Church Architecture/
Vessels
Vessels
What does the church dome symbolize?
heaven
The color that represents salvation in Coptic icons
red
How many canticles (hooses) do we pray in midnight praises (tasbeha) and where are they taken from?
4, the Bible
Name three deacon ranks?
The Chanter (Epsaltos), The Reader (Anagnostos), Subdeacon (Epideacon), Deacon
What is carried with the smoke of the burning incense?
prayers
We say that icons are ______, not _______
written, not drawn
Name the 3 liturgies we have in our Coptic church?
Liturgy of Liturgy of Saint Basil, Liturgy of St Gregory, Liturgy of St Cyril
Name priest ranks in ascending order?
Priest (presbyter), Hegomen, Bishop, Patriarchs (pope)
What does the upper dome and lower cup on the censor symbolize?
The upper dome represents heaven. The lower cup represents the womb of Mary.
what is special about the halo of Christ?
It has a cross in it
What is a Theotokia?
Theotokias are glorifications of St. Mary
Readers and subdeacons wear the stole (badrashil) in the form of a ______ on their back.
cross
What do the pillars in the church symbolize, sometimes 12 pillars, sometimes 4?
Churches that are not large enough to sustain twelve pillars representing the 12 disciples, may have four pillars that represent the four evangelists.
What is the center door of the iconostasis called?
Royal door (symbolizes passage between heaven and earth)
Why do we have hymns in our church?
In heaven, then angels praise God all the time (Revelations 5:11) and so when we sing hymns, we offer God His due praise and glory and bring ourselves closer to heaven
Why do priests grow beards?
Resemble Christ, beards are a rejection of the vanity of this world, God commanded priests not to shave their beards in the Old Testament (Leviticus 21:5)
What does the Ostrich egg symbolize?
God watching over us at all times and taking care of us
Name any 5 icons that are part of the iconostasis.
The last supper, st Mary, St John the Baptist, archangel michael, st Mark, 12 disciples, Jesus on His throne, the annunciation, crucifixion, patron saint of the church
Name 3 out of the 6 hymn tunes used in the church throughout the year?
Annual, Joyful/Festive, Palm Sunday (Hosanna Tune), Sorrowful, Kiahk Tune, Lenten Tune
Why do priests wear black tunics (galabeyas) ? (what does the color black represent?)
Indicates spiritual poverty – historically the easiest and cheapest color to dye fabric also the Color of mourning/death – symbolizes dying to oneself to rise and serve the Lord