Questions & Answers

Rituals

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

The question

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the priest goes around the altar kissing its four corners and clapping his hand. What is the symbolic meaning of his action?

The answer

The priest kisses the altar in thanksgiving and claps with joy thanking the Lord for allowing us to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and partaking of the Holy Eucharist. As he encircles the altar he recites Psalm 47 (46) "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!"

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

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1217 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.