THE PROSKOMEDE
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Then the priest vests himself thus: taking the sticharion in the left hand, and bowing
thrice toward the east, as mentioned before, he signs it with the sign of the Cross,
saying:
Priest:
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages. Amen. My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for
He hath clothed me in the garment of salvation, and with the
vesture of gladness hath He covered me; He hath placed a
crown upon me as on a bridegroom, and He hath adorned
me as a bride with comeliness.
Then taking the epitrachelion and signing it, he puts it on, saying:
Priest:
Blessed is God Who poureth out His grace upon His
priests, like unto the oil of myrrh upon the head, which
runneth down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron,
which runneth down to the fringe of his raiment.
Then taking the zone and girding himself he says:
Priest:
Blessed is God, Who girded me with power, and hath
made my path blameless, Who maketh my feet like the feet
of a hart, and setteth me upon high places.
Then the cuffs, in the manner described. Then taking the epigonation, if he have it, and
having blessed and kissed it, he says:
Priest:
Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O Mighty one, in
Thy comeliness and Thy beauty, and bend Thy bow, and
proceed prosperously, and be king, because of truth and
meekness and righteousness, and Thy right hand shall guide
Thee wondrously, always, now and ever, and unto the ages
of ages. Amen.