Divine Liturgy
Why does the priest choose one Lamb from the holy bread?
Why One Lamb Is Chosen
The priest chooses one Lamb from the holy bread prepared for the Liturgy because one Eucharistic offering is placed on the altar. The choice points to Christ, the one Savior, and to the unity of the Church gathered around one altar. The Church offers many prayers and many faithful stand before God, but the Eucharistic offering is one because Christ is one.
For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
Why The Holy Bread Is Examined
The priest examines the holy bread before selecting the Lamb because the offering is set apart for the holy service. The chosen Lamb should be suitable for the Eucharistic rite: properly prepared, sealed, and ready to be offered with reverence. The examination teaches care before holy things.
The seal on the holy bread confesses the faith of the Church. It bears crosses and the words of praise around the central portion that will be consecrated. The visible care given to the Lamb teaches that the Church approaches the altar with attention and reverence.
What The Chosen Lamb Shows
The choice of the Lamb is part of the Church's preparation for the Eucharist. In this moment, the service moves from general prayer into the specific offering that will lead to Communion. The priest carries the chosen Lamb in procession because the Church is now moving toward the mystery of Christ's Body and Blood.
The action also teaches that the Eucharist is received from Christ through the Church's order. The faithful receive the rite, pray it, and allow it to form them. One Lamb is chosen so the Church may confess one Christ, one altar, one faith, and one Communion.
- 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.
- Eulogia and Holy Bread, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer describing the holy bread that may be chosen to become the Lamb of the Eucharist.
- 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.
- Liturgies of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles. Diocesan introduction describing the Liturgy as the Eucharistic remembrance and celebration of Christ's sacrifice.
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.
Korban: The holy bread prepared for the Coptic Liturgy. During the Offering of the Lamb, one is selected to be offered and consecrated as the holy Body of Christ.
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.
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.
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.