Holy Liturgy
Coptic Orthodox Church is a
Liturgical Church
Tonight
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The History of the Liturgy
The Basic Structure of the Liturgy
Raising of Incense
Church Architecture
The History of the Liturgy
• (1cor 11:23- 25) “That the Lord Jesus
the same night in which he was
betrayed took bread: And when he had
given thanks, he brake it, and said,
Take, eat: this is my body, which is
broken for you: this do in remembrance
of me. After the same manner also he
took the cup, when he had supped,
saying, This cup is the new testament in
my blood: this do to you, as often as you
drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The History of the Liturgy
CHRIST
Apostle
Church
“of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God” Acts 1:3)
Liturgy of St. Mark
• Middle of 1st century – St. Mark
brought Christianity to Egypt
• Liturgy of St. Mark
• Originally in Greek
• First Eucharist – Upper room at St.
Mark’s house
• Liturgy of St. Basil started to be
used at the end of 4th century
Sixth Century
• Liturgy of St. Mark translated to
Coptic (Renamed to St. Cyril)
3 most common Coptic
Liturgies
• Liturgy of St. Basil
• Liturgy of St. Gregory
• Liturgy of St. Cyril
NO CHANGE
Church Building
Theology of Orientation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Christ is our East (Malachi 4:2)
A Reminder of the Lost Paradise
Waiting for the Parousia of Christ
Looking towards the cross
The Orientation of the graves
Shape of the Church Building
• The Cruciform
• The Circle
• The shape of a Ship
Cruciform shape
• Crucified body of Christ – Mostly
byzantine style
The Circular shape
• Eternal nature of Christ as being an
endless line
Ship Shape
• Most common
• Old Testament:
– Symbol of Salvation
• Noah’s Ark
• New Testament:
– Sailing amisdst a frightful dagers, but within
the Lords ship, we are filled with hope of
eternal rest
3 Division
1. Sanctuary (containing Altars)
2. The Nave
1. Deacons (Chancel)
2. Believers (Main Nave)
3. The Narthex for the Catechumens
Basic Structure of the
Holy Liturgy
Could separate the in 4 parts:
1. Raising of Incense (Vespers and Matins)
2. Assembly
3. Liturgy of the Word (Teaching portion)
4. Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharist portion)
Raising of Incense
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Thanksgiving Prayer
The Mystery of Incense
The major Litanies
The procession of Incense
EFNOTI NAI NAN
6.
7.
8.
9.
Litany of the Gospel.
The 5 minor Litanies.
The 3 Absolutions .
The blessing and
departure.
(Have mercy upon us,O God)
1. The Thanksgiving Prayer
•Every prayer starts with
thanking the Lord.
(Eph. 5:20) “Giving thanks
always for all things unto God “
•The priest stand outside God’s
door prostrates as a humble
request that God accept his
prayers, for himself and the
people.
2. The Mystery of Incense
5 spoonful of incense.
1.Abel [offer the 1st born].
2.Noah [offer of every pure
animal, bird].
3.Melchizedek [bread &
wine].
4.Aaron [offer sacrifices
for himself & his people].
5.Zacharias [offer incense
in the sanctuary].
4. The Incense Circuit
Raising the incense:
out side the sanctuary
N (St.Mary) Hail you
O full of grace.
W Hail to the choir
of the angels.
S Hail to John … the
priest the son of the
priest.
E Let us worship our
Savior.
• Vespers: Litany of Departed
• Matins: Litany of the
– The sick
– travelers (not on Sundays)
– The offering
5. EFNOTI NAI NAN (Have
mercy upon us,O God)
Help us
E
N
S
Hear us
Guard us
W
Bless us
Amen
6. Litany of the Gospel
Pray for the holy
gospel
Blessed be He who
comes in the name of
the Lord.
Prayer of Simon the Elder
• The priest goes around the alter with the
censer saying;
“Lord, now You letting Your servant depart in
peace.”
7. The 5 minor Litanies
Peace : Remember, O Lord, the peace of Your one,… Church.
Lord have mercy
Fathers: Remember, O Lord, our blessed … Papa abba
Shenouda the III and his spiritual
brothers.
Lord have mercy
Holy places: Remember, O Lord, the salvation of this Yours
holy place.
Lord have mercy
Waters, Plants, Fruits: Graciously accord, O Lord, to bless …
Lord have mercy x3
Assemblies : Remember, O Lord, Assemblies, …bless them.
Lord have mercy
+But
let Your people be in blessing 1000’s…
The Prayers of Submission
Blessing
peace…
O King of peace, grant us Your
3 Absolutions
Dismissal
Go in peace. The Lord be with you all. Amen.