all things and adorned them through the Word; who rests in the pure ages; who ministered eternal life to us through your prophets; who enlightened us with the light of knowledge; O God, who does great things and is the Maker of all glory; Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you sent to minister to your will so that the whole human race might be saved; you made known and revealed to us your Thought, your Wisdom, your Power, your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord of light, the Prince of princes and God of gods: give the spirit of grace and earnestness to this servant of yours, so that earnestness, quietness, strength, and power to please you may be given to him.

4Make him, O Lord, an unashamed worker in the law, kind, a lover of orphans, a lover of the pious, a lover of widows, fervent in spirit, and a lover of good things. Enlighten, O Lord, the one whom you have loved and chosen to minister to your Church, offering in holiness to your holy place those things offered to you from the inheritance of your high priesthood, so that, ministering blamelessly, purely, holily, and with a pure conscience, he may by your good will be counted worthy of this high and exalted office, continually praising you through your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom praise and power be to you forever and ever.

5The people: Amen.