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Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church
tr. Hapgood, 1906
The Institution of an Abbot
He who is to be elevated to the rank of Abbot is led by a Proto-Deacon, or by two Deacons, to the Bishops in the middle of the Church, where the Bishop standeth, at the time of the Lesser Entrance with the book 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 omofor, and he vesteth himself where he standeth. 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 reciteth 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:
Secretly.
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 Only-begotten 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.
Then the Proto-Deacon saith, loudly:
Command, Master.
And the Bishop, also, with a loud voice:
The grace of the all-holy Spirit, at the hands of our humble person, promoteth thee to be Abbot of the honourable habitation of the Lord God, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, N. (if the Temple be dedicated to him); or of our most holy Sovereign Lady, the Mother of our Lord, N. (if the Temple be dedicated to her); or of Saint N. (if the Temple be dedicated to a Saint).
Then, laying his hand upon his head, the Bishop exclaimeth:
Axios! (Thrice.)
And the Choir singeth:
Axios. (Thrice.)
Then he who hath been invested with the office of Abbot kisseth the pall* of the Bishop on the right, and on the left shoulder: and being led away, he taketh his place with the other Abbots, according to their rank: and they enter the Sanctuary through the Holy Door; and he ministereth with the other clergy, according to the Ritual.
* See Appendix B, VIII (11).