O God, who ever makest provision for the salvation of men, and gatherest together in one this thy rational flock; do thou, O Master of all things, in thy measureless love to man, thyself preserve this same blameless, keeping thy commandments continually, so that not one sheep thereof may be lost, and be devoured by the wolf. And declare this thy servant, whom thou art pleased to appoint abbot over it, worthy of thy grace, and adorn him with all virtues, that he, by his works, may be a good example to them that are under him, that they, being emulators of his blameless conversation, may stand with him uncondemned before thy fearful judgment-seat. _Exclamation._ For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. _Singers._ Amen. _Archpriest._ Peace to all. _Singers._ And to thy spirit. _Protodeacon._ Bow your heads to the Lord. _Singers._ To thee, O Lord. _The Archpriest prayeth secretly._ Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hearken unto our prayer, and declare this thy servant to be abbot of this honourable habitation, a faithful and wise administrator over the rational flock committed to him by thy grace, he doing thy will in all things, and becoming worthy of thy heavenly kingdom. _Exclamation._ Through the grace, and compassions, and love to man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. _And the protodeacon saith with a loud voice_, Bid, master. _And the Archpriest saith with a loud voice,_ The grace of the all-holy Spirit, through our mediocrity, appointeth thee abbot of the honourable habitation of our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, _name, whatever title of him the temple may be, or_, of our most holy God-bearing Lady, _whatever title of her the temple may be, or_, of Saint, _name, to whom may be dedicated the temple_. _Then, laying his hand upon his head, the Archpriest exclaimeth_, Axios, _thrice. And the singers sing_, Axios, _thrice._ _After this he that hath been appointed abbot kisseth the Archpriest’s omophorion on the right and left shoulder; and, being conducted, he rangeth himself with the other abbots according to rite; and they go into the altar through the royal doors, and he acteth with the ministers according to rite._ THE OFFICE THAT IS USED AT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ARCHIMANDRITE.