Divine Liturgy
What is the Catholic Epistle reading?
The General Epistles
The Catholic Epistle is a reading from the general epistles, such as James, Peter, John, and Jude. Here the word catholic means universal or general. It does not mean Roman Catholic.
These letters speak to the whole Church about faith, holiness, love, patience, discernment, and remaining faithful to Christ.
Why It Comes After The Pauline Reading
The sequence of readings lets the Church hear apostolic teaching from more than one witness. St. Paul is read, then the general apostolic letters are read, then the Acts of the Apostles, then the Synaxarium, Psalm, and Gospel.
Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.
What To Listen For Around The Catholic Epistle
Listen for practical Christian instruction. The Catholic Epistle often speaks directly about how faith becomes patience, mercy, purity, and obedience.
- Coptic Rites (3): Liturgy of the Word, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Teaching slides on the Pauline, Catholic Epistle, Praxis, Synaxarium, Gospel litany, Creed, and related rites.
- Why are there multiple readings during the Liturgy?, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer naming the Pauline Epistle, Catholic Epistle, Praxis, Synaxarium, and Holy Gospel as the five readings.
- 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.
Synaxarium: The liturgical book of saints' lives and commemorations read in church so the faithful remember the witnesses who lived the Gospel before them.