Then, putting the other on his left hand:
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. O give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments.
[He then prepares the sacred vessels.]
The priest puts on his sacred vestments in the following manner. First, taking up his στοιχάριον in his left hand, and making three bows towards the east, he signs it with the sign of the cross, saying:
Blessed be our God always, etc.
And then he puts it on, saying, My soul shall rejoice, etc., as the deacon said above.
Next he takes up the ἐπιτραχήλιον, and, blessing it, he saith:
Blessed be God who poureth out His grace on His priests, like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down unto the beard, even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.
He then takes the ζώνη, and girding himself therewith, saith:
Blessed be God who hath girded me with strength, and hath put me in the right way, making my feet like harts' feet, and hath set me up on high.