Blessed are you, Jesus Christ our Lord and God, you chose to go up to the temple with Mary and Joseph to fulfill the law of the Passover, which you had previously established and placed in the hands of your prophets.

Today we celebrate the feast when you were found in the temple sitting among the teachers. You taught us that God must be the first and the last in all that we do, for our lives have no meaning except in our Lord and God.

Now, we ask you, with the fragrance of this incense, to enlighten our minds, that we may understand your love for us which is the foundation of all your holy commandments. Strengthen our wills to act only for you, guide our minds to think only of you, and fill our hearts with the true joy of pleasing you and doing your will. May our goal be the accomplishment of your works and those of your Father and of your Holy Spirit. TO you be glory and thanks for ever.

Amen.

From the Prayer of Forgiveness, Divine Liturgy for The Finding of the Lord in the Temple