Church Symbols
What does the dome (1, 3, 5) symbolize?
1 dome - Christ as the head of the church
3 domes - Holy Trinity
5 domes - Christ and 4 evangelist
Gold - Heaven
Why do we sing Hymns in church?
The angels praising God with hymns, how we praise God in church
What is the sacrament of Priesthood?
The bishop lays his hand on the elected candidates in order for the Holy Spirit to descend on the person to grant him authority to perfrom the ministry of the church.
How many Pillars do we have in a traditional church? and why?
12 - 12 disciples.
What does the color of white and red symbolize in the Apostolos' pictures?
Red - Shed blood to keep the faith.
What is Antiphony?
Alternating between sides
Who institute the priesthood sacrament?
Jesus Christ when He chose the 12 disciples and gave the authority to of absoultion.
What does Ostrich's egg symbolize and where can we locate it?
It's hung from the middle of the royal door.
It symbolizes resurrection.
How can you tell if the picture is for a monk/nun or a father?
Monk/nun clothes are dark with hooded, holding a cross/staff.
Fathers clothes are clergy clothes with crosses, holding a scroll or a book.
What are the six tunes of hymns?
Annual, Joyful, Palm Sunday, sorrowful, Kiahk and Lenten
What are the rank of priesthood?
The chanter(Epsaltos):learn and sing church songs
The reader(Anagnostos): read the Scriptures.
Subdeacon(Epideacon): Keep the church organized
Deacon:helps out inside the alter
Priest(presbyter)
Hegomen
Bishop
Patriarch(Pope)
What does the censor symbolize? what does it made out of? how many chains and why?
It symbolizes St. Mary.
It's made out of Brass or Silver
It has 4 chains , Holy Trinity and one God.
Why do we say Icons are written not drawen?
1. anointed with the Holy Myron Oil.
2. Bishop prays consecrated prayers.
3. Bishop will breath on the icon.
What are the two type of melody of hymns and when do we use them?
Adam: Sunday thru Tuesday
Watos: Wednesday thru Saturday.
What is the duties of bishop?
He the shepherd of the flock
He ordains priests and deacons
He is responsible for a specific region of churchs
Why do we use incense in the church?
The smoke is our prayers, offering to God.
It has sweet smell as we should represent Christ, people will smell us as sweet smell.
It looks as cloud which represent the presence of God.
Why do we have Icon in the coptic church?
1. for intersession
2. to show and strengthen our faith.
3. to get blessing.
How many Hoos in the midnight praises and define what is Hoos and Lobsh.
4 Hoos: Songs taken from the Bible
Lobsh: explanation of Hoos.
What is the name of our current Pope?
Ava Twadrous.