Benefits of Agbeya
1. How does the Agbeya teach us perseverance in prayer
a. The repeated praying of psalms
1. This is the Coptic root word of Agbeya and what it means
a. Ti Agb- “hour”
1. These are 3 things we should do WHILE praying the Agbeya, and why are they important?
a. Be mindful of our posture, CHANT the psalms, say the prayers as our own
1. What is beating the chest a sign of?
a. Repentence
1. Chanting the psalms allows us to/improves our ____ while praying, so that mind and body are focused on the same thing
a. Concentration
1. How does the Agbeya teach us to remember God throughout the day
ALSO
2. How does the Agbeya promote unity in the community
It reminds us to pray every 3 hours and contemplate on the events of the hour
We all pray the same Agbeya at the same times – unity that supersedes geographic boundaries
1. What is the significance of the number 7? How does it relate to 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (pray without ceasing
a. When we chant in the eighth part of the Sunday Theotokia, “Seven times a day, I will praise Your name, with all my heart, O God of everyone,”5 the number “seven” represents completion or perfection. So, when we pray “seven times a day” we learn how to pray unceasingly in a perfect manner.
1. When do we pray standing with our hands out
a. Our father
1. Name the 3 types of Metanoia
a. Worship, repentance, Respect
1. Studying the Agbeya enriches our prayers in this way
a. It allows us to understand what and why we are saying (like the 41 Kirye Eleysons)
1. What doctrine does the Agbeya include/teach us (3 examples)
a. The belief in the Holy Trinity, the Intercession of St Mary, and our unity with the Angels while praising
1. These are 3 things we should do BEFORE praying the Agbeya, and why are they important?
a. Consecrate a place, clear our mind, examine your heart
1. When do we pray standing upright
a. During the Gospel/litanies/most parts of liturgy
1. When is Kneeling with head up used
During ordination
1. Having a moment of silence after prayer is important for this reason
a. To allow God to talk to us
1. The Agbeya helps structure our prayer to include these essential facets of prayer (HINT: P.R.A.Y.)
a. Glorifying/praise, repentance, giving thanks, asking for mercy, intercession)
1. These are 2 things we should do to enrich our prayer life, and why are they important?
a. Study the psalms, start small
1. This is when we pray standing with our head included
During the Absolution prayer in the Raising of incense
1. When do we pray kneeling with our head bowed in the liturgy.
a. when the deacon instructs the people to “Worship God in fear and trembling,” at the time of the descent of the Holy Spirit (the Epiclesis)
b. and during the Prostration prayers in the Feast of Pentecost
1. We should all have this to help us on or spiritual journey
a. Spiritual guide
1. Name the 7 things that the Agbeya teaches us/helps us with
a. Structure of Prayer, Perseverance, Control of emotions, Remembrance of God throughout the day, Following the example of our Lord, Educated in Doctrine, promoting unity in the Community (SPCRFEU)
1. These are 2 things we should do to enrich our daily life, and why are they important?
a. Have a moment of silence, be persistent
1. These are 7 examples of postures of prayer
a. Standing with hand out (orans), Standing upright/facing forward, Standing with head inclined, Metanoia, Kneeling with head bowed, Kneeling with head up, Beating the chest
Name when we use each type of Metanoia
worship: before the alter and before prayer
Repentance: during fasts and not on weekends or feasts -
Respect: before ranks of bishops and relics of saints
BONUS:
If you open the Bible exactly in the middle, what would you find?
THE BOOK OF PSALMS