The Coptic Orthodox Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Faithful

Fitting and Right

Alternatively, the Priest may continue with the Anaphora of the liturgy of St Cyril or St Gregory.

Priest· St Basil

Fitting and right, fitting and right, truly indeed it is fitting and right.

O Master, Lord, God of Truth, existent before the ages and reigning forever; abiding in the highest and looking upon the lowly, Who has created the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything therein. The Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, by Whom You have created all things, seen and unseen; Who sits upon the throne of His glory and Who is worshipped by all the holy powers.

Priest· St Gregory

Fitting and right, fitting and right, fitting and right. It is truly fitting and right, that we praise You, bless You, serve You, worship You and glorify You, the One, Only, True God, the Lover of mankind; the Ineffable, the Unseen, the Infinite, the One without beginning, the Everlasting, the Timeless, the Immeasurable, the Incomprehensible, the Unchangeable, the Creator of all and the Saviour of everyone; Who forgives our sins, Who redeems our life from corruption, and Who crowns us with mercies and compassions. You are He Whom the angels praise and Whom the archangels worship.

You are He Whom the principalities bless and unto Whom the dominions cry. You are He Whose glory the authorities proclaim and to Whom the thrones send up honour. Thousands upon thousands stand before You and myriads upon myriads offer You service. You are He Whom the invisible bless, and Whom the visible worship. They all do Your word, O our Master.

Priest· St Cyril

Fitting and right, fitting and right, fitting and right; for truly it is fitting and right, and holy and proper and profitable to our souls, our bodies, and our spirits—O You Who are, Master, Lord, God the Father, the Pantocrator—at all times and in all places of Your dominion, to praise You, sing unto You, bless You, serve You, worship You, thank You and glorify You; and confess to You night and day with unfailing lips and unsilenced heart and unending doxologies.

You are He Who created the heavens and that which is in the heavens, and the earth and everything therein: the seas, the rivers, the springs, the lakes, and all things therein.

You are He Who created man in Your own image and according to Your likeness, and You created all things through Your Wisdom—Your true Light, Your Only-begotten Son,
our Lord, God, Saviour and King of us all, Jesus Christ; through Whom we give thanks and offer unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit—the holy, coessential and indivisible
Trinity—this rational sacrifice and this bloodless service; this which all nations offer unto You from the east to the west and from the north to the south.

For great is Your name, O Lord, among all the nations, and in every place incense is offered unto Your holy name, and a pure sacrifice, and upon this sacrifice and this offering.

This first response from the Deacon means to bring attention of the mind and spirit, as the people stand before the same call.

Deacon

You who are seated, stand.

Priest· St Basil

Before Whom stand the angels, the archangels, the principalities, the dominions, the thrones, the lordships and the powers.

Priest· St Gregory

O You Who are; Master and Lord; true God from true God; Who has revealed to us the light of the Father; Who has granted us the true knowledge of the Holy Spirit; Who has made manifest to us this great Mystery of life; Who has established the standing of the choir of the incorporeal among men; Who has given to those on earth the praise of the Seraphim.

Receive also our voice, together with them that are unseen. Count us among the heavenly hosts. Let us also say with them, having cast from us every thought of evil imagination, and proclaim that which they send up, with unceasing voices and unfailing lips, praising Your greatness.

This second response from the Deacon means to pay attention to the altar and the holy sacrifice on it. We must stand at all times with a prepared heart, with our hearts connected to the altar without distraction.

Deacon

Look towards the east.

Priest· St Basil

You are He around Whom stand the Cherubim full of eyes, and the Seraphim with six wings, praising continuously with unfailing voices, saying:

Priest· St Gregory

You are He around Whom stand the Cherubim and the Seraphim, six wings to the one and six wings to the other; with two they cover their faces, with two they cover their feet, and with two they fly; crying out one to another, and sending up the hymn of victory and salvation which is ours, with a voice full of glory, singing and crying out, proclaiming and saying:

Priest· St Cyril

For You are God above every principality, every authority, every power, every dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

You are He before Whom stand thousands upon thousands and myriads upon myriads of holy angels and archangels serving You.

You are He before Whom stand Your two highly honoured living creatures, with their six wings and many eyes: the Seraphim and the Cherubim. With two wings covering their faces on account of Your Godhead that none can look upon or comprehend, and with two covering their feet and with two flying.

For at all times, all hallow You, but with all who hallow You, receive our hallowing, O Lord, at our hands also, praising You with them and saying:

The Priest describes the person of our great God, explaining what we know about Him, and thanking Him for what He has done for us in terms of HIs creation from nothing.

He is the Fountainhead of all goodness. He made all things out of nothing through His own Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. And of all these His earthly creatures He reserved special mercy for the race of men.

This third response from the Deacon urges us to listen to the voices of the cherubim praising, so that we can join in their holy praise.

Deacon

Let us attend.

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