Divine Liturgy
Why do we read about saints during the Liturgy?
The Saints As Witnesses
The Church reads about saints because they show the Gospel lived faithfully. Their stories are not a distraction from Christ. They are signs of His grace working in real human lives.
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
What This Teaches
The saints teach the Church how to repent, suffer, forgive, pray, serve, and confess Christ. The martyrs especially remind the Coptic Church that faith is not an idea held at a distance. It is a life offered to God.
Worship And Honor
The Church worships God alone. She honors the saints because God has been glorified in them. Reading the Synaxarium during the Liturgy places the faithful within the wider communion of the Church, across generations and places.
- 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.
- Saints and Intercession in the Liturgy, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on commemorating saints and asking their intercessions.
- Intercessory Prayers of the Departed Saints, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer addressing biblical and theological questions about the intercession of departed saints.
- Martyrdom, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Diocesan overview of martyrdom in the history and spirituality of the Church.
Synaxarium: The liturgical book of saints' lives and commemorations read in church so the faithful remember the witnesses who lived the Gospel before them.
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.