Episcopal Prerogatives

In Vespers and Orthros there are certain portions of the service that, by custom, are offered to the senior, non-serving cleric for his recitation within the choir.  (In a monastery, these are the portions of the service that may be recited by the abbot as he presides from his throne.)  When the bishop is present and presiding from his throne, it is customary to offer him these portions of the service as his prerogative.  These portions of the service include:
 
Vespers
•    “O come let us worship…” and the Introductory Psalm (Psalm 103)
•    “O Lord, I have cried …” (the choir continues with “Let my prayer be set forth…”)
•    The remaining Psalm verses (up to the point where the stichera hymns are inserted), antiphonally with the choir.
•    “O Gladsome Light”
•    The prayer “Vouchsafe, O Lord…” (Note: The bishop may invite the clergy and people to join him in reciting “Vouchsafe, O Lord…” In that event, the bishop shall begin the prayer and then the clergy and people join in.)
•    The Hymn of St. Simeon the God-receiver
 
Festal Orthros
•    “Glory to God in the highest…,” etc., and the entirety of the Six Psalms.
•    The resurrectional (or funereal) Evlogitaria.
•    “In that we have beheld the resurrection…” (if appointed)
•    Psalm 50 (if “In that we have beheld the resurrection…” is not appointed)
•    Initiating the antiphonal chanting of the seasonal katabasiae, with the choir
•    The 9th biblical ode with “More Honorable…”
•    Initiating the Great Doxology chanted antiphonally with the choir

At Daily Orthros (without Great Doxology)
•    The items listed above for “Festal Orthros”
•    The Little Doxology
•    “It is good to give thanks unto the Lord…”
 
The celebrant and the senior chanter must consult with the bishop or his assistant prior to the service to determine which of these prerogatives should be reserved for the bishop.