Why is it called the Fraction in the Coptic Orthodox Church?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Fraction (known in Coptic as — Pi-phshish, and in Arabic as Al-Qesma) refers to the ritual breaking of the Holy Body (the Oblation or Qurban) after it has been consecrated into the true Body of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.

The term is used for several theological and liturgical reasons:

1. The Physical Act of Breaking

The word literally means "the act of breaking." Following the example of our Lord at the Last Supper, the priest takes the Holy Body and breaks it into specific parts. This fulfills the biblical account: "He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them..." (Luke 22:19).

2. Symbolism of the Passion

While the priest breaks the Bread, he does so according to a specific pattern that symbolizes the segments of the Body of Christ. However, it is a fundamental Coptic Orthodox dogma that although the Body is broken, Christ is not divided. We believe that the whole Christ is present in every single fragment, no matter how small. The "Fraction" represents the sufferings of Christ and the piercing of His Body on the Cross.

3. The Fraction Prayers

The term "Fraction" also refers to the beautiful and deep theological prayers recited by the priest during this manual act. These prayers serve as a preparation for the clergy and the congregation to receive Holy Communion.

• Variety of Prayers: There are different Fraction prayers for various feasts, fasts, and commemorations (e.g., the Fraction for Great Lent, the Fraction for the Feasts of the Virgin Mary, or the Annual Fraction).
• Theological Themes: These prayers usually summarize the plan of salvation, the mystery of the Incarnation, or the life of the saint being commemorated.

4. Preparation for Distribution

The Fraction is the necessary step to prepare the Holy Body for distribution to the faithful. By breaking the one Loaf, the many members of the Church are able to partake of the "One Body," signifying our unity in Christ. As St. Paul says: "For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17).

In our Coptic tradition, this is one of the most solemn moments of the Divine Liturgy, where the priest speaks to God the Father, often reflecting on our unworthiness and the great mercy shown to us through the sacrifice of His Son.