The Liturgy of the Word
Procession of Incense
The Priest offers incense upon the altar, and an altar servant opposite him holds up a cross as they process anticlockwise three times around the altar saying, inaudibly, these three supplications for the peace of the Church, the fathers, and our gatherings.
The cloud of incense is a sign of God’s presence. The procession is done anticlockwise to signify that God is above time.
Priest (Inaudible)
We ask you, O our Master:
Remember, O Lord, the peace of Your one, only, holy, catholic and apostolic Church...
Deacon (Inaudible)
Pray for the peace of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Orthodox Church of
God.
Priest (Inaudible)
...This which exists from one end of the world to the other.
Remember, O Lord, our honoured father, the patriarch and high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his spiritual brothers, the Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius (...), and the Patriarch of Eritrea, Abune (...), and his partner in the apostolic ministry, our father the metropolitan/bishop, Abba (...).
Deacon (Inaudible)
Pray for our high priest, Pope Abba (...), pope and patriarch, and Archbishop of the great city of Alexandria, and his spiritual brothers in the apostolic ministry, the Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius (...), and the Patriarch of Eritrea, Abune (...), and his partner in the apostolic ministry, our father the metropolitan/bishop, Abba (...), and for all our Orthodox bishops.
Priest (Inaudible)
Keep them for us in safety for many years and peaceful times.
Remember, O Lord, our gatherings; bless them.
Deacon (Inaudible)
Pray for this holy church and our gatherings.
The Priest censes over the altar in the form of a cross.
Priest (Inaudible)
Grant that we may hold them without prevention or hindrance according to Your holy and blessed will.
Houses of prayer, houses of purity, houses of blessing: grant unto us, O Lord, and unto Your servants who shall come after us, forever.
Arise, O Lord God, let all Your enemies be scattered, and let all those who hate Your holy name flee before Your face;
But let Your people be in blessing, thousands upon thousands and myriads upon myriads, doing Your will.
Through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, through Whom the glory, honour, dominion and worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-giver, Who is coessential with You, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
After processing around the altar three times, the Priest leaves the sanctuary, while the altar servant, standing at the right-hand side of the door of the sanctuary and facing the congregation, holds aloft the cross, reminding the people of the presence of God in their midst.