In the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, it is considered inappropriate for a layman to presume to offer blessings to a priest since the priest is the one who is supposed to offer blessings to the layman. Even so, the phrase is common enough in English-speaking countries that priests, including Eastern priests, should avoid embarrassing well-meaning people by using facial expressions that indicate the person has done something wrong. At most, an Eastern Christian priest speaking to someone he knows to be a fellow Eastern Christian, might say, “Thank you,” and then gently instruct the Eastern layman in the proper protocol. A Latin Catholic priest who sympathizes with the Eastern protocol may hold his private view as a pet peeve if he wishes, but should simply smile warmly and say in return, “God bless you, too.”
