_He that is to be appointed protopresbyter is conducted by a protodeacon,
or by two deacons, to the right reverend Archpriest in the middle of the
church, where the Archpriest standeth at the time of the introit with
the gospel. And he inclineth himself to his girdle before the Archpriest
thrice, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him
with the hand on his head crosswise thrice. And, rising, he layeth his
hand upon his head. And the protodeacon having said_, Let us pray to the
Lord,
_the Archpriest saith this prayer._
Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who hast bestowed priesthood on our
race, and hast endued us with the grace of this gift and honour, and hast
appointed us who are sufficiently pious to rule the priestly order, and
the other subordinate ministers of thy mysteries; do thou thyself endue
our brother, _name_, with thy grace, and adorn him with virtue to stand
at the head of the presbyters of thy people, and make him worthy to be a
good example to them that are with him; and be thou pleased that he may
finish his life in piety and virtue unto a good old age; and, as the good
God, have mercy upon us all. For thou art the giver of wisdom, and all
creation singeth thee to ages of ages.
_Then the Archpriest signeth his head crosswise, saying_, Blessed be the
Lord, lo, the servant of God, _name_, becometh protopresbyter of the most
holy church of God, _name_, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost.
_And the Archpriest, laying his hand upon his head, exclaimeth_, Axios,
_iii. And the singers sing,_ Axios, _thrice. Then they range the
protopresbyter with the other clergy according to rite, and they go
into the altar through the royal doors, and they act with the ministers
according to rite._