The Offertory
The Prayer of Absolution to the Son
Absolution means the forgiveness of sins. The Priest prays the same absolution that he prays over the confessor after the sacrament of confessions. So, the Church prays this absolution once for each person after confession, and again for the entire congregation to achieve collective salvation with collective repentance.
The Priest gives the absolution to the other Priest or Priests, the Deacons, the Congregation, and himself by the authority he has been granted by the Lord Jesus Christ.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
— John 20:21-23
No one can serve God, whatever his rank, without being absolved from his sins. This absolution acts as an anointing necessary for the service, just as Aaron and his sons were anointed and consecrated to minister as priests.
You shall anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may minister to Me
— Exodus 30:30
as priests.
The Priest rises and kisses the altar. He then goes to the South side and makes a prostration toward the East, thanking the Lord who has made him worthy of this holy service.
The Priest then proceeds to the North side of the altar, and the Deacons who are serving prostrate before him, and the Priest stretches forth his hand on the Deacon and blesses him. The Deacons may also kiss the altar.
Coming down from the altar, the Priest and the rest of the Deacons walk backward, their faces set to the East, and they put their left foot first. A Deacon takes with him the censer in preparation for the Prayer of Incense before the Pauline Epistle. All of the altar servants exit the altar and prostrate themselves before its entrance.
Priest (Inaudible)
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son and Word of God the Father, who has broken every bond of our sins through His saving and life-giving sufferings. Who breathed into the face of His holy disciples, the saintly apostles, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; and if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
You also now, O our Master, have given grace through Your holy apostles to those who for a time labour in the priesthood in Your holy Church to forgive sin upon the earth and to bind and to loose every bond of iniquity.
Now also, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of mankind, for Your servants, my fathers and my brethren, and my weakness, and for those who bow their heads before Your holy glory.
Dispense unto us Your mercy and loose every bond of our sins; and if we have committed any sin against You knowingly or unknowingly, or through anguish of heart, whether in deed or word, or from faintheartedness, O Master who knows the weakness of men, as a good One and Lover of mankind, O God, grant us forgiveness of our sins.
Bless us, purify us, absolve us, and all Your people.
Fill us with Your fear and set us straight for Your holy good will, for You are our God, and unto You is due the glory, honour, dominion and worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Life-giver, Who is coessential with You, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.