What is the Prostration Prayer on Pentecost?

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

The Prostration Prayer, known as the Liturgy of the Waters or the Genuflection Service, is a solemn rite held on the afternoon of the Feast of Pentecost. It marks a significant transition in the Coptic Orthodox liturgical cycle.

According to our tradition, there are several key reasons and purposes for this specific service:

1. The Reintroduction of Prostrations

During the fifty days of the Holy Pentecost (the period between the Resurrection and Pentecost), prostrations of repentance are forbidden in the Church. This is because the period is one of supreme joy, celebrating Christ’s victory over death. The Prostration Prayer on the afternoon of Pentecost officially reintroduces prostrations (metanoias) into the worshiper's spiritual life, as we return to the regular cycle of fasting and spiritual struggle.

2. Mourning for the Departed and the "Waters"

The service consists of three distinct parts (sets of prayers). During these prayers, the priest prays over water, which is then sprinkled upon the congregation. This water symbolizes the "living water"—the Holy Spirit—promised by our Lord.

• The third prostration specifically includes long, moving litanies for those who have fallen asleep (the departed).
• We pray for their rest, acknowledging that even as we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit, we remain united as one Church—the triumphant in heaven and the militant on earth.

3. Commemorating the Descent of the Holy Spirit

While the morning Liturgy of Pentecost celebrates the historical event of the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire, the afternoon Prostration Prayer focuses on the practical application of this gift. We "bow the knee" (genuflect) in humble recognition of the Spirit’s power to wash away sin and renew the heart.

4. Direct References in the Rite

In the Rite of the Deacon, specifically within the intercessions for Pentecost, we acknowledge the shift in the liturgical mood. We mention:

• Archangel Michael: Referred to as the "resurrection trumpet blower", highlighting the eschatological nature of the Spirit's work.
• The Intercessions: We ask for the intercessions of the Theotokos and the saints, asking the Lord to grant us the forgiveness of our sins as we enter once again into a period of kneeling and petition.

5. Spiritual Humility

As Bishop Mettaous notes regarding the rites of the liturgy, prostrations are a sign of a humble request that God accept our prayers and sacrifices. By performing three formal bowings during this specific service, the faithful signify their total submission to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This service is a bridge that carries the faithful from the mountain of the Resurrection back into the daily labor of the Christian life, equipped with the grace of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth.