THE PROSKOMEDE
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Then the priest kisses the Holy Gospel and the deacon the corner of the Holy Table.
After this , the deacon, bowing his head to the priest, and holding his orarion with three
fingers of his right hand, says:
Deacon:
It is time to act for the Lord. Master, bless.
The priest signing him with the sign of the Cross, says:
Priest:
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages.
Deacon:
Pray for me, master.
Priest:
May the Lord direct thy steps.
Deacon:
Remember me , holy Master.
Priest:
May the Lord God remember thee in His kingdom,
always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon:
Amen.
Having bowed, he goes out by the north door, because the royal doors are not opened
until the Entry. And standing in the usual place, directly before the holy doors, he bows
reverently, thrice, saying secretly:
Deacon:
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth
shall declare Thy praise.
Immediately the deacon begins the Divine Liturgy with "Bless, Master."
Be it known: If a priest serve without a deacon, the words of the deacon in the
Proskomede, and during the Liturgy before the Gospel, and his response: Bless,
Master, and Pierce Master, and: It is time to act, . are not said, but only the Ecteniae
and the Order of the
Prothesis. If many priests concelebrate, in the performance of the
Proskomede only one priest may serve and say what is set forth; but of the rest of the
celebrants, none shall say the proskomede separately.