Priesthood and Deacons
What are the chalice, paten, spoon, ark, dome, and other holy vessels?
The chalice, paten, spoon, ark, dome, and other holy vessels are set apart for the Eucharistic service. The chalice holds the Blood of Christ, the paten holds the Lamb, the spoon is used to administer Communion, the ark holds the chalice, and the dome covers and guards the Lamb.
These vessels are holy because of their use at the altar. They are not ordinary utensils, and they are handled only according to the Church's order.
The Main Vessels
| Vessel | Use in the Divine Liturgy | | --- | --- | | Chalice | Holds the precious Blood of Christ. | | Paten | Holds the holy Body, the Lamb. | | Spoon | Used to administer Holy Communion. | | Ark | Holds the chalice on the altar. | | Dome | Covers and guards the Lamb on the paten. | | Coverings | Protect the holy gifts and serve the order of the prayers. |
Why The Vessels Are Holy
The Old Testament tabernacle had holy vessels set apart for worship. Bowls, cups, lampstands, altars, and other objects were not treated as common once consecrated for service to God.
The Coptic Church receives this principle through Christ. The holy vessels are not copied from the Old Testament for their own sake. They serve the Eucharist, the fulfilled worship of the New Covenant.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
Christ fulfills the meaning of sacred vessels by giving Himself as the true food and drink of eternal life. The chalice and paten matter because they touch the Eucharistic mystery of His Body and Blood.
The spoon, ark, dome, and coverings serve reverence. They help the Church handle the holy gifts carefully and with fear of God.
How To Learn The Names
In the Coptic Divine Liturgy, the priest and assigned deacons handle the vessels according to the rite. The vessels are prepared, covered, uncovered, carried, and used with prayers and careful attention. Even trained servants handle them only with blessing.
If the names are new, begin with the chalice and paten. Cup and plate language may help at first, but the Church uses richer names because the Eucharist is not ordinary eating.
For the faithful, seeing the vessels should call for stillness. They hold or protect what the Church receives as life: Christ Himself given in the mystery of Communion.
- Service Vessels, Mighty Arrows Magazine, SUSCopts. Introductory teaching on the chalice, paten, spoon, dome, ark, and other vessels used in the Divine Liturgy.
- Altar Utensils and the Eucharist, Coptic Education. Introductory lesson explaining the chalice, spoon, paten, ark, dome, and their use in Eucharistic worship.
- 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.
- The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, CopticChurch.net. Service text and introduction for the most commonly used Coptic Divine Liturgy.
Lamb: The holy bread selected during the Offering of the Lamb, named in relation to Christ the Lamb of God who gives Himself for the life of the world.
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.
Eucharist: A Greek word meaning thanksgiving. In Orthodox worship it names the sacrament in which bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
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.
Divine Liturgy: The Church's central Eucharistic worship, where Scripture, Creed, offering, thanksgiving, consecration, and Communion are gathered into one prayer before God.