What are the parts of the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08

The Holy Liturgy in the Coptic Orthodox Church is a sacrificial journey that moves the faithful from the earthly realm into the presence of the Heavenly Throne. As described by Bishop Mettaous, the word "rite" (ⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ - taxis) means "order" or "system," and the Liturgy follows a precise order to lead us to the Eucharist.

The Liturgy is generally divided into three main sections:

1. The Office of Offering (The Prothesis)

This is the preparatory stage where the Lamb is chosen.

• The Prayer of the Hours (Agpeya): The Third and Sixth Hours are prayed on standard days (and the Ninth on fast days).
• The Circuit of the Altar: The priest processes around the altar with the chosen Lamb.
• The Selection of the Lamb: The priest selects one loaf from the "Orban" (ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲩⲣⲃⲁⲛ) to become the Body of Christ.
• The Baptism of the Lamb: The priest washes the bread with water, symbolizing the beginning of Christ’s ministry and His baptism.

2. The Liturgy of the Catechumens (Liturgy of the Word)

In the early Church, this was the portion where those not yet baptized could stay to hear the scriptures. It focuses on the teachings of the Church through the Word of God.

• The Pauline Epistle: A reading from the letters of St. Paul.
• The Catholic Epistle: A reading from the General Epistles (Peter, John, James, or Jude).
• The Praxis (Acts): A reading from the Book of Acts, often followed by the Synaxarium (lives of the Saints).
• The Trisagion (ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ): The chant "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal."
• The Gospel: The highlight of this section, preceded by the Litany of the Gospel and followed by the Sermon.

3. The Liturgy of the Faithful (The Anaphora)

This section is reserved for the baptized members of the Church and contains the most sacred mysteries.

• The Three Great Litanies: Prayers for Peace, the Fathers, and the Assemblies.
• The Creed: The recitation of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
• The Prayer of Reconciliation: The prayer asking God to make us worthy to greet one another with a holy kiss, representing peace between God and man.
• The Anaphora (The Uplifting): Beginning with "Lift up your hearts," this part includes the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy).
• The Institution Narrative: The priest recounts the Last Supper and the establishment of the Mystery of the Eucharist.
• The Epiclesis: The priest petitions the Holy Spirit to descend upon the bread and wine to change them into the True Body and True Blood of Christ.
• The Seven Short Litanies: Prayers for the Church, the leaders, the place, the waters/crops, and the oblations.
• The Commemoration of the Saints: We remember the ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ (Mother of God), the Apostles, and the Fathers of the Church.
• The Fraction: The priest breaks the Body while reciting a prayer of thanksgiving and preparation for communion.
• Holy Communion: The distribution of the Holy Mysteries (ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲥⲛⲟϥ - The Body and the Blood).
• The Dismissal: The final blessing and the distribution of the Eulogia (the blessed bread).

Each movement and prayer, as noted by Bishop Mettaous, carries a "profound spiritual and doctrinal meaning" intended to let the faithful experience public worship as a foretaste of heaven.