Abstract: A process for preparing silver catalysts containing alkaline earth metals and alkali metals as promoters for the production of ethylene oxide by oxidizing ethylene with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases. The silver catalysts are prepared by:(a) depositing a suspension consisting of silver oxide and an aqueous solution of an organic silver salt on a porous substrate, the molar ratio of the silver in the silver oxide to the silver in the silver salt being from about 35 to 65%, and periodically increasing the pressure (decreasing the vacuum) being used during the absorption;(b) carrying out an interim drying as a thin moving bed in an inert gas atmosphere at temperatures between about 50.degree. and 150.degree. C.