Holy Mystery
What does the bread & wine transform into and HOW?
Bread --> Body
Wine --> Blood of Christ
How? Mysteriously
Why do we chant 41 "Lord have Mercy" during the examination process?
39 lashes
Crown of thorns
Spear which pierced His side
What does mixing the wine and water represent?
Mixing the wine and the water represents the blood and the water that came from the side of the Lord when the soldier pierced Him with the spear.
What does the triangular veil represent?
It’s a non-fasting day, what hours of the Psalms are prayed?
3rd & 6th
What does it symbolize when the priest washes both sides of the Lamb?
The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ
What does covering the paten and the chalice represent?
The covering of the Body of the Lord in order to bury Him after His death on the cross
What does the Prospheron represent?
The stone that was used to close the tomb of the Lord Christ.
How does Abouna know which bread to pick? (3 specifics)
1. Best in appearance
2. Perfect Spadikon
3. The right number of pierced holes
4. Nothing should be sticking to it
5. No cracks
6. Most circular one
Why 3 offerings?
3 → is a symbol of the incarnation. (Three hypostases :God the father; God the Son; God the Holy Spirit) out of the 3 hypostases ; Hypostasis of the Son ; came down and became man; like one of us.
What does the cross upon the Lamb symbolize?
The Lord carrying the cross on His shoulder, and its bent to symbolize Christ being bent when holding the Cross going to Golgotha.
What prayer is prayed inaudibly after the thanksgiving prayer?
The Prayer of the Prosthesis
What are the 3 Major Litanies?
1. Litany of the Peace
2. Litany of the Fathers
3. Litany of the Assemblies
5 sacrifices were offered on the burnt offering in the OT:
1. Grain offering
2. Burnt offering
3. Sin offering
4. Trespass Offering
5. Peace offering
When the priest is choosing the Lamb, which hand does he put over the other to make the shape of a cross? & What does it symbolize?
Right hand on top of left hand over the tray in the shape of a cross, as Jacob did when he blessed the sons of Joseph.
What is the priest declaring when raising the Lamb above his head?
The priest declares that this is the living bread that comes from Heaven.
How many parts to the Offertory are there? & what are they?
5 parts
Praying the Psalms
Washing hands & choosing the Lamb
Baptizing the Lamb
The Procession of the Lamb, and the thanksgiving prayers
The absolution of the servants
7→ is the 5 sacrifices added to them the two Pigeons of purification (for the poor who can’t afford to bring expensive sacrifices) exactly like St. Mary who offered this sacrifice on behalf of her purification when she entered to the temple with the infant Jesus Christ.
What does the placing of the priest’s hands on the lamb represent?
Represents the transfer of all the problems, troubles, and sins to the Lord Christ to carry them on behalf of His people. This is the best time to lay all of one’s troubles and sins before God as heaven was opened during the Lord’s Baptism in the Jordan River.
Why is the Lamb placed under the star in the paten?
The Lamb is placed under the star in the paten symbolizing the star that appeared in the East and guided the wise men to the manger.