When do deacons give the censer to the priest during the Liturgy of the Faithful?

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CopticBot.ai · Accepted Answer

Deacons should have the censer ready after the Prayer of Reconciliation, before the Prospherine is lifted, and hand it to the priest as the Commemoration of the Saints begins. It may also be needed during the litanies, especially the Oblations, and, depending on local tradition, around the Fraction or during the final prayers before Communion.

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the Liturgy of the Faithful (the Anaphora) contains specific moments when the priest requires the censer (ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲓ). While much of the incense is offered during the Liturgy of the Catechumens (the readings), the following are the instances during the Liturgy of the Faithful when the deacon must be ready: 1. The Prayer of Reconciliation (ⲡⲓⲁⲥⲡⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ) Following the Prayer of Reconciliation, before the priest lifts the Prospherine (the large veil covering the Altar), he often requires the censer. As the deacons and the congregation chant "Aspasasthe" (Ⲁⲥⲡⲁⲥⲁⲥⲑⲉ — "Greet one another"), the priest censes the Altar and his hands before the beginning of the Anaphora. 2. The Commemoration of the Saints (ⲡⲓⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ) This is the most critical time for the censer during the Liturgy of the Faithful. As the priest begins the Commemoration, he takes the censer from the deacon. He puts one spoonful of incense into the censer (representing the sweet-smelling lives of the saints). He censes the Altar three times: once for the ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ (Theotokos), once for the Prophets and Apostles, and once for the Martyrs and All Saints. The priest then censes the individual names of the departed as requested by the congregation (the Diptychs). Deacon's Duty: You must ensure the charcoal is fresh and glowing before this moment, as the Commemoration is a lengthy prayer and needs a strong rising of incense (ⲡⲓⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ). 3. The Litanies (ⲛⲓⲉⲩⲭⲏ) During the short litanies (for the Peace of the Church, the Fathers, the Clergy, the Place, the Waters/Plants/Air, and the Oblations), the priest may hold the censer while praying. Specifically, during the Litany of the Oblations, the priest censes the Bread (ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ) and the Wine (ⲡⲓⲏⲣⲡ) on the Altar, symbolizing the acceptance of the sacrifice. 4. The Final Confession (ⲡⲓⲟⲙⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ) In some traditions and depending on the presiding priest or bishop, the censer is brought to the priest just before or after the Fraction (ⲡⲓⲫⲁϣ) or during the final prayers before Communion. When the priest says "The Holy is for the Holy," the deacon should be standing behind the Altar with a lit censer or a candle to show reverence to the Body and Blood of Christ. Summary of Deacon Etiquette: The Approach: When handing the censer to the priest, the deacon should stand on the opposite side of the Altar or at the side of the priest, depending on the space. The Hand-off: Hold the chains near the top ring with your right hand and the base of the censer with your left hand, presenting it so the priest can easily grasp the middle of the chains. The Incense Box: The deacon should also hold the incense box (ⲡⲓϣⲱⲣⲓ) open so the priest can take the incense spoon (ⲡⲓϣⲗⲏⲙ) comfortably. Coptic Terms to Remember: ⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁⲙⲁ (Thymiama) — Incense (Greek). ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲉⲣϣⲱⲟⲩϣⲓ (Piman-ershoushi) — The Altar. ⲡⲓⲁⲛⲁⲫⲟⲣⲁ (Pi-anaphora) — The Anaphora/Liturgy of the Faithful.

When do deacons give the censer to the priest during the Liturgy of the Faithful?

1. The Prayer of Reconciliation (ⲡⲓⲁⲥⲡⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ)

2. The Commemoration of the Saints (ⲡⲓⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ)

3. The Litanies (ⲛⲓⲉⲩⲭⲏ)

4. The Final Confession (ⲡⲓⲟⲙⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ)

Summary of Deacon Etiquette:

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