Questions & Answers

Divine Liturgy

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

The question

Are the deacons serving at the altar to light the candles at the start of the Introduction to the Fraction or at the start of the actual Fraction? Why?

The answer

The candle should be lit at the end of the introduction to the Fraction; when the priest uncovers his hands. The deacon should light the candle every time the priest holds the body in his hands as an indication that Christ is the light of the world.

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

Related questions

Are deacons permitted to touch the bottom of the golden censor with their hands, or should they use a cloth to hold it up? Why?
What is the significance of the priest sprinkling water over the congregation at the end of the liturgy service?
What exactly is the significance of the deacon's standing before the altar holding a lit candle during Holy Communion?

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1162 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.