WASHING THE UTENSILS

After giving out the Honored Blood, the priest starts washing the utensils.

He washes the Masteer (spoon) inside the Chalice and drinks the water. Then the deacon pours more water in the cup. The serving priest gives it to the associate priest who drinks it. Again, the priest thoroughly washes the inside of the Chalice with his hand, and pours the water in the paten. He then washes the outside of the Chalice, especially the spots that he touched with his hands; this washing is done above the paten.

Next, he washes the Masteer, the whole of it, then the whole of the dome (or star) which sits upon the paten, paying particular care to the ends which touch the paten.

He pours the washing water of the Chalice, Masteer and star in the paten, washes the paten thoroughly with his hand, and then drinks the water. The deacon pours water in the paten, which is in the hands of the priest, which the deacons then drink to resolve the Holy Communion.

The priest washes his hands up to the wrist and his lips, then with that water he washes the paten and drinks the water. If the associate priest has held the Chalice and has given the Blood to the people, he also washes his hands in the paten and drinks the water. A deacon then dries the utensils with a clean towel used specifically for drying the altar utensils. He then binds them together with the veils and the Prospharine, making sure the wrapping is not too tight otherwise the utensils right is bent. When tying the utensils, the deacon makes five knots: two knots in the preliminary (lower) tie, and three knots on the upper one. This done so that when the priest unwraps the bundle to dress the altar before the Mass, he unties the top three knots with the familiar three signings of the cross, and the lower two with the continuation of the signings, saying, "Honor and Glory, Glory and Honor...