The Office That Is Used at the Institu

TION OF AN ABBOT

He who is to be elevated to the rank of Abbot is led by a Proio-Deacon, or by two Deacons, to the Bishops in the middle of the Church, where the Bishop siandeth, at the time of the Lesser Entrame with the booh of the Holy Gospels {see page 84), if so be that the Bishop himself officiate at the Liturgy. But if not, then they bring to the Bishop his priestly stole, gauntlets and omofdr. and he vesteih himself where he siandeth. He who is to be advanced to the rank of Abbot is brought to his appointed place \ and boweth low to the Bishop, even to his girdle, thrice, and bendeth his head. And the Bishop, sitting, signeth his head, thrice, with his hand, in the form of a cross. And rising, he layeth his hand upon his head; and when the Proto-Deacon hath said:

Let us pray to the Lord :

The Bishop recitelh the following Prayer ;

O God, who ever exercisest divine foresight concerning the salvation of men, and hast gathered into one this reason-endowed flock: Do thou, O Master of all, through thy boundless love for mankind, preserve the same spotless, ever keeping thy commandments, that not one sheep perish therefrom, or be devoured by the wolf. And make this thy servant, whom thou hast been graciously pleased to set over it as Abbot, worthy of thy goodness ; and adorn him with all virtues, that through his own deeds he may offer a good example to those who are subject unto him; that they, being moved to emulate his blameless life, may, with him, stand uncondemned before thy dread Judgment Seat.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Bishop. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Proto-Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

Then the Bishop saith, secretly, the following Prayer :

Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear our prayers; and cause this thy servant, the Abbot of this venerable habitation, to be a wise and faithful steward of the reason-endowed flock which, through thy grace, hath been entrusted unto him, working thy will in all things, and becoming worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.

Through the grace and love towards mankind of thine Onlybegotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.