The East Syriac Form for the Ordination of the Clergy (Badger translation)
The East Syriac Form for the Ordination of the Clergy (Badger translation)
Church of the East
The East Syriac form of ordination in Badger’s English translation from the Syriac: the ordering of readers, subdeacons, deacons and presbyters and the consecration of bishops and the patriarch, with the prayers, laying on of hands, anthems and directions, and a short form for the restoration of a priest who has been suspended.
1 The ordering of Readers, Sub-deacons, Deacons, and Presbyters, drawn up by Mar Kiprianos Metropolitan of Nisibis, by Mar Yeshua-yau Catholicos and Patriarch, and by the learned Mar Israel. ¶ Be it known unto thee, our brother, that the imposition of hands may take place on any day of the week, either before the commencement of the liturgy or after, either before the Nicene Creed or after, either before communion or after the conclusion of the liturgy, or on any day when there is no liturgy. ¶ Ordination may be conferred on a day when no liturgy is celebrated only up to the order of Priest. The ordination of the heads of the Priests [Bishops, &c.] may only take place, on festivals, Sundays, and on days of commemoration. ¶ If only one is to be ordained the singular number is to be used throughout, if more, the plural. ¶ Know also, that at the beginning of every doxology, of every prayer, and of every canon, those about to be ordained shall bow themselves to the ground.
2 ¶ Those to be ordained shall be brought to the Bishop, who shall cut off some of their hair, and shall gird their loins with a girdle whilst they stand by the step leading into the bema. Then the Bishop, Archdeacon, and other clergy, shall enter the bema, the curtain of which shall be drawn aside, and they shall take their proper places in the choir. Then the Archdeacon shall present those to be ordained before the steps of the bema divested of their upper garments, with their hands crossed upon their breasts, whilst one of the Deacons standing by shall hold the stoles and parts of the Karyâné in his hands. Then the Bishop, standing in the bema, shall begin with Glory to God in the highest, &c. Our FATHER, which art in heaven, &c. Archdeacon. Peace be with us. Let Thy power, O LORD our GOD, perfect through our weak hands this spiritual service, the gift of the priesthood, of which by grace we have been made stewards, O Thou Giver of all spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST.
3 R. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall precent Psalm cv. 1—8, whilst those within and without the Choir shall respond as follows: He sent a messenger of peace to make known the glad tidings of His conception; and by the gate through which death came in, life hath entered, and death hath passed away. ¶ Whilst this psalm is being said, the Bishop shall kneel before the altar, and when it is ended he shall salute the altar, and shall go forth out of the sacra-rium holding his staff in his hand, and shall stand on the lowest step of the bema, and shall give his staff to the Archdeacon, who shall say: Peace be with us. ¶ Then the Bishop shall rehearse this prayer, which is to be said before all ordinations. With his hands stretched out in a supplicating posture he shall say: The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, which perfects at all times that which is wanting, by the will of GOD the FATHER, and the power of the HOLY GHOST, be with us evermore, and perfect through our feeble hands this high and awful service for the salvation of our life, [then with a loud voice he shall add,] now and for ever and ever.
4 R. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign himself, but not those about to be ordained; for in the above prayer he prays for himself. After this the office for the ordina-tion of Readers shall commence, the Archdeacon proclaiming as follows: The Readers are about to be ordained; pray for them. ¶ Then the Archdeacon shall assist them to ascend the first step leading into the bema; after which the Bishop shall say this benediction over the Readers, in a low voice, with his hand laid upon their heads. O LORD GOD, the strong, the almighty, bless these Thy ser-vants, and in the abundance of Thy grace elect them with a good election, and in Thy mercy make them fit stewards to read the Holy Scriptures, the Divine words, before Thy chosen people in Thy holy Church. Keep them blameless all the days of their life, through the grace and compassion of Thy Only-begotten, to whom with Thee, and the HOLY GHOST, we ascribe glory, honour, praise, and worship, [with a loud voice,] now and for ever and ever.
5 R. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign each of the ordained from the centre of the face to the back of the head, and from right to left. Then the Archdeacon shall bring the stoles to the Bishop, who shall lay them over the outstretched arms of the ordained, and he shall give into their hands a part of the Lectionary, or a portion of the writings of the Prophets, or one of the two parts of the Book of Life.*
The Ordering of Sub-Deacons.
6 Archdeacon. The Sub-deacons are about to be ordained; pray for them. ¶ Here those who are already in orders shall assist those about to be ordained to ascend as far as the middle step leading to the bema. Then the Bishop, standing upon the upper step, shall say this prayer in a low voice over the sub-deacons, with his right hand laid upon them, and his left stretched out as in supplication. O LORD GOD, the strong, the almighty, look upon these Thy servants, and in the abundance of Thy grace elect them with a holy election. In Thy mercy fit them to perfect that which is wanting in Thy holy Church, and in Thy pity, O LORD, grant that they may minister before Thee without blame, with a pure heart, and upright conscience. And grant that Thy wisdom may perfect in them every virtue, through the grace and compassion of Thy Only-begotten, to whom with Thee and the HOLY GHOST we ascribe glory, honour, praise, and worship, [with a loud voice,] now and for ever and ever.
7 R. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall sign over their heads, and shall take the books from the hands of those being ordained, and shall give them to the Archdeacon. Then he shall kiss them on the head, and shall wind the stoles round their necks. ¶ The Readers and sub-deacons are not to be signed betwixt the eyes, neither is the prayer for the descent of the HOLY GHOST to be said over them; but only the prayer which distinguishes them from laymen, for their office is merely to keep the doors, to serve before the Levites, and to read the prophetical books. The sub-deacons are to be admitted as far as the lamp hung in the centre of the bema; beyond this they are not permitted to enter. ¶ Then the Bishop shall conduct the newly ordained up the steps of the bema in this order: the first shall lay hold of the Bishop's vestments, and the rest shall lay hold of one another, and the Bishop shall direct them to proclaim:
8 Let us pray. Peace be with us.
The Ordering of Deacons. — Prayer.
9 O LORD of all purity, who lovest those who are pure, pour out Thy purifying light upon these Thy servants, and vouchsafe unto them the companionship of Thy power and help, that they may minister to Thy sacraments in all purity, and fulfil Thy holy commandments to the sanctification of their members, for Thou art the high and holy One Who didst humble Thyself from the height of Thy greatness to descend to this our world, and didst minister to the salvation of all mankind. O LORD, make these Thy servants meet to enter Thy holy sanctuary, and to minister before Thy high altar which is set up on earth after the pattern of that which is in heaven, Thou Who art the giver of all spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall take them by the hand, and shall conduct them as far as the lamp hung in the centre of the bema; after which he shall precent the following
Canon.
10 LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? O LORD, cause me to stand before Thine altar with pure thoughts. [Ps. xv. to the end.] ¶ Then the Bishop shall stand on the step of the altar, and those about to be ordained shall bow their heads under the lamp, and the Archdeacon shall say: Let us pray. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
11 O LORD, may the desirable help of Thy mercies, which is given from Thy holy altar to all such as worship Thee in every generation of the world, surround these Thy servants, who now worship before Thee seeking to obtain the same, on the right hand and on the left, before and behind, Thou Who art the Giver of all spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall throw incense into the censer, and shall intone the following anthem: Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy commandments, that I may keep them. Show me Thy way, O LORD, that I may walk uprightly. Teach me, O LORD, to walk in the way of Thy commandments, to keep Thy words, and to do Thy will. Set a watch over the doors of my members, lest the treasure of Thy gift be stolen from me.
12 Glory be to the FATHER, &c. Be watchful at all times, having your loins girt about, with your lamps always burning, that ye may be worthy of that bliss which He has promised to those faithful servants whom when He cometh He shall find watching. Archd. Let us pray. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
13 We pray and beseech Thee, O CHRIST, Who being ministered unto wast yet pleased to minister to the salvation of all, to admit and number these Thy servants among the Stephanite seven chosen by Thy holy Apostles, Thou Good [GOD] Who lovest the service which is performed heartily, Thou Giver of all spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall precent the following Canon, and whilst it is being said, those to be ordained shall bow themselves. Psalm xxi. 2—8. O our SAVIOUR, let the power of Thy grace rest upon these Thy servants, that they may minister within Thine altar in all purity, even as do Thy Angels. O LORD, Who art praised by those who are nigh unto Thee, and magnified by Thy chosen ones, vouchsafe the companionship of Thy help to Thy worshippers who have partaken of Thy gift.
14 [In the original a number of supplementary Canons are added at the end of this office, having special reference to the Christian names of those who are to be ordained. Such as are applicable are directed to be inserted here.]
Prayer.
15 O LORD our GOD, Thou vast and immeasurable Ocean of mercy and pity, Thou unfathomable Depth of tenderness and compassion, we pray, supplicate, and beseech, that Thou wouldest increase Thy help to these Thy servants, and so strengthen them that they may approve themselves unto Thee in their ministry, reconcile Thy Majesty by their works, live in the straight way of Thy commandments, and evermore meditate in Thy life-giving and divine Scriptures, Thou Giver of spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen.
Canon.
16 Psalm cxxiii. 1—3. O LORD, pour out Thy grace upon these Thy servants. ¶ Whilst this Canon is being said the first time, the Bishop shall kneel before the altar, and give thanks unto GOD from his heart for having raised him to so high a degree. When it is repeated he shall rise, and shall approach those about to be ordained, whom the Archdeacon shall cause to kneel upon the right knee, the left being bent upwards to signify that they have already received one talent; and they shall place their closed hands upon their ears, the forefingers being pointed upwards, and their faces bent downwards. (This posture is to indicate that they are crucified to their ministry, and are become servants to the Priests and to the heads of the Priests.) Then the ordainer shall give his staff to the Archdeacon, who shall say: Let us pray. Peace be with us.
17 ¶ Then the Bishop shall lay his right hand upon the heads of those to be ordained, and extending his left in a supplicating posture, he shall say in a low voice: O our righteous GOD and all-merciful King, Who art rich in mercy, and Whose pity is overflowing, in Thy unspeakable grace Thou hast made me, O LORD, a channel of Thy gift to Thy holy Church, that in Thy name I may impart the talents of the ministry of the SPIRIT to the ministers of Thy holy sacraments. And now, behold, according to the apostolical tradition which has descended in a chain to us by the laying on of hands of the ministration of the Church, we present unto Thee these Thy servants, that they may be elect Deacons in Thy holy Church; and we all pray in their behalf [Repeat,] that the grace of the HOLY GHOST may descend upon them to perfect them for the performance of this ministry to which they have offered themselves through Thy grace, and through the mercies of Thy Only Begotten, to whom with Thee and the HOLY GHOST, we ascribe glory, honour, praise, and worship, [With a loud voice,] now and for ever and ever.
18 R. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign over their heads. Then the Archdeacon shall say in an audible voice: Lift up your eyes to the heights of the highest, and pray for mercy from the compassionate GOD in behalf of the sub-deacons A. B., B. A. and D. C., who are being ordained Deacons to the Church of GOD dedicated to Mar ——, in the town (or village) of ——, to which they are appointed. Pray for them. ¶ Then the Bishop shall place his right hand upon their heads, and shall stretch out his left hand as in supplication, and shall say in a low voice: 19 O LORD GOD, the strong, the Almighty, [Repeat,] the holy and glorified One, Who keepest Thy covenant of grace and truth with such as fear Thee and keep Thy commandments, in Thy grace Thou hast given a knowledge of the truth to all mankind through the appearance of Thy Only Begotten, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, in the flesh, and hast elected Thy holy Church, and set up in her Prophets, Apostles, Priests, and doctors, for the perfecting of the saints, and hast also set up in her righteous Deacons for the ministry of Thy glorious and holy sacraments. And as Thou didst choose Stephen and his companions, so give now, in Thy mercy, to these Thy servants, O LORD, the grace of the HOLY GHOST, that they may be elect Deacons in Thy holy Church, and serve Thy pure altar with a pure heart and upright conscience, shine forth in works of righteousness for the ministry of Thy life-giving and divine sacraments, and be made meet to receive from Thee the heavenly reward in the day of recompense for the pure and holy ministry which they serve before Thee, through the grace and compassion of Thy Only Begotten, to Whom with Thee and the HOLY GHOST we ascribe glory, honour, praise, and worship [with a loud voice,] now and for ever and ever.
20 R. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign their heads, and shall direct them to bow themselves to the ground and to rise again. After which he shall take the stoles from off their necks, and shall place them over their left shoulder. Then the Archdeacon shall give the book of the Epistles to the Bishop, who shall place it in the hands of each of them, and he shall sign them betwixt the eyes with his forefinger from below upwards, and from right to left, saying in a loud voice: A. B. has been set apart, consecrated, and perfected, to the work of the ministry of the Church, and to the Levitical and Stephanite office, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall kiss their heads, and shall take from them the book of the Epistles, and shall give it to the Archdeacon. Then the Bishop shall take his staff in his hand, and shall ascend the steps of the altar, and after having bowed and risen again, he shall turn towards the south and begin this
21 Canon. The LORD is nigh unto all such as call upon Him in truth. O CHRIST, who gavest to Thy servants the spiritual talents of silver, give Thy help to these Thyworshippers who have received Thy gift. It is not in us, O JESUS our SAVIOUR, to make our way prosperous; for Thou art the disposer of our affairs by Thy power and wisdom. We call upon Thee, O LORD, and we pray for pity and compassion out of Thy treasure, for we know that Thou art the compassionate and merciful One who forgiveth our sins. ¶ Whilst this Canon is being said the Archdeacon shall conduct the Deacon from the right to the left of the altar, and they shall salute the right and left of the altar, and shall bow to the Bishop and kiss his hand. And the Bishop shall bless each of them separately, and shall say:
22 CHRIST, Who has advanced thee to His ministry, perfect in thee the work of righteousness for ever. ¶ Then the Deacons shall salute those who stand on the right and left of the altar, and these shall kiss their heads and invoke a blessing upon them. And when the Canon is ended, if the Liturgy is to be celebrated, the Bishop shall say the prayer from the Communion office beginning with: O LORD, before the glorious throne of Thy Majesty, &c. Then they shall come forth into the nave of the church bearing the cross, censer, and lights. But if there be no Liturgy, the LORD'S Prayer shall be repeated, after which the Bishop shall say this
Prayer.
23 Unto Thee be praise from those above, and thanks from those below, and glory and worship from all Thy creatures in heaven and in earth, O Thou Who art the cause of our life, and the righteous hope of our souls, and the enricher of our race by Thy gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. R. Amen. Give Thy blessing, O LORD.
Another.
24 Bless and sanctify our souls, purify our consciences, and strengthen our weakness, that we may minister before Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST.
Concluding Prayer.
25 O Thou adorable and glorious One, Whose ministers are light and spirit, in Thine unspeakable grace and unlimited goodness, set apart and offer to the ministry of Thy holy will these Thy servants, that in all humility and devoid of all glorying they may approve themselves before Thee as did Stephen and his companions, all the days of their life, now and for ever. Amen.
The Ordering of Presbyters.
26 ¶ The Bishop shall first cut off some of the hair of those to be ordained, and shall gird their loins with a girdle, and shall place the surplice on their left shoulder. And they shall stand in the centre of the bema, according to the order of their diaconate, and the Bishop shall begin with Glory be to GOD in the highest, &c. Our FATHER, which art in heaven, &c.
Prayer.
27 Let Thy power, O LORD our GOD, perfect through our weakness and imperfection this spiritual service, the gift of the priesthood, of which Thy grace has made us stewards, O Thou giver of spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. Psalm lxxxiv. O ye priests, how exalted is the order of your ministry! The ministers of light and spirit, the glorious Gabriel and the great Michael, whose names proclaim their excellency, stand in awe of it, and if we compare them with the priesthood they are much inferior to it. ¶ Then the Doxology shall be said, and the first verse of the above psalm shall be repeated; after which the following: Come and let us draw near to the priesthood, which is the salt of the earth, and which by the might of the Spirit gives a savour to the unsavoury. Archdeacon. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
28 O LORD, clothe these Thy worshippers whose hands are stretched out before the throne of Thy Majesty, with the mantle of the priesthood wherewith Thou didst endue Thy faithful ones under the old and new covenant, and strengthen them that they may be blameless, and that they may offer up unto Thee by day and by night the sacrifices of reconciliation, O Thou giver of spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall put incense into the censer, and shall precent this anthem: He that is of clean hands and a pure heart. For the LORD holdeth him by the hand. When the Priest comes before the holy altar he stretcheth forth his hands unto heaven in purity, and he invokes the Spirit which descends from on high, and consecrates the body and blood of CHRIST. [Repeat.] Glory be to the FATHER, &c. The Priest secretly invokes the SPIRIT, Who descends from on high to do his will, and consecrates the body and blood of CHRIST, which the people partake of, and thereby live for ever.
29 ¶ If more than one are to be ordained the following shall be said: Thy priests, O LORD, are clothed with righteousness, and Thine upright ones with glory. Stand in awe and sin not. O ye holy Priests, wash your consciences from the pollution of sin. [Repeat.] Glory be to the FATHER, &c. O ye Priests, who are made meet to be angels, keep yourselves from iniquity.
Prayer.
30 O LORD, anoint these Thy servants with a holy anointing, and let Thy hand help them, and Thy arm strengthen them, that they may exercise their priesthood in Thy Holy Church, and perfect the ministry of Thy sin-forgiving sacraments to the edification of the souls of Thy worshippers, Thou giver of spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen.
Canon.
31 Psalm lxxxix. 15—22. ¶ If only one is to be ordained, the following Canon shall be said: Psalm xxi. 2—8. O Thou King, the Maker and the Made, the one LORD and united SON, present these Thy servants to the work of the consecration of the sacraments and of baptism, and strengthen them by Thy adorable command that they may be priests unto Thee in all chastity, both secretly and openly, according to the requirements of the law, and be adorned and furnished [with good works] here and in the world to come. O CHRIST, the true Priest, Whose priesthood never faileth, vouchsafe to these Thy servants what they stand in need of, and clothe them with beauty and comeliness, that they may exercise their priesthood before Thee, diligently—a priesthood which Thou shalt approve of. And grant that at the last they may lay down the talents which they have received in hope of profiting the soul together with what they have gained thereby, and be worthy to hear the joyful invitation: Enter into the joy which passeth not away.
32 [Here follow the supplementary Canons adapted to the Christian names of those about to be ordained, as in the office for the ordering of Deacons.]
Prayer.
33 Pour out Thy grace, O LORD our GOD, upon these Thy servants, and perfect their hands in purity, that they may approach the ministry of Thy sin-forgiving sacraments, and consecrate the bosom of holy and sin-forgiving baptism, the spring in which mortal children are begotten to immortality, through Thy grace and mercy, Thou giver of spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen.
Canon.
34 Do good, O LORD, to Thy servants, according to Thy word. O Thou righteous One, Who committedst to Thy Apostles power and authority over the heights and depths, grant, O LORD, to these Thy worshippers the power of Thy grace. Vouchsafe, O LORD, that the HOLY GHOST, the Comforter, Which descended and rested upon the disciples, may rest upon the heads of these Thy worshippers.
Prayer.
35 Pour out, O LORD, Thy overflowing grace, and Thine abundant gift upon the heads of these Thy worshippers, who seek Thy Divine gift; strengthen them to minister at Thy holy altar, and to declare the tidings of Thy glory to the people who are redeemed by Thy Cross, and to make known Thy wonders to the flock, sealed by Thy living and life-giving sign, O Thou giver of all spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen.
Canon.
36 Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou Who dwellest in the heavens. O LORD our GOD, pour out Thy grace upon these Thy worshippers. ¶ Then the Archdeacon shall cause those to be ordained to kneel on both knees, with their hands lifted up above their eyes, their heads bent downwards, and with the surplice still on their shoulders like deacons. Note. The kneeling of the presbyter on both knees shows, that he has received two talents, and his hands outstretched above his eyes is intended to denote that he has received permission, authority, and grace, to invoke the Spirit and to bless, to beget sons of the Spirit, and to feed them with spiritual food. ¶ Then the Bishop shall give his staff to the Archdeacon, who shall proclaim: Let us pray. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
37 [In a low voice.] The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, which perfects at all times that which is wanting, by the will of GOD the FATHER, and the power of the HOLY GHOST, be with us evermore, and perfect through our hands this high and awful service for the salvation of our lives, [in a loud voice] now and for ever and ever. R. Amen. Archdeacon. Peace be with us. ¶ Then the Bishop shall lay his right hand upon those to be ordained, and shall say in a low voice: O our righteous GOD, &c. [as in the office for the ordering of Deacons, with the substitution of the word "Presbyter" for that of "Deacon."] R. Amen. ¶ Then the Archdeacon shall proclaim: Lift up your eyes, &c. [as in the ordering of Deacons, with the change just noted.] ¶ Then the Bishop shall lay his right hand upon their heads, and with his left stretched out, he shall say in a low voice:
38 O LORD GOD, the strong, the Almighty, [Repeat,] Maker of heaven and earth, and all that therein is, Who hast chosen Thy holy Church, and set up in it prophets, apostles, doctors, and priests, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edification of the body of the Church;— look now, O GOD, the LORD of hosts, the Sovereign ruler of all the world, upon these Thy servants, elect them with a holy election by the descent of the HOLY GHOST, give them the word of truth in the opening of their mouth, and choose them to the priesthood, O LORD, the mighty GOD, [Here the Bishop shall take hold of their right hand,] that they may lay their hands upon the sick that they may be healed; and may minister at Thy holy altar, with a pure heart and upright conscience, offering up unto Thee oblations of prayer and sacrifices of thanks-giving in Thy holy Church, and consecrating, through the power of Thy gift, the sin-forgiving bosom of mystical birth towards such as shall be called by Thy grace to the communion of the adoption of Thy Majesty, and adorn with works of righteousness the children of the holy Catholic Church, to the glory of Thy name, so that in the new world they may be approved for this pure ministry which they shall serve, and stand with confidence before the awful seat of Thy Majesty, through the grace and mercy of Thy Only Begotten, to Whom with Thee and the HOLY GHOST, we ascribe glory, honour, praise, and worship, now and for ever and ever.
39 R. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign the heads of the ordained, after which he shall direct them to bow themselves and to stand up again. Then the Bishop shall take the surplice from off their shoulders, and shall invest them therewith, and he shall take the stole from off their left shoulders, and shall hang it round their necks. This done, the Bishop shall take the adorable Gospel, and shall place it in the hands of the ordained, and shall sign them betwixt the eyes with the thumb of his right hand, and shall say: A. B. has been set apart, consecrated, and perfected, for the work of the presbyterate of the Church, and for the office of the Aaronic priesthood, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall kiss their heads; and the above shall be done to each in rotation.
40 After signing them, the Bishop shall take from them the Gospel, and shall give it to the Archdeacon, and the ordained shall bow and rise up again. Then the Bishop shall take his staff in his hand, and shall ascend the step of the altar and do obeisance, and turning towards the south, he shall begin this
Canon.
41 The LORD is nigh unto all such as call upon Him in truth, &c. [As in the office for the ordering of Deacons.]
Concluding Prayer.
42 O LORD, the mighty GOD, [Repeat,] let the right hand of Thy mercy rest, and pour out the power of Thy grace upon these Thy servants, and sanctify them, that they may perfect the great work of the priesthood of the Church which is the possessor of the sacraments, and the giver of divine gifts. Crown them with the crown of the Aaronic priesthood, that they may exercise the office of priests to Thy holy altar in all chastity; beautify them with the ornament of righteousness; endue them with power to perfect Thy ministry gladly and joyfully; and brood over their heads, that through the power of Thy gift, they may receive the gift of the spiritual priesthood, and in purity serve Thy holy and pure altar; make known to all the churches of the East the glad tidings of life; consecrate the sin-forgiving bosom of holy baptism in which mortal children are begotten to immortality; grant pardon to Thy people, through the oblation of Thy body and blood; and take from Thy holy altar a heavenly power from Thy holiness, that they may perfect Thy commandments, and be made worthy to stand before Thee at the last day, when Thou shalt come with Thy holy angels, and for ever and ever. Amen.
Part the Second.
43 THE ORDERING OF AN ARCHDEACON, TO BE HEAD OVER THE PRIESTS AND DEACONS, AND OVER ALL THE FLOCK TO WHICH HE SHALL BE APPOINTED. ¶ At morning tide, the Bishop shall enter the bema with the clergy, he being with them who is to be ordained, and they shall begin the service with, Our FATHER which art in heaven, &c. One of the Priests. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
44 Unto Thee, O Thou Who dost bestow Thy talents upon the merchants of the Spirit, and vouchsafe Thy gifts to such as perfect Thy will, we ascribe thanksgiving, worship, and praise, at all times, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. Psalm cl. Psalm cxvii. Gloria Patri, &c. Priest. Peace be with us. ¶ Then the Bishop shall put incense into the censer, and shall say: He is great in all the earth. Thy altar, O mighty LORD, Thou hast exalted with glory, and the faithful ones of Thy Church Thou hast crowned with honour; let security and long peace be increased to Thy people. Glory be to the FATHER, &c. The angelic hosts kneel and worship, and unceasingly praise the one TRINITY, the adorable Essence, and with holy voices, sing alleluias to the one hidden power of the Self-existent.
Prayer.
45 Strengthen, O LORD, in Thy compassion, this Thy servant, and in Thy grace help this Thy worshipper, and in the abundance of Thine overflowing mercy enable him to perfect the will of Thy Majesty all the days of his life, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen.
Canon.
46 Psalm xxv. Unto Thee, O LORD, lift I up mine eyes, that in the multitude of Thy mercies Thou wouldest strengthen my weakness, and for Thy name's sake, fill me with the power of the help of Thy grace. Do Thou, O FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, strengthen this Priest who was anointed by Thy right hand, that he may order Thy flocks. All. Peace be with us. Bishop. Glory be to Thy name, and praise be to Thy Majesty, because Thou hast adorned this Thy servant with the gift of the Archidiaconate. O LORD, make him a chosen vessel to Thine honour, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen.
Canon.
47 Psalm cxix. 65—73. O Thou good [GOD,] Who gavest to Thy Apostles authority over the heights and depths, give, O LORD, the power of Thy grace to this Thy worshipper. Vouchsafe, O LORD, that the HOLY GHOST the Comforter, Which descended and rested upon the Disciples, may rest upon the head of this Thy worshipper.
Prayer.
48 Pour out, O LORD, Thy grace and salvation, and the help of Thy mercies, upon this Thy chosen priest, that he may be an Archdeacon in Thy holy Church all the days of his life, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. Psalm cxxiii. O LORD, pour out Thy grace upon this Thy servant. ¶ After which the Gloria Patri shall be said. Then he who is to be made Archdeacon shall kneel before the Bishop, and they shall say: Peace be with us.
Prayer.
49 O LORD, the mighty GOD, [Repeat,] Thine is the holy Catholic Church, which was purchased, &c. [As in the Liturgy, with the following ending:] Perfect, O LORD, towards this Thy servant Thy grace, mercy, and compassion, all the days of his life, and for ever and ever. Amen. ¶ Then the Bishop shall sign his head, and one of the Priests shall say: Lift up your eyes to the heights of the highest, and pray for mercy from the compassionate GOD in behalf of Presbyter ——— who is being made Archdeacon to the Church of the LORD in the town of ——— to which he is appointed. Pray for him.
Prayer.
50 O Thou Treasure, that enrichest all who possess Thee, from the great riches of Whose meekness and wisdom all rational creatures visible and invisible are enriched,—the Holy One by Whose holiness all Thy saints are sanctified,—sanctify, O LORD, this Thy servant who has been set apart to the office of Archdeacon, to be head over the priests in the flock of ———, and to oversee and perfect the things which are ordered by us, that he may minister before Thee in chastity and holiness; and pour out Thy grace upon him, and upon Thy people here and everywhere, both now and for ever and ever. R. Amen. ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign his head. Then he shall sign him betwixt the eyes, and shall say: A. B. has been set apart, consecrated, and ordained, to the office of Archdeacon to the Church of GOD over the flock of ——, in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen.
51 ¶ Then the Bishop shall give him his staff to carry, and they shall go forth taking with them the cross, after having done all according to order. Note.—An Archdeacon has permission to consecrate an altar without oil when no Bishop is present, and to open and close the services, and to carry the Bishop's staff.
The Ordering of the Patriarch's Archdeacon,
52 To be head over the priests and deacons, to bear the Patriarch's crozier, and to carry out the orders of the Patriarch. ¶ At morning tide the Patriarch shall enter the bema, and one of the Priests shall say: Peace be with us. Our FATHER, which art in heaven, &c.
Prayer.
53 Brood, O LORD, with the hidden broodings of Thy grace upon this Thy worshipper, whom Thou hast called and brought near to stand at the head of the bema of Thy Church; fill his soul and mind with the overflowings of the operation of Thy Spirit; and strengthen him in those things which are necessary for the edification of such as believe on Thy name, O LORD of all, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Amen. Psalm cl. ¶ Then shall be said the canons as appointed in the foregoing office; after which one of the Priests shall say: Lift up your minds towards the heights, and pray for mercy from the compassionate GOD in behalf of Presbyter ——, who is being made Archdeacon to the great church of Kokhé* in Seleucia and Ctesiphon, to which he is appointed. Pray for him. Patriarch. O Thou Treasure, &c. [As in the preceding office.]
54 ¶ After which the Patriarch shall sign his head. Then he shall sign him betwixt the eyes, and shall say: A. B. has been set apart, consecrated, and ordained to the office of Archdeacon to the great church of Kokhé in Seleucia and Ctesiphon, in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. ¶ Then the Catholicos shall begin the anthem of the Kanké. After which they shall approach the bema, where authority shall be given to the Archdeacon to stand at the head of the Priests and Deacons, and to order them.
The Ordering of Bishops.
55 Note.—Bishops and Metropolitans are not to be ordained except on Sunday, or on one of the greater festivals, or on a day of commemoration. ¶ The Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, together with the faithful, shall meet the Patriarch carrying the cross, gospel, lights, and censer, and he who is to be ordained shall stand and read the symbol of his faith before the believers. Then the fathers shall enter the vestry and shall put on their robes, and he who is to be ordained shall stand with them in the order of his presbyterate. After which they shall go forth bearing the cross, gospel, censer, and lights, and shall pass through the nave of the church into the bema. Note.—If a Patriarch be the ordainer, the Bishops and Metropolitans shall not carry their staves in their hands, neither shall they put on their robes without his permission. If a Metropolitan, they shall take their staves. And they shall cause him who is to be ordained to come into the centre of the bema, where he shall worship, and the Head shall begin with—
56 Our FATHER, which art in heaven, &c. Archdeacon. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
57 The adorable and glorious name of Thy great Godhead is worshipped, praised, and blessed, by those above and those below, O Thou giver of divine Gifts, O LORD of all, &c. Psalm cxxxii. Archdeacon. Peace be with us. We pray and beseech Thee, O Thou living and life-giving Spirit, the Spring of divine sanctification, the overflowing Treasure of all wisdom, the Source of all spiritual gifts,—Thee Who shinest and art resplendent with the holy radiance of glory, and Who in the motions of Thyself, and without time, being of the substance of the propriety of the FATHER, ever proceedest and pervadest, and doest everything in heaven and in earth by Thine own command, from the overflowing of Whose eternal gifts the streams of prophecy overflow, and from whose atlantic ocean the apostolical gifts are rained down,—we pray and beseech Thee to pour forth the gifts of Thine apostolic priesthood into the heart of this Thy servant, and to crown his head with the honourable crown of the high-priesthood of the Church, that by the rays of the light of his doctrine the souls of his children may be enlightened, and the armies of darkness be destroyed from among his flock; O Thou who art the Offspring of the glorious essence of the FATHER, the Offspring of the Council of the adorable Godhead, Thou Giver of spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, &c.
Anthem.
58 Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and Thy saints with glory. Clothe her high priests with righteousness and her saints with glory. Those who served unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. The priesthood of the house of Aaron ministered to the mystery, figure, and shadow of the law: but the apostleship of Simon has received the substance, perfection, and the truth, wherewith the Heir of the FATHER was pleased to fish the earth, and through fishermen He fished the whole world, which now offers up glory, and is baptized in the perfection of the Persons of the FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. Glory be to Thee. [Repeat.] The LORD our GOD doeth whatever pleaseth Him in heaven and in earth. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of GOD that showeth mercy. The HOLY GHOST doeth all things by the power of His gifts: He causeth the race of prophecy to run, and by His grace maketh the priests perfect; it is He Who giveth wisdom to the simple, Who revealed to the fishermen the Persons of His Godhead, and Who in His power holdeth all wonderful the ordinances of the Church. He is the Offspring of the essence of the FATHER, the Offspring of the Council of the Adorable FATHER and His Only-begotten SON, —the HOLY GHOST. Glory be to Thee.
59 I will magnify Thee, O LORD, my King. He received from the FATHER the promise of the HOLY GHOST. And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. O JESUS, our LORD, Thou didst perfect and confirm, by the hands of Thy holy disciples, the promise of the FATHER which He promised, and they received the gift of the HOLY GHOST, and went forth discipling by baptizing the nations and the people, and through divers tongues converted them to the truth. Glory be to the FATHER, &c. Blessed is He Who exalteth you, O ye holy priests. Blessed is He Who maketh you prosperous, O ye soldiers of the truth. Adorable is the HOLY GHOST by Whose power ye have weakened all heresies, and have brought together the rational sheep of JESUS our SAVIOUR, which He purchased with His precious blood on Golgotha, O Mar Ignatius, Polycarp, Athanasius, Eustathius, Meletius, Gregory, Basil, Gregory, Ambrose, Diodorus, John [Chrysostom,] Theodorus the sea of wisdom, Mar Nestorius the persecuted martyr, and Alexander the conqueror, the builders-up of the Holy Church, the stewards of the mysteries of GOD, and the teachers of the true worship. Their prayers be to us a wall.
60 Archdeacon. Peace be with us.
Prayer.
61 Brood, O LORD, with the broodings of Thy Spirit, and spread the light of Thy countenance, upon this Thy servant who stands before Thee, that he may be a shepherd to Thy flock. Cause the rays of Thy brightness to shine upon him, clothe him with the garment of Thy glory, and give into his hand Thy power, and the sword of the word of Thy command, that he may feed the sheep of Thy pasture according to the will of Thy Majesty. And give him authority from Thy power, and strength from Thy right hand, that he may approve himself before Thee agreeably to Thy will, and be a temple of Thine honour, O LORD of all, &c. Canon. Psalm cxix. 65—73. O Thou righteous [GOD,] Who committedst to Thy Apostles power and authority over the heights and depths, give, O LORD, the power of Thy grace to this Thy worshipper.
62 O Thou good [GOD,] Who enrichedst Thy Apostles through the descent of the Comforter, gladden this Thy servant with the gift which Thou shalt give unto him. ¶ Then every Bishop present, according to the order of precedence, shall say one of the supplementary canons: after which the Head, [the Patriarch or Metropolitan,] shall say this Prayer. Pour out, O LORD, the power of Thy grace upon this Thy servant, and set on his head the beautiful and glorious crown of the high priesthood, and give into his hand the shepherd's staff, that he may guide, feed, and nourish the flocks of Thy pasture all the days of his life, and finally be of the number of those who shall stand at Thy right hand, O LORD of all, &c. Canon. Psalm cxxiii. or Psalm lxvii. O LORD, pour out Thy grace upon this Thy servant. ¶ After which the Gloria Patri shall be said. The canon ended, the Archdeacon shall spread the cover of the Gospel upon the back of him who is to be ordained, and the Head shall place the Gospel upon the cover, in such wise as that the book shall face him who is to read therefrom. Then the Archdeacon shall say:
63 Let us stand prepared to hear the holy Gospel. The holy Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST from the preaching of S. Matthew. S. Matt. xvi. 13—19. S. John xxi. 15—18. S. Matt. xvi. 19. ¶ Then the following shall be read upon the backs of two Bishops or more. The holy Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST from the preaching of S. Luke. S. Luke x. 1, 2, and, 64 Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Beware of men. Behold, I give you a new commandment, that ye should love one another. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give. Verily I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree together on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask in My name, it shall be done for them of My FATHER which is in heaven; for where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Blessed are the eyes which see the things which ye see: for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them: Receive ye the HOLY GHOST: whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
65 And whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. As My FATHER hath sent Me, even so send I you. Go ye therefore, and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 66 People. Glory be to CHRIST our LORD. ¶ Then the Bishop shall close the Gospel, and shall leave it upon the back of him who is being ordained. After which the Bishops shall place their right hands upon his sides until the ordination is pronounced, and the Archdeacon shall say: Peace be with us. Prayer. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, which perfects at all times that which is wanting, by the will of GOD the FATHER, and the power of the HOLY GHOST, be with us evermore, and perfect through our feeble hands this high and awful service, for the salvation of our life, now and for ever and ever. Amen. ¶ Here the Head shall sign himself, and the Archdeacon shall say. Peace be with us. ¶ Then the Head shall say this prayer with his right hand laid upon the head of him that is being ordained, and his left stretched out:
67 O our good GOD and all-merciful King, [Repeat,] Who art rich in mercy, and whose pity is overflowing,—Thou, O LORD, in Thine unspeakable mercy hast made me a channel of Thy divine gifts to Thy holy Church, to give the talents of the ministry of the Spirit to the ministers of Thy holy sacraments; and now, according to the apostolical tradition which has descended to us by the laying-on of hands, of the ministration of the Church, behold, I offer before Thee this Thy servant to be an elect Bishop in the holy Church in the town [or city] of ——. And let us all pray on his behalf, [Repeat,] that the grace of the HOLY GHOST may descend upon him to perfect him to the work of this ministry unto which he is advanced, through the grace and pity of Thy Only-begotten, to Whom with Thee, and the HOLY GHOST, we ascribe glory, honour, praise and worship, now and for ever and ever.
68 R. Amen. ¶ Here he shall sign the head of him who is being ordained. Archdeacon. Lift up your hearts to the heights of the highest, and supplicate the mercy of the compassionate GOD in behalf of Presbyter ——, [or, the Monk ——,] who is being ordained Bishop over the town of —— [or, over the church of GOD in the city of ——,] to which he is appointed. Pray for him. R. It is meet and right so to do. ¶ Then the Head shall lay his right hand upon the head of him who is being ordained, having his left stretched out as in supplication, and shall say: 69 O Thou great and everlasting GOD, Who knowest all mysteries, who createdst all things by the power of Thy word, and upholdest and governest all by the meek command of Thy will, and who doest for us at all times far more than we can ask or think, according to Thy might which worketh in us;—Thou, Who hast redeemed Thy holy Church by the precious blood of Thy well-beloved Son, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and hast set up in her apostles, prophets, doctors, and priests, that through them the knowledge of the truth, which Thy Only-begotten Son gave to mankind might be multiplied;—Lift up, now, the light of Thy countenance upon this Thy servant, and elect him with a holy election, through the unction of the HOLY GHOST, that he may be a perfect priest unto Thee, and a follower of the true High Priest, Who gave Himself for us, and through the same HOLY SPIRIT, confirm to this Thy servant, that unto which he is advanced. Vouchsafe, O GOD, the FATHER of truth, the holy and glorious One, that he may feed Thy flock in uprightness of heart; that with his tongue he may preach the right word of the truth; be a light to those who sit in darkness; an instructor of such as lack knowledge; and a teacher of babes and children.—Clothe him, O LORD, with power from on high, that he may bind and loose both in heaven and on earth;
70 that by the laying on of his hands, the sick may be healed, and miracles be wrought by him in Thy holy name, and to the glory of Thy great Godhead; and that through the power of Thy gift he may make priests and deacons, sub-deacons, and deaconesses, for the ministry of Thy holy Church; and gather together Thy people, and the sheep of Thy pasture, and perfect the souls over which he is made overseer, in the fear of GOD and in all purity; and at the last, stand before Thy awful throne with confidence, and be worthy to receive from Thee the reward promised to the faithful stewards of the household, through the grace and pity of Thy Only-begotten, to Whom with Thee, and the HOLY GHOST, we ascribe glory, honour, praise and worship, [with a loud voice,] now and for ever and ever. 71 R. Amen. ¶ Here he shall sign the head of the ordained; after which the Bishops shall remove their hands from his sides, and the Gospel from his back, and he shall worship, and then stand up. Then the Archdeacon shall take the Māapra and Berona from off the altar, and shall give them to the Head, who shall invest therewith the ordained, and shall say: The LORD clothe thee with the garment of heavenly glory; arm thee with hidden and spiritual weapons; adorn thee with the works of righteousness; and beautify thee with the gifts of chastity; that without spot or blemish, thou mayest feed the sheep committed to thy reverence, in the fear of God and in all holiness, now and for ever. Amen. ¶ Then the Head shall give the staff into his right hand, and shall say: The rod of power which JESUS CHRIST the LORD sent out of Zion. May He feed thee, and through thee guide those whom thou shalt feed. Amen.
72 ¶ Then he shall sign him betwixt the eyes with his thumb from below upwards, and from right to left, and shall say: A. B. is set apart, consecrated and perfected, to the great work of the Episcopate in the city [or town] of ——, in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. R. Amen. ¶ Then he shall kiss his head, and shall say: CHRIST, Who has elected thee to feed His sheep, strengthen thee to approve thyself to the will of His Majesty, even unto the end. Amen. ¶ Then the ordained shall bow before the Head, and kiss his right hand, and the Head shall make him stand in his proper place where all present shall salute him. After which the prayer of the Kanké shall be said; and then all shall go forth into the choir, and the newly ordained shall read the Gospel, preach and offer the oblation. If two are ordained at the same time, one shall read the Gospel and the other shall offer. If three, the third shall preach.
Ordering of Metropolitans.
73 Note.—Two hours after sunrise, the Patriarch, Metropolitans, and Bishops, shall put on their robes, and shall enter the bema, and the Patriarch shall stand on the step of the altar holding his crozier in his hand. ¶ If he who is to be made Metropolitan be a Presbyter, or a Monk who ministers to the Church, the office for the ordering of Bishops shall be read over him, and he shall rise from the presbyterate to the degree of Metropolitan, except that in the ordination prayers, O our good God, &c. and, O Thou great and everlasting God, &c., the word Metropolitan shall be substituted for that of Bishop. If he be a Bishop, he shall enter the bema, not as a high-priest, but dressed in the surplice of a Presbyter, though he be a Bishop, and the Patriarch shall say: We give thanks to Thy superabundant holiness, O LORD, and we worship the throne of Thy Majesty, and we praise the perfect power of Thy adorable TRINITY, O Thou, Who art the Cause of every beginning, the Giver of every gift, the Being without beginning and without end, O LORD of all, &c.
74 Psalm cxxxii. They divided the nations and cities to their work, that each might approve himself through his labours. They went forth depending upon the word which He spake: Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Prayer.
75 We pray and beseech Thee, O Thou Exalted King and adorable LORD, Who doest whatsoever pleaseth Thee by Thy own authority, both in heaven and on earth, and upholdest and rulest over all by the meek power of Thy will, that Thou wouldst send down the right hand of Thy mercies, and brood over this Thy servant whom Thy grace hath chosen, that he may be perfected to the mysterious work of the high priesthood, O Thou Giver of all spiritual gifts, O LORD of all, &c. ¶ Then shall follow the canon: The LORD our GOD doeth whatsoever pleaseth Him, &c., as in the office for the ordering of Bishops to the end of the doxology. After which each of the Metropolitans and Bishops shall say one of the supplementary canons. Then the Patriarch shall pray as follows: O LORD, clothe this Thy worshipper with the garment of the high-priesthood, and endue him with the high-priesthood, and give into his hand the pastoral staff, and make him a wise steward over Thy household, to dispense the portion of meat in due season, O LORD of all, &c.
76 Psalm cxxiii. O LORD, give to this Thy servant the gift of the authority of the high-priesthood. ¶ Then shall be read the Gospel appointed for the feast of Peter and Paul; after which the Archdeacon shall say: Peace be with us. Then the Head shall say: The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST which perfects at all times, &c. as far as the response: It is meet and right so to do, as in the office for the ordering of Bishops, the word Metropolitan being substituted for that of Bishop. After which shall follow the prayer: O Thou great and everlasting GOD, Who knowest all mysteries, &c. with this addition after the word "Deaconesses:" and that after our departure from this world, according to the will of Thy Godhead, the office of the Patriarchate may be perfected through him to all the people in the Church of God. This prayer ended, the Head shall invest the Metropolitan with the pall and vestment, and shall give into his hand a crozier, and shall sign him betwixt the eyes and say:
77 A. B. has been set apart, &c. to the office of Metropolitan, &c. [as in the preceding service.] ¶ Then he shall kiss his head and say: CHRIST Who hath raised Thy degree, and magnified the gift which He hath given unto thee from His compassion, may He in His grace and mercy perfect thee in all virtuous and godly living now and for ever. Amen. ¶ Then the Head shall take him by the hand and set him in his proper place. After which, all the Priests and Deacons shall salute him, and he shall go forth with the Patriarch into the choir, and shall read, and, if he can, he shall preach.
Consecration of Churches.
78 There is a long office for the "Consecration of the Bema," answering to our Consecration of Churches, which consists chiefly of extracts taken from the Khudhra. In this service it is directed that the four corners of the Altar shall be anointed with oil, but not with the oil used in Baptism.—"It is not meet that the Bema should be signed with the Oil of Unction used in Baptism, which has descended to us from the holy Apostles; but with oil consecrated by the Head of the Priests." Rubric. An Archdeacon may consecrate a church without oil, but consecration by anointing can only be performed by a Bishop. The following rubric declares what are the accidents which defile a church, and render it necessary that it should be re-consecrated without oil. "If one of the cakes, [used in the holy Eucharist,] should be left in the oven, or should fall from the hands of the Priest in the bema, or a beetle or any other insect should fall into the chalice, or the Priest should consecrate without [mingling the wine with] water, or water without wine, or a child should enter the bema, or the girdle [of a Priest or Deacon] should become loose in the Bema."
79 "If water should be spilt in the bema, or the chalice should be overturned, or there should be found a dead mouse in the chalice, or a beetle or mouse should eat of the body, or the chalice should be broken in the bema, or a thief should break into the bema, or any of the utensils thereof should be stolen, or one of the cakes should be stolen, the bema must be re-consecrated with oil."
Restoration of Offending Priests.
80 ¶ If an offending Priest shall have been suspended from his priesthood, the Bishop or Metropolitan who restores him shall say over him this prayer. O our good GOD, and all-merciful King, Whose grace and mercy abound towards all, pour out, O LORD, the pity of Thy love upon this Thy servant, and renew in him the HOLY GHOST, that he may administer Thy life-giving and holy sacraments; purify him from all uncleanness of body and soul, confirm in him Thy hope, order his steps in the way of righteousness, fit him in Thy mercy to offer unto Thee pure oblations, upon Thy holy altar in behalf of Thy chosen people, and to consecrate the sin-forgiving bosom of spiritual birth towards such as shall be called by Thy grace to the communion of the adoption of Thy Majesty; make him a companion of the pure priests in Thy holy Church, and strengthen him by Thy grace, that he may keep Thy commandments, perfect Thy will, and minister before Thee with a pure heart and a good conscience, so that he may be worthy to receive the heavenly inheritance at the appearing of Thy well-beloved SON, our LORD JESUS CHRIST from heaven, to whom with Thee and the HOLY GHOST, we ascribe glory, honour, praise and worship, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
81 ¶ Here the Bishop shall sign his head with the sign of the cross.