Divine Liturgy
How do I know when the most sacred part of the service is happening?
The most sacred movement of the Liturgy is the Eucharistic offering: the Anaphora, the calling down of the Holy Spirit, the consecration of the gifts, the Fraction, and Holy Communion. The service has reached its Eucharistic heart when the Church turns fully toward the gifts on the altar and prays with deep reverence.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
What To Listen For Around Anaphora
Several moments help you recognize where you are:
- The priest begins the Eucharistic thanksgiving and the people respond, "And with your spirit."
- The Church remembers the saving work of Christ.
- The words of institution are prayed over the bread and wine.
- The priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to sanctify the gifts.
- The Fraction prayers prepare the faithful for Communion.
These cues help the reader recognize the direction of the service and understand why the Church becomes especially attentive around the altar.
How The Church Receives This Moment
The Church receives this part of the Liturgy with awe because Christ Himself is given. The priest, deacons, and faithful become especially attentive around the altar. The prayers speak of thanksgiving, remembrance, the Holy Spirit, sanctification, the Body and Blood, and the life given through Communion.
Why This Matters
The Liturgy teaches about Christ and gives communion with Christ. Recognizing the Eucharistic movement helps the faithful understand why the Church becomes so reverent around the altar and why preparation for Communion is treated seriously.
The sacredness of this moment belongs to the whole service. The readings, Creed, reconciliation, and intercessions have all prepared the Church to receive the holy mysteries. The Eucharistic heart of the Liturgy is the place where thanksgiving, sacrifice, sanctification, and Communion meet.
- Coptic Rites (4): Liturgy of the Believers, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Teaching slides on the Anaphora, institution narrative, invocation of the Holy Spirit, consecration, litanies, and Communion.
- Coptic Liturgies, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Overview of the Divine Liturgy, the three Coptic liturgies, and the principal parts of the Eucharistic service.
- Liturgies of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles. Diocesan introduction describing the Liturgy as the Eucharistic remembrance and celebration of Christ's sacrifice.
- The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, CopticChurch.net. Service text and introduction for the most commonly used Coptic Divine Liturgy.
Anaphora: The Eucharistic prayer of offering and thanksgiving. The word means a lifting up or offering, and it includes the Church's great thanksgiving over the gifts.
Holy Communion: The faithful receiving the true Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, after baptismal life, repentance, confession, fasting, reconciliation, and pastoral preparation.
Altar: The holy table in the sanctuary where the Eucharistic gifts are offered and consecrated, treated with reverence as the center of liturgical worship.
Creed: The Church's shared confession of faith, proclaimed in the Liturgy before the Eucharistic prayer as the faithful stand together in apostolic belief.
Mysteries: The Orthodox name for the sacraments, calling attention to God's grace given through visible rites such as Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, and the Eucharist.