Coptic Centre, UK


The Official Website of the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre, United Kingdom Under the care of H.G. Bishop Angaelos

By Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malty

DEACON (servant)	* The institution of the diaconate is tradi tionally seen in the ordination of the seven deacons, among which were St. Stephen and St. Philip, by imposition of hands for the service of the poor and distribution of alms (Acts 6: 1-6). * Deacons wear a stole crosswise over the left shoulder and under the right arm. It is winglike red cloth, which reminds us that the deacon is angel-like. In funerals it is replaced with a black one. * Deaconary is a priestly degree, as follows: Subdeacon. Deacon. Archdeacon. * He cares for the altar service as well as people. * The First Epistle to Timothy (3:8-10) lists the qualities to be expected in candidates for the diaconate. To be admitted, they must be men of high principles, above reproach, not given to hypocrisy or double-talk, not indulging in excessive drinking or amassing of riches.
DEACONESS	* A maid that had devoted her life to serve God, and to prayers as well. * St. Paul mentioned Phoebe as a deaconess (Rom. 16: 1). * She is officially in charg of certain duties in the church. She helps the priest in serving women, particularly the sick and needy, besides at their baptism. She is not to be ordained but raised. * In the early church, deaconesses were recognized as a distinct order of women who were vowed to perpetual chastity. They were, nevertheless, allowed to perform only certain duties in the care of women, and no sacerdotal services in the church.
DIDASCALIA	* "Instructions, that is, Catholic doctrine, of the Twelve Disci pIes of our Savior." * The work is usually classified among writings dealing with church offices and orders, and it purports to be a compilation of instructions made by the apostles immediately after the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15. Following a brief opening addressed to all Christians to give heed to the teaching of the documentS, the treatise turns to the duties of bishops, including bishops' courts for lawsuits between believers, and the conduct of worship services. There follow instructions on how to deal with widows, how to assign deacons and deaconesses in their responsibilities, and what to do with orphans. Other subjects included in the Didascalia are martyrdom, fasting and Easter season, heresies and judgments against heretics, and the relationship of the Old Testament rituals to the New Testament church. Practical advice is given in relation to morality, decency in language, dietary freedom, and how to treat visitors.
DIOCESE	* The area of limits of jurisdiction of a diocesan bishop. It is usually divided into parishes.
DIFNAR	* A book that tells the stories of saints of the day and praises them in prose. * One of these hymns is sung in the service of the Psalmody that follows the office of Compline, after the "Lobsh" (interpretation) of the Theotokon of the day.
DIPYTUCH (Diptichon, Touptikon)	* The list of names of departed Christians for whom special prayers are offered. * We love our deceased fathers and brothers, that's why we ask God to have mercy upon them; and they on their turn pray on our behalf. * Praying "Dipytuch" takes place after the assembly, in the liturgy of Eucharist (Mass).
DISCIPLINE	* The word is used in many senses: The totality of church laws and traditions regulating the believers' spiritual life, and church order. In this meaning it comprises all church activities, such as the administration of sacraments, offices, feasts, devotions, etc. A system of mortification, especially through the monastic life. A kind of penalty the penitent accepts from his spiritual father to help him in his spiritual life, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
DIVINE OFFICE (Evening and Morning Incense or Vesper and Matins)	* These are prayers, hymns and thanksgiving that are presented in the evening preceding the Eucharistic Liturgy and in the early morning before the Eucharistic Liturgy.
DOGMA	* An article of faith; a truth set forth with and by church authority, based on the Holy Bible.
DOME (Star, Astisk)	* It consists of two small silver bows in the shape of a cross. On top of it is a cross referring to the sheltering cherubim. * This dome is put on the paten representing the Lord's grave or manger.
DOVE	* As a Christian symbol, the dove denotes peace, forgiveness, and anticipation in a new life. It also expresses innocence and purity. It signifies the Holy Spirit and the presence of God as hovering over the water at creation. Refering to the dove with the olive branch in its beak in the story of Noah and the ark (Gen. 8-11), we can say that it is a sign of peace and reconciliation. In the primitive Church, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ at His baptism under the form of a dove (Mark 1:10), thus the dove here referred to the Holy Spirit. In the Song of Solomon, where the Bride is called a dove (2:1; 5:2), and the dove is a symbol of the Church. Besides in many times the dove denotes the inspired theological knowledge of the saints. It represents certain Christian virtues, notably purity and humility.
DOXOLOGY	* An ascription of glory to the Holy Trinity. * In the Liturgy of St. Basil the celebrant recites the "Gloria in Excelsis," "the Angelic Hymn," or what the western church calls the Greater Doxology [Glory be to God on high...]. * Almost all our prayers includes the "Gloria Patri," or the Lesser Doxology [ Glory be to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit...].

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W

DEACON (servant) * The institution of the diaconate is tradi tionally seen in the ordination of the seven deacons, among which were St. Stephen and St. Philip, by imposition of hands for the service of the poor and distribution of alms (Acts 6: 1-6).
* Deacons wear a stole crosswise over the left shoulder and under the right arm. It is winglike red cloth, which reminds us that the deacon is angel-like. In funerals it is replaced with a black one.
* Deaconary is a priestly degree, as follows:
Subdeacon.
Deacon.
Archdeacon.
* He cares for the altar service as well as people.
* The First Epistle to Timothy (3:8-10) lists the qualities to be expected in candidates for the diaconate. To be admitted, they must be men of high principles, above reproach, not given to hypocrisy or double-talk, not indulging in excessive drinking or amassing of riches.
DEACONESS * A maid that had devoted her life to serve God, and to prayers as well.
* St. Paul mentioned Phoebe as a deaconess (Rom. 16: 1).
* She is officially in charg of certain duties in the church. She helps the priest in serving women, particularly the sick and needy, besides at their baptism. She is not to be ordained but raised.
* In the early church, deaconesses were recognized as a distinct order of women who were vowed to perpetual chastity. They were, nevertheless, allowed to perform only certain duties in the care of women, and no sacerdotal services in the church.
DIDASCALIA * "Instructions, that is, Catholic doctrine, of the Twelve Disci pIes of our Savior."
* The work is usually classified among writings dealing with church offices and orders, and it purports to be a compilation of instructions made by the apostles immediately after the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15. Following a brief opening addressed to all Christians to give heed to the teaching of the documentS, the treatise turns to the duties of bishops, including bishops' courts for lawsuits between believers, and the conduct of worship services. There follow instructions on how to deal with widows, how to assign deacons and deaconesses in their responsibilities, and what to do with orphans. Other subjects included in the Didascalia are martyrdom, fasting and Easter season, heresies and judgments against heretics, and the relationship of the Old Testament rituals to the New Testament church. Practical advice is given in relation to morality, decency in language, dietary freedom, and how to treat visitors.
DIOCESE * The area of limits of jurisdiction of a diocesan bishop. It is usually divided into parishes.
DIFNAR * A book that tells the stories of saints of the day and praises them in prose.
* One of these hymns is sung in the service of the Psalmody that follows the office of Compline, after the "Lobsh" (interpretation) of the Theotokon of the day.
DIPYTUCH (Diptichon, Touptikon) * The list of names of departed Christians for whom special prayers are offered.
* We love our deceased fathers and brothers, that's why we ask God to have mercy upon them; and they on their turn pray on our behalf.
* Praying "Dipytuch" takes place after the assembly, in the liturgy of Eucharist (Mass).
DISCIPLINE * The word is used in many senses:

The totality of church laws and traditions regulating the believers' spiritual life, and church order. In this meaning it comprises all church activities, such as the administration of sacraments, offices, feasts, devotions, etc.
A system of mortification, especially through the monastic life.
A kind of penalty the penitent accepts from his spiritual father to help him in his spiritual life, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

DIVINE OFFICE
(Evening and Morning Incense or Vesper and Matins) * These are prayers, hymns and thanksgiving that are presented in the evening preceding the Eucharistic Liturgy and in the early morning before the Eucharistic Liturgy.
DOGMA * An article of faith; a truth set forth with and by church authority, based on the Holy Bible.
DOME (Star, Astisk) * It consists of two small silver bows in the shape of a cross. On top of it is a cross referring to the sheltering cherubim. * This dome is put on the paten representing the Lord's grave or manger.
DOVE * As a Christian symbol, the dove denotes peace, forgiveness, and anticipation in a new life. It also expresses innocence and purity.

It signifies the Holy Spirit and the presence of God as hovering over the water at creation.
Refering to the dove with the olive branch in its beak in the story of Noah and the ark (Gen. 8-11), we can say that it is a sign of peace and reconciliation.
In the primitive Church, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ at His baptism under the form of a dove (Mark 1:10), thus the dove here referred to the Holy Spirit.
In the Song of Solomon, where the Bride is called a dove (2:1; 5:2), and the dove is a symbol of the Church.
Besides in many times the dove denotes the inspired theological knowledge of the saints.
It represents certain Christian virtues, notably purity and humility.

DOXOLOGY * An ascription of glory to the Holy Trinity. * In the Liturgy of St. Basil the celebrant recites the "Gloria in Excelsis," "the Angelic Hymn," or what the western church calls the Greater Doxology [Glory be to God on high...].
* Almost all our prayers includes the "Gloria Patri," or the Lesser Doxology [ Glory be to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit...].