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

ICON	* Icons are flat pictures, usually painted in egg tempera on wood, but also wrought in mosaic, ivory, and other materials, to represent the Lord, the heavenly creatures and saints. * We honor the icons (holy pictures) because they remind us of our Lord Jesus Christ,heavenly creatures and saints. * Icons are anointed with Chrism (Myron) to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. * We don't worship icons but we honor saints. * Statues are forhidden.
ICONS, CONSECRATION OF	* Icons are anointed with holy Chrism. * We consider that kissing icons is a means of blessing, for they are consecrated to God.
ICONOSTASIS (Iconstand)	* It's called "Iconostasis," simply a wooden or a marble stand that holds the sanctified icons. * It comprises three doors, the central or Royal Door admitting to the main altar. * On the right side of the royal door is put our Lord's Icon, while on the opposite side we find the Virgin Mary's Icon. * This Iconostasis reminds us of the saints and heavenly creatures who are present with us to participate in our praise of God.
IMPOSITION OF HANDS	* A manner of blessing used in the Old Testament (Gen. 48) and followed by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who used it in working miracles, and by the Church. The Apostles and the primitive Church employed after baptism for attaining the grace of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8 and 19). It is replaced by Chrism after baptism. * The ceremonial laying on of hands by a bishop in ordaining bishops, priests and deacons (Acts 13:3; 1 Tim. 4:14). * In this way, they appointed the first deacons, including Stephen (acts 6:6). When Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas ordained elders in churches, following prayer and fasting, they did this through the laying-on of hands.
INCENSE	* A fragrant mixture of gums, resin, and spices, burned ceremonially in services of worship. * Incense refers to prayer (Ps. 141:2). * It was used in the worship of the Jewish Temple. * The twenty-four heavenly priests present incense in golden censers (Rev. 5:8).
INCENSE BOX	* A box for incense which is usually of silver or carved wood. It is placed at the right hand of the celebrant. A small spoon is usually placed in the incense box and used for putting the incense in the censer.
I.N.R.I.	* The initials of the Latin version of the inscription written by Pilate and placed on the Cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
INSPlRATION	* The divine influence or revelation received by writers of the Scripture, which qualified them to receive and to communicate spiritual truth.
INSTITUTION	* The establishment of a sacrament by Christ, as the Eucharist; the words of Christ used in institution as in the consecration.
INTERCESSION	* A type of prayer or a petition on behalf of others. * Such prayer, implicit or explicit, forms part of almost all Christian worship, particularly all the traditional forms of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. * Intercession may be made in words of definite petition, in mental prayer, and by offering a service or action for a specified intention. * See Hyten.
DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS	* According to the legend, the three crosses on Golgotha (of Christ and the two robbers) were found by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, the true one being identified by a miracle (the resurrection of a dead).
ISKEEM (LEATHER BELT)	* A leather belt that a monk fastens round his waist when he lives in solitude. A monk wears such a belt following the recite of special prayers. * A monk that wears the "Iskeem" is ought to present exceeding prayers, fastings, and kneelings than an ordinary monk.

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

ICON * Icons are flat pictures, usually painted in egg tempera on wood, but also wrought in mosaic, ivory, and other materials, to represent the Lord, the heavenly creatures and saints.
* We honor the icons (holy pictures) because they remind us of our Lord Jesus Christ,heavenly creatures and saints.
* Icons are anointed with Chrism (Myron) to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
* We don't worship icons but we honor saints.
* Statues are forhidden.
ICONS, CONSECRATION OF * Icons are anointed with holy Chrism.
* We consider that kissing icons is a means of blessing, for they are consecrated to God.
ICONOSTASIS (Iconstand) * It's called "Iconostasis," simply a wooden or a marble stand that holds the sanctified icons.
* It comprises three doors, the central or Royal Door admitting to the main altar.
* On the right side of the royal door is put our Lord's Icon, while on the opposite side we find the Virgin Mary's Icon.
* This Iconostasis reminds us of the saints and heavenly creatures who are present with us to participate in our praise of God.
IMPOSITION OF HANDS * A manner of blessing used in the Old Testament (Gen. 48) and followed by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who used it in working miracles, and by the Church. The Apostles and the primitive Church employed after baptism for attaining the grace of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8 and 19). It is replaced by Chrism after baptism.
* The ceremonial laying on of hands by a bishop in ordaining bishops, priests and deacons (Acts 13:3; 1 Tim. 4:14).
* In this way, they appointed the first deacons, including Stephen (acts 6:6). When Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas ordained elders in churches, following prayer and fasting, they did this through the laying-on of hands.
INCENSE * A fragrant mixture of gums, resin, and spices, burned ceremonially in services of worship.
* Incense refers to prayer (Ps. 141:2).
* It was used in the worship of the Jewish Temple.
* The twenty-four heavenly priests present incense in golden censers (Rev. 5:8).
INCENSE BOX * A box for incense which is usually of silver or carved wood. It is placed at the right hand of the celebrant. A small spoon is usually placed in the incense box and used for putting the incense in the censer.
I.N.R.I. * The initials of the Latin version of the inscription written by Pilate and placed on the Cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
INSPlRATION * The divine influence or revelation received by writers of the Scripture, which qualified them to receive and to communicate spiritual truth.
INSTITUTION * The establishment of a sacrament by Christ, as the Eucharist; the words of Christ used in institution as in the consecration.
INTERCESSION * A type of prayer or a petition on behalf of others.
* Such prayer, implicit or explicit, forms part of almost all Christian worship, particularly all the traditional forms of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
* Intercession may be made

in words of definite petition,
in mental prayer, and
by offering a service or action for a specified intention.
* See Hyten.
DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS * According to the legend, the three crosses on Golgotha (of Christ and the two robbers) were found by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, the true one being identified by a miracle (the resurrection of a dead).
ISKEEM (LEATHER BELT) * A leather belt that a monk fastens round his waist when he lives in solitude. A monk wears such a belt following the recite of special prayers.
* A monk that wears the "Iskeem" is ought to present exceeding prayers, fastings, and kneelings than an ordinary monk.