_And the protodeacon readeth that which is of peace in a low voice._ In peace let us pray to the Lord. _And they answer to each petition_, Lord have mercy, _once_. For the peace that is from above.... For the peace of the whole world.... For our archpriest, _name_, for his priesthood, assistance, continuance, peace, health, salvation, and for the work of his hands, let us pray to the Lord. For the servant of God, _name_, now receiving the laying on of hands for deacon, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord. That the man-loving God may bestow on him a spotless and blameless diaconate, let us pray to the Lord. For our Most Pious, Autocratic Great Lord, THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVITCH of all Russia, and for all HIS palace and army, let us pray to the Lord. For this city.... For our deliverance.... Help us, save us, have mercy on us.... Commemorating our most holy, most pure.... _They answer_, To thee, O Lord. _And the Archpriest, holding his hand on the head of him that is receiving the laying on of hands, saith the second prayer._ O God our Saviour, who, by thine incorruptible voice, didst appoint the law of the diaconate unto thine apostles, and didst declare the protomartyr Stephen of such rank, and proclaim him the first to fulfil the work of a deacon, as it is written in thy holy gospel, Whosoever desireth to be the first among you, let him be your minister; do thou, O Master of all, fill this thy servant, whom thou hast made worthy to enter on the ministry of a deacon, with all faith, and love, and power, and sanctification, through the visitation of thy holy and life-creating Spirit (for it is not by the imposition of my hands, but by the presence of thy compassions, that grace is given unto them that are worthy of thee), that he, being without any sin, may stand blameless before thee in the fearful day of thy judgment, and may receive the unfailing reward of thy promise. _Exclamation._ For thou art our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. _Then they raise him up, and loosen his girding. And the Archpriest, taking the orarion, layeth it upon his left shoulder saying with a loud voice,_ Axios. _And they sing in the altar thrice_, Axios. _And in like manner without by both choirs. Then the maniples are given him, and the Archpriest saith_, Axios. _And they sing the same in the altar thrice, and in like manner without. Then the fan is given him, and the Archpriest saith_, Axios. _And they sing in the altar and without according to custom. And he kisseth the Archpriest on the shoulder, and placeth himself by the altar, and fanneth the holy things._ THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ARCHDEACON AND A PROTODEACON.