LITURGY, AGPEYA AND PRAISES

THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 1. WEARING THE VESTMENTS • The priests and deacons who are celebrating the Holy in their white vestments resemble a) The angels who praise and chant before the throne of God. b) The purity and cleanliness. c) Covered by the righteousness of Christ. • The church thus becoming the Heavenly Jerusalem on earth. • They praise God, sanctify the church through their , and partake of the Holy Communion. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY

2. CLOTHING THE ALTAR/THE OF PREPARATION • Preparing the altar symbolizes the Upper Room in Zion, to which our Savior sent a couple of His disciples to prepare for the celebration of the Passover. • “A large Upper Room furnished and prepared” (Mark 14:15). • In this same manner, the heart of every Christian approaching the Holy Sacraments should be prepared. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY

3. PRAYING THE PSALMS • The Psalms are read before offering the lamb as they are prophecies about the incarnation of the Lord for the salvation of the world. • For this purpose, the priest must ensure that the offertory bread and the decanter of wine is ready before praying the Psalms. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 4. THE WASHING OF HANDS • The priest washes his hands three times. a. On the first washing he says, • “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps.50:7). b. On the second washing he says, • “Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which You have broken may rejoice” (Ps.50:7). c. On the third washing he says, • I shall wash my hands in innocence so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim the voice of thanksgiving, ”(Ps.25:6-7). • This is related to the purity of the priests ( Mind, Words, and Deeds.) THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY The Lamb : ( Korban El Hamal ) • Circle: God has no beginning and no end. • 5 Holes: The Nails, Spear, and the throne. • 12 Crosses: The disciples. • 1 Big Cross: Jesus Christ. • Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: • No Salt: Christ is uncorrupted by His nature. • No Sugar: Christ is sweet by His nature. • With Yeast: Christ is the Lamb of God who carried the sins of the world. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 5. THE SELECTION OF THE LAMB • The priest chooses one Korbana out of odd numbers of bread. • The best in appearance. • Perfect Spadikon. • The right number of pierced holes. • Nothing should be sticking to it and it. • Should not have cracks. • Should be without blemish, just like the Passover lamb THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 6. BAPTIZING THE LAMB • The priest then carries the Lamb and wets his right hand and wipes the selected bread all around. • This action symbolizes the baptism of Christ . • The priest pours himself and kneels before the selected Lamb.”, asking the Lord to accept this sacrifice as a sacrifice for his own sins in particular, and also for the ignorance of the congregation. • He places all the burdens of his congregation, the Church and the whole world on this Lamb which carries the sins of the whole world. • Then he prays silently a deep prayer called the Prayer of Commemoration. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 7. THE PROCESSION OF THE LAMB • The procession around the altar would now be a symbol for carrying the body of Jesus wrapped in linen to lay it in the tomb. • The priest and the deacon represent Joseph and Nicodemus who carried the body of our Lord. • The whole procession of the Lamb becomes a beautiful icon for the short journey from Calvary to the Tomb. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 8. Consecrating the offerings: • The priest makes the sign of the cross on both the bread and the wine three times, consecrating them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. • The priest pours some water in the decanter of wine to remind the believers of the blood and water that gushed out when Christ our Redeemer was pierced in His side. THE RITUAL OF THE OFFERTORY 9. THE ABSOLUTION OF MINISTERS • The priest includes the congregation in the Ministers’ Absolution as they are considered to be serving and partaking in the Holy Liturgy with the deacons and priest . • The congregation has their own role with responses and hymns throughout the whole Liturgy. • It is the participation of the whole – the congregation, the priests and the deacons - that gives strength as the whole church becomes one heart and soul worshipping and praying in spirit and in truth.