Raising of Incense
Which litany do we pray during Vespers? Why?
The Litany of the Departed symbolizing the sunset and approaching the end of life
Why does the priest pour water on the oblation bread after he chooses it?
Symbolism of Christ's baptism
What are the readings of the Liturgy of the Word?
Hint: 5
Pauline Epistle
Catholic Epistle
Acts (Praxis)
Psalm and Gospel
Synaxrion (Chronicles of the Saints)
What marks the beginning of this liturgy?
The Orthodox Creed
Which prayer does every church service start with?
The Lord's Prayer
(Matthew 6:9-13)
In what direction does the priest open the veil of the sanctuary?
(Bonus: Why?)
Left to right
[symbolizing the work of redemption of Christ (Mat. 25:33-34)]
What does the Prosvereen (Big altar covering) symbolize?
The stone of the Christ's tomb
Bonus: What does the triangular veil represent?
The Liturgy of the Word is also known as the Liturgy of the _________
Catechumens
Beside the sanitary reason for getting ready to hold the Body of Christ, what is the meditation of why the priest washes his hands and sprinkles the water before the congregation?
The priest is washing his hands of the responsibility from anyone that partakes of communion unworthily
How many liturgies are included in the rites of the Coptic church?
3 (St. Basil, St. Gregory, St. Cyril)
After the Thanksgiving prayer, the priest steps inside the sanctuary and puts how many spoonfuls of incense in the censer? Why?
5
Acceptable sacrifices in the OT: Abel, Noah, Abraham, Aaron, and Zachariah
How many holes are in the Qorban? Why?
5
Why does the priest cense around the church during the reading of Pauline?
Symbolizing St. Paul preaching to all the nations
Why does the priest put a spoonful of incense while saying "was incarnate and became man..."?
Points to the Incarnation of Christ
Important note: Deacons should not add any charcoals after this point
39 lashes + crown of thorns + spear
Duet. 25:2-3 (They were afraid to break the law)
Why do we sing the Verses of Cymbals at the beginning of this service?
Hint: Hail to ...
Offering greetings to the heavnly hosts
What is the meditation behind putting one of the altar's coverings in the priest's sleeve?
The knife in Abraham's story of sacrifice
Why does the priest cense under the Prosvereen at the end of the litany of the Assembly?
Symbolizing the spices and perfumes that the women brought to the tomb
What does the lifting of the Prosvereen represent? Why does the deacon stand opposite to the priest during the prayer of Reconciliation raising the cross?
Signifying that the Resurrection occurred through the cross
Which liturgy is addressed to God the Father?
St. Basil
The liturgy of St. Gregory is addressed to God the Son
The procession of the incense takes place in a ____________ direction. Why?
Counterclockwise as a symbol that the movement of the church is opposite to that of the world
Bonus: When is the only time in church where we would a procession clockwise?
What is the symbolism of using leavened bread? (i.e. yeast)
Christ is carrying our sins (i.e. yeast)
Why is there no procession of incense during the catholic epistle?
The priest does not come out of the sanctuary as the Lord commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit
Why do we bow down after we sing "Amen, Amen, Amen" and the deacon says "worship God in fear and trembling."?
Epiclesis (Prayer for the Invocation/Summoning of the Holy Spirit)
After this prayer, the bread and wine have indeed become the Bread and Blood of Christ
What is the symbolism/importance of the procession of incense around the church?
When Aaron blessed the people and stopped the plague (Numbers 16)