Testament of Our Lord

tr. Cooper and Maclean, 1902

16. Book II, Chapter 16

[First Fruits]

The fruits which are offered¹ to the bishop let him bless thus:

O God, we give thanks to Thee alway, and also in this day when we offer to Thee the first fruits of the fruits which Thou hast given us for food, having ripened² them by Thy power and by Thy Word, having commanded from the beginning of the creation³ of the worlds that the earth should bring forth different fruits for the joy and delight of man⁴ and of all beasts.⁵ We praise Thee, O Lord, for all these things with which Thou hast benefited⁶ us, adorning for us all the earth with various fruits. Bless also this Thy servant N., and receive his earnestness and his love, through Thine Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, through whom [be] praise and honour and might to Thee with the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.

Vegetables are not blessed, but fruits of trees, flowers, and the rose and the lily.

Notes

Or: brought near.
Lit.: perfected.
Lit.: making.
Lit.: sons of men.
Or: living creatures.
εὐεργετέω translated.