When is the deacon supposed to bring the censer to the priest?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy, the deacon brings the censer to the priest at several specific points, primarily centered around the offering of incense. According to the rites and historical commentaries, these instances include:

1. The Incense of Vespers and Prime (Raising of Incense)

The deacon brings the censer to the priest at the beginning of the service. The priest stands before the altar and places five spoonfuls of incense into the censer while making the sign of the cross three times. These five spoonfuls represent the five righteous men of the Old Testament whose sacrifices were accepted by God: Abel, Noah, Melchizedek, Aaron, and Zacharias the priest.

2. The Pauline Epistle (The Prayer of the Apostle)

The deacon brings the censer to the priest during the reading of the Pauline Epistle for the "Incense of the Apostle." The priest places incense in the censer and then circles the altar three times, eventually proceeding to incense the church (symbolizing the travels of the Apostles).

3. The Litany of the Gospel

The deacon brings the censer to the priest during the Prayer of the Gospel. This is traditionally done when the priest says "Offer sacrifices..." or when he prepares to incense the Holy Gospel.

4. After the Commemoration of the Saints (The Diptych)

At this point, the deacon brings the censer to the priest so that incense may be offered for those who have departed. The priest places incense, and the deacon may then take the censer to the designated area within the sanctuary so that the incense may rise before the Lord as a prayer for the souls of the departed.

5. During the Liturgy of the Faithful

• The Creed: The priest takes the censer during the recitation of the Creed to offer incense above and in front of the altar.
• The Sacrifices: It is noted that the priest takes the censer after ascending to the altar when he says "The Sacrifices" (referencing the Prayers of the Litany).

Key Liturgical Rules for Deacons

• The Right Side: The deacon must bring the censer to the priest from the right side of the altar.
• Order of Service: If no other priest is present to hold the censer at the entrance of the sanctuary, the most senior deacon serving is responsible for carrying it.
• Purity and Concentration: After the priest washes his hands for the Liturgy of the Faithful, he generally does not touch the censer, and the deacon must ensure the censer is handled without distracting the congregation from the sacrifice on the altar.