Divine Liturgy
Why is the homily sometimes shorter than I expected?
Why The Homily May Be Brief
The homily may be shorter than expected because the Coptic Liturgy teaches through the whole service: Scripture, hymn, prayer, gesture, Creed, offering, and Communion. The homily is important, but it serves the larger worship of the Church.
Visitors from traditions where the homily carries most of Sunday worship may notice this difference quickly.
The Liturgy Already Teaches
Before the homily, the Church has heard multiple readings. After the homily, the Church confesses the Creed and continues toward the Eucharistic prayers. The homily helps interpret the Word of God, then the service continues in prayer and sacrament.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
How To Receive A Short Homily
If you want more teaching, ask about catechism, Bible study, Sunday school, or a time to speak with Abouna. The Liturgy gives the Church her central worship, while catechesis and pastoral conversation give more room for extended explanation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Creed: The Church's shared confession of faith, proclaimed in the Liturgy before the Eucharistic prayer as the faithful stand together in apostolic belief.
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.
Sacrament: A visible mystery through which God gives grace to His people. In Coptic usage the sacraments belong to the whole healing life of the Church.
Abouna: A common Coptic way to address a priest, meaning our father, because priestly service is pastoral and fatherly within the life of the Church.
Catechesis: The Church's ordered teaching and formation in faith, worship, repentance, doctrine, and sacramental life.