What is the Liturgy of the Waters?

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

The Liturgy of the Waters, known in the Coptic Orthodox Church as the Service of the Lakkan (ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕⲁⲛⲏ), is a beautiful and ancient rite in which water is consecrated through specific prayers, the sign of the cross, and the descent of the Holy Spirit (ⲡⲓⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ).

The term Lakkan is a Greek loanword (ⲗⲁⲕⲁⲛⲏ) referring to the basin or marble bowl located in the back of the nave of many historic Coptic churches, used specifically for this service.

Occasions for the Liturgy of the Lakkan

This liturgy is performed three times a year, each with a distinct theological focus:

1. The Feast of Epiphany (ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲓⲫⲁⲛⲓⲁ): This is the most famous Lakkan service. It commemorates the Baptism of our Lord ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ in the Jordan River. It is performed before the Divine Liturgy of the feast. The water is blessed to grant sanctification, healing, and the blessing of the Jordan to the believers.
2. Covenant Thursday (Holy Thursday): Performed during Holy Week before the Divine Liturgy. This service focuses on humility and purification, as it commemorates Christ washing the feet of His disciples. In this rite, after the water is consecrated, the priest washes the feet of the men and children of the congregation.
3. The Feast of the Apostles: This occurs at the end of the Apostles' Fast. It signifies the start of the mission of the Apostles to go out and "baptize all nations," and the priest blesses the congregation with the water as a sign of renewal for their own service and witness.

Structure of the Service

The Liturgy of the Waters is structured similarly to the Divine Liturgy, which emphasizes its importance. It includes:

• The Prayer of Thanksgiving: ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲱ ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (We worship You, O Christ).
• Readings: Specific prophecies from the Old Testament, a Pauline Epistle, and a Gospel reading (ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ) related to water and purification.
• Litanies: Special prayers for the water, the church, and the congregation.
• Seven Litanies: On Epiphany and the Apostles' Feast, specific litanies are prayed over the water.
• The Aspasmos: A hymn of peace.
• Blessing of the Water: The priest signs the water with the cross three times while the congregation chants "Lord have mercy" (ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲉⲗⲉⲏⲥⲟⲛ).

Theological Significance

In Coptic theology, this service is a manifestation of the sanctification of creation. By blessing the water, the Church reminds the faithful that through Christ, the nature of water—and by extension all of nature—is redeemed and becomes a source of blessing and life rather than judgment or death.

Reference is often made to the "water of the Jordan," as the Church believes that through these prayers, the water in the basin receives the same blessing granted to the Jordan River when the Lord entered it.