| Reception of the Bishop |
The reception of the bishop in the back of the church is done at the first service of the bishop’s visit. Prior to the bishop’s arrival at the church, eagle rugs are placed in the narthex (head pointed toward the east), on the solea (head pointed toward the west), and at the hierarchical throne (head pointed toward the north). If the bishop will be serving, eagle rugs are also placed on the amvon (head pointed toward the west), in front of the Holy Table (head pointed toward the east), and at the high place (head pointed toward the west). The first priest and the serving deacons shall vest according to the type of service. If it is a Eucharistic service, they shall both be fully vested. If it is a non-Eucharistic service, the first priest shall vest in his epitrachelion and phelonion. The deacons shall vest in their sticharia and oraria. All other clergy shall wear the exorasson. When the bishop arrives at the church, the first priest takes the Gospel and the first deacon takes the hand-cross. The first priest and the deacons proceed through the Holy Doors, followed by the remaining clergy in order of seniority, from senior to junior. When they reach the back of the church, the first priest stands before the bishop facing west, while the remaining clergy stand on either side of the bishop facing north and south (facing each other, with the seniors closest to the bishop), thus forming a corridor toward the altar. The deacons stand behind the bishop on his right and left sides. The first priest begins with the following: Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy. People: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Priest: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians. People: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Priest: Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan (Name) and for our Bishop (Name) and all our brotherhood in Christ. The people sing “Eis polla eti, Dhespota” as the bishop’s name is commemorated. People: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Priest: For Thou art a merciful God Who lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. People: Amen. The first priest offers the Gospel to the bishop for veneration, himself kissing the bishop’s right hand. The first deacon passes the hand-cross to the bishop, himself kissing the bishop’s right hand. The clergy process to the solea from junior to senior, with the first priest immediately before the bishop and the deacons behind the bishop on his right and left sides, as the people sing the following hymn: People: (Tone 4) God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us! Celebrate the feast and come with gladness. Let us magnify Christ with palms and branches singing: Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord. Before reaching the solea, the junior clergy stop and allow the senior clergy to pass. When the first priest reaches the solea, he enters the altar through the Holy Doors, places the Gospel on the antiminsion, and then takes his place in line. The clergy form two lines, facing east, in order of seniority from senior to junior, with the first priest at the head of the south line, and the deacons one step behind the bishop on his right and left sides. When the bishop reaches the solea, the people sing the following very slowly, as the bishop blesses the people, passes the hand-cross to the bishop’s assistant, and ascends the hierarchical throne: |