One aspect of the Prayer Circle as described in ancient texts has to do with those who participate and the bishop's instruction to them about their relationship to their neighbors:
"As leader the Bishop stands in the middle . . . [the men and women are assigned their places, north, south, east and west, around him]. Then all give each other the sign of peace. Next, when absolute silence is established, the deacon says: "Let your hearts be to heaven. If anyone has any ill feeling towards his neighbor, let him be reconciled. If anyone has any hesitation or mental reservations [doubts] let him make it known; if anyone finds any of the teachings incongenial, let him withdraw [etc.]. For the Father of Lights is our witness with the Son and visiting angels. Take care lest you have aught against your neighbor. . . . Lift up your hearts for the sacrifice of redemption and eternal life. Let us be grateful for the knowledge which God is giving us." The Bishop . . . says in an awesome voice: "Our Lord be [or is] with you!" And all the people respond: "And with thy spirit." (Ignatius Ephraem II Rahmani, ed., Testamenturn Domini Nostri Jesu Christi (Moguntiae: Kirchheim, 1899). The age of the work is discussed on pp. ix—xiv, 36—37.)
Cyril of Jerusalem describes the priesthood standing in a circle around the altar ("leave the altar if thy brother hath aught against thee"), the mutual embracing "which signifies a complete fusion of spirits," and then "that thrilling hour when one must enter spiritually into the presence of God." (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechesis XXIII [V], 3—4, in PG 33:1112.)
One aspect of the Prayer Circle as described in ancient texts has to do with those who participate and the bishop's instruction to them about their relationship to their neighbors:
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