Opening blessing at the all-night vigil

These words are taken from matins (orthros), where they mark the opening blessing of matins proper (after the brief introductory portion). While saying them at matins, the celebrant makes the sign of the cross before the holy table, with the censer. When the all-night vigil is served, both these words from matins and the cross-wise blessing with the censer are transferred to the beginning of vespers to signify the joining of the two services in the celebration of the vigil.