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Beloved Deacon Bartholomew,

At this moment, you stand before the Holy Altar, in the presence of the Pleroma of the Church. All the ranks of the Priesthood are here, together with the laity. And you stand in your diaconal robes – to which you have brought honor and dignity through your ministry – ready to receive, from my humble hands, the great gift of becoming a Presbyter of God’s Holy Church. Today, your Orarion is transfigured into the Epitrachelion, which symbolizes the yoke of service and obedience to Christ. As the Lord Himself said: