that we may imitate the innocence and deserve to partake of the merits of those who thus praised our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. The Procession. The Bishop having blessed the Incense, which is carried at the head of processions to shed its perfume along the path—the Deacon cries aloud: Let us proceed in Peace; the choir answering: In the name of Christ, Amen! The procession then advances, clergy and faithful carrying their palms in the hand, for, with the Jews, to hold a branch in one's hand, was a sign of joy. (Lev. xxiii, 40.)
After the thurifer comes a cross bearer: then the purple robed acolytes and choristers, then the clergy followed by a sub-deacon bearing the Archiepiscoal cross, finally surrounded by his ministers the rchbishop carrying the Palm in the left hand and blessing the people continually with the right. The choristers are chanting antiphons in honor of Jesus, the king of Israel, "which beginning with the account of our Savior's sending two disciples to Bethania, to procure the humble ass on which he was to ride, describes that procession in a series of strophes, which increase in beauty till they rich a sentiment perfectly lyrical and exclaim: "In faith be we united with the angels and those children crying out to the triumpher over death" Hosanna in the highest!" (Wiseman.) The procession leaves the Cathedral and on its return finds the door closed—heaven's gates barred against fallen man. Voices within, representing the angels in heaven greeting the entry of Jesus into the Eternal Jerusalem, sing the praises of Christ in the beautiful hymn Gloria Laus. The choir without, representing man celebrating the entry of the Son of David into the earthly Jerusalem, repeats the strain of praise. After six verses of this immortal hymn of the Prisoner-Bishop, Theodulph, have been thus chanted, the Sub-Deacon strikes with the cross the door, which immediately opens and the procession enters—as Jesus opened for us by His Cross the gates of the
