[Page] 574

...canopy of the court of this altar; receive our prayers in uprightness like the fragrance of sweet-smelling incense, of cassia and cinnamon; and keep us, who offer [them], in holiness always and continually to minister unto thee. Through the intercession of thy Mother and Virgin, receive the supplications of thy ministers. O Christ, who didst make the holy Church more splendid than the heavens by thy blood, and according to the heavenly [orders] didst establish within her the ranks of the apostles and prophets, the holy doctors (*vardapets* [learned teachers/doctors of the Church]); today, the assembled ranks of priests, deacons, scribes (*dpirs* [clerks/minor orders]), and clerics, we offer incense before thee, O Lord, after the manner of Zechariah in the old [covenant]. Receive from us these incense-offering supplications, like the sacrifice of Abel, of Noah, and of Abraham. Through the intercession of thy heavenly hosts, keep ever unshaken the Haykazian throne (the throne of the Armenian people). Rejoice exceedingly, O daughter of light, holy mother Catholic [Church], with thy children, O Zion; adorned and embellished, [O] glorious bride...