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Questions & Answers

Divine Liturgy

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Prayer, Fasting and Worship › Divine Liturgy

The question

What do the paten and chalice symbolize? Do they change meaning as the Divine Liturgy service progresses?

The answer

The paten reminds us of the tomb where the body of our Lord was placed, also the pot of manna and the manger of Bethlehem. It does not change meaning during the Divine Liturgy. The chalice reminds us of the cup our Lord had used in instituting the Mystery of the Eucharist. It is also a symbol of the spiritual hardship our Lord and Savior endured while He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Lk 22:39)

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1147 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.