St. Hippolytus, in “The Apostolic Tradition” Writes: Let the bishop be ordained (consecrated) after he has been chosen by all the people. When someone pleasing to all has been named, let the people assemble on the Lord’s Day with the presbyters (priests) and with such bishops as may be present. All giving assent, the bishops shall impose hands on him, and the presbytery shall stand in silence. Indeed, all shall remain silent, praying in their hearts for the descent of the Spirit.
St. Hippolytus, in “The Apostolic Tradition” Writes
Let the bishop be ordained (consecrated) after he has been chosen by all
the people. When someone pleasing to all has been named, let the people
assemble on the Lord’s Day with the presbyters (priests) and with such
bishops as may be present. All giving assent, the bishops shall impose
hands on him, and the presbytery shall stand in silence. Indeed, all shall
remain silent, praying in their hearts for the descent of the Spirit.
Then one of the bishops present shall, at the request of all, impose his
hand on the one who is being ordained (consecrated) bishop, and shall
pray thus, saying: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, Who well on high and attend to the
lowly, Who know all things before they come to pass: You that have
given boundaries to Your Church through Your Word of grace,
predestining from the beginning the just offspring of Abraham, making
them princes and priests so as not to leave Your sanctuary without a
ministry, , from the beginning of the world You have been well-pleased
to be glorified in those You have chosen. Pour forth now that power
which comes from You, from Your Royal Spirit, which You gave to
Your Beloved Son Jesus Christ and which He bestowed upon His holy
apostles, who established in every place the Church of Your
sanctification for the glory and unceasing praise of Your Name.
You that know the hearts of all, grant to this Your servant, whom You
have chosen for the episcopate, to feed Your holy flock and to serve
without blame as Your high priest, ministering night and day to
propitiate unceasingly before Your face; and to offer to You the gifts of
Your Holy Church; and by the Spirit of the high-priesthood to have the
authority to forgive sins, in accord with Your command; to assign lots,
in accord with the authority which You gave to the Apostles, and to
please You in meekness and purity of heart, offering to You an odor of
sweetness: through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom be
glory, might, and honor to You, to the Father and the Son with the Holy
Spirit, both now and through the ages of ages. Amen.”
