God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Father of mercies and God of all consolation, you who live in the highest, but
regard the lowest, you who know all things before they are, you who gave the
rules of the Church through the word of your grace, who predestined from the
beginning the race of the righteous through Abraham, who instituted princes and
priests, and did not leave your sanctuary without a minister; who from the
beginning of the world has been pleased to be glorified by those whom you have
chosen, pour out upon him the power which is from you, the princely Spirit,
which you gave to your beloved Son Jesus Christ, which he gave to your holy
apostles, who founded the Church in every place as your sanctuary, for the
glory and endless praise of your name. Grant, Father who knows the heart, to
your servant whom you chose for the episcopate, that he will feed your holy
flock, that he will wear your high priesthood without reproach, serving night
and day, incessantly making your face favorable, and offering the gifts of your
holy church; in the spirit of high priesthood having the power to forgive sins
according to your command; to assign lots according to your command; to loose
any bond according to the authority which you gave to the apostles; to please
you in mildness and a pure heart, offering to you a sweet scent, through your
son Jesus Christ, through whom to you be glory, power, and honor, Father and
Son, with the Holy Spirit, in the Holy Church, now and throughout the ages of
the ages. Amen.
Hippolytus ca. 215 AD
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