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Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church
tr. Hapgood, 1906
The Making of an Archpriest
He who is to be advanced to the rank of Archpriest is conducted by a Proto-Deacon, or by two Deacons, to the Right Reverend Bishop, in the middle of the Church, at the time when the Little Entrance with the book of the Holy Gospels is made. He boweth before the Bishop, even to the girdle, thrice, and bendeth his head. And the Bishop, as he sitteth, signeth him, thrice, upon the head, in cross-form, with his hand. Then, rising, he layeth his hand upon the Priest’s head. And after the Proto-Deacon hath said:
Let us pray to the Lord:
The Bishop saith the following Prayer:
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who hast bestowed the priesthood upon our race, and hast endued us with the grace of this gift and honour, and hast appointed us who are duly devout to exercise command over the members of the Priesthood, and the other servitors in lesser degree of thy Mysteries: Endue thou now, also, with thy grace, our brother N., and adorn him with integrity; that he may stand at the head of the Priests of thy people. And enable him to set a good example to those who are with him; and graciously grant that he may attain, in piety and veneration, unto a good old age; and have mercy upon us all, inasmuch as thou art a good God. For thou art the bestower of wisdom; and unto thee doth all creation sing praises unto ages of ages.
Then the Bishop signeth him upon the head with the sign of the cross, saying:
Blessed is God. Lo, the servant of God, N., is made an Archpriest of God’s holy Church, N.: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Then, laying his hand upon the Priest’s head, the Bishop exclaimeth:
Axios! (Thrice.) *
Then they place the Archpriest with the other clergy, according to their rank, and enter the Sanctuary through the Holy Door, and minister with the Clergy.