The Eucharistic Rites and Ceremonies in the Coptic Church
The Divine Liturgy in Brief
The Divine Liturgy is a journey towards heaven. We enjoy it through our fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ, as we are united with Him.
1- The Psalmody and the Divine Liturgy are preparations for this journey. They are addressed to the whole world, visible and invisible, rational and irrational, to give hymns to God, the Creator.
The "Cross," or the "Sacrifice of the Messiah," is the center and subject of the hymns of the heavenly and earthly creatures. Thus, before starting the liturgical prayers, the presbyter and the congregation participate with all the creation in giving hymns to the Savior.
- 2- The Offertory is the starting point of the journey. It guides the Church to know the real expenses of the journey, for she must offer her whole life as a sacrifice to and through the Lord, Who is sacrificed for her sake. This is the least that the Lord accepts. He asks for her whole life without which she can't start the journey.
- 3- The Lections are the guide and the map of the journey, by which we know our position towards God, and His position towards us, without it we deviate from our aim.
By the lections the Church witnesses God Who is the aim of this journey. She witnesses Him before her children and the catechumens so that they hear His divine voice through:
- A. His apostles: "The Pauline and Catholic epistles."
- B. The apostolic acts: "The Acts."
- C. The acts of the Church: "Sinaxarium."
- D. His Son: "The Gospel."
- E. And through the ministers of the Church: "The Sermon."
These lessons are accompanied with open and secret prayers, which the Church offers, so that God may work in their hearts with His word to complete their way in hope.
4- The Intercessions: Through the journey, the Church lifts up her heart to the Divine Throne asking God to bestow peace upon the Church "Intercession of the Peace" - to strengthen her ministers "Intercession of the Fathers," and bless her meeting "Intercession of the meetings." Thus, she can fulfill her message without any deviation.
- 5- Pre-Anaphora: Now the whole Church is prepared to ascend to heaven and stand by the Lord Jesus, she proclaims the reconciliation between God and man in Jesus Christ (The prayer of reconciliation). The Faithful in response declare their reconciliation in a practical way by the (Spasmos) i.e. the apostolic kiss.
- 6- The Anaphora: It is an entry to heaven, the Epeclisis of the Holy Spirit, the unity with the Lord Jesus, and the spiritual nourishment through the Communion of His holy Body and Blood.
What else do we need?!