III.
The Priest.
Peace be to all.
The People.
And to thy spirit.
The Deacon.
Pray for the papas 1 and the bishop.
The People.
Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
The Priest.
O Sovereign and Almighty God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray and beseech Thee to defend in Thy good mercy our most holy and blessed high priest our Father in God D, and our most reverend Bishop D. Preserve them for us through many years in peace, while they according to Thy holy and blessed will fulfil the sacred priesthood committed to their care, and dispense aright the word of truth; with all the orthodox bishops, elders, deacons, sub-deacons, readers, singers, and laity, with the entire body of the Holy and only Catholic Church. Graciously bestow upon them peace, health, and salvation. The prayers they offer up for us, and we for them, do Thou, O Lord, receive at Thy holy, heavenly, and reasonable altar. But all the enemies of Thy Holy Church put Thou speedily under their feet, through the grace, mercy, and love of Thine only-begotten Son:
(Aloud.)
Through whom and with whom be glory and power to Thee, with Thy all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, henceforth, and for evermore.
The People.
Amen.
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The Patriarch of Alexandria is meant. The word pa'pas was used at first to designate all bishops; but its application gradually became more restricted, and so here the Patriarch of Alexandria is called pa'pas, as being superior to the bishops of his patriarchate. [See vol. v. [334]p. 154, and vol. vi., Introd.] ↩
