The Testament of Our Lord

I. 41

Let the appointment! be thus. As she prayeth at the entrance of the altar? and looketh down, let the bishop say quietly, so that the priests may hear, thus: PRAYER OF THE INSTITUTION? OF WIDOWS WHO SIT IN FRONT O God, the Holy One, the Most High, who seest the [things]* that are humble,> who hast chosen the weak ® and the mighty ;® the Honoured One who hast created? also ® those [things] which are despised ; give, O Lord, the spirit of power to® this Thine handmaid, and strengthen her with Thy truth, so that doing Thy commandment and serving *° in the house of Thy sanctuary, she may be an honoured vessel " unto Thee, and may glorify !? [Thee] in the day 3 when Thou wilt glorify * Thy poor, O Lord. And* grant to her power cheerfully to accomplish Thy teachings which Thou hast determined for a rule for Thine handmaid. Grant to her, O Lord, the spirit of meekness and of power and of patience and of kindness, so that, bearing with ineffable joy Thy burden, she may endure labours. Yea, O Lord God, who knowest our weakness, perfect Thine handmaid for the praise * of Thine house; strengthen her for edification and a good example,’ sanctify [her], make [her] wise; comfort [her] O God; for blessed and glorious” is Thy kingdom, O God the Father. And to Thee [be] praise, and to Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the® Holy Ghost [who is] good and adorable and the Maker of life,” and of equal essence with Thee,” now and before all the worlds and for the ages and for ever and ever.!

The people: Amen.