The Founding of a Church

(the laying of the corner-stone)

No one may found a church, either of stone or of wood, except the Bishop himself, or an Archpriest or one of the Priests whom it shall please him to send, with his special blessing, for that purpose. But if any one shall dare to begin the building of a church without the Bishop's blessing, he shall incur the penalty of being deposed, as a contemner of the Bishop's authority.

And the Founding shall be after this wise: If the church is to be of stone, trenches are dug at the place where the corner-stone is to be laid, and stones and mortar shall be prepared; and on one square stone there shall be depicted or carved a cross; and below the cross (if the Bishop or his representative so desireth), a place shall be prepared for the insertion of Holy Relics. And the following inscription shall be put on the stone: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit this church is founded, in honour and memory of (here the name of a Feast, or of the Patron Saint of the Temple is inserted); in the rule of the most God-fearing Ruler, N. If it be in a foreign land, the title and name of the Ruler are here inserted); in the Episcopacy of the Right (or Most) Reverend N., of N.; in the Year of the World., and from the Birth in the flesh of God the Word (with the month and day).

A church may be founded without the Relics of a Saint and the above-mentioned inscription, but not without the square stone. In addition to this, a large wooden cross is prepared, and this cross is planted in a trench dug at the spot where the altar is to be.

But if the church is to be of wood, no excavations are made, with the exception of one under the wall of the Sanctuary, at the eastern extremity, wherein to set the square stone, and another for the planting of the cross at the spot where the altar is to be. The beams, or planks whereon the church is to rest, are also prepared.

All these preparations having been made, the Bishop or his representative, having vested himself in the church which is nearest the place where the Laying of the corner-stone is to be, cometh forth with all the clergy, preceded by a Deacon with the censer, and a Priest with the cross, two and two. And the clergy chant the Stanzas (Stikhiri) of the Litiyd * for the Temple of the future church. And on arriving at the place, they lay upon the table there prepared the book of the Holy Gospels, and the cross; and the Rector, having taken the censer, and having censed therewith the table, in cross-form, thrice, the Deacon saith:

Bless, Master.

And the Rector beginneth, as usual:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One.

And until the singing is finished, the Rector standeth in front of the book of the Holy Gospels, censing it. Then he censeth all the trenches, where the foundation is to lie, beginning from the first wall of the Sanctuary, and proceeding against the sun, until he cometh back to the place whence he began. Then he censeth the Clergy and the People. And the Reader readeth:

O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Glory now, and ever,

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from the Evil One:

Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God.

Psalm cxliii. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire; hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake. And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit vexed within me, and my heart within me is desolate. Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works; yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land. Hear me, O Lord, and that soon; for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning; for in thee is my trust: show thou me the way that I should walk in; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; for I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee; for thou art my God: let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name's sake; and for thy righteousness*

sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy goodness slay mine enemies, and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. (Thrice.)

And the Deacon saith this Litany:

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls:

For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of all:

For this holy Temple, and for those who, with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein:

For our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the clergy and the laity:

Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted.

That he will aid them and subdue under their feet every foe and adversary:

For this city (if it be in a monastery, for this holy habitation), for every city and land, and for those who with faith dwell therein: ty

For healthful seasons; for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times:

For those who travel by sea or by land; for the sick and the suffering; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation:

That he will look graciously upon this place chosen for the foundation of a church to the glory of his all-holy Name, and will bless it with his heavenly blessing:

That he will bless this good intention and work of his servants (or of his servant, N., and the Wardens of the church are commemorated):

That he will bless the commencement of founding this building, and that its beginning may be successfully laid, to the glory of his Name, and continued with speed and without hindrance unto its conclusion, through the power, and effectual operation, and grace of the all-holy Spirit:

That he will prosper the labourers who work thereon in all things, and grant them to accomplish the work of their hands, and through the power, and descent and grace of the all-holy Spirit, to carry it to a speedy ending:

That he will prosper this blessed labour of his servants, NN. (or

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of his servant, N.)> with all abundance, through the power, and effectual operation, and grace of the all-holy Spirit:

That he will appoint to this work, and to the promoters thereof, his holy guardian Angel, who shall invisibly repel all assaults of enemies, both seen and unseen; and that in everything he will grant prosperity and wisdom unto its erection, and strength for its completion: through the power, and effectual operation, and grace of the all-holy Spirit:

That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath and necessity:

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

And the Rector maketh the Exclamation: For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And the Choir chanteth:

God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us.... (And the Verses. See page 515.)

If the Temple is to be named after the Lord, this is sung in the Tone of the Hymn for the Feast; and after the Hymn for the Day, at the Glory the Hymn of the Feast of Foundation is sung: at the Now, and ever, the Flymn of the Feast.

But if the Temple is not to be named after the Lord, then the God is the Lord is sung in Tone II., and the Hymn of Foundation:

O God, the Maker and Creator of all things, speedily guide aright with thy blessing the work of our hands, which hath been begun unto thy glory, and through thy might bring thou the same presently unto completion; forasmuch as thou alone art almighty, and alone lovest mankind.

But if the Temple is to he named after the Birth-giver of God, the Hymn of Foundation is sung twice, repeating at the Glory the Hymn of the Temple.

And if it is to be called after any one of the Saints, then the Hymn of Foundation, and at the Glory to the Saint. Now, and ever,.. the Hymn to the Birth-giver of God, in the Tone of the Hymn to the Saint. And immediately after the Hymns, Psalm li. is read: Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: (See page 380.)

Then two vessels are brought and placed on the table, one containing pure water and the other oil. And when the Psalm is finished, the following Hymn is sung, in Tone VI., thrice:

Send down grace from heaven, O Life-giver, and sanctify this water, and show it to be a purification of all uncleanness.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir, Lord, have mercy.

The Rector readeth over the water the following Prayer:

O God greatly-exalted, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who alone workest wonders which cannot be numbered: whose voice is on many waters, and beholding whom the waters are afraid, and the deeps are thrown into confusion, and the water roareth greatly; whose way is in the sea, and his path in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known; Who, through the baptism of thine Only-begotten Son incarnate, and the descent upon him of the all-holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and thy voice as the Father hast sanctified the streams of Jordan: To thee do we, thine unworthy servants, now make our supplications, and implore thee; Send thou the grace of the all-holy Spirit upon this water, and with thy heavenly benediction bless, purify and hallow it, and give unto it the grace and the blessing of Jordan, and the might which purifieth all uncleanness, and healeth every infirmity, and expelleth the assaults of all demons and their snares. And show it forth through the power, and effectual operation, and grace of the all-holy Spirit, unto all thy servants who, with faith, shall drink of the same, receive it, and be sprinkled therewith, to be for a remission of sins, a release from passions, an expel-ling of every evil thing, an increase of virtue, a healing of infirmity, and a blessing to homes and to every place, a driving away of all hurtful and pernicious breezes, and the acquirement of thy grace. For thou art he who blesseth and sanctifieth all things, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now. and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

And the Priest readeth, secretly, this Prayer:

Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear me, thou who didst sanctify the waters of Jordan by the manifestation of thy Christ; and bless all us who, by the bending of our necks, express obedience unto thee; and enable us to fulfil thy sanctification by the reception of this water; and may the same be unto us for health to our souls and bodies.

Exclamation. For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee do we

ascribe glory, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

And the Rector, taking the cross, dippeth it in the water, in cross-form, chanting the Hymn, in Tone VIII.:

O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting to our most God-fearing Ruler, N., victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross preserving thine Estate. (Thrice.)

Then he blesseth the oil, thrice, with his right hand, saying: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.

The Priest then reciteth this Prayer:

O Lord God of our fathers, unto whom the pouring out of the oil that Jacob poured upon the stone, which he set up for a pillar and called the house of God, was well-pleasing and acceptable: Look thou now also, in mercy, we beseech thee, upon this oil, and bless it with thy heavenly blessing, and sanctify it and bestow upon it power through the grace of thine all-holy Spirit, that every thing which shall be anointed therewith to thy glory may be consecrated and blessed, well-pleasing and acceptable unto thee: Through the bounties of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art glorified, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Then the Rector taketh the holy water, and sprinkleth therewith the place where the cross is to be planted, saying:

Graciously vouchsafe, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, with the dread emblem and might of thy Cross to guard this place, to the glory of thee, our crucified God, and of thy Father who is from everlasting, and of thine all-holy Spirit: and may the all-pernicious Angel and adverse powers withdraw therefrom. For thine is the majesty, and thine are the kingdom and the power and the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And the Priests, taking the cross, plant it in the place which hath been prepared for it, chanting, with the Rector, this Hymn, in Tone II.:

Through the planting of the cross on earth hath the assault of foes perished and been utterly annulled: and man, who before was cast out, entereth again into Paradise: But glory to thee, our only God, for so was it well-pleasing unto thee.

Then they sing the Collect-Hymn (Konddk) for the Foundation, in Tone VI.: O thou who art speedy to succour and strong to help, manifest thyself now through the grace of thy might, and having blessed, strengthen,

and bring to an auspicious conclusion the works of thy servants: For whatsoever things thou wiliest thou canst perform, in that thou art God Almighty.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Protection of Christians that maketh not ashamed, O Mediatrix never-failing with the Creator: Despise not the sinners' voice of supplication; but in that thou art good, come speedily to the aid of us who faithfully call upon thee; make haste to our petition and further our prayer, O Birth-giver of God, who ever protectest them that do thee honour.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy -

The Rector then readeth the following Prayer, in front of the cross which hath been planted, looking toward the east the while:

O Lord God Almighty, who didst foreshadow by the staff of Moses the precious and life-giving Cross of thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Do thou, the same Lord, bless and sanctify this place, through the power and effectual operation of that precious and life-giving Tree (upon which thou hast bestowed a sprinkling of the precious blood of thy Son), unto the expelling of demons, and of every adverse power, preserving this place, and those who shall serve thee here unhurt of every evil thing; through the prayers of our all-glorious Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, and of Saint N. (the Saint who is to be the Patron of the Temple).

For blessed and glorified be thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Rector then goeth to the trench where the laying of the corner-stone is to take place, and the square stone which hath been prepared lieth before him on a table. And the Choir singeth:

Psalm lxxxiv.

O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of hosts! My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be alway praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are thy ways. Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; and the pools are filled with water. They will go from strength to strength, and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob. Behold, O God our defender, and look upon the face of thine Anointed. For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God,

than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. For the Lord God is a light and defence; the Lord will give grace and worship; and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life. O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. (Thrice.)

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir Lord, have mercy.

The Recto? then readeth over the stone this Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who art the true God and the Brightness and Image of the Father which is from everlasting, and the Life Everlasting; and art the Corner-stone, hewn without the aid of seed of man from the Virgin Mount; as also the Foundation immovable of thy Church; who also, through the shedding of thy precious blood, hast founded thy Church, and hast raised it up by thy death, and perfected it by thy Resurrection and blessed it by thine Ascension, and hast sanctified and enlarged it by the descent of thy Holy Spirit: Unto thee do we now humbly pray: Send down the grace of thy Holy Spirit, and bless the laying of this stone, and all the foundation of the building which is now begun to the glory of thine all-holy Name (and if it be a Feast of the Lord, he saith:) and in honour and memory of thy holy (Nativity, or whatever it may be; or: of the Falling-asleep (Assumption) of thine all-holy Mother, or of whatsoever other Feast of the Birth-giver of God or Saint it may be, mentioning it by name). And be thou, who art the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, who from eternity hast created all things, the beginning, the increase, and the completion of this work; bless the ward-ens and the workers, and prosper thou the work of their hands, and by thy divine providence abundantly multiply all things necessary for the building and completion of this Temple: that the Temple may be perfect and filled with thy glory, and that in it may be glorified thy great and all-holy Name, together with thy Father and thine all-holy Spirit, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

And the Principal Priest, taking the holy water, sprinkleth the stone therewith, saying:

This stone is blessed through the sprinkling of this holy water, unto the foundation imperishable of the Temple erected in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And if the relics of Saints are to be inserted, one of the Priests readeth the inscription, and layeth the relics in the place prepared for them, saying:

O praise God in his saints, praise him in the firmament of his power, For the righteous shall praise thee in glory, and shall rejoice on their beds

And when he hath said this, he cover eth them. But if there be no relics, nothing of this is done. And the Rector, taking the stone in his hands, layeth it in the mortar which is prepared in the trench, saying:

This Church is founded to the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, in honour and memory of (the name of the Feast of the Lord, or of the Birth-giver of God, or of the Patron Saint of the Temple), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, taking the oil, he saith: The Most High God, who hath founded this Church, is in the midst of it, and it shall not be removed. God shall help it, and that right early.

And he pour eth the oil on the stone, set in its place, saying: Blessed and illustrious be this place for a house of prayer, to the honour and glory of God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, with the whole Choir, he singeth the following, in Tone VI.: Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it, and said: Surely, the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not; how dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

If the foundation be for a wooden church, when all the foregoing hath been performed, the Rector, taking an axe, smiteth it thrice into the central beam of the Sanctuary, saying: »

This work is begun in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and in honour and memory of (the name of wooden the Feast or of the Saint). Amen.

Then he beginneth to sprinkle all the foundations round about, starting from the

northern side, against the sun, and saying: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit-Amen.

While the Choir singeth Psalm lxxxvii-

Her foundations are upon the holy hills: the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Very excellent things are spoken of thee, thou city of God. I will think upon Rahab and Babylon, with them that know me. Behold, yea the Philistines also, and they of Tyre, with the Morians; lo, there was he born. And of Zion it shall be reported that he was born in her; and the Most High shall stablish her. The Lord shall rehearse it, when he writeth up the people, that he was born there. The singers also and trumpeters shall he rehearse: All my fresh springs shall be in thee.

And the workman shall immediately begin their labour with speed, in the Name of the Lord. And when the Rector hath passed over the first portion of the foundation, on the northern side, he shall stand with his face to the north; and when the Psalm is finished, and the Deacon hath said: Let us pray to the Lord: and the Choir hath answered: Lord, have mercy:

The Rector shall read this Prayer:

O Lord our God, who hast made the North and the sea, and all things; whom heaven and earth are not able to contain; who didst deign to have for thyself on earth a Temple for the perpetual praise of thine all-holy Name: Humbly falling down before thee we entreat thy loving-kindness: bless thou the foundations of this Temple, and its whole edifice; and establish it by thy might, and make it immovable and impregnable, to the glory of thee, the only God glorified in the Trinity, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And after the Prayer, if the church is to be of wood, he taketh the axe again, Church! and smiteth therewith the central beam, saying the same as at the first

smiting.

Then he goeth on, sprinkling the second portion of the foundation, and saying:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And the Choir chanteth Psalm cxxvii

Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness; for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children, and the fruit of the womb, are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord. Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant, even so are the young children. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

And having come to the western side, and standing with his face toward the west, after the Psalm is finished, and the Deacon hath said: Let us pray to the Lord: and the Choir hath responded: Lord, have mercy: the Rector reciteth the following Prayer:

O Lord our God, whose Name is praised from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, and who, by thy divine providence, hast chosen this place for an abode for thyself: Send now, we humbly pray thee, thy heavenly blessing upon it, and bless the beginning of this building, and strengthen and establish it, and bring it to successful completion. For thou art he who doeth all things for the profit of our souls, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And after this Prayer, he again smiteth thrice with the axe, if the church is to

be of wood, saying the same as before. Chvxob

Then he goeth and sprinkleth the third part of the foundation, and saith: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And the Choir singeth, the while, Psalm cxxii.

I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity in itself. For thither the tribes' go up, even the tribes of the Lord, to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord. For there is the seat of judgment, even the seat of the house of David. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes I will wish thee prosperity. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek to do thee good.

And coming to the southern side of the foundation, and standing with his face to the south, when the Psalm is finished, and the Deacon hath said: Let us pray to the Lord: and the Choir hath responded: Lord, have mercy: the Rector reciteth this Prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who didst come from the south for our salvation, and from the shady Virgin Mount as holy didst reveal thyself, and didst dwell among men: Look with mercy, we beseech thee, upon the wardens of the Temple, the building whereof hath been begun in thy Name, and bless them in all things; and give them strength and steadfastness, together with vigour and abundance of health, and prosper them in all ways, unto the completion of the work which hath been begun to thy glory. For thou art the God of mercy, and bounties, and of love toward mankind, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

After this Prayer he doth as before. And he goeth and sprinkleth the fourth portion of the foundation, saying:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

While the Choir chanteth Psalm cxxxii.

Lord, remember David, and all his trouble: how he sware unto the Lord, and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob; I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, nor climb up into my bed; I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber; neither the temples of my head to take any rest; until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord; an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata, and found it in the wood. We will go

into his tabernacle, and fall low on our knees before his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints sing with joyfulness. For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the presence of thine Anointed. The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it; of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat. If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall learn them; their children also shall sit upon thy seat forevermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion to be an habitation for himself; he hath longed for her. This shall be my rest forever; here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. I will bless her victuals with increase: and will satisfy her poor with bread. I will deck her priests with health, and her saints shall rejoice and sing. There shall I make the horn of David to flourish: I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed. As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

And when he is come to the place where he began to sprinkle, he stoppeth, and standing in front of the cross planted in the earth, with his face toward the east, when the Psalm is finished, the Rector beginneth, with all emotion, to sing, accompanied by all the Choir:

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Then the Rector readeth this Prayer:

O Lord our God, who hast deigned at this place, and upon the stone laid thereon and blessed in thy Name, to found for thyself a Church, mercifully accept those who bring unto thee thine own of thine own, for the erection to thy glory of the Temple which hath been founded in honour and memory of N. (the Feast or the Saint): Requite thou the same with the multitude of thy heavenly and earthly good things; grant-ing also unto all who shall lend their aid in the building and completion of this church bodily health and spiritual salvation. Strengthen the labourers, preserving them unharmed of every evil thing; and preserve these foundations indestructible and immovable, and bring this thy Temple speedily to completion: that therein unceasingly, with all-exalting hymns and praises and unbloody sacrifices, we may glorify and sing thee, our only true God. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Rector. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit.

And the Deacon, with all emotion, saith: Again, yet again, on bended knees let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

And all kneel down. And the Rector, himself kneeling, readeth with emotion this Prayer:

We praise thee, O Lord God of hosts, our Saviour, that because of the great multitude of thy goodness and loving-kindness toward mankind, thou hast chosen and sanctified this place, and hast founded thereon a church to the glory of thine all-holy Name, through us, thine unworthy servants. Wherefore, bowing the knees of our souls and bodies, we humbly beseech thee: Graciously vouchsafe to found also upon this place an Altar for the offering up of the unbloody sacrifice of the all-holy Body and the precious Blood of thy Christ, unto thy glory, and unto the salvation of our souls. And bring thou this Temple, and this Altar, which have now been begun, speedily to completion by thy divine might; that therein and thereon, even until the end of the ages, the praise of thine all-holy Name, and thine unbloody, supersensual sacrifices may be offered up and performed unto thee unceasingly without hindrance, by thine Orthodox people: For with thee all things are possible; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And all standing, the Deacon saith this Litany:

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy:

Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted.

Furthermore we pray for our Most Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop or Metropolitan), N., for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the clergy and the laity:

Furthermore we pray that the Lord our God will hearken unto the voice of our petition, and will bless the work of our hands: and let us all say: O Lord, hearken, and have mercy,

Furthermore we pray for the God-fearing Wardens, and for the founders to the glory of God, of the Temple, N., which hath been begun and is to be built to the glory of God; and for the prosperous forwarding of their holy work, and for their health, salvation, and the remission of their sins: and let us all say: O Lord, hearken, and have mercy

Furthermore we pray that he will appoint to this holy work an Angel, a guardian against every evil assault of foes both visible and invisible, who shall deliver from impediments, and shall defend and strengthen the labourers: and let us all say: O Lord, hearken, and have mercy.

t-4

And the Rector exclaimeth:

Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, unto us sinners, and be merciful unto us, and unto the founders of this Temple: For thou art a merciful God and 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.

Choir. Amen.

And he pronounceth the Benediction appropriate to the Temple. And having blessed the People, the Bishop or the Archpriest, if he hath come with the Litiyd, as said above, retitrneth also with the Litiyd to the Church whence he hath come, while the Choir sing the Stanzas of the Temple, or whatsoever else they wish, to the glory of God.