THE PROSKOMEDE
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Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.
And the priest, having censed the second veil, covers the holy chalice, saying:
Priest:
Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ, and
the earth is full of Thy praise.
Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.
Then the priest, having censed the veil, i.e., the aer, covers both the holy diskos and the
holy chalice saying:
Priest:
Shelter us with the shelter of Thy wings, and drive
away from us every enemy and adversary. Make our life
peaceful, O Lord, have mercy on us, and on Thy world, and
save our souls, for thou art good and the Lover of mankind.
Then, taking the censer, the priest censes the prothesis, saying thrice:
Priest:
Blessed is Our God Who is thus well pleased, glory to
Thee.
And the deacon says each time:
Deacon:
Always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Both bow reverently Thrice.