The Liturgy of the Word is also known as the Liturgy of the Catechumen.

Catechumen are people who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but have not yet been baptised. The Church takes her time in baptising adults to ensure the validity and sincerity of their faith.

Although this is no longer adhered to, traditionally these people were not allowed to attend the Offertory nor the Liturgy of the Eucharist or witness the sacred mysteries until they are baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity.

It is also called the Liturgy of the Word because it focuses on the word of God.

These readings have been selected in a certain way to allow for a spiritual curriculum and are found in special books called Katameros — in Greek, this word translates to “according to the days”.

The Annual Katameros is used through the Coptic year except for the following exceptions.

The Sunday Katameros is used on Sundays throughout the year, except during Great Lent and the Holy Fifty Days. These readings are arranged in a manner that explains the work of the Holy Trinity in the economy of salvation for humanity.

The Great Lent Katameros is used during the days and Sundays of the Great Holy Lent, up to Lazarus Saturday. Its readings aim to prepare the catechumens for baptism by explaining the effects of this sacred sacrament. It aims to direct the minds of believers to repentance, returning to the covenant of holy baptism.

The Holy Pascha Katameros is used during Holy Week, from Lazarus Saturday to the glorious Resurrection feast. The Church follows the Lord Jesus Christ step by step in His last week on earth. The focus is entirely on the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ, through prophecies, Psalms, and Gospels.

The Fifty Days Katameros is used in the period between the glorious Resurrection and the Feast of Pentecost. The readings focus on proving the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, as His divinity was clearly proclaimed by the holy Resurrection.

and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

— Romans 1:4

In the Divine liturgy we read chapters from the Bible: the Pauline Epistle (quoted from the Epistles of St. Paul; the Catholic Epistle (quoted from St. Peter, St. James, St. John or St. Jude epistles), the Praxis (quoted from the Book of Acts), the Psalm (quoted from the book of Psalms), the Gospel (quoted from the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke or John).

The readings have a sanctifying act and not just a teaching one. Both the word of God and prayer sanctify offerings and individuals. We should listen carefully, attentively, and prayerfully to the sacred readings.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

— John 15:3

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

— 1 Timothy 4:4-5

During the readings, the priest prays very deep inaudible prayers while censing, that God may open the hearts of the listeners to understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

— 2 Timothy 2:7

And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

— Luke 24:45

We are in desperate need for the Lord to open the eyes of our hearts to understand His eternal divine purposes when we read or hear chapters from the Holy Scriptures.

Prayer does not focus only on mental understanding but on practical application.

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

— Hebrews 13:7

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

— 2 Timothy 2:14

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

— James 1:22

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

— Matthew 7:21

But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

— Luke 11:28