_He that is to be appointed protopresbyter is conducted by a protodeacon, or by two deacons, to the right reverend Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest standeth 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 protodeacon having said_, Let us pray to the Lord, _the Archpriest saith this prayer._ Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who hast bestowed priesthood on our race, and hast endued us with the grace of this gift and honour, and hast appointed us who are sufficiently pious to rule the priestly order, and the other subordinate ministers of thy mysteries; do thou thyself endue our brother, _name_, with thy grace, and adorn him with virtue to stand at the head of the presbyters of thy people, and make him worthy to be a good example to them that are with him; and be thou pleased that he may finish his life in piety and virtue unto a good old age; and, as the good God, have mercy upon us all. For thou art the giver of wisdom, and all creation singeth thee to ages of ages. _Then the Archpriest signeth his head crosswise, saying_, Blessed be the Lord, lo, the servant of God, _name_, becometh protopresbyter of the most holy church of God, _name_, 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, _iii. And the singers sing,_ Axios, _thrice. Then they range the protopresbyter with the other clergy according to rite, and they go into the altar through the royal doors, and they act with the ministers according to rite._ THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ABBOT. _He that is to be appointed abbot is conducted by a protodeacon, or by two deacons, to the Archpriest in the middle of the church, where the Archpriest standeth at the time of the introit with the gospel, if the Archpriest himself be celebrating the liturgy. But if not, they bring to the Archpriest the epitrachelion, the maniples, and the omophorion, and he vesteth himself, standing in his place. And he that is to be appointed abbot is conducted to his place, and inclineth himself to his girdle before the Archpriest thrice, and boweth his head. And the Archpriest, sitting, signeth him with the hand upon his head thrice. And, rising, he layeth his hand upon his head, and the protodeacon having said_, Let us pray to the Lord, _the Archpriest saith this prayer._