After the Dismissal of the Proskomede, the priest proceeds to the Holy Table. The deacon censes the Prothesis in strokes of three and then the Holy Table from four sides while saying privately: You were bodily in the tomb, in Hades with Your soul as God, in Paradise with the thief, and enthroned with the Father and the Spirit. 0 Christ, You fill all things but are contained by none., … and the 50th Psalm;
•He also censes the apsidal icon and other icons. The deacon leaves the Altar via the northern door and comes before the royal doors. After bowing before the royal doors, he censes the images on the southern part of the iconostasis, beginning with the icon of the Savior, then the images on the northern part beginning with the icon of the Theotokos, then the right and left choirs. He censes the people from the soleas or, if it is customary, by going through the temple to the narthex. Returning to the Altar via the southern door, he again censes the Holy Table in strokes of three, but only from the front, and censes the celebrant.
*Memorizing Psalm 50 is a one thing but saying it while incensing and the choir is singing while people are still coming into the church is another challenge unto itself. Practice with music playing int eh background. Also, practice by saying it quietly to yourself – make sure your lips are moving and not just thinking it.
*When swinging the censer, be careful not to jerk as it is swung. Just about every deacon ever ordain has accidentally burned the carpet with a wayward piece of charcoal.