The Blessing

The priest offers the first of three solemn blessings during the Qurbana, using the words of St. Paul (2 Cor. 13:14) and making the sign of the cross over the people three times.

• In the Syrian liturgy, the sign of the cross is made with the thumb and the first two fingers joined together, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
• The congregation also signs themselves in the same manner.