Divine Liturgy

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

37 questions

Can you please explain why the congregation bows during the Divine Liturgy?
During the procession, of both Matins and Vespers, should the deacon or deacons go around with both the cross and Holy Bible or just the cross? Also during the two…
Should Ni Savev be said during all feasts or only in the presence of a bishop or patriarch? The same question with regards to Pi Ehmot Ghar.
In the Commemoration of the Saints in the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, it states that "...this is the command of Your Only-Begotten Son, that we share in the…
I know in the Coptic Church, we say "Liturgy" instead of "Mass" Could you please explain the difference between the two?
In Divine Liturgy, particularly during the Raising of Incense, a deacon places the prospharin on the far eastern end of the altar. How many folds is the prospharin…
What do the paten and chalice symbolize? Do they change meaning as the Divine Liturgy service progresses?
Why must the priest pray over the deacons' tunyas before they wear them?
When exactly are the deacons in the altar to blow out their candles after the Procession of the Lamb? Is it right after the priest hands over the wine container (emptied…
When are the deacons to blow out the candles after the second lighting, for the Institution Prayer? Is it after the Invocation of the Holy Spirit?
Why do people light the candles placed below the icons, at the back of the church?
Is it significantly important to place an ostrich egg over the sanctuary door?
During the Divine Liturgy service, is it true that the acolytes serving at the altar are at one point to use feather fans to fan the offering? If so, when and exactly how…
Could you please answer my questions concerning the Holy Divine Liturgy? What is the significance of placing the golden censor (shoria) at the right far south end of the…
Why do the deacons place their tunics (tunyas) over their left arm?
During the Procession of the Lamb, why does the deacon holding the water flask stand on the priest's left hand side (on the south end of the church)?
Why does the priest anoint the holy bread with water during the procession of the Lamb?
Should the church congregation bow down fully (prostrate) or just bend their heads after the fraction when the deacon says, "Bow your HEADS to the Lord"?
What is the significance of stepping into the sanctuary right foot first and exiting backwards left foot first?
What exactly is the significance of the deacon's standing before the altar holding a lit candle during Holy Communion?
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?
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?
What is the significance of the priest sprinkling water over the congregation at the end of the liturgy service?
Are languages other than Coptic acceptable before God for praying Liturgy?
Regarding the Holy Divine Liturgy service, I have read in a Coptic Orthodox text that during any incense circuit around the altar, whether it be at Vespers, Matins, or…
Why does every liturgy have a reading from the Book of Acts?
Why do we sometimes stand during the Divine Liturgy and other times sit down?
In the Divine Liturgy, before the Institution Narrative, the priest says: "whereby we were bound and sold on account of our sins, He descended into Hades through the…
Why do we not mention the names of the Armenian & Indian Popes in the Fathers' Litany in the Divine Liturgy?
What is meant by, "a mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise"?
In the "Amen, Amen, Amen" response in the Divine Liturgy, we say: "We praise You, we bless You..." What does it mean when we say, "we bless" our Lord, God, and Savior…
In your opinion, what is the most significant/most symbolic part of the Holy Liturgy?
During Liturgy, the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch and Eretria are prayed for but not those of Armenia and Ethiopia—how come?
When was the commemoration of saints added to the Divine Liturgy, and who added this to our liturgical services?
Why is the Liturgy of St. Cyril "backwards," meaning that the prayers of the St. Basil's Liturgy are in the beginning, but in the Liturgy of St. Cyril, they are toward…
We have 14 liturgies in the Eritrean Church, but the Coptic Church has only 3. Why is that? Are we not we supposed to have the same since we are the same?
What is your opinion on the idea of having a separate “Children’s Liturgy” for young kids to attend a Liturgy accessible to their age? I am concerned that this seemingly…

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.