After Abouna choose the bread, he takes it into the alter and start the prayer with the procession of the lamp. The procession of the lamp refers to Simeon the elder when he took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to your word for my eyes have seen your salvation. “Luke 2:29” .
During the procession of the Lamp, Abouna prays as following “Remember O Lord, all who have bidden us to remember them in our prayers and supplications. May the Lord remember them in His heavenly kingdom”
On Saturdays and Sundays ( except during the great lent) and on the feasts of the lord, the congregation chant ” This is the day which the Lord has made….”psalm 7:24-26.
Abouna having come around to the front of the alter faces The East, and uncovers the bread and places it in his left hand. Then he inclines his head to his brethren the priests asking them to bless. Then the priest brings the bread close to the cruet of wine in the deacons right hand, which covered with a silk veil, and three times he makes the sign of the cross over both.
After the blessing, the priest places the bread on the paten beneath which is silk veil and pours the wine into the chalice completely emptying the cruet. Then he pours water into the empty wine cruet and form it, he adds a little water to the wine in the chalice. The priest then pray the thanksgiving prayer. Then the priest cover the alter referring to the huge stone on Jesus tomb after his died on the cross.
The priest then pray the absolution of the servant. After the absolution, the congregation chants Tai Shori on Saturdays and Sundays ( except during the great lent), the major feasts, and the fifty days of Paschaltide and all non fasting days followed by the prayers of the intercessions while the priest prays the prayer of incense for the Pauline.
In case of the presents of The Pop or Bishop, Deacons chants one of the following hymns: Bi ehmot gar, I Aghabi, Timitesnoti, or To Makario.
Think about it:
- When do we chant the psalm response?
- Why the priest cover the alter ?
Write your name , then submit it to the Deacons corner box at the information board by the front desk!