The Prayer-Book of Bishop Sarapion
The Prayer-Book of Bishop Sarapion
Serapion of Thmuis
c. AD 350
A collection of thirty prayers for the Eucharist, baptism, the laying on of hands, the blessing of oils and water, the burial of the dead and other services, from an Egyptian church of the middle of the fourth century. It is ascribed to Serapion, bishop of Thmuis in the Nile Delta and a friend of Athanasius, and is one of the oldest surviving books of prayers.
Prayer 1. Offertory Prayer of Bishop Sarapion.
Preface.
1 It is meet and right to praise, to hymn, to glorify thee the uncreated Father of the only-begotten Jesus Christ. We praise thee, O uncreated God, who art unsearchable, ineffable, incomprehensible by any created substance. We praise thee who art known of thy Son (St. Matt. xi. 27; St. John x. 14, 15), the only-begotten, who through him art spoken of and interpreted and made known to created nature. We praise thee who knowest the Son and revealest to the Saints the glories that are about him : who art known of thy begotten Word, and art brought to the sight and interpreted to the understanding of the Saints. We praise thee, O unseen Father, provider of immortality. Thou art the fount of life, the fount of light, the fount of all grace and all truth, O lover of men, O lover of the poor, who reconcilest thyself to all, and drawest all to thyself through the advent of thy beloved Son. We beseech thee make us living men. Give us a spirit of light, that "we may know thee the true [God] and him whom thou didst send, (even) Jesus Christ" (St. John xvii. 3). Give us holy Spirit, that we may be able to tell forth and to enuntiate thy unspeakable mysteries. May the Lord Jesus speak in us and holy Spirit, and hymn thee through us.
2 For thou art "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come" (Eph. i. 21). Beside thee stand thousand thousands and myriad myriads of angels (Dan. vii. 10; Heb. xii. 22), arch-angels, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers (lit. rules, authorities): by thee stand the two most honourable six-winged seraphim, with two wings covering the face, and with two the feet, and with two flying and crying holy (cp. Isa. vi. 2, 3), with whom receive also our cry of "holy" as we say: Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth, full is the heaven and the earth of thy glory.
Oblation and Recital of the Institution.
3 Full is the heaven, full also is the earth of thy excellent glory. Lord of Hosts (lit. powers), fill also this sacrifice with thy power and thy participation: for to thee have we offered this living sacrifice (Rom. xii. 1), this bloodless oblation (cp. Eph. v. 2). To thee we have offered this bread the likeness of the body of the only-begotten. This bread is the likeness of the holy body, because the Lord Jesus Christ in the night in which he was betrayed took bread and broke and gave to his disciples saying, "Take ye and eat, this is my body which is being broken for you for remission of sins" (cp. Lit. of St. Mark, etc.). Wherefore we also making the likeness of the death have offered the bread, and beseech thee through this sacrifice, be reconciled to all of us and be merciful, O God of truth: and as this bread had been scattered on the top of the mountains and gathered together came to be one, so also gather thy holy Church out of every nation and every country and every city and village and house and make one living catholic church. We have offered also the cup, the likeness of the blood, because the Lord Jesus Christ, taking a cup after supper (Luc. xxii. 20; 1 Cor. xi. 25), said to his own disciples, "Take ye, drink, this is the new covenant, which is my blood, which is being shed for you for remission of sins." Wherefore we have also offered the cup, presenting a likeness of the blood.
Invocation of the Logos.
4 O God of truth, let thy holy Word come upon this bread that the bread may become body of the Word, and upon this cup that the cup may become blood of the Truth; and make all who communicate to receive a medicine of life for the healing of every sickness and for the strengthening of all advancement and virtue, not for condemnation, O God of truth, and not for censure and reproach. For we have invoked thee, the uncreated, through the only-begotten in holy Spirit.
Intercession for the Living.
5 Let this people receive mercy, let it be counted worthy of advancement, let angels be sent forth as companions to the people for bringing to naught of the evil one and for establishment of the Church.
Intercession for the Departed.
6 We intercede also on behalf of all who have been laid to rest, whose memorial we are making. After the recitation of the names: Sanctify these souls: for thou knowest all. Sanctify all (souls) laid to rest in the Lord. And number them with all thy holy powers and give to them a place and a mansion in thy kingdom.
Prayer for Those who Have Offered.
7 Receive also the thanksgiving (eucharist) of the people, and bless those who have offered the offerings and the thanksgivings, and grant health and soundness and cheerfulness and all advancement of soul and body to this whole people through the only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit; as it was and is and shall be to generations of generations and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 2. After the [Lord's?] prayer (comes) the fraction, and in the fraction a prayer.
Count us worthy of this communion also, O God of truth, and make our bodies to contain purity and our souls prudence and knowledge. And make us wise, O God of compassions, by the participation of the body and the blood, because through thy only-begotten to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit, now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 3. After giving the fraction (i.e. the broken bread) to the clerics, imposition of hands (i.e. Benediction) of the people.
I stretch out the hand upon this people and pray that the hand of the truth may be stretched out and blessing given to this people on account of thy loving kindness, O God of compassions, and the mysteries that are present. May a hand of piety and power and sound discipline and cleanness and all holiness bless this people, and continually preserve it to advancement and improvement through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit both now and to all (the) ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 4. After the distribution of (i. e. to) the people (is this) prayer.
We thank thee, Master, that thou hast called those who have erred, and hast taken to thy self those who have sinned, and hast set aside the threat that was against us, giving indulgence by thy loving kindness, and wiping it away by repentance, and casting it off by the knowledge that regards thyself. We give thanks to thee, that thou hast given us communion of (the) body and blood. Bless us, bless this people, make us to have a part with the body and the blood through thy only-begotten Son, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and ever and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 5. Prayer concerning the oils and waters that are offered.
We bless through the name of thy only-begotten Jesus Christ these creatures, we name the name of him who suffered, who was crucified, and rose again, and who sitteth on the right hand of the uncreated, upon this water and upon this [oil]. Grant healing power upon these creatures that every fever and every evil spirit and every sickness may depart through the drinking and the anointing, and that the partaking of these creatures may be a healing medicine, and a medicine of soundness, in the name of thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 6. Laying on of hands (i.e. Benediction) after the blessing of the water and the oil.
O loving God of truth, let the communion of the body and the blood go along with this people. Let their bodies be living bodies, and their souls be clean souls. Grant this blessing to be a keeping of their communion, and a security to the Eucharist that has been celebrated : and make blessed all of them in common and make (them) elect through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 7. Sanctification of Waters.
King and Lord of all things and Artificer of the world, who gavest salvation freely to all created nature by the descent of thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, thou who didst redeem the creation that thou didst create by the coming of thy ineffable Word: see now from heaven and look upon these waters and fill them with holy Spirit. Let thine ineffable Word come to be in them and transform their energy and cause them to be generative (as) being filled with thy grace, in order that the mystery which is now being celebrated may not be found in vain in those that are being regenerated, but may fill all those that descend (into them) and are baptized (herein) with the divine grace. O loving benefactor spare thy own handiwork, save the creature that has been the toil of thy right hand. Form all that are being regenerated (after) thy divine and ineffable form, in order that having been formed and regenerated they may be able to be saved and counted worthy of thy kingdom. And as thy only-begotten Word coming down upon the waters of the Jordan rendered them holy, so now also may he descend on these and make them holy and spiritual, to the end that those who are being baptized may be no longer flesh and blood, but spiritual and able to worship thee the uncreated father through Jesus Christ in holy Spirit, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 8. Prayer on behalf of those being baptized.
We beseech thee, O God of truth, on behalf of this thy servant and pray that thou wouldst count him worthy of the divine mystery and of thy ineffable regeneration. For to thee, O loving (God), is he now offered; to thee we devote him: grant him to communicate in this divine regeneration, to the end that he may no longer be led by any bad and evil one, but worship thee continually and observe thy ordinances as thy only-begotten Word doth guide him: for through him to thee (is) the glory and the strength in the holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 9. After the renunciation—a prayer.
O Lord all-sovereign seal the adhesion of this thy servant which has now been made to thee, and continually keep his character and his manner (of life) unchangeable, that he may no longer minister to those that are worse, but may worship in the God of truth, and serve thee the maker of all things, to the end that he may be rendered perfect and thine own through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 10. After the acceptance—a prayer.
O loving benefactor, saviour of all those who have turned to thee for succour, be gracious to this thy servant. Guide him to the regeneration with thy right hand: let thy only-begotten Word guide him to the washing: let his regeneration be honoured, let it not be empty of thy grace: let thy holy Word accompany him, let thy holy Spirit be with him scaring away and driving off every temptation, because through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 11. After (he) has been baptized and has come up—a prayer.
O God, the God of truth, the Artificer of all, the Lord of all the creation, bless this thy servant with thy blessing: render him clean in the regeneration, make him to have fellowship with thy angelic powers, that he may be named no longer flesh but spiritual, by partaking of thy divine and profitable gift. May he be preserved up to the end to thee the Maker of the world through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom (is) to thee the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 12. Laying on of hands of the making of Deacons.
Father of the only-begotten who didst send thy Son and didst ordain the things on the earth, and hast given rules to the Church and orders for the profit and salvation of the flocks, who didst choose out Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons for the Ministry of thy catholic Church, who didst choose through thine only-begotten the seven Deacons, and didst freely give to them holy Spirit, make also this man a Deacon of thy catholic Church, and give in him a spirit of knowledge and discernment, that he may be able cleanly and unblameably to do service in this ministry in the midst of the holy people, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 13. Laying on of hands of the making of Presbyters.
We stretch forth the hand, O Lord God of the heavens, Father of thy only-begotten, upon this man, and beseech thee that the Spirit of truth may dwell (or settle) upon him. Give him the grace of prudence and knowledge and a good heart. Let a divine Spirit come to be in him that he may be able to be a steward of thy people and an ambassador of thy divine oracles, and to reconcile thy people to thee the uncreated God, who didst give of the spirit of Moses upon the chosen ones, even holy Spirit. Give a portion of holy Spirit also to this man, from the Spirit of thy only-begotten, for the grace of wisdom and knowledge and right faith, that he may be able to serve thee in a clean conscience (1 Tim. iii. 9), through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and for all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 14. Laying on of hands of the making of a Bishop.
Thou who didst send the Lord Jesus for the gain of all the world, thou who didst through him choose the apostles, thou who generation by generation dost ordain holy Bishops, O God of truth, make this Bishop also a living Bishop, holy of the succession of the holy apostles, and give to him grace and divine Spirit, that thou didst freely give to all thy own servants and prophets and patriarchs: make him to be worthy to shepherd thy flock and let him still continue unblameably and inoffensively in the Bishopric through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 15. Prayer of Sarapion, Bishop of Thmuis: a prayer in regard to the anointing oil of those who are being baptized.
Master, lover of men and lover of souls (Wisd. xi. 26), compassionate and pitiful, O God of truth, we invoke thee following out and obeying the promises of thine only begotten who has said, "whosesoever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven them" (St. John xx. 23): and we anoint with this anointing oil those who in purpose approach this divine regeneration, beseeching (thee) that our Lord Jesus Christ may work in them healing and strength-making power, and by this anointing oil may reveal (himself) and heal away from their soul, body, spirit, every mark of sin and lawlessness or satanic fault, and by his own proper grace may afford them remission, that dying to sin they shall live to righteousness (1 Pet. ii. 24), and being re-created through this anointing, and being cleansed through the washing, and being renewed in the spirit (Eph. iv. 23), they shall be able henceforth to have victory over all the opposing energies and deceits of this world that assail them, and thus to be bound up and united with the flock of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, because through him to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 16. Prayer in regard to the Chrism with which those who have been baptized are being anointed.
God of Hosts (lit. powers), the helper of every soul that turns to thee and that cometh under the mighty hand of thy only-begotten, we invoke thee to work in this chrism a divine and heavenly energy through the divine and unseen powers of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in order that they who have been baptized, and who are being anointed with it with the impress of the sign of the saving cross of the only-begotten, by which cross Satan and every opposing power was routed and triumphed over, they also, as being regenerated and renewed through the washing of regeneration (Titus iii. 5), may become partakers of the gift of the holy Spirit, and being made secure by this seal (1 Cor. xv. 53), may continue steadfast and unmoveable, unhurt and inviolate, free from harsh treatment and intrigue, in the franchise of the faith and full knowledge of the truth, awaiting to the end the heavenly hopes of life and eternal promises of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 17. Prayer in regard to oil of the sick or for bread or for water.
We invoke thee who hast all authority and power, the Saviour of all men, father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and pray thee to send healing power of the only-begotten from heaven upon this oil, that it may become to those who are being anointed (with it), or are partaking of these thy creatures, for a throwing off of every sickness and every infirmity (Matt. iv. 23), for a charm against every demon, for a separation of every unclean spirit, for an expulsion of every evil spirit, for a driving out of all fever and ague and every infirmity, for good grace and remission of sins, for a medicine of life and salvation, for health and soundness of soul, body, spirit, for perfect strengthening. O Master, let every Satanic energy, every demon, every device of the adversary, every plague, every scourge, every pain, every labour or stroke or shaking or evil shadowing, fear thy holy name which we have now invoked and the name of the only-begotten; and let them depart from the inward [and] the outward parts of these thy servants, that his name may be glorified who for us was crucified and rose again, who took up our sicknesses and our infirmities, (even) Jesus Christ (cp. Matt. viii. 17), and who is coming to judge quick and dead. Because through him to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 18. Prayer for one who is dead and is to be carried forth.
God, who hast authority of life and death (Wisd. xvi. 13), God of the spirits and Master of all flesh (cp. Num. xvi. 22), God who killest and makest alive, who bringest down to the gates of Hades and bringest up (1 Sam. ii. 6), who createst the spirit of man within him and takest to thyself the souls of the saints and givest rest, who alterest and changest and transformest thy creatures, as is right and expedient, being thyself alone incorruptible, unalterable and eternal, we beseech thee for the repose and rest of this thy servant or this thine handmaiden: give rest to his soul, his spirit, in green places (cp. LXX. Ps. xxii. 2), in chambers of rest with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all thy Saints: and raise up his body in the day which thou hast ordained, according to thy promises which cannot lie (Titus i. 2), that thou mayest render to it also the heritage of which it is worthy in thy holy pastures. Remember not his transgressions and sins: and cause his going forth to be peaceable and blessed. Heal the griefs of those that pertain to him with the spirit of consolation, and grant unto us all a good end through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit to the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 19. First Prayer of the Lord's Day.
We beseech thee the Father of the only-begotten, the Lord of the universe, the artificer of the creatures, the maker of things that have been made; clean hands do we stretch out, and our thoughts do we unfold to thee, O Lord. We pray thee, have compassion, spare, benefit, improve, multiply (us) in virtue and faith and knowledge. Visit us (Ps. cxv. 4), O Lord; to thee we display our own weaknesses. Be propitious and have pity on us all in common. Have pity, benefit this people. Make it gentle and sober-minded and clean; and send angelic powers, in order that all this thy people may be holy and reverend. I beseech thee send holy Spirit into our mind and give us grace to learn the divine scriptures from (the) holy Spirit, and to interpret, cleanly and worthily, that all the lay-people present may be helped, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 20. After rising up from the sermon—a prayer.
God, the Saviour, God of the Universe, the Lord and artificer of the world, the begetter of the only-begotten, who hast begotten the living and true expression (of thy self, cp. Heb. i. 3), who didst send him for the help of the race of men, who through him didst call and make men thy own possession, we pray thee on behalf of this people. Send holy Spirit (on them), and let the Lord Jesus visit them, let him speak in the understandings of all, and predispose their hearts to faith; may he himself draw their souls to thee, O God of compassions. Create a people even in this City, create a genuine flock through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 21. Prayer on behalf of the Catechumens.
Helper and Lord of all, deliverer of those who have been delivered, protector of the rescued, the hope of those who have come under thy mighty hand: thou art he who hast put down lawlessness, who through thy only-begotten has brought Satan to nought and hast loosed his devices and released those who were bound by him: we thank thee on behalf the Catechumens, because thou hast called them through the only-begotten, and freely gavest to them thy knowledge. May they be confirmed in (this) knowledge, that they may know thee the only true God and him whom thou didst send (even) Jesus Christ (St. John xvii. 3). May they be continually guarded in what they have learnt and in clean wisdom, and may they advance to become worthy of the washing of regeneration (Titus iii. 5), and of the holy mysteries, through the only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 22. Prayer for those who are sick.
We beseech thee the overlooker and Lord and fashioner of the body and maker of the soul, thee who didst fit together man, thee who art the steward and governor of the whole race of men, thee who art reconciled and made gentle because of thine own love of men: be propitious Master: assist and heal all that are sick. Rebuke the sicknesses: raise up those that are lying down: give glory to thy holy name and to that of thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit, both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 23. Prayer for fruitfulness.
Artificer of heaven and earth, thou who hast crowned the heaven through the choir of the stars, and made it brilliant through the Luminaries, who hast honoured earth with its fruits for the profit of men, thou who hast freely given to the race that has been created by thyself, from above to enjoy the ray and the light of the Luminaries, and from below to be nourished from off the fruits of the earth. We pray thee grant (us) the rains most full and most fertilizing. Cause the earth also to bear fruit and to produce in great abundance on account of thy loving-kindness and goodness. Remember those who invoke thee: honour thy holy and only catholic Church and hear our supplications and prayers, and bless all the earth, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 24. Prayer concerning the Church.
O Lord God of the Ages, O God of reasonable spirits, O God of clean souls and of all who invoke thee in simplicity and cleanliness, thou who in heaven art manifested and brought to the knowledge of clean spirits, who on earth art hymned and dwellest in the catholic Church, who art ministered to by holy angels and clean souls, who also madest out of the heavens a living chorus to (the) glory and praise of the truth, grant that this Church may be a living and clean Church, grant it to have divine powers and clean angels as ministers, that in cleanness it may be able to hymn thee. We beseech thee on behalf of all persons of this Church; be reconciled to all, give indulgence to all, give remission of sins to all. Grant them no longer to sin in anything, but become a wall to them and bring to nought every temptation. Have mercy on men, and women, and children: and show thyself in all; and let the knowledge of thyself be written in their hearts, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 25. Prayer on behalf of a Bishop and the Church.
We invoke thee the Saviour and Lord, the God of all flesh and the Lord of every spirit, thou that art blessed and the provider of every blessing, sanctify this Bishop and keep him outside every temptation, and give to him wisdom and knowledge. Lead him rightly in thy rules of discipline. We beseech thee also for the Fellow-presbyters, sanctify them, give them wisdom and knowledge and right doctrine: cause them to be ambassadors of thy holy doctrine rightly and unblameably. Sanctify also the Deacons, that they may be clean in heart and body and be able to minister in a clean conscience and to give attendance to the holy body and the holy blood. We beseech thee also on behalf of the Subdeacons and Readers and Interpreters. Give rest to all (who are) of the Church and give to all mercy and compassion and advancement. We beseech thee on behalf of all who are living as Solitaries, and for the Virgins who are keeping their estate. Let them finish their course (2 Tim. iv. 7) unblameably and their life unfailingly, that they may be able to pass through all their days in cleanness and holiness. Have mercy also on all who are married, the men and the women and the children, and give to all a blessing of advancement and improvement, that all may become living and elect men, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 26. Prayer of bending the knee.
Father of the only-begotten, good and compassionate, pitiful and lover of men and lover of souls, benefactor of all who turn themselves to thee, receive this supplication, and give us knowledge and faith and piety and holiness. Bring to nought every passion, every lust, every sin from (among) this people. Make them all to become clean. Give indulgence to the faults of all. For to thee the uncreated father through the only-begotten do we bend the knee. Give to us a holy understanding and perfect assistance; give to us to seek and to love thee; give to us to search and to seek out thy divine oracles; O Master give to us (thy) hand and raise us up. Raise us up, O God of compassions, cause us to look up. Uncover our eyes, grant us freedom of speech, suffer us not to be ashamed, nor to be abashed, nor to accuse ourselves. Blot out the bond that is against us (Coloss. ii. 14). Write our names in the book of life (cp. Philip. iv. 3). Number us together with thy holy prophets and apostles, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 27. Prayer on behalf of (the) people.
1 A. We may make full confession to thee, O God who lovest man, and throw before thee our weaknesses, and beseech thee that strength may be imparted to us. Pardon our foregone sins and remit all (our) faults that have passed by and make (us) new men. Render us all servants of thine own and clean. To thee we dedicate ourselves; receive us, O God of truth. [Fixed Diptych.] B. Receive this people, grant that it may be entirely thine own. Grant it entirely to walk unblameably and cleanly. Let them be joined in symmetry with the heavenly ones; let them be numbered together with the angels; let them become entirely elect and holy. We beseech thee on behalf of those who have believed and have come to full knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ; let them be confirmed in the faith, and in the knowledge and in the doctrine.
2 We pray thee on behalf of all this people, be reconciled to all, make thyself known. Reveal thy bright light; let all know thee the uncreated Father and thy only-begotten Son Jesus Christ. We pray for all Rulers, may they have a peaceable life. (We pray) for the rest of the Catholic Church. We pray thee, O God of compassions, for freemen and slaves, males and women, old men and children, poor and rich; display to all thine own special good, and stretch forth on all thine own special loving-kindness; have compassion on all and grant to all to turn to thee. We beseech thee for those who are travelling from home, grant them an angel of peace as their fellow-traveller, that they may receive no hurt from any one, that they may finish their voyage and their travels in much cheerfulness. We beseech thee for those who are afflicted and in bonds and in poverty; give rest to each, free (them) from bonds, bringing (them) out of poverty; comfort all, thou who art the comforter and consoler.
3 We pray for the sick, grant (them) health and raise (them) up from their sickness, and make them to have perfect health of body and soul: for thou art the Saviour and benefactor, thou art the Lord and King of all. We have besought thee on behalf of all through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 28. Laying on of hands (Benediction) of Catechumens.
We stretch out the hand, O Master, and pray that the divine and living hand may be stretched out in blessing on this people. For to thee, uncreated Father, through the only-begotten they have bowed their heads. Bless this people unto the blessing of knowledge and piety, unto the blessing of thy mysteries, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Prayer 29. Laying on of hands (Benediction) of the laity.
May the living and clean hand, the hand of the only-begotten, that hath destroyed all evil things and confirmed and established all holy things, be stretched out over the heads of this people. May the people be blessed by the blessing of (the) Spirit, by the blessing of heaven, by the blessing of prophets and apostles. May the bodies of the people be blessed to temperance and cleanness. May their souls be blessed to learning and knowledge and the mysteries. May they be blessed all in common through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit, both now and to all the ages of (the) ages. Amen.
Prayer 30. Laying on of hands (Benediction) of sick persons.
O Lord God of compassions, stretch out thine hand and grant that all the sick may be healed. Grant them to be counted worthy of health. Free them from the sickness which lies upon them. Let them be healed in the name of thy only-begotten. May his holy name be to them a medicine for health and soundness, because through him to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen. All these prayers are performed before the Offertory prayer.