When the bishop arrives, he is greeted at the royal doors by the clergy and the faithful. Traditionally, members of the congregation welcome the eparch with bread and salt.
The Hierarchical Liturgy begins with deacon(s) censing the bishop while the protodeacon (or in his absence, the parish priest) blesses the bishop, praying, “May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life, now and ever, and for ages of ages (Psalm 128:5).”
The Bishop prays, “I will enter Your house, I will bow toward Your holy Temple in fear of You…” (Psalm 5:8-9)
The Bishop enters the Church and goes to stand in front of the Holy Doors of the iconostas.
Taking his place on the orletz (an eagle rug which represents his mission to preach the Gospel) placed there for him, he begins the introductory prayers to the Divine Liturgy together with the clergy:
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth , everywhere present and filling all things…come and dwell within us, cleanse us from all impurity, and save our souls, O Gracious One.
Most holy Trinity, have mercy on us… O Holy One visit us and heal our infirmities for your Name’s sake.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. For setting aside all excuse, we offer to You, our Master this prayer: Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have put our hope in You. Rise not in anger against us, nor remember our transgressions, but in the depth of your mercy, look upon us and deliver us from our enemies for you are our God and we are your people, all the work of your Hands and we call upon your Name…
The clergy arrange themselves in two rows behind the bishop according to rank.
Concluding the introductory prayers, the bishop blesses the faithful in the nave, who respond, “Ton Dhespotin kai arkhiera imon, Kyrie filate, eis polla Eti, Dhespota.” (O Lord, protect and grant many years to our Master and High Priest. May God grant you many years, O Master.)
The eparch then takes his place at the bema in the midst of the assembly. At the bema, the kathedra has been set up. This is a platform with a chair placed upon it and an orletz.
The clergy receive a blessing from him and, bowing, kiss the hand in gratitude for the Lord’s blessing for their appointed ministry in this Liturgy.