The Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria (2)

Source: FSSPX News

The iconostasis of a Coptic church

When discussing the Coptic Patriarchate of Alexandria, the liturgy they use should also be reviewed.

Coptic churches and their sanctuaries are, in general, simple and bare. The altar is square. But the iconostasis (the wood or stone partition which separates the celebrant and the sacred ministers from the rest of the people) is, itself, much more decorated with icons. In general, one finds there:

  • At the top, in the middle, the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, origin of the Mass and Communion.
  • On the left, the Annunciation, recalling the beginning of the salvation of the human race.
  • At the bottom, in the middle, the Blessed Virgin, through whom Our Lord became man.
  • On the right, the baptism of Our Lord, recalling our incorporation into Christ.
  • Still the right, St. Michael the Archangel, recalling his powerful intercession with God, being the leader of the heavenly armies.

Coptic baptism is a long ceremony, during which the priest prepares and blesses the baptismal water in a large, deep baptistery. Then, he baptizes the child with a triple complete immersion—that is, he plunges the child totally in the water three times in a row while pronouncing the words of baptism. Finally, still in the same ceremony, he gives the child the sacrament of Confirmation.

The Coptic Mass offers a certain number of singularities:

  1. The Copts used to use hosts of fermented bread hollowed out with a central square representing the portion of Christ, called Spondicon; and, around it, 12 other squares (the portion of the Apostles). Each square is marked with a cross, 13 in all. It is then broken, during the Fraction, to leave one part for the priest, and the others for the faithful. But today, this host is only used for solemnities. The Catholics Copts have adopted the Latin Host, without leaven, which they divide into 13 parts (or five).
  2. Apart from the consecration, the language used is Arabic. But, sometimes, for what is familiar to all, it is Coptic.
  3. For the Mass, the priest is dressed in an amice, an alb, a flat belt (of the vestment color), two maniples in the form of cuffs, a single-piece stole (with three crosses), and a cope.
  4. The Coptic corporal is made of the same fabric as the priestly vestment.
  5. For the majority of the prayers and blessings, the priest holds a cross in his right hand.
  6. During five prayers, the priest holds, in his outstretched hands, veils symbolizing his state of grace and his purity.
  7. The Coptic Mass begins with the priest worshipping before the iconostasis (kneeling and bowing deeply). He then goes up to the altar.
  8. After the preparatory prayers, the washing of the hands, and some blessings, the priest offers the bread and wraps it in a veil, presents it to the people, and makes a procession around the altar. The server precedes the priest carrying the wine and a candle. Back at the altar, the priest blesses the holy offerings.
  9. After the consecration and the invocation of the Holy Ghost (Epiclesis), the priest makes an ostension, showing with the left hand the paten supporting the precious Body, and blesses the people with his right hand with a veil and a cross: this is the blessing of the holy offerings.
  10. Before the Fraction, the priest makes a first Consignation: having delicately dipped his finger in the Chalice, he makes a Sign of the Cross on the Host.
  11. The Fraction divides the Host into 13 (or five), leaving the central square (Spondicon) intact. This is then dipped in the precious Blood, then touches the other fragments of the Host, thus signifying the union of the Body and Blood: this is the second Consignation.
  12. At the Communion, the priest devoutly kisses the Host before receiving It.
  13. For the Communion of the Faithful, the Hosts are lightly dipped in the Chalice.