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2024-01-17 - Subdeacons & Readers Meeting

Spiritual Topic: Soldier Deacon

Jan Guirguis

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5of5icyf99zq4einz19mn/2024-01-17-The-Soldier-Deacon-Jan-Guirguis.pdf?rlkey=k4cgepbkhrofovya599e5crhl&dl=0 

Ritual Portion:

Absolution of the Ministers

"Then the priest rises and kisses the altar, and proceeds to the north side of the altar, and the deacon who is serving prostrates before him, and the priest stretches forth his hand on the deacon and blesses him. Then both of them kiss the altar. Coming down from the altar, the priest and the rest of the deacons walk backward, their faces set to the East, and they put their left foot first. Then they prostrate themselves before the door of the sanctuary, and one of the priests who are present reads the Prayer of Absolution." - Coptic Reader

  • Before the Absolution of Ministers, these are the ritual instructions given to us
  • After the lifting of the Prospherine:
    • All deacons should be on the NORTH side of the altar
    • All deacons prostrate before Abouna and then take his blessing and kiss his cross
    • All deacons kiss the altar
    • All deacons leave the sanctuary from the main door walking backwards, left foot first
    • All deacons prostrate themselves before the sanctuary during the Absolution
Censer
  • How to hold the Censer
    • Put your right hand on the top hook, and your pinky finger in the ring. When you raise your pinky finger, the center chain (dome of the censer) will be raised.
    • Put your left hand under the base of the censer
    • Raise the dome with your right pinky, and then lower your right hand to be level with your left hand. The chains should be extended and not left to dangle (or tangle)
    • Rotate your left hand to make sure there are no chains over the base
    • A video will come soon
  • How many coals to put in the censer
    • In a typical liturgy, we use three coals
    • One in the morning before Matins
    • One AFTER the Agpeya Prayers which will endure through the Liturgy of the Word
    • One AFTER the Sermon which will endure until the Commemoration of the Saints
    • NO COALS should be added after Abouna says "was incarnate"
  • How to deal with the ash on the coals
    • A small spoon will be added near the censer that can be used to remove ash from the top of the coal
    • DO NOT remove ash by blowing
    • DO NOT remove ash by shaking the censer
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