When in the liturgy do the deacons have to hand the priest the censer?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy, the deacons must be attentive and ready to hand the ⲑⲩⲣⲓⲁⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ (censer/thurible) to the priest at several specific pivotal moments. In our tradition, the censer (ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲓ) symbolizes the Mother of God, and the incense (ⲡⲓⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ) represents the prayers of the saints ascending to the throne of God.

The following are the primary times a deacon must hand the censer to the priest:

1. The Raising of Incense (Vespers and Prime)

Before the Liturgy begins, during the Raising of Incense, the deacon hands the censer to the priest at the start of the service after the priest says the Prayer of Thanksgiving. The priest will then cense the altar, the icons, and the congregation.

2. The Prayer of the Incense (Pauline and Praxis)

During the Liturgy of the Catechumens:

• The Pauline Incense: After the priest reads the "Prayer of the Pauline Incense" silently, the deacon hands him the censer to cense the altar and the sanctuary before he exits to cense the nave.
• The Praxis (Acts) Incense: As with the Pauline Incense, the deacon must have the censer ready for the priest to cense during the reading of the Acts of the Apostles.

3. The Litany of the Gospel

Before the Gospel is read:

• The priest prays the Litany of the Gospel.
• The deacon must stand ready with the censer. After the priest places incense in the censer, he censes the Holy Bible (the ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ) as it is carried in procession.

4. The Great Procession (The Lamb)

When the priest is preparing to choose the Lamb, or when he is processing with the Lamb around the altar, he will need the censer. The deacon typically precedes the priest, censing toward the Lamb, or hands the censer to the priest if he is censing the elements.

5. During the Creed and the Commemoration

• The Creed: The priest censes during the recitation of the Orthodox Creed.
• The Commemoration of the Saints: The priest may use the censer during the litanies and the commemoration to offer the "incense of the evening, the morning, and the day."

6. Preparation of the Elements (Prothesis)

The censer should be ready on the preparation table (usually on the left side of the altar). The deacon or altar server must have the charcoal lit and the censer ready for the priest to cense the veil and the elements before the service of the Bread begins.

7. When a Bishop (Hierarch) Is Present

If a bishop or the Pope is presiding:

• The deacon must be even more diligent. As the hierarch begins the censing of the altar or the iconostasis, the deacon (or sometimes two altar boys/deacons) must be ready to hand him the censer at the Royal Doors or behind the altar.
• In the presence of a bishop, the deacon often holds the censer and hands it to the hierarch as he prepares to bless the people or the icons.

Practical Deacon Instructions:

• Preparation: Always ensure the charcoal is fully ignited and "glowing" before handing it to the priest.
• The Hand-off: Hold the censer by the top of the chains with your right hand and support the base/cross with your left, allowing the priest to take it easily.
• Reverence: Whenever the priest or bishop swings the censer toward you or the altar, bow slightly as a sign of respect for the Mystery being celebrated.

Note on Coptic Names:

• Censer: ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲓ (Tee-shouri)
• Incense: ⲡⲓⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ (Pi-stoinoufi)
• Altar: ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲉⲣϣⲱⲟⲩϣⲓ (Pi-man-ershoushi)