_He that is to be appointed an archdeacon is led by a protodeacon and a deacon unto the right reverend Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest is standing 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 deacon having said_, Let us pray to the Lord, _the Archpriest saith this prayer._ Master, Lord our God, who, by thine unspeakable providence, hast given to our race archdeaconship, that they that are endued therewith may command and serve, with the subordinate ministers at thy divine mysteries; do thou thyself endue with this grace of archdeaconship thy present servant, _name_, and adorn him with thy virtue to stand at the head of the deacons of thy people, and to be a good example to them that are under him. And make him to attain unto a ripe old age to glorify thy majestic name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. _Then the Archpriest signeth his head crosswise, saying_, Blessed be the Lord, lo, the servant of God, _name_, is archdeacon (or protodeacon) 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, _thrice. And the singers sing_, Axios, _thrice. And they enter the altar according to rite._ THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE LAYING ON OF HANDS OF A PRESBYTER. _After the conclusion of the cherubic hymn, he that is to be appointed presbyter is conducted by an archdeacon, or by one of the other deacons, through the royal gates unto the holy table before the Archpriest on the right hand side. And the Archpriest signeth him with the hand crosswise, and he is conducted round the throne thrice, as it is written in the diaconal laying on of hands, while all in the altar sing these troparia._ O holy martyrs, who valiantly contended and are crown’d; pray ye the Lord for mercy on out souls. _Once._ Glory to thee, Christ God, apostles’ boast and martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity. _Once._ _Then_, Rejoice, O Esaias, the virgin is with child, and bringeth forth a son, Emmanuel, God and man: the orient is his name, whom magnifying, we call the virgin blessed. _Once._