Divine Liturgy
When does the homily happen?
The homily usually comes after the Gospel reading, though the exact timing can vary by parish, feast, pastoral need, or bishop's direction. Its place after the readings is important: the homily explains the Scriptures the Church has just heard.
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Why It Is Placed There
The homily belongs to the Liturgy of the Word. The Church first hears the apostolic readings and the Gospel, then receives teaching that calls the people to repentance, faith, and life in Christ. The order protects the homily from becoming a stand-alone talk. It is accountable to the Scriptures appointed in the service.
The priest or bishop may connect the readings to the feast, the fast, the saint of the day, the needs of the parish, or the spiritual preparation needed before Communion. The homily should lead the hearers back into prayer and deeper participation in the Liturgy.
This is why the homily should be heard as part of worship. It explains and applies the word of God so the faithful can continue toward the Creed, reconciliation, and Eucharistic offering with attention.
What Happens Afterward
The Liturgy continues after the homily. The Church confesses the Creed, prays, reconciles, and moves toward the Eucharistic offering. That placement teaches that the Word is heard so the people may confess the faith and approach the altar with repentance and understanding.
- 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.
Bishop: A successor in the apostolic ministry who shepherds the Church, ordains clergy, guards the faith, and presides in the unity of the local Church.
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.
Creed: The Church's shared confession of faith, proclaimed in the Liturgy before the Eucharistic prayer as the faithful stand together in apostolic belief.
Altar: The holy table in the sanctuary where the Eucharistic gifts are offered and consecrated, treated with reverence as the center of liturgical worship.