Which books are read on the left and right sides of the church during the Divine Liturgy, and why?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-09

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the reading of the Holy Scriptures during the Divine Liturgy is a structured pedagogical tool designed to nourish the faithful with the Word of God. The physical location from which these are read—the Ambon (pulpit)—traditionally involves two sides: the north (left side when facing the altar) and the south (right side when facing the altar).

This division is primarily based on the language of the readings and the theological movement of the Liturgy.

The Right Side (South Side)

The right side of the church is designated for the Coptic language readings.

• The Books Read: All the appointed readings for the day—the Pauline Epistle, the Catholic Epistle, the Praxis (Acts of the Apostles), and the Holy Gospel—are first read in Coptic from this side.
• Symbolism: In Coptic tradition, the right side represents the spirit, the heavenly, and the original source. Since Coptic is our sacred liturgical language, it holds the place of honor on the right.

The Left Side

The left side of the church is designated for the Arabic language (or the local common language, such as English) translations.

• The Books Read: The same readings mentioned above are repeated in the common language so that the congregation can understand the message and the teachings being conveyed.
• Symbolism: Historically, the left side is seen as representing the "flesh" or the "people." The reading on the left serves as an explanation or interpretation for the benefit of the listeners, ensuring that the "Word became flesh" and is understood by the hearts of the believers.

Why This Structure Exists

1. Preservation of Tradition: The Coptic language is the language of our fathers, the martyrs, and the saints. By reading from the right side in Coptic, we maintain our identity and our connection to the apostolic root of the Church of Alexandria.
2. Education and Edification: St. Paul writes that it is better to speak five words with understanding than ten thousand in a tongue (1 Corinthians 14:19). Therefore, the left side ensures that the wisdom of the Scriptures is accessible to every person in the congregation.
3. The Procession of the Gospel: During the reading of the Gospel, the priest and deacons often process or stand in a way that honors the Word. The Gospel is primarily read from the right (Coptic), then interpreted on the left (English/Arabic), symbolizing the light of the Gospel going out from the East to the whole world.

Summary of the Books/Sections Read

While the physical "books" or lectionaries are called the Katameros (ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲙⲉⲣⲟⲥ), they contain the following sections read during the Liturgy of the Catechumens:

1. The Pauline Epistle (ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ): From the fourteen epistles of St. Paul.
2. The Catholic Epistle (ⲕⲁⲑⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ): From the seven general epistles (James, Peter, John, Jude).
3. The Praxis (ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ): From the Acts of the Apostles.
4. The Synaxarium: The chronicles of the lives of the saints (usually read in the common language only).
5. The Psalm and the Gospel (ⲡⲓⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ): The "Crown" of the readings.