Visiting and Belonging
How long should I expect to be there?
The Church's Welcome Around Divine Liturgy
A Sunday Divine Liturgy can take several hours, especially if Matins, readings, homily, Communion, and parish announcements are included. Check the parish schedule, but plan with margin.
Why It Takes Time
The Liturgy is not built around a short talk and a few songs. It includes Scripture, litanies, incense, offering, Eucharistic prayer, Communion, and thanksgiving. The length reflects the fullness of worship more than a desire to be difficult.
If You Cannot Stay The Whole Time
Come for what you can, and leave quietly if necessary. If you are exploring seriously, try at least once to stay through the end so you can see the service as a complete whole.
- 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.
- Visiting an Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles. Diocesan visitor guide welcoming non-Orthodox guests and directing questions to the parish priest.
Divine Liturgy: The Church's central Eucharistic worship, where Scripture, Creed, offering, thanksgiving, consecration, and Communion are gathered into one prayer before God.
Matins: The morning prayer service, often joined to the Raising of Incense before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.
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.
Incense: Fragrant offering used in worship as a biblical sign of prayer rising before God, especially around the altar, Gospel, icons, clergy, and faithful.