The priest now consumes what remained from the Holy Communion, i.e. the portions of the Saints, those of the living and the departed etc., which in reality is the Body and Blood of Christ. This remainder is holy, so it cannot be drawn from the Chalice in any way, other than consuming.

35 from Αθωνική Ψηφιακή Κιβωτός on Vimeo.

Afterwards, he pours into the Chalice a small quantity of water so as to rinse the Cup and the Holy Spoon. None of the particles, i.e. the pearls of our Lord's Body and Blood, should remain in the Chalice. So he rinses and then wipes both the Chalice and the Holy Spoon with the Communion Purificator, which he then folds and puts over the Sacred Vessels.

During the consuming, either the priest inaudibly or one of the faithful aloud, recites the Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion, which is in reality a series of short sublime prayers. Just like upon receiving any gift arises in us a wish to thank the one who brought it, a strong wish to thank God appears upon receiving this invaluable great gift, the Holy Communion.