Reverence and Participation
What is the Kiss of Peace, and how do I participate without feeling awkward?
The Kiss of Peace is the Church's liturgical sign of reconciliation before the Eucharist. In many parishes, people pass it with a reverent hand gesture rather than an actual kiss. The point is peace before Communion, not social performance.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
What You Will See
Near the Eucharistic prayers, the deacons call the people to greet one another with a holy kiss. Someone near you may extend both hands in a gentle passing gesture. In some places, people bow slightly. Local practice varies.
Why It Comes Before Communion
The Church does not approach the chalice as isolated individuals. The Kiss of Peace reminds the faithful that Communion is joined to reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity in Christ.
How To Participate
If you feel unsure, watch the person next to you and use the simplest version. You can also bow politely and keep your hands close. The gesture should be peaceful, modest, and attentive to the Eucharistic prayer that follows.
The Kiss of Peace is therefore more than a greeting. It is a liturgical confession that the Church approaches the holy mysteries as one reconciled body, asking God to make peace real before Communion.
Its outward form may be small, but its place in the Liturgy is spiritually weighty.
- The Holy Kiss During the Liturgy, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on the liturgical meaning of the Holy Kiss.
- Forgiveness and the Holy Kiss, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer connecting forgiveness, peace, and reverent bodily customs.
- 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.
- The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, CopticChurch.net. Service text and introduction for the most commonly used Coptic Divine Liturgy.
Kiss of Peace: A liturgical sign of reconciliation and peace before approaching the Eucharistic prayer and Communion.
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.
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.
Confession: The sacrament of repentance in which a person confesses sins before God in the presence of the priest and receives absolution and guidance.
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.